What do you think?
Rate this book
So It Grows
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26A cozy small town business-rivals-to-lovers romcom about finding joy where you least expect it from USA Today bestselling author Andie Burke.
Felicity Gallagher thought inheriting her aunt’s plant shop would be the fresh start she needed. She never expected that the trendy, mac and cheese themed restaurant next door–and its inconveniently hot chef–might be her downfall.
Nicholas Holm-Bozic is arrogant, presumptuous, and just flat out gets under her skin. Felicity has made ignoring him an art form—until the exploding popularity of his restaurant leads to renewed interest in Felicity’s quirky corner of Kansas. Now, a greedy developer is threatening both their businesses with a towering parking garage that could steal the sunlight from her plants. With her shop’s future in jeopardy, Felicity must join forces with her least favorite neighbor.
As the pair fight back, Nic and Felicity’s formerly contentious relationship blooms into something new, but hidden battle scars, old secrets, and a devastating storm threaten everything they’ve built. Will they choose to cut and run, or are they finally ready to put down permanent roots?
Andie Burke’s So It Grows is chock full of heat, heart, and humor, and everything in between.
Felicity Gallagher thought inheriting her aunt’s plant shop would be the fresh start she needed. She never expected that the trendy, mac and cheese themed restaurant next door–and its inconveniently hot chef–might be her downfall.
Nicholas Holm-Bozic is arrogant, presumptuous, and just flat out gets under her skin. Felicity has made ignoring him an art form—until the exploding popularity of his restaurant leads to renewed interest in Felicity’s quirky corner of Kansas. Now, a greedy developer is threatening both their businesses with a towering parking garage that could steal the sunlight from her plants. With her shop’s future in jeopardy, Felicity must join forces with her least favorite neighbor.
As the pair fight back, Nic and Felicity’s formerly contentious relationship blooms into something new, but hidden battle scars, old secrets, and a devastating storm threaten everything they’ve built. Will they choose to cut and run, or are they finally ready to put down permanent roots?
Andie Burke’s So It Grows is chock full of heat, heart, and humor, and everything in between.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Andie Burke
4 books678 followersAndie Burke writes books with queer kissing and happily ever afters. She was originally an English major who decided to jump into a pediatric nursing career. Her writing is inspired by over a decade spent working in hospitals with patients of all ages. After the last couple years spent in the pandemic ER, she escaped to an outpatient pediatric sedation unit. Andie lives in a blue house in Maryland with an alarming number of books and an embarrassing number of ultra-fine point pens. When she’s not writing, she’s probably feeding snacks to the two small human creatures who live with her or trying not to kill her chaotic houseplants. You can find her on Bookstagram adding to her ever-expanding TBR or letting her ADHD brain happily dissociate while listening to Taylor Swift.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / 5 Stars
This is a vibe rating because I truly could not put this book down. I was really into it and thought it was a fun rivals to friends to lovers story and then we hit 67% and my jaw hit the floor and then it was two hours later (and who knows what time at night) and I have finished with no regrets.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💜 Business rivals to friends to lovers
💜 Plant shop owner FMC x Chef MMC
💜 Small town romance in Kansas
💜 Mental health rep (check the content warnings)
💜 Queer romance (bisexual FMC x pansexual MMC)
💜 Puns as a love language
💜 Found family
It starts out as business rivals who have to band together to get rid of a common bad guy who wants to build a parking lot next to a plant store and restaurant. They are business rivals and she really dislikes him and I had a whole diatribe about “how could you be so attracted to someone when you actually actively dislike them?” (I do not have those multi-tasking skills. When your girls feel rage, all she sees is red, not hot butts). But that said, to my friends who struggle with insta-lust in a book, all I can say is keep reading.
The banter was great. There were so many great food puns and an electric back and forth that I really enjoyed. Felicity and Nic have a ton of chemistry. I felt like the rival and dislike part was dropped pretty easily and I understand why on Nic’s part, but I am not sure that I fully buy it on Felicity’s part but again, I am down for the ride.
The book reminded me of Archer’s Voice in that it is a grand and epic love story with heavy themes, but I felt like the mental health and trauma aspects of this book were done way better (no tea, no shade, no pink lemonade to Archer’s Voice but it doesn’t even have content warnings which it desperately needs). This books explores assault, PTSD, suicidal ideations, addiction in thoughtful ways, but please take care of yourself while reading.
When the book wrapped up, I did still have a few lingering questions or a few things that just didn’t 100% add up, but if a book sucks me in, that gets big kudos from me.
I am so excited that I discovered Andie Burke. This book takes place in the same universe as two of her other books (though I don’t think you have to read them to understand this book) and I am excited to go back now and read her other work.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 22, 2026
⋆ ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆
This is a vibe rating because I truly could not put this book down. I was really into it and thought it was a fun rivals to friends to lovers story and then we hit 67% and my jaw hit the floor and then it was two hours later (and who knows what time at night) and I have finished with no regrets.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💜 Business rivals to friends to lovers
💜 Plant shop owner FMC x Chef MMC
💜 Small town romance in Kansas
💜 Mental health rep (check the content warnings)
💜 Queer romance (bisexual FMC x pansexual MMC)
💜 Puns as a love language
💜 Found family
It starts out as business rivals who have to band together to get rid of a common bad guy who wants to build a parking lot next to a plant store and restaurant. They are business rivals and she really dislikes him and I had a whole diatribe about “how could you be so attracted to someone when you actually actively dislike them?” (I do not have those multi-tasking skills. When your girls feel rage, all she sees is red, not hot butts). But that said, to my friends who struggle with insta-lust in a book, all I can say is keep reading.
The banter was great. There were so many great food puns and an electric back and forth that I really enjoyed. Felicity and Nic have a ton of chemistry. I felt like the rival and dislike part was dropped pretty easily and I understand why on Nic’s part, but I am not sure that I fully buy it on Felicity’s part but again, I am down for the ride.
The book reminded me of Archer’s Voice in that it is a grand and epic love story with heavy themes, but I felt like the mental health and trauma aspects of this book were done way better (no tea, no shade, no pink lemonade to Archer’s Voice but it doesn’t even have content warnings which it desperately needs). This books explores assault, PTSD, suicidal ideations, addiction in thoughtful ways, but please take care of yourself while reading.
When the book wrapped up, I did still have a few lingering questions or a few things that just didn’t 100% add up, but if a book sucks me in, that gets big kudos from me.
I am so excited that I discovered Andie Burke. This book takes place in the same universe as two of her other books (though I don’t think you have to read them to understand this book) and I am excited to go back now and read her other work.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 22, 2026
⋆ ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆
July 5, 2026
3⭐️
I enjoyed this story as a whole, but I wasn't super sold on the romance between Felicity and Nic. I think the time jumps we got just took away from the slower development of their relationship? There was a lot going on and yet it never fully captured my attention
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this story as a whole, but I wasn't super sold on the romance between Felicity and Nic. I think the time jumps we got just took away from the slower development of their relationship? There was a lot going on and yet it never fully captured my attention
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
July 6, 2026🌿🪴 So It Grows 🪴🌿
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Small Town
• Rivals to Lovers
• Plant Shop Owner
• Chef MMC
• Forced Partnership
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Cozy Rom Com
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Small Town
• Rivals to Lovers
• Plant Shop Owner
• Chef MMC
• Forced Partnership
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Cozy Rom Com
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Read
June 7, 2026This is a cute story, but with a slightly weird premise that I shall not reveal as I believe it's a bit of a spoiler. Felicity has inherited a plant shop in Kansas from her aunt. She's still trying to figure things out, but all is complicated by the popularity of the mac and cheese restaurant next door, run by chef Nicholas Holm-Bozic. Nic's restaurant threatens the sanctity of Felicity's shop--and he gets under her skin like no one else. Unfortunately the two will have to work together to try to save both their shops against some machinations from city hall.
This story has a sloooow burn start. If you've read any of Andie Burke's other books, you'll see some interconnected characters, including references to Aunt Jeannie, Marshall, Courtney, Thea, and more. That's kind of fun!
As Felicity and Nic spend more time together, we learn how Felicity has always felt too much, while Nic is recovering from a difficult childhood and the pressures of his father. The two share some good banter, and we get a lot of references to plants and food!
The writing felt a bit choppy, without fully developed characters, and I was a bit thrown by the overall premise, but the book really picks up in the second half and had me quite invested. It also makes some excellent points about mental health and sexual assault. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review. Look for SO IT GROWS in September 2026!
This story has a sloooow burn start. If you've read any of Andie Burke's other books, you'll see some interconnected characters, including references to Aunt Jeannie, Marshall, Courtney, Thea, and more. That's kind of fun!
As Felicity and Nic spend more time together, we learn how Felicity has always felt too much, while Nic is recovering from a difficult childhood and the pressures of his father. The two share some good banter, and we get a lot of references to plants and food!
The writing felt a bit choppy, without fully developed characters, and I was a bit thrown by the overall premise, but the book really picks up in the second half and had me quite invested. It also makes some excellent points about mental health and sexual assault. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review. Look for SO IT GROWS in September 2026!
April 12, 2026
I was in the mood for a romcom, and So It Grows promised a cozy small town business rivals-to-friends-to-lovers romcom between a plant shop owner and restaurant chef.
I didn’t expect to read such realistic-feeling depictions of living with and/or reacting to neurodiversity, gender diversity, addiction, assault, depression, suicidal ideation, cancer, and death. I really appreciated Andie Burke's the straightforward approach to such serious topics wrapped with sassy banter and slow-burn romance between Felicity and Nic.
Before I continue, please remember, if you ever need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, the 988 Lifelife is available 24/7. Text or call 988.
Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, 988's counselors are there for you. You are not alone.
Now back to the book review. I would have preferred more tension and romantic acceleration between Felicity and Nic for a greater payoff after the slow burn. We have to wait till over 65% of the way through to experience a major pivot that turbocharged the story, when we start getting answers to the gaps the story had spun up to that point. In the end, I enjoyed the characters being able to open themselves up and not hide or make themselves small for fear of rejection or burdening others. Existing is enough.
