Snowed Inn

Honeycrisp Orchard #2

by Valerie Bowman

This cozy Christmas romance follows an overworked publicist who is snowed in at the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn with her nemesis, a sexy brewery owner, for the holidays. The festive spirit, hot chocolate, and six feet of sparkling snowdrifts conspire to turn these enemies into lovers.

Maria never expected to spend Christmas in a small, snow-covered town—but a visit to her best friend Ellie’s Honeycrisp Orchard Inn turns into an unplanned holiday stay when a snowstorm leaves her stranded. The inn feels like stepping into a holiday fairy tale, with twinkling lights, crackling fires, and garlands everywhere, yet Maria can’t help missing her big, loud Italian family. Adding to her frustrations? Jesse, the ruggedly handsome, annoyingly charming brewery owner, who seems to delight in pushing her buttons.

Jesse has enough on his plate managing his bar and helping the inn stay merry for the holidays, but he can’t seem to resist Maria’s city-girl sass. As snow continues to fall and their paths keep crossing, Maria finds herself drawn into the inn’s festive magic and Jesse himself, as he shows her the charm of slowing down and being present in the moment.

With stolen glances under mistletoe and sparks flying by the fireplace, the line between a holiday fling and something deeper blurs.

But when the snow clears, will Maria follow her heart? Perfect for anyone craving snow-kissed romance, holiday warmth, and happily-ever-after magic.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary Romance

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance.

Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...

Reviews

[Uyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Avon for the free book.

If you're looking for a slow burn, this is it.
I thought their relationship was slow and it took its time to build. I could see this relationship working after the book ends.

This feels like a fun Hallmark romance. It's cozy and quick. Just believe in the magic of fiction.

[Erin Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

It’s a great cozy holiday read. It’s a fluff book, but a great fluff book.

A city girl meets a small town guy who has mutual friends. She visits her friend for Christmas and is wrangled into helping at her friends’ inn. Being snowed in has put her city life on hold but it gives her a break from the NY lifestyle.

I think the characters are likable, the writing is good, and the ending is satisfying. I couldn’t ask for a better holiday romance.

Warning: There is spice in this book, it is not fade to black.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I wanted to love Snowed Inn. It had all of the hallmarks of a great comfort read: an idyllic setting and protagonists whose chemistry initially electrified their banter and then, created a genuine connection and respect. Yet, when I compare the sophomore entry in the Honeycrisp Orchard Romance series to its predecessor, I can’t help but feel as though multiple narrative elements faltered.

From the get go, Maria came across as a rather insufferable person. Her inner monologue in the first handful of chapters read as more of a performative action (what she thought she should say and do) rather than the genuine loathing of a woman seemingly scorned by her best friend’s colleague/business partner. The manner in which Maria continuously remarked about how much Jesse irked her was as incessant, obsessive, and quite honestly, superficial to some degree, as her complaints about her client, Monica. The same goes for how many times she repeated that she didn’t want to be stuck in Harvest Hollow. Thankfully, as Maria spent more time at the inn, her character became more grounded and genuine. There were several poignant moments with Jesse— I am grateful that Bowman’s writing style generated a quasi endearment to Maria as she relayed her thoughts and fought off her attraction to him. However, in the last few chapters, the progress Maria made unraveled, for really no reason whatsoever.

After finishing the novel and reflecting on it, I realized that what The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn possessed that Snowed Inn lacked is context and history. If I recall correctly, Maria and Jesse interacted rather briefly in the first installment. Therefore, Maria’s grudge against Jesse is predicated on a moment that didn’t even register for me. If the events of the festival in the first novel were in October of the same year (which is all but confirmed in the epilogue of Snowed Inn), Maria and Jesse barely spent any time together before her arrival at the inn in December in this book. While the pacing of the story itself is decent, the action in the last third honestly seemed like a huge stretch and Maria’s relationship issues seemed woefully underdeveloped. However, my biggest gripe upon reading is predicated on the following questions: Are we readers truly to believe that Maria was able to make a career change in two weeks’ time? Are we truly to believe that a brand new bar owner can turn around and make plans for another location in three months?

Overall, while Snowed Inn held great promise, especially after The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn’s quality story and charm for days, I was left a bit disappointed.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, as well as NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute, cozy winter Christmas book, if you are a fan of any kind of cozy hallmark or lifetime movie you will love this book maria is stranded in New York because of a big blizzard, which has caused the therm. It reports to shut down as if she goes to visit her friend's inn on Long Island, on the way from the train station to the end, she ends up.Finding a little kitty that she names christmas, when she gets to the inn, after seeing her friend - she runs into the bartender, jesse, who she had met the last time ( i did not know if this was part of a series but it is definitely fine as a stand-alone) they have a love-hate relationship. Basically, she thinks he's simple because he wears fannel and a ball cap and he thinks she's a princess because she's high maintenance, do a series of issues she ends up helping run different parts of the inn, mostly due two are our best friend and husband getting the flu- so she gets to know, Jesse a little bit better and realizes that maybe he's not a bad guy. ( his dream of opening a sober bar.Especially due to family alcoholism) He even adopts the little kitty, she found.So really, how bad can he be- she ends up extending her stay even after your best friend's better. In the airport opens for the big new year's eve party, that night, her and Jesse spend the night together . But she panics and runs the next day, over the course of the next few months, Ishe keeps tabs on what's going on with him and decides to show up at his grand opening of his cocktails bar- will he be open to her coming back- will she be able to tell him her true feelings - a classic feel good cozy Christmas story -- if you are from a state or region that is prone to getting snowstorms and blizzards, you will need to suspend your knowledge because the parts involving the snow storm/ blizzard makes absolutely no sense and it was very irritating

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

[WitchlingReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNOWED INN

If the cover of Snowed Inn isn't enough to entice you to read this cozy holiday romance, here's my honest review:
Snowed Inn played out in my mind like a Christmas hallmark movie with spice. I absolutely ate it up! It will be the perfect story to get in the holiday spirit. This is the second book in the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn world. It can be read as a stand alone.
Snowed Inn releases 9-29-26. I would definitely add this one to your holiday TBR!

Maria Agostini is an independent woman, who grew up in L.A. and moved to Manhattan. She loves fashion and her expensive apartment. She does PR for upcoming movie stars, but feels like she's baby sitting entitled brats. When her flight to L.A. is canceled due to a blizzard, her best friend invites her to stay at Honey Crisp Inn.

City girl × country boy
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Small town romance
Cozy Christmas

*Spoilers*

The snow continues to fall and Maria can't escape Jesse. A handsome bartender, who insulted her the first time they met. She nicknames him "ball cap" and doesn't give him a chance to apologize. When he offers to adopt a stray kitten that she found freezing in the snow, her walls slowly start to melt. She begins to re-evaluate her life, because her current reality was built as an artificial image to protect herself. The quietness of the country allows her to reflect what she truly wants in her career and love life. And she just might give ball cap a chance.

Thank you Valerie Bowman, Harpercollinspublisher, and netgalley for allowing me to read eARC Snowed Inn. I absolutely enjoyed it!

[Missyreadsromantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might be spring as I read this advance copy, but Snowed Inn gave me all the cozy Christmas feels!

Brimming with all the heart of a Hallmark movie, Maria and Jesse’s story is a slow burn with a spicy finish.

When a blizzard shuts down her trip to see her family at Christmas, Maria reluctantly returns to her best friend’s inn for the holiday instead. And when Ellie and her husband come down with the flu, the NYC PR girl plays innkeeper, stepping up to help the skeleton crew keep things running