Readers who like small town business rivals, shared rivalry, and lost and found love, and don’t mind steady, long slow burn will like So It Grows.
I finished the book feeling content and satisfied!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the chance to read an advance reader copy of this book!
Again, if you ever need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, the 988 Lifelife is available 24/7. Text or call 988. Support is always available.
Tropes
Small town
Found family
Slow burn
Business rivals to friends to lovers
Restaurant chef x Plant store owner
Shared rivalry
Lost love
Second chance love
LGBTQIA+
I didn’t expect to read such realistic-feeling depictions of living with and/or reacting to neurodiversity, gender diversity, addiction, assault, depression, suicidal ideation, cancer, and death. I really appreciated Andie Burke's the straightforward approach to such serious topics wrapped with sassy banter and slow-burn romance between Felicity and Nic.
Before I continue, please remember, if you ever need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, the 988 Lifelife is available 24/7. Text or call 988.
Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, 988's counselors are there for you. You are not alone.
Now back to the book review. I would have preferred more tension and romantic acceleration between Felicity and Nic for a greater payoff after the slow burn. We have to wait till over 65% of the way through to experience a major pivot that turbocharged the story, when we start getting answers to the gaps the story had spun up to that point. In the end, I enjoyed the characters being able to open themselves up and not hide or make themselves small for fear of rejection or burdening others. Existing is enough.
Readers who like small town business rivals, shared rivalry, and lost and found love, and don’t mind steady, long slow burn will like So It Grows.
I finished the book feeling content and satisfied!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the chance to read an advance reader copy of this book!
Again, if you ever need someone to talk to about how you're feeling, the 988 Lifelife is available 24/7. Text or call 988. Support is always available.
Tropes
Small town
Found family
Slow burn
Business rivals to friends to lovers
Restaurant chef x Plant store owner
Shared rivalry
Lost love
Second chance love
LGBTQIA+
June 3, 2026
With thanks to St. Martin's Griffin/Edelweiss for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So It Grows Book Review 🦇
Are you good with plants?❓
A cozy small town business-rivals-to-lovers romcom about finding joy where you least expect it. 🦇
My Thoughts 🦇
Andie Burke's characters and prose just keep getting better and better! Let's break down So It Grows so YOU can add this small-town rivals-to-lovers romance (with a TWIST) to your TBR.
What a BEAUTIFUL representation of depression, grief, and growth. There are so many books that DRENCH you in these heavy emotions, but So It Grows slowly seeps you in it, like tea leaves on a stovetop, kept beyond their boiling point. There are good days, bad days, and moments in between. You learn to manage, occasionally isolate yourself, hide it, but it's still there; a dark cloud looming overhead. You see it, FEEL it in Felicity, and this journey doesn't walk her out of the storm, but helps her navigate it.
Felicity's ADHD absolutely SHINES on the page. You see it in her internal AND external dialogue, which becomes charming rather than frustrating.
The twist. My bookish bats, THIS TWIST was EVERYTHING. And SO unexpected for a contemporary romance. If it starts a little slow for you, KEEP READING.
I adore the rivals to lovers portion of a romance, the banter that starts a bit bitter, but sweetens over time, only to become a couple's shorthand. Felicity and Nic have it in spades--it becomes a laugh-out-loud-worthy representation of their chemistry.
And OH, do they have chemistry. You don't even know.
So It Grows is deep-rooted in my heart. This book is so much bigger than you'll initially realize, the seeds to this story sown so long ago, nurtured with sweet sunlight and heavy rain. The love here sprouted long before Felicity and Nic (you'll see after the epilogue), the vines have spread, and it will cling tight to every surface of your heart if you let it.
The cactus pajamas. "Mommy." The fig tree. The story on the menu. I can't. Wicked angel. Ad astra per aspera.
This is officially the fourth book I've read this year that left me crying, in bed, under the covers, at 4am. My heart.
Recommended for fans of Rachel Lacey, Julian Winters, and Alexandria Bellefleur. 🦇
The Vibes ✨
Queer Romance ( Pansexual + Bisexual Rep )
Small Town Romance
Business Rivals to Lovers
Contemporary Romance
Grief / Trauma / Complicated Family Dynamics
Banter
Plant Shop Owner / Chef
Dual POV
Surprise Twist
Disability / Mental Health Rep (ADHD + Depression)
Grumpy vs Sunshine
Chronic Pain / PTSD
Found Family
Interconnected Standalone Romance
TW: parental abandonment, assault, chronic pain, depression, ADHD, suicidal thoughts, addiction, cancer
Major thanks to the Andie Burke and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #SoItGrows 🦇
Quotes 💬
For everyone hiding battle scars. For everyone fighting a war with their own mind. For everyone who lost. For everyone beaten down by this fractured planet, For everyone who thinks their heart is too broken to heal. For everyone losing hope. For everyone still waiting— I know waiting might feel like never, but sometimes waiting can just mean soon. For everyone living in that gray liminal space of wondering whether sticking around is even worth it. Stay.
When my mental health declined, I would stare at an art print I had bought in a store there. It was a picture of dark night sky with the Latin state motto above it: ad astra per aspera—“ to the stars through difficulties.”
“I always see you, Felicity.”
“Felicity, you . . . you are a perfect entirety. And you have to exist. Every beautiful, battle-scarred cell of you has to exist.”
That smolder should warrant an arson charge.
"Being protective of a big heart isn’t the same as treating someone like they’re fragile.”
“Even if you were sour, I’d still take a bite out of you.”
“I want you so bad I can barely see straight when I’m with you. I want you so bad I burn breakfast orders when I watch you garden.”
“Someone who starts as a friend. But the kind where watching them light up makes you light up. The kind of friend who makes you laugh even when things aren’t funny because watching them laugh makes the world seem better. I want lame-ass matching Halloween costumes and Christmas traditions. French toast in bed on my birthday. The stupid shit. Someone who will watch trash TV with me and warm my feet when the heat goes out...The person who can see you through the bad shit and doesn’t think you’re a burden. That’s how my parents are. Someone who can help you pick up the pieces when stuff really turns to shit. The person who feels lucky to be the one who gets to be my home.”
“This is just the difficulties, wicked angel.” No answer. “Stay with me, darlin,’ and I’m going to give you the stars.”
Are you good with plants?❓
A cozy small town business-rivals-to-lovers romcom about finding joy where you least expect it. 🦇
My Thoughts 🦇
Andie Burke's characters and prose just keep getting better and better! Let's break down So It Grows so YOU can add this small-town rivals-to-lovers romance (with a TWIST) to your TBR.
What a BEAUTIFUL representation of depression, grief, and growth. There are so many books that DRENCH you in these heavy emotions, but So It Grows slowly seeps you in it, like tea leaves on a stovetop, kept beyond their boiling point. There are good days, bad days, and moments in between. You learn to manage, occasionally isolate yourself, hide it, but it's still there; a dark cloud looming overhead. You see it, FEEL it in Felicity, and this journey doesn't walk her out of the storm, but helps her navigate it.
Felicity's ADHD absolutely SHINES on the page. You see it in her internal AND external dialogue, which becomes charming rather than frustrating.
The twist. My bookish bats, THIS TWIST was EVERYTHING. And SO unexpected for a contemporary romance. If it starts a little slow for you, KEEP READING.
I adore the rivals to lovers portion of a romance, the banter that starts a bit bitter, but sweetens over time, only to become a couple's shorthand. Felicity and Nic have it in spades--it becomes a laugh-out-loud-worthy representation of their chemistry.
And OH, do they have chemistry. You don't even know.
So It Grows is deep-rooted in my heart. This book is so much bigger than you'll initially realize, the seeds to this story sown so long ago, nurtured with sweet sunlight and heavy rain. The love here sprouted long before Felicity and Nic (you'll see after the epilogue), the vines have spread, and it will cling tight to every surface of your heart if you let it.
The cactus pajamas. "Mommy." The fig tree. The story on the menu. I can't. Wicked angel. Ad astra per aspera.
This is officially the fourth book I've read this year that left me crying, in bed, under the covers, at 4am. My heart.
Recommended for fans of Rachel Lacey, Julian Winters, and Alexandria Bellefleur. 🦇
The Vibes ✨
Queer Romance ( Pansexual + Bisexual Rep )
Small Town Romance
Business Rivals to Lovers
Contemporary Romance
Grief / Trauma / Complicated Family Dynamics
Banter
Plant Shop Owner / Chef
Dual POV
Surprise Twist
Disability / Mental Health Rep (ADHD + Depression)
Grumpy vs Sunshine
Chronic Pain / PTSD
Found Family
Interconnected Standalone Romance
TW: parental abandonment, assault, chronic pain, depression, ADHD, suicidal thoughts, addiction, cancer
Major thanks to the Andie Burke and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #SoItGrows 🦇
Quotes 💬
For everyone hiding battle scars. For everyone fighting a war with their own mind. For everyone who lost. For everyone beaten down by this fractured planet, For everyone who thinks their heart is too broken to heal. For everyone losing hope. For everyone still waiting— I know waiting might feel like never, but sometimes waiting can just mean soon. For everyone living in that gray liminal space of wondering whether sticking around is even worth it. Stay.
When my mental health declined, I would stare at an art print I had bought in a store there. It was a picture of dark night sky with the Latin state motto above it: ad astra per aspera—“ to the stars through difficulties.”
“I always see you, Felicity.”
“Felicity, you . . . you are a perfect entirety. And you have to exist. Every beautiful, battle-scarred cell of you has to exist.”
That smolder should warrant an arson charge.
"Being protective of a big heart isn’t the same as treating someone like they’re fragile.”
“Even if you were sour, I’d still take a bite out of you.”
“I want you so bad I can barely see straight when I’m with you. I want you so bad I burn breakfast orders when I watch you garden.”
“Someone who starts as a friend. But the kind where watching them light up makes you light up. The kind of friend who makes you laugh even when things aren’t funny because watching them laugh makes the world seem better. I want lame-ass matching Halloween costumes and Christmas traditions. French toast in bed on my birthday. The stupid shit. Someone who will watch trash TV with me and warm my feet when the heat goes out...The person who can see you through the bad shit and doesn’t think you’re a burden. That’s how my parents are. Someone who can help you pick up the pieces when stuff really turns to shit. The person who feels lucky to be the one who gets to be my home.”
“This is just the difficulties, wicked angel.” No answer. “Stay with me, darlin,’ and I’m going to give you the stars.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars, rounded up
note: Objectively, 2 stars, the vibes were a 3 star, therefore taking the average
this was the most filler ive ever read
that title includes the lovely amount of filler words used to complete my 5000 word essay
the redeeming quality, however, was, in true title form, a tree
take that how you will
PLOT REMARKS:
There were three main problems that I personally saw with this book, with the only redeeming quality (the occasional cute romantic moments) not being good enough to make up for it.
1) The pacing: This was a book of filler. Half of the plot points could have been removed and made it a lot less exhausting to read. It's not slow burn just because the story's slow! I think Felicity spent 50% of the book waxing poetry about Nic's thighs/abs/muscles/biceps/white t-shirt muscles.
2) The shit that didn't make sense: Love at first sight might exist, but love at first does not. (if you dont want to see the spoiler its a very ridiculous meet cute) At least in the way it was put! Because if this obsession was so fucking strong, then what do you mean they spent years avoiding each other. Nic would've had to write . Which makes for the most ridiculous miscommunication trope that has ever been put on paper.
also i dont think its legal for toby to change the name of his company that many times
3) The whole thing about addiction: It was almost a plot device??? There's no backstory, no trauma, no emotions behind the encounter with substances. Instead, it's offered as a not-very-plausible explanation for said ridiculous miscommunication trope. Like yeah! "hey i didnt call u because i have issues so i will now avoid you like the plague"
So now you might be wondering... why the three stars?
First of all, Fanny the tree was the greatest romantic gesture of all fucking time, fight me on this.
Second of all (HELLO structure), the banter was funny and did make me smile.
ok Honestly, this was a vibes read, and I just had a good time at times.
CHARACTERS:
FELICITY: She's just another trying-to-be stubborn character. I love the LGBTQIA+ representation, but what I don't love is how she's just incapable of accepting help. Also the whole "pick-me girl" speech... do we know what a pick-me girl is??? Like hello???
also why the fuck didnt she accept nic's offer in the beginning. like i get the whole "wanna be independent" but at SOME POINT one needs to realize the PEN HAS A DENT IN IT NOW.
NIC: In the words of my best friend, "eh, he's aight". He has his moments (the fucking trend) and then just fizzles out.
AUNT JEANIE: Meddling old woman. I don't know how she got the nerve to do half the shit she did behind the scenes, but she actually rage baited me so bad. You can't just MANIPULATE SOMEONE BECAUSE YOU DONT THINK HES GOOD ENOUGH FOR... actually ykw. Grow the fuck away.
this book was like a very dry, very flaky croissant with lovely flavor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
note: Objectively, 2 stars, the vibes were a 3 star, therefore taking the average
this was the most filler ive ever read
that title includes the lovely amount of filler words used to complete my 5000 word essay
the redeeming quality, however, was, in true title form, a tree
take that how you will
PLOT REMARKS:
There were three main problems that I personally saw with this book, with the only redeeming quality (the occasional cute romantic moments) not being good enough to make up for it.
1) The pacing: This was a book of filler. Half of the plot points could have been removed and made it a lot less exhausting to read. It's not slow burn just because the story's slow! I think Felicity spent 50% of the book waxing poetry about Nic's thighs/abs/muscles/biceps/white t-shirt muscles.
2) The shit that didn't make sense: Love at first sight might exist, but love at first does not. (if you dont want to see the spoiler its a very ridiculous meet cute) At least in the way it was put! Because if this obsession was so fucking strong, then what do you mean they spent years avoiding each other. Nic would've had to write . Which makes for the most ridiculous miscommunication trope that has ever been put on paper.
also i dont think its legal for toby to change the name of his company that many times
3) The whole thing about addiction: It was almost a plot device??? There's no backstory, no trauma, no emotions behind the encounter with substances. Instead, it's offered as a not-very-plausible explanation for said ridiculous miscommunication trope. Like yeah! "hey i didnt call u because i have issues so i will now avoid you like the plague"
So now you might be wondering... why the three stars?
First of all, Fanny the tree was the greatest romantic gesture of all fucking time, fight me on this.
Second of all (HELLO structure), the banter was funny and did make me smile.
ok Honestly, this was a vibes read, and I just had a good time at times.
CHARACTERS:
FELICITY: She's just another trying-to-be stubborn character. I love the LGBTQIA+ representation, but what I don't love is how she's just incapable of accepting help. Also the whole "pick-me girl" speech... do we know what a pick-me girl is??? Like hello???
also why the fuck didnt she accept nic's offer in the beginning. like i get the whole "wanna be independent" but at SOME POINT one needs to realize the PEN HAS A DENT IN IT NOW.
NIC: In the words of my best friend, "eh, he's aight". He has his moments (the fucking trend) and then just fizzles out.
AUNT JEANIE: Meddling old woman. I don't know how she got the nerve to do half the shit she did behind the scenes, but she actually rage baited me so bad. You can't just MANIPULATE SOMEONE BECAUSE YOU DONT THINK HES GOOD ENOUGH FOR... actually ykw. Grow the fuck away.
this book was like a very dry, very flaky croissant with lovely flavor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll be honest—the beginning felt a little rough for me, particularly with the focus on empty lot politics and the pocket park grant. It took some time to settle into the story, but I’m so glad I stuck with it, because this turned out to be a truly heartfelt and rewarding read. Overall, I’d still give it 4.5 stars.
So It Grows follows Nic (Nicky, Nicholas, Nikolaj) and Felicity, business rivals in an cute Kansas neighborhood. Their early interactions felt a bit jarring, and Felicity came across as quite rude at first—but once Nic openly expresses that he wants to be friends, the tone shifts and the story really picks up .
Felicity was such a standout character for me. The ADHD and chronic pain representation was thoughtfully handled—it was present and meaningful without overwhelming the story. As someone who also lives with chronic pain, I found it incredibly validating to see that experience reflected so naturally. I also loved all the plant shop details—the puns, the history, the little facts—especially as a fellow plant lover.
Nic is one of the best book boyfriends I have come across thus far! He is the physical embodiment of "if he wanted to, he would." From the very beginning, his care for Felicity is unwavering. He never treats her differently because of her pain and consistently shows up for her in ways that feel genuine and deeply supportive. The structure of the book—split into three parts, including one set in the past—was a unique and effective storytelling choice. It added emotional depth and felt fresh and kind of mysterious at first compared to typical romance formats.
The mental health representation, particularly through Felicity, was also handled with care and really resonated with me. Both characters backstories make you really feel for them. They were so well written! This book definitely made me emotional more than once. (14 year old fiddle leaf fig tree is somehow alive!)
There were a few minor drawbacks. The number of side characters—many introduced with both first and last names—became a bit difficult to keep track of at times. I also would have liked more clarity around the resolution of the pocket park grant and empty lot storyline. And while I understand this is an uncorrected ARC, there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors that I hope will be addressed before publication.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to read Burke's other 2 books in this universe.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC—I’ll definitely be picking up a finished copy when it’s released.
So It Grows follows Nic (Nicky, Nicholas, Nikolaj) and Felicity, business rivals in an cute Kansas neighborhood. Their early interactions felt a bit jarring, and Felicity came across as quite rude at first—but once Nic openly expresses that he wants to be friends, the tone shifts and the story really picks up .
Felicity was such a standout character for me. The ADHD and chronic pain representation was thoughtfully handled—it was present and meaningful without overwhelming the story. As someone who also lives with chronic pain, I found it incredibly validating to see that experience reflected so naturally. I also loved all the plant shop details—the puns, the history, the little facts—especially as a fellow plant lover.
Nic is one of the best book boyfriends I have come across thus far! He is the physical embodiment of "if he wanted to, he would." From the very beginning, his care for Felicity is unwavering. He never treats her differently because of her pain and consistently shows up for her in ways that feel genuine and deeply supportive. The structure of the book—split into three parts, including one set in the past—was a unique and effective storytelling choice. It added emotional depth and felt fresh and kind of mysterious at first compared to typical romance formats.
The mental health representation, particularly through Felicity, was also handled with care and really resonated with me. Both characters backstories make you really feel for them. They were so well written! This book definitely made me emotional more than once. (14 year old fiddle leaf fig tree is somehow alive!)
There were a few minor drawbacks. The number of side characters—many introduced with both first and last names—became a bit difficult to keep track of at times. I also would have liked more clarity around the resolution of the pocket park grant and empty lot storyline. And while I understand this is an uncorrected ARC, there were quite a few spelling and grammar errors that I hope will be addressed before publication.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to read Burke's other 2 books in this universe.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC—I’ll definitely be picking up a finished copy when it’s released.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked up this ARC because I liked the premise of plant shop owner and chef banding together against a greedy developer - it’s something I don’t think I’ve read before! I was also on the hunt for rivals-to-lovers romance, though I wouldn’t term this rivals necessarily, more like bad-first-impression-to-friends-to-lovers :)
What I liked
* The author handled very sensitive topics of depression, abuse, trauma, chronic pain, suicidal ideation, and terminal cancer wonderfully. Each scene was well-written in my opinion, and treated with love and care. I found myself empathizing greatly with the characters.
* Felicity’s growth throughout the book was amazing. I wasn’t a huge fan of hers at first but as the story continued and we learned more about her trauma and life events up until that point, I found myself beginning to root for her. She was funny, intelligent, and honestly had done so much work to get to that point. I teared up going through her inner monologue of wanting to exist, wanting to be loved, feeling as though she was too much but knowing that it’s because she’s always been full of love and light.
* Nic was an incredibly attentive MMC right from when he first met Felicity. He grew on me very quickly, and I loved how seriously he took their relationship - whether that was listening to her, reminding her how wonderful she is, etc.
What didn’t quite work for me
* The pacing felt a bit stilted at times. The story is told over the course of like September to May, but there were times that we jumped around from month to month and I had to keep flipping back to make sure I knew what the right timeline was.
* I wished we had seen more of the romantic progression of Felicity and Nic’s relationship. Though they built a good friendship throughout the book, there were some scenes that took me by surprise because on page we hadn’t seen all of their feelings grow and develop.
* There were so many side characters to keep track of, many side plots that though served the larger picture, seemed to overwhelm the storyline.
* The writing style changed in the last third of the book and though I think it was to serve the plot twist that comes, I wasn’t a huge fan. It made it difficult to follow what was happening. I also didn’t quite like the ending — it felt rushed and I wished it had been longer/more fleshed out.
I’d recommend this book to people who, though interested in romance, love the scenes of building friendship between the love interests; as well as people who love when sensitive topics like mental health and physical trauma are handled with care in a story.
What I liked
* The author handled very sensitive topics of depression, abuse, trauma, chronic pain, suicidal ideation, and terminal cancer wonderfully. Each scene was well-written in my opinion, and treated with love and care. I found myself empathizing greatly with the characters.
* Felicity’s growth throughout the book was amazing. I wasn’t a huge fan of hers at first but as the story continued and we learned more about her trauma and life events up until that point, I found myself beginning to root for her. She was funny, intelligent, and honestly had done so much work to get to that point. I teared up going through her inner monologue of wanting to exist, wanting to be loved, feeling as though she was too much but knowing that it’s because she’s always been full of love and light.
* Nic was an incredibly attentive MMC right from when he first met Felicity. He grew on me very quickly, and I loved how seriously he took their relationship - whether that was listening to her, reminding her how wonderful she is, etc.
What didn’t quite work for me
* The pacing felt a bit stilted at times. The story is told over the course of like September to May, but there were times that we jumped around from month to month and I had to keep flipping back to make sure I knew what the right timeline was.
* I wished we had seen more of the romantic progression of Felicity and Nic’s relationship. Though they built a good friendship throughout the book, there were some scenes that took me by surprise because on page we hadn’t seen all of their feelings grow and develop.
* There were so many side characters to keep track of, many side plots that though served the larger picture, seemed to overwhelm the storyline.
* The writing style changed in the last third of the book and though I think it was to serve the plot twist that comes, I wasn’t a huge fan. It made it difficult to follow what was happening. I also didn’t quite like the ending — it felt rushed and I wished it had been longer/more fleshed out.
I’d recommend this book to people who, though interested in romance, love the scenes of building friendship between the love interests; as well as people who love when sensitive topics like mental health and physical trauma are handled with care in a story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So It Grows • Andie Burke
One phrase: plants, pasta, and neighborly tension 🪴🧀
A plant shop owner and the inconveniently hot chef next door?
Cute. Cozy. Slightly chaotic.
So It Grows follows Felicity Gallagher, who inherits her aunt’s plant shop in Kansas and is trying to figure out how to keep it thriving. The problem is the trendy mac and cheese restaurant next door, run by Nicholas Holm Bozic, is suddenly bringing a lot more attention to her quirky little corner of town.
And Nic?
Arrogant. Presumptuous. Annoying.
Naturally, very hot.
Felicity has made ignoring him an art form, but when a greedy developer threatens both of their businesses with a parking garage that could steal the sunlight from her plants, she has to team up with her least favorite neighbor.
Forced teamwork with the man who gets under your skin?
Say less.
This was a cute small town romance with a fun, slightly weird premise, lots of plant and food references, and a slow burn start that gradually lets Felicity and Nic’s connection bloom.
I liked the business rivals to lovers setup, especially once they had to stop fighting each other long enough to fight for the spaces that mattered to them. Their banter was fun, and as they spent more time together, the emotional pieces started to come through.
Felicity is someone who feels deeply and is still figuring out what this fresh start means for her. Nic is carrying the weight of a difficult childhood and the pressure of his father, which made his grumpier moments feel more layered.
I also enjoyed the interconnected character references for readers who know Andie Burke’s other books. It made the world feel cozy and familiar.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪴 plant shop heroine
🧀 mac and cheese chef
🏘 small town romance
🔥 business rivals to lovers
😤 grumpy neighbor energy
🌿 forced teamwork
🏗 developer drama
💬 good banter
💔 hidden battle scars
⛈ devastating storm
🌷 fresh start
🏡 putting down roots
📚 Read this if you like:
Small town romcoms, plant shops, foodie romance, business rivals, slow burn tension, grumpy neighbors, cozy interconnected worlds, and love stories about finding joy where you least expect it.
This was cute, warm, quirky, and full of roots, romance, and second chances.
#SoItGrows #AndieBurke #SmallTownRomance #RomComBooks #BookReview @StMartinsPress
One phrase: plants, pasta, and neighborly tension 🪴🧀
A plant shop owner and the inconveniently hot chef next door?
Cute. Cozy. Slightly chaotic.
So It Grows follows Felicity Gallagher, who inherits her aunt’s plant shop in Kansas and is trying to figure out how to keep it thriving. The problem is the trendy mac and cheese restaurant next door, run by Nicholas Holm Bozic, is suddenly bringing a lot more attention to her quirky little corner of town.
And Nic?
Arrogant. Presumptuous. Annoying.
Naturally, very hot.
Felicity has made ignoring him an art form, but when a greedy developer threatens both of their businesses with a parking garage that could steal the sunlight from her plants, she has to team up with her least favorite neighbor.
Forced teamwork with the man who gets under your skin?
Say less.
This was a cute small town romance with a fun, slightly weird premise, lots of plant and food references, and a slow burn start that gradually lets Felicity and Nic’s connection bloom.
I liked the business rivals to lovers setup, especially once they had to stop fighting each other long enough to fight for the spaces that mattered to them. Their banter was fun, and as they spent more time together, the emotional pieces started to come through.
Felicity is someone who feels deeply and is still figuring out what this fresh start means for her. Nic is carrying the weight of a difficult childhood and the pressure of his father, which made his grumpier moments feel more layered.
I also enjoyed the interconnected character references for readers who know Andie Burke’s other books. It made the world feel cozy and familiar.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪴 plant shop heroine
🧀 mac and cheese chef
🏘 small town romance
🔥 business rivals to lovers
😤 grumpy neighbor energy
🌿 forced teamwork
🏗 developer drama
💬 good banter
💔 hidden battle scars
⛈ devastating storm
🌷 fresh start
🏡 putting down roots
📚 Read this if you like:
Small town romcoms, plant shops, foodie romance, business rivals, slow burn tension, grumpy neighbors, cozy interconnected worlds, and love stories about finding joy where you least expect it.
This was cute, warm, quirky, and full of roots, romance, and second chances.
#SoItGrows #AndieBurke #SmallTownRomance #RomComBooks #BookReview @StMartinsPress
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you St. Martin's Press for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tension: ⚡️⚡️
Prose: 🖋️🖋️🖋️
A parking garage that threatens the plant shop Felicity inherited from her late aunt, the "enemy" chef named Nic next door, and past trauma... I loved the premise of this book. It promised enemies-to-lovers, small town, and emotional healing. The narration (3rd person) had strong voice, with witty turns-of-phrase and clever banter.
As a vibe, this book was incredible. Honestly. It felt socially aware, intelligent, sexy, and frequently quirky-cute. Felicity represents populations with mental trauma, chronic pain, ADHD, and who are binary. She even once mentions fear of going to the doctor for her pain because she assumes she'll be written off because of her weight. Nic is pansexual and has his own past-informed-present. Many readers will appreciate the book for these elements alone!
In many ways, however, this book fell short for me, personally. The first act of the book sets up a somewhat confusing set of conflicts over a shared patio space, a community courtyard, and an empty lot. The second act is a series of holidays Felicity spends getting to know Nic and thinking about his hot body. The third act is suddenly an angsty, second-chance romance. Almost all of the interactions take place in the church/plant shop/Felicity's apartment through dialogue (I'm also not actually sure if Nic worked as a chef or just talks to Felicity?), so I never got a rich sense of the small-town world. Finally, while I deeply appreciate the many underrepresented groups Felicity gives voice to, and that Nic describes her as having a green thumb and no filter, none of these qualities felt developed enough to give her a three-dimensional character. They were just all things that she was or that happened to her.
I want to root for these characters. I want to care about them. I applaud the author for representation throughout the book and for writing a story that deals with such a difficult aspect of mental health, because we need more of this. I just wish the elements of this book felt more connected to each other, so the external and internal conflicts, the romance, and character growth could shine for me.
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tension: ⚡️⚡️
Prose: 🖋️🖋️🖋️
A parking garage that threatens the plant shop Felicity inherited from her late aunt, the "enemy" chef named Nic next door, and past trauma... I loved the premise of this book. It promised enemies-to-lovers, small town, and emotional healing. The narration (3rd person) had strong voice, with witty turns-of-phrase and clever banter.
As a vibe, this book was incredible. Honestly. It felt socially aware, intelligent, sexy, and frequently quirky-cute. Felicity represents populations with mental trauma, chronic pain, ADHD, and who are binary. She even once mentions fear of going to the doctor for her pain because she assumes she'll be written off because of her weight. Nic is pansexual and has his own past-informed-present. Many readers will appreciate the book for these elements alone!
In many ways, however, this book fell short for me, personally. The first act of the book sets up a somewhat confusing set of conflicts over a shared patio space, a community courtyard, and an empty lot. The second act is a series of holidays Felicity spends getting to know Nic and thinking about his hot body. The third act is suddenly an angsty, second-chance romance. Almost all of the interactions take place in the church/plant shop/Felicity's apartment through dialogue (I'm also not actually sure if Nic worked as a chef or just talks to Felicity?), so I never got a rich sense of the small-town world. Finally, while I deeply appreciate the many underrepresented groups Felicity gives voice to, and that Nic describes her as having a green thumb and no filter, none of these qualities felt developed enough to give her a three-dimensional character. They were just all things that she was or that happened to her.
I want to root for these characters. I want to care about them. I applaud the author for representation throughout the book and for writing a story that deals with such a difficult aspect of mental health, because we need more of this. I just wish the elements of this book felt more connected to each other, so the external and internal conflicts, the romance, and character growth could shine for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars / 5
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy of this book. This was such a different read than I'm used to and once I found the hook I couldn't put this book down. As a former ER nurse, I really related to Felicity and her recovery to find herself - while I didn't experience exactly what she did, I know the feeling of climbing back out of a dark hole to be able to find myself again. I loved the growing relationship and friendship between her and Nic and how quickly he became her support. I wouldn't call it a slow burn, but an enemies to friends to more throughout the entirety of the book.
Felicity recently takes ownership of her aunt's plant shop in a different state and is navigating moving, coordinating everything that goes into her own business, and dealing with the neighboring restaurant next door who she's already off on the wrong foot with. When an opportunity to improve their community is met with a massive roadblock with a neighboring business, Nic and Felicity team up and call a truce to benefit the area that they are a part of. Over the course of a year, you watch their friendship grow and blossom (ha!) into something more, and you watch Felicity find herself and Nic unveil more about why Felicity is so important to him.
While I enjoyed this book, it really took a long time for me to find the hook that kept me reading until I finished it. There were a lot of places where I had to go back and figure out how to build the story in my head and also other parts where I wondered when things would change. For being such an integral part of why they were brought together, Bruce and the fight against the parking ramp was wrapped up in what felt like one paragraph. I loved watching the dynamic play out between Nic and Felicity, but I feel like it was very drawn out until I was hooked with 30% left to go in the book.
I would definitely read this book again once it's published and hope maybe on a second read that I can put more of the world together in my head - I'm a visual reader!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy of this book. This was such a different read than I'm used to and once I found the hook I couldn't put this book down. As a former ER nurse, I really related to Felicity and her recovery to find herself - while I didn't experience exactly what she did, I know the feeling of climbing back out of a dark hole to be able to find myself again. I loved the growing relationship and friendship between her and Nic and how quickly he became her support. I wouldn't call it a slow burn, but an enemies to friends to more throughout the entirety of the book.
Felicity recently takes ownership of her aunt's plant shop in a different state and is navigating moving, coordinating everything that goes into her own business, and dealing with the neighboring restaurant next door who she's already off on the wrong foot with. When an opportunity to improve their community is met with a massive roadblock with a neighboring business, Nic and Felicity team up and call a truce to benefit the area that they are a part of. Over the course of a year, you watch their friendship grow and blossom (ha!) into something more, and you watch Felicity find herself and Nic unveil more about why Felicity is so important to him.
While I enjoyed this book, it really took a long time for me to find the hook that kept me reading until I finished it. There were a lot of places where I had to go back and figure out how to build the story in my head and also other parts where I wondered when things would change. For being such an integral part of why they were brought together, Bruce and the fight against the parking ramp was wrapped up in what felt like one paragraph. I loved watching the dynamic play out between Nic and Felicity, but I feel like it was very drawn out until I was hooked with 30% left to go in the book.
I would definitely read this book again once it's published and hope maybe on a second read that I can put more of the world together in my head - I'm a visual reader!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So It Grows has one of the more fun storylines I’ve read in a while with so many great characters! It follows the quirky Felicity who has a sassy personality that I thoroughly enjoyed! She had me chuckling several times at her different insults. She moves to Kansas to take over her aunt’s plant store where she runs into the overinflated chef next door, to her at least.
Let me start by saying there were many things in this book that I adored! I loved the idea of refurbishing an old church property into small businesses. I loved the family-oriented tight knit community and this was one you could really feel. I loved where the plot went and the unexpected twists we uncover. I also adored all the characters we meet along the way and I especially loved watching the friendship between Felicity and Nic. Their build up to friendship and following was executed wonderfully and their tension could be felt through the page.
With all that said, this book ended up being 3 stars for me. I felt there were too many acute scene changes that happened in the middle of the page rather than a page break or chapter change. Every time this happened it took me out of the story for a second and I felt I had to regroup. The timeline dragged a bit in the middle from event to holiday to event. Even though I felt the tension and buildup was amazing the leap from friends to more was abrupt and not as satisfying as the book was leading it to be. Following this climax the ending felt rushed.
There were some chapters towards the end that were so informative and I fell in love with the character they were about even more. Unfortunately, I felt the come down after some revelations could have been slower and more satisfying.
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book for the story, humor and characters!!
Let me start by saying there were many things in this book that I adored! I loved the idea of refurbishing an old church property into small businesses. I loved the family-oriented tight knit community and this was one you could really feel. I loved where the plot went and the unexpected twists we uncover. I also adored all the characters we meet along the way and I especially loved watching the friendship between Felicity and Nic. Their build up to friendship and following was executed wonderfully and their tension could be felt through the page.
With all that said, this book ended up being 3 stars for me. I felt there were too many acute scene changes that happened in the middle of the page rather than a page break or chapter change. Every time this happened it took me out of the story for a second and I felt I had to regroup. The timeline dragged a bit in the middle from event to holiday to event. Even though I felt the tension and buildup was amazing the leap from friends to more was abrupt and not as satisfying as the book was leading it to be. Following this climax the ending felt rushed.
There were some chapters towards the end that were so informative and I fell in love with the character they were about even more. Unfortunately, I felt the come down after some revelations could have been slower and more satisfying.
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book for the story, humor and characters!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
I picked up So It Grows expecting a cozy small-town romcom with business rivals-to-lovers energy between a plant shop owner and a chef… and it absolutely delivered that vibe.
But I genuinely did not expect how emotionally layered this book would be.
This story takes on a surprising amount—neurodiversity, gender identity, addiction, assault, depression, suicidal ideation, cancer, and grief—yet still manages to wrap it all in sassy banter, puns, and a slow-burn romance that feels grounded and real. I really appreciated how straightforward and thoughtful the handling of those heavier topics was, without it ever feeling like they were overshadowing the romance or the small-town charm.
Felicity and Nic have great chemistry, and the banter between them is easily one of the highlights. The rivals-to-lovers arc leans heavily into a slow burn (very slow burn), and while I personally would’ve liked a bit more tension and romantic escalation earlier on, the payoff still worked for me emotionally once the story really shifted gears in the latter half.
That turning point honestly changed everything for me—I went from “this is fun” to completely locked in and unable to put it down.
I also really liked the underlying message of the book: that people don’t have to make themselves smaller to be worthy of love, connection, or belonging. Just existing is enough, and that really stayed with me after finishing.
The romance, the found family elements, and the emotional honesty all came together in a way that left me feeling really satisfied by the end, even if I still had a few lingering questions about certain plot points.
Overall, this was a surprisingly heartfelt romcom that balanced humor and heaviness really well, and I’m definitely excited to read more from Andie Burke.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
I picked up So It Grows expecting a cozy small-town romcom with business rivals-to-lovers energy between a plant shop owner and a chef… and it absolutely delivered that vibe.
But I genuinely did not expect how emotionally layered this book would be.
This story takes on a surprising amount—neurodiversity, gender identity, addiction, assault, depression, suicidal ideation, cancer, and grief—yet still manages to wrap it all in sassy banter, puns, and a slow-burn romance that feels grounded and real. I really appreciated how straightforward and thoughtful the handling of those heavier topics was, without it ever feeling like they were overshadowing the romance or the small-town charm.
Felicity and Nic have great chemistry, and the banter between them is easily one of the highlights. The rivals-to-lovers arc leans heavily into a slow burn (very slow burn), and while I personally would’ve liked a bit more tension and romantic escalation earlier on, the payoff still worked for me emotionally once the story really shifted gears in the latter half.
That turning point honestly changed everything for me—I went from “this is fun” to completely locked in and unable to put it down.
I also really liked the underlying message of the book: that people don’t have to make themselves smaller to be worthy of love, connection, or belonging. Just existing is enough, and that really stayed with me after finishing.
The romance, the found family elements, and the emotional honesty all came together in a way that left me feeling really satisfied by the end, even if I still had a few lingering questions about certain plot points.
Overall, this was a surprisingly heartfelt romcom that balanced humor and heaviness really well, and I’m definitely excited to read more from Andie Burke.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a sweet, quirky small-town romance with characters that felt easy to root for from the very beginning. 💛
Felicity and Nic are both carrying more than they're willing to admit, and I loved watching them slowly find a place where they could breathe, heal, and start figuring out what they wanted their lives to look like. The small-town setting had all the charm I was hoping for, and the community felt like a character of its own.
One of my favorite things about this book was the humor. There were so many moments that genuinely made me laugh, especially in the beginning. The banter felt natural, the town was delightfully chaotic, and the cast of side characters added so much personality to the story.
I also really enjoyed the friendship between Felicity and Nic. Their connection felt comfortable and supportive, and I loved seeing them become each other's safe place.
That said, I did struggle with the pacing at times. The story occasionally jumped forward unexpectedly, which made some moments feel rushed and left me wanting more development in certain parts of the relationship. I would have loved to spend a little more time watching their feelings evolve before things shifted into romance.
The overall storyline kept me engaged, but I also wished some of the bigger plot threads had been explored more deeply, especially toward the end when everything wrapped up a little faster than I expected.
Even with those issues, I still had a great time reading this. It was heartfelt, funny, and filled with lovable characters that made me want to stay in this town a little longer.
✨ If you love:
🌻 Small-town romance
💛 Friends to lovers vibes
🌿 Healing journeys
😂 Quirky characters
🏡 Cozy community settings
✨ Found family energy
💕 Emotional growth
Then this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Felicity and Nic are both carrying more than they're willing to admit, and I loved watching them slowly find a place where they could breathe, heal, and start figuring out what they wanted their lives to look like. The small-town setting had all the charm I was hoping for, and the community felt like a character of its own.
One of my favorite things about this book was the humor. There were so many moments that genuinely made me laugh, especially in the beginning. The banter felt natural, the town was delightfully chaotic, and the cast of side characters added so much personality to the story.
I also really enjoyed the friendship between Felicity and Nic. Their connection felt comfortable and supportive, and I loved seeing them become each other's safe place.
That said, I did struggle with the pacing at times. The story occasionally jumped forward unexpectedly, which made some moments feel rushed and left me wanting more development in certain parts of the relationship. I would have loved to spend a little more time watching their feelings evolve before things shifted into romance.
The overall storyline kept me engaged, but I also wished some of the bigger plot threads had been explored more deeply, especially toward the end when everything wrapped up a little faster than I expected.
Even with those issues, I still had a great time reading this. It was heartfelt, funny, and filled with lovable characters that made me want to stay in this town a little longer.
✨ If you love:
🌻 Small-town romance
💛 Friends to lovers vibes
🌿 Healing journeys
😂 Quirky characters
🏡 Cozy community settings
✨ Found family energy
💕 Emotional growth
Then this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who loves a small-town romance, I was so excited to be given early access to this book. The characters were cute and quirky in the best way but not without their share of struggles. Both Felicity and Nic have been through their share of trauma, but small-town Kansas may just be exactly what they need to find themselves and truly start living again.
The plot overall was good. Towards the beginning, the interactions between the characters were laugh-out-loud funny (often at Felicity’s expense). I liked the use of the greedy developer plot-line in order to bring our love interests together as well. My main issue with the book was more in the way it was written. The plot seemed to jump forward randomly in ways that didn’t entirely make sense. Even within a chapter, the plot would suddenly jump forward an entire month which made it harder to follow and connect with the story. The friend relationship between Nic and Felicity was good, but the jump to something more just felt rushed. More time could have been spent on the transition instead of just BANG there it is. I was also left wanting more from the developer plot-line. They spend much of the book trying to outsmart the developer antagonist just for the ending to offer a two sentence resolution. I found myself confused. It seemed just thrown in at the end so the book could have a double happy ending.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. I loved the characters and felt that I truly got to know them over the course of the book. I just didn’t love how rushed the plot line felt or the lack of resolution in the end. I wouldn’t say it’s a must read, but it is a quick and cute story if that’s what you’re looking for.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The plot overall was good. Towards the beginning, the interactions between the characters were laugh-out-loud funny (often at Felicity’s expense). I liked the use of the greedy developer plot-line in order to bring our love interests together as well. My main issue with the book was more in the way it was written. The plot seemed to jump forward randomly in ways that didn’t entirely make sense. Even within a chapter, the plot would suddenly jump forward an entire month which made it harder to follow and connect with the story. The friend relationship between Nic and Felicity was good, but the jump to something more just felt rushed. More time could have been spent on the transition instead of just BANG there it is. I was also left wanting more from the developer plot-line. They spend much of the book trying to outsmart the developer antagonist just for the ending to offer a two sentence resolution. I found myself confused. It seemed just thrown in at the end so the book could have a double happy ending.
Overall, the book was enjoyable. I loved the characters and felt that I truly got to know them over the course of the book. I just didn’t love how rushed the plot line felt or the lack of resolution in the end. I wouldn’t say it’s a must read, but it is a quick and cute story if that’s what you’re looking for.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a small town romcom about second chances, healing, and community. Felicity and Nic share a courtyard plaza and sparks fly when they disagree about the best way to use the space. Felicity inherits a plant store from her aunt that’s next door to Nic’s trendy mac and cheese restaurant. When a developer threatens to put in a parking lot that will block the sun from her plant shop and destroy the vibe of their community, they join forces to protect it. My favorite part of the story is watching the shop owners come together to save the plaza. The community events were fun, including a Halloween Festival with an ocean theme, paper fish decorations and an undersea pumpkin patch reef!
Both Felicity and Nic manage mental health challenges that were handled with care. The story includes neurodivergence, addiction, grief and trauma. Nic has an abusive father while Felicity lives with chronic pain and PTSD from something that happened to her three years ago. She works hard to stay healthy but she still has hard days and as she and Nic become friends, he looks out for her. The storyline feels jumpy at times and I had to reread sections to make sure I didn’t miss something. For example, it jumps from Thanksgiving to planning a Valentine’s event, but we don’t see much of that before the story switches to a plumbing problem in Nic’s restaurant, then to a friend with a medical emergency and more. There is also a big twist toward the end that I didn’t love, but it’s sweet when Nic describes his love for Felicity “Love is carrot cake…” Thank you to the author, St Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at The Passionate Reader closer to the review date, 09/22.
Both Felicity and Nic manage mental health challenges that were handled with care. The story includes neurodivergence, addiction, grief and trauma. Nic has an abusive father while Felicity lives with chronic pain and PTSD from something that happened to her three years ago. She works hard to stay healthy but she still has hard days and as she and Nic become friends, he looks out for her. The storyline feels jumpy at times and I had to reread sections to make sure I didn’t miss something. For example, it jumps from Thanksgiving to planning a Valentine’s event, but we don’t see much of that before the story switches to a plumbing problem in Nic’s restaurant, then to a friend with a medical emergency and more. There is also a big twist toward the end that I didn’t love, but it’s sweet when Nic describes his love for Felicity “Love is carrot cake…” Thank you to the author, St Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at The Passionate Reader closer to the review date, 09/22.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another great June read, one that will be perfect for the weather when it finally comes out in the fall. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!!
So It Grows looks like a very pretty romance from the cover, and in a lot of ways it is, but it's also heavy at times (like every other book I read in June; authors, have mercy on me, please). Both main characters have their own share of scars in their pasts. We mostly follow Felicity, healing from past trauma and grief at losing her aunt, trying to save her shop and the nearby green space from the looming specter of a parking garage, and being forced to team up with neighboring Nic, who she has reasons for not really liking very much. I loved the parts of her that are fierce and vibrant, and I love the parts of her that are wounded, too, and how she survives and grows. Her POV was so entertaining as well, and Nic is a great match for her energy and everything about her.
What I think I loved most was that these two characters become great friends first, before their attraction develops into romance. Nic learns all about her, and she eventually learns all about him. They may spend a lot of time feuding, but it's not toxic in a way that turns me off of a lot of stories. And their romance is absolutely on fire.
Then there's the twist other reviewers are talking about. I actually think the chapters right after it took a bit of momentum out of the book, but still, what a twist. Added a whole new dimension to the book. Very well executed.
The setting's cozy. The emotions cover a whole array from sweet to spicy to heavy. The pacing mostly works. The themes are developed well. A solid 4 out of 5 stars, but I would 10 out of 10 recommend.
So It Grows looks like a very pretty romance from the cover, and in a lot of ways it is, but it's also heavy at times (like every other book I read in June; authors, have mercy on me, please). Both main characters have their own share of scars in their pasts. We mostly follow Felicity, healing from past trauma and grief at losing her aunt, trying to save her shop and the nearby green space from the looming specter of a parking garage, and being forced to team up with neighboring Nic, who she has reasons for not really liking very much. I loved the parts of her that are fierce and vibrant, and I love the parts of her that are wounded, too, and how she survives and grows. Her POV was so entertaining as well, and Nic is a great match for her energy and everything about her.
What I think I loved most was that these two characters become great friends first, before their attraction develops into romance. Nic learns all about her, and she eventually learns all about him. They may spend a lot of time feuding, but it's not toxic in a way that turns me off of a lot of stories. And their romance is absolutely on fire.
Then there's the twist other reviewers are talking about. I actually think the chapters right after it took a bit of momentum out of the book, but still, what a twist. Added a whole new dimension to the book. Very well executed.
The setting's cozy. The emotions cover a whole array from sweet to spicy to heavy. The pacing mostly works. The themes are developed well. A solid 4 out of 5 stars, but I would 10 out of 10 recommend.
June 20, 2026
~ARC Review~ (3.5 ⭐️)
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc.
So It Grows was a cute read with good banter! It also includes important topics like mental health and well-being.
✿ cozy small town romance
✿ business rivals to lovers
✿ sexual tension, slow burn
✿ plants & food
The book started off in the past where we got to see a glimpse into who (child) Felicity is. Current day our FMC Felicity is all grown up and has taken over running her aunt’s flower and garden store. And I just have to say that naming a plant shop “Grow Away” is both funny and also perfect- I loved that! There were other little things and moments like this throughout the book that I just really enjoyed.
I did find some parts hard to follow, as there was a lot of information and introduction of multiple characters all at once, and a bit of jumping around. Some of the transitions at the start of the chapter didn’t always feel seamless to me, but the story spanned over many months (present day) and also years from the past, and therefore I understand why the book needed these “gaps”.
Very much a feuding businesses to working together for the greater good of saving their little but mighty town, but it is also so much more with lots of depth and history there as well. Add a romance in there and it’s just so sweet! It also included one of my favourite tropes that I don’t want to spoil but was a very welcomed happy surprise for me!
I liked how the book was divided into parts, and I will say part two and three were my favourite parts of the book.
Comes out end of September!
*trigger warning: discussions around trauma and injury from a past assault*
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc.
So It Grows was a cute read with good banter! It also includes important topics like mental health and well-being.
✿ cozy small town romance
✿ business rivals to lovers
✿ sexual tension, slow burn
✿ plants & food
The book started off in the past where we got to see a glimpse into who (child) Felicity is. Current day our FMC Felicity is all grown up and has taken over running her aunt’s flower and garden store. And I just have to say that naming a plant shop “Grow Away” is both funny and also perfect- I loved that! There were other little things and moments like this throughout the book that I just really enjoyed.
I did find some parts hard to follow, as there was a lot of information and introduction of multiple characters all at once, and a bit of jumping around. Some of the transitions at the start of the chapter didn’t always feel seamless to me, but the story spanned over many months (present day) and also years from the past, and therefore I understand why the book needed these “gaps”.
Very much a feuding businesses to working together for the greater good of saving their little but mighty town, but it is also so much more with lots of depth and history there as well. Add a romance in there and it’s just so sweet! It also included one of my favourite tropes that I don’t want to spoil but was a very welcomed happy surprise for me!
I liked how the book was divided into parts, and I will say part two and three were my favourite parts of the book.
Comes out end of September!
*trigger warning: discussions around trauma and injury from a past assault*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating is probably more like a 3.5, but I rounded up because this book did something that very, very, very few romance novels have done for me -- it surprised me. Usually, romances are predictable -- AND I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY! You know what to expect, and you know what you're getting. And that's not to say that you don't get that expected HEA with this book -- it just means that there was more that happened that had me actually shocked in such a refreshing, wonderful way. The kind of way that made me want to turn back to page one right after I finished it to hold onto that lovely surprise longer.
The book, as a whole, ebbed and flowed for me -- the beginning was what I was expecting based on the premise, and I thought that the characters went from enemies to friends a little too quickly, but that wasn't unforgivable to me by any means. The middle chunk went a little bit slowly, and I'm usually not a fan of watching time pass by via holiday after holiday, so that got a little bit tiresome for me personally, but that two-thirds/three-quarters mark absolutely changed the game for me. Like, to the point that even as I write this review, I can't believe how unique of a book this was in a totally and wholly unexpected way.
I really do think that everyone should read this book, because it's just the most unexpected, extraordinary love story, masquerading as something completely ordinary. The best things take you by surprise, and this really did, for me.
-------------
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
The book, as a whole, ebbed and flowed for me -- the beginning was what I was expecting based on the premise, and I thought that the characters went from enemies to friends a little too quickly, but that wasn't unforgivable to me by any means. The middle chunk went a little bit slowly, and I'm usually not a fan of watching time pass by via holiday after holiday, so that got a little bit tiresome for me personally, but that two-thirds/three-quarters mark absolutely changed the game for me. Like, to the point that even as I write this review, I can't believe how unique of a book this was in a totally and wholly unexpected way.
I really do think that everyone should read this book, because it's just the most unexpected, extraordinary love story, masquerading as something completely ordinary. The best things take you by surprise, and this really did, for me.
-------------
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 Stars!!
Before I continue this review, please look into the content warnings! Some of the heavier
ones in this story include: mental health rep, grief, assault, alcohol and drug use. If you
or someone you know is struggling with these issues, please text or call 988 (the number
Lifeline, they’re available 24/7).
Who knew a mac and cheese chef could be so hot?!
Business rivals to- kind of friends?- to actually friends- to lovers? Yes, please! I felt as if this
story was more of a modern day, realistic hallmark move in the most rom com way. The humor
and comradery in the first bit of the story, I was a little bit worried that it come off as intsa-lust
because our FMC was DAYDREAMING about that ass in the chef’s pants. That kind of
attraction stays throughout the whole book, however, and isn’t acted upon immediately.
Our FMC and MMC band together along with a local bookshop owner and friend in order to stop
the pastiest, sweatiest chessboard-loving nerd from building a monstrosity of a parking lot that
would ultimately destroy their businesses. Well, mainly just our FMC’s flower shop.
If you are one of those readers that enjoy it when the two love interests spend time getting to
know each other and actually developing a foundation of trust and respect before jumping
straight into a relationship, then you will definitely appreciate what Burke does for her characters
in this story. I personally loved it, especially the acts of service that was shown between the two
of them for each other was very touching.
Before I continue this review, please look into the content warnings! Some of the heavier
ones in this story include: mental health rep, grief, assault, alcohol and drug use. If you
or someone you know is struggling with these issues, please text or call 988 (the number
Lifeline, they’re available 24/7).
Who knew a mac and cheese chef could be so hot?!
Business rivals to- kind of friends?- to actually friends- to lovers? Yes, please! I felt as if this
story was more of a modern day, realistic hallmark move in the most rom com way. The humor
and comradery in the first bit of the story, I was a little bit worried that it come off as intsa-lust
because our FMC was DAYDREAMING about that ass in the chef’s pants. That kind of
attraction stays throughout the whole book, however, and isn’t acted upon immediately.
Our FMC and MMC band together along with a local bookshop owner and friend in order to stop
the pastiest, sweatiest chessboard-loving nerd from building a monstrosity of a parking lot that
would ultimately destroy their businesses. Well, mainly just our FMC’s flower shop.
If you are one of those readers that enjoy it when the two love interests spend time getting to
know each other and actually developing a foundation of trust and respect before jumping
straight into a relationship, then you will definitely appreciate what Burke does for her characters
in this story. I personally loved it, especially the acts of service that was shown between the two
of them for each other was very touching.
May 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was a bit too relatable at times lol
I’ll start this off by saying that I grew up in Kansas so it was a bit odd seeing our motto that most barely recognize being such a big part of the story. Beautiful, just odd. The weather being ridiculously unpredictable was absolutely on the nose, with the one exception being that most locals probably wouldn’t bother seeking a basement in a tornado until they got word it was actually near town. The stereotype of everyone out on their lawns watching is unfortunately very true.
As a person who is chronically ill and has chronic pain, I loved the depiction of how the MMC handled her pain before he had the full explanation and will be stealing the term “lizarding” for my heating pad time. More chronic illness rep!
The one issue I did have was that the author's writing style and timeline sometimes left me feeling like there were unintentional gaps in the story. The timeline jumps often and while I understand it from a practical standpoint, there were times I flipped back and reread parts where I felt I’d missed something. Especially in the chapters right before the tornado, in the transition between friends and lovers, I felt like I’d missed whole conversations and it was a bit confusing. The romance itself I loved, especially Nic’s side of the story, but it did happen a bit abruptly.
Overall, this was fun to read, heartwarming, and relatable. Would read more by this author.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own. 🖤
This was a bit too relatable at times lol
I’ll start this off by saying that I grew up in Kansas so it was a bit odd seeing our motto that most barely recognize being such a big part of the story. Beautiful, just odd. The weather being ridiculously unpredictable was absolutely on the nose, with the one exception being that most locals probably wouldn’t bother seeking a basement in a tornado until they got word it was actually near town. The stereotype of everyone out on their lawns watching is unfortunately very true.
As a person who is chronically ill and has chronic pain, I loved the depiction of how the MMC handled her pain before he had the full explanation and will be stealing the term “lizarding” for my heating pad time. More chronic illness rep!
The one issue I did have was that the author's writing style and timeline sometimes left me feeling like there were unintentional gaps in the story. The timeline jumps often and while I understand it from a practical standpoint, there were times I flipped back and reread parts where I felt I’d missed something. Especially in the chapters right before the tornado, in the transition between friends and lovers, I felt like I’d missed whole conversations and it was a bit confusing. The romance itself I loved, especially Nic’s side of the story, but it did happen a bit abruptly.
Overall, this was fun to read, heartwarming, and relatable. Would read more by this author.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Summary
Felicity inherits her aunt's plant shop and the teensy apartment above it. She thinks it will be a fresh start but finds herself butting heads with the chef at the trendy Mac and Cheese restaurant next door, Nic. She hates that she is attracted to him, but she has a thing for tall blondes. Soon they are both up against a villain developer who wants to put a parking lot there and will tear down the plant shop and the restaurant, which conveniently puts Felicity and Nic on the same side of this small town zoning suspense romance.
Themes and Tropes
-Business Rivals-to-Lovers
-Midwest Kansas Setting
-LGBTQ rep - Queer FMC and MMC but straight passing relationship
-Slow Burn
-Low Stakes Succession
-Stars Hollow Vibes
My ThoughtsI flew through this small town romance, which is 80% setting. I really appreciated the way that the author described and has a love for Kansas. Definitely felt that the town hall meetings were humorous and quaint. If you have read a lot of heavier books lately this one is a nice palate cleanser. However, this is not without heart and some plot surprises. I won't give anything away, but I was really intrigued by the elements that came in the third act. Both main characters are very well developed and the dialogue is believable.
Thank you to St Martin's Press for the ARC. #smpearlyreaders #gifted #partner Book to be published September 22, 2026
Felicity inherits her aunt's plant shop and the teensy apartment above it. She thinks it will be a fresh start but finds herself butting heads with the chef at the trendy Mac and Cheese restaurant next door, Nic. She hates that she is attracted to him, but she has a thing for tall blondes. Soon they are both up against a villain developer who wants to put a parking lot there and will tear down the plant shop and the restaurant, which conveniently puts Felicity and Nic on the same side of this small town zoning suspense romance.
Themes and Tropes
-Business Rivals-to-Lovers
-Midwest Kansas Setting
-LGBTQ rep - Queer FMC and MMC but straight passing relationship
-Slow Burn
-Low Stakes Succession
-Stars Hollow Vibes
My ThoughtsI flew through this small town romance, which is 80% setting. I really appreciated the way that the author described and has a love for Kansas. Definitely felt that the town hall meetings were humorous and quaint. If you have read a lot of heavier books lately this one is a nice palate cleanser. However, this is not without heart and some plot surprises. I won't give anything away, but I was really intrigued by the elements that came in the third act. Both main characters are very well developed and the dialogue is believable.
Thank you to St Martin's Press for the ARC. #smpearlyreaders #gifted #partner Book to be published September 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What do you get when you mix hilarious banter, a series of ramblings and tangents, a pinch of whimsy, and several jokes about cows? You get a cozy romance where rivals and gardening collide.
So it Grows has some of the snarkiest comebacks I have ever read, and the banter is what kept me in the book. The main characters are both hilarious, even though both are dealing with some trauma. Overall I though the story was fun.
I did feel that the story lost itself at moments. There are a couple continuity errors that pulled me out of the story and had me going back to ensure I was remebering what I had previously read. Having some parts of the story wrapped in a single paragraph was a little abrupt.
There are a lot of topics and representation brought up within the book. They inculude: LGBTQ relationships/identities, gentrification, mental health issues, abuse, physical illness/disabilities, the patriarchy, and more. Unfortunately a lot of these topics felt more like buzz words than an exploration of the topic. I fully understand wanting to keep topics light in a cozy romance however I prefer when these topics are handled with a little more depth.
Overall the story was cute and I appreciated the overall message of the FMC's "ah-ha" moment.
For a quick, funny read I do recommend this book. If you like a little more subtly, tension, and depth you may not enjoy this as much.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
So it Grows has some of the snarkiest comebacks I have ever read, and the banter is what kept me in the book. The main characters are both hilarious, even though both are dealing with some trauma. Overall I though the story was fun.
I did feel that the story lost itself at moments. There are a couple continuity errors that pulled me out of the story and had me going back to ensure I was remebering what I had previously read. Having some parts of the story wrapped in a single paragraph was a little abrupt.
There are a lot of topics and representation brought up within the book. They inculude: LGBTQ relationships/identities, gentrification, mental health issues, abuse, physical illness/disabilities, the patriarchy, and more. Unfortunately a lot of these topics felt more like buzz words than an exploration of the topic. I fully understand wanting to keep topics light in a cozy romance however I prefer when these topics are handled with a little more depth.
Overall the story was cute and I appreciated the overall message of the FMC's "ah-ha" moment.
For a quick, funny read I do recommend this book. If you like a little more subtly, tension, and depth you may not enjoy this as much.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.25–3.5 stars
So It Grows and I had a bit of a rocky relationship.
I’ll be honest—I almost DNF’d this one around the 25% mark. The story took a long time to find its footing for me, and I never fully connected with the third-person POV. I tend to prefer first person because I like feeling immersed in a character’s head, and the distance here made it harder for me to become emotionally invested.
The FMC also felt incredibly emotional from the start, and without enough context early on, I found myself struggling to understand her reactions. As more of her past was revealed, things started making more sense, and I appreciated how the story handled trauma and healing.
Around the halfway point, the book definitely picked up. I became more interested in the characters, their relationships, and seeing where everything was headed. The emotional weight landed much better once the full picture came together.
That said, the ending didn’t quite stick the landing for me. It wrapped up in a way that felt a little underwhelming, and I finished wanting just a bit more.
While this one ultimately wasn’t the right fit for my reading tastes, I can absolutely see it resonating with readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories focused on healing, growth, and emotional journeys. It just never fully clicked for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.
So It Grows and I had a bit of a rocky relationship.
I’ll be honest—I almost DNF’d this one around the 25% mark. The story took a long time to find its footing for me, and I never fully connected with the third-person POV. I tend to prefer first person because I like feeling immersed in a character’s head, and the distance here made it harder for me to become emotionally invested.
The FMC also felt incredibly emotional from the start, and without enough context early on, I found myself struggling to understand her reactions. As more of her past was revealed, things started making more sense, and I appreciated how the story handled trauma and healing.
Around the halfway point, the book definitely picked up. I became more interested in the characters, their relationships, and seeing where everything was headed. The emotional weight landed much better once the full picture came together.
That said, the ending didn’t quite stick the landing for me. It wrapped up in a way that felt a little underwhelming, and I finished wanting just a bit more.
While this one ultimately wasn’t the right fit for my reading tastes, I can absolutely see it resonating with readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories focused on healing, growth, and emotional journeys. It just never fully clicked for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! It's taken me a few days to process because my feelings are ALL over the place with this book! Parts I LOVED and parts I LOATHED.
It took me quite a bit to adjust to the third person POV. This is my least favorite point of view to read.
As the book went on, I fell in love with the two main characters, Felicity and Nic. However, for the first like 50% of the book, many begin with a time jump ahead. It was abrupt and I actually thought I clicked too far ahead in my Kindle more than once because of how confused I got that a scene was just over. It felt jarring. There was often no cohesive end to a chapter or scene. I'd think the scene would continue in another chapter but BAM, Moving on!
I liked the small town drama and the aspect of them being rivals to friends but that was such a quick part of the book that I felt the book description to be misleading. This book was SO much more than the rivals to lovers rom com it was led to be. The book deals with heavy mental health topics and is well done.
Now once it hit the 70% mark and the HUGE plot twist happened, I was ALL IN! This is where the book took off and really shined! I just wished this happened earlier in the book. It dragged on and on and then once it got really good and I was into it, the book was getting wrapped up with a quick ending.
It took me quite a bit to adjust to the third person POV. This is my least favorite point of view to read.
As the book went on, I fell in love with the two main characters, Felicity and Nic. However, for the first like 50% of the book, many begin with a time jump ahead. It was abrupt and I actually thought I clicked too far ahead in my Kindle more than once because of how confused I got that a scene was just over. It felt jarring. There was often no cohesive end to a chapter or scene. I'd think the scene would continue in another chapter but BAM, Moving on!
I liked the small town drama and the aspect of them being rivals to friends but that was such a quick part of the book that I felt the book description to be misleading. This book was SO much more than the rivals to lovers rom com it was led to be. The book deals with heavy mental health topics and is well done.
Now once it hit the 70% mark and the HUGE plot twist happened, I was ALL IN! This is where the book took off and really shined! I just wished this happened earlier in the book. It dragged on and on and then once it got really good and I was into it, the book was getting wrapped up with a quick ending.
June 22, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Andie Burke for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance!
So It Grows is a love story about acceptance and healing, that comes with a load of laughs along the way.
Felicity is an ex-ER nurse turned plant shop owner after inheriting the shop from her beloved aunt, which is located in an old church building. In the other half of the church building is a new restaurant, C’est La Vache, run by head chef Nic. While Nic and Felicity begin their relationship by debating the property lines of the two businesses, they have no choice but to join forces when a local sleazy councilman Bruce decides the beautiful neighbouring lot would be better suited as a parking garage than a pocket park. All of the local business owners must put their heads together to preserve their neighbourhood and overrule Bruce.
The story was funny, quirky and relatable. Felicity and Nic have really good banter and, as the book takes place over many months, you have a great opportunity to see their relationship grow. And I was really not prepared for the plot twist that Part 2 brought!
This book was a quicker read for me than usual, which was a nice way to take a load off. Good for any time of year, and would make a great palette cleanser after a heavier read.
Releasing September 22nd!
So It Grows is a love story about acceptance and healing, that comes with a load of laughs along the way.
Felicity is an ex-ER nurse turned plant shop owner after inheriting the shop from her beloved aunt, which is located in an old church building. In the other half of the church building is a new restaurant, C’est La Vache, run by head chef Nic. While Nic and Felicity begin their relationship by debating the property lines of the two businesses, they have no choice but to join forces when a local sleazy councilman Bruce decides the beautiful neighbouring lot would be better suited as a parking garage than a pocket park. All of the local business owners must put their heads together to preserve their neighbourhood and overrule Bruce.
The story was funny, quirky and relatable. Felicity and Nic have really good banter and, as the book takes place over many months, you have a great opportunity to see their relationship grow. And I was really not prepared for the plot twist that Part 2 brought!
This book was a quicker read for me than usual, which was a nice way to take a load off. Good for any time of year, and would make a great palette cleanser after a heavier read.
Releasing September 22nd!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book!
The wit and humor in it were so fun, but it also touched on some hard topics. Losing those you love and who you become on the other side of your own trauma addiction, a bad accident, finding love and family again after you’ve hidden yourself away. This book was beautiful. I loved the main characters; they were funny and headstrong, and their story was great. There were times that I wished the story would’ve stayed focused on them. We find out a lot about what everyone’s sexual identity is, and honestly, it wasn’t really relevant and got repeated a lot. I wish it would’ve just been stated and moved on with. Especially with the side characters, it just seemed irrelevant, and the main character, I felt like, why am I reading a love story about Nic and Felicity if you just keep telling me that she likes girls? It just didn’t really make sense to the overall story. I think that could’ve been used more to develop the overall plot of the story because once the book seemed more focused on the plot, it was amazing and beautiful, but there was also just so much information that seemed unnecessary.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for letting me read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The wit and humor in it were so fun, but it also touched on some hard topics. Losing those you love and who you become on the other side of your own trauma addiction, a bad accident, finding love and family again after you’ve hidden yourself away. This book was beautiful. I loved the main characters; they were funny and headstrong, and their story was great. There were times that I wished the story would’ve stayed focused on them. We find out a lot about what everyone’s sexual identity is, and honestly, it wasn’t really relevant and got repeated a lot. I wish it would’ve just been stated and moved on with. Especially with the side characters, it just seemed irrelevant, and the main character, I felt like, why am I reading a love story about Nic and Felicity if you just keep telling me that she likes girls? It just didn’t really make sense to the overall story. I think that could’ve been used more to develop the overall plot of the story because once the book seemed more focused on the plot, it was amazing and beautiful, but there was also just so much information that seemed unnecessary.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for letting me read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I came for the plants. I stayed because I apparently enjoy being proven wrong by fictional people.
This took me a hot second to get into, but once it clicked? I was ALL IN. I spent like half this book absolutely convinced I'd cracked the code. I had a whole conspiracy board in my head. "Ohhh, I know exactly where this is going." Spoiler alert... I did not. And I'm actually so glad because what Andie Burke did instead was so much more satisfying than the trope I'd convinced myself was coming.
Felicity was such a refreshing FMC. She was quirky without feeling as though she was trying too hard, funny without being over-the-top, and just the right amount of chaotic. I adored her. The romance was incredibly sweet, and watching these two slowly find their way to each other had me grinning like an idiot.
The spice is there, but if you're picking this up expecting it to melt your Kindle... probably recalibrate those expectations. This story shines because of the emotional healing, the grief, the hope, and the way two people learn they're deserving of love.
Overall? Super cute. Super heartfelt. I closed this one with a smile, and honestly, that's one of my favorite ways to finish a book.
This took me a hot second to get into, but once it clicked? I was ALL IN. I spent like half this book absolutely convinced I'd cracked the code. I had a whole conspiracy board in my head. "Ohhh, I know exactly where this is going." Spoiler alert... I did not. And I'm actually so glad because what Andie Burke did instead was so much more satisfying than the trope I'd convinced myself was coming.
Felicity was such a refreshing FMC. She was quirky without feeling as though she was trying too hard, funny without being over-the-top, and just the right amount of chaotic. I adored her. The romance was incredibly sweet, and watching these two slowly find their way to each other had me grinning like an idiot.
The spice is there, but if you're picking this up expecting it to melt your Kindle... probably recalibrate those expectations. This story shines because of the emotional healing, the grief, the hope, and the way two people learn they're deserving of love.
Overall? Super cute. Super heartfelt. I closed this one with a smile, and honestly, that's one of my favorite ways to finish a book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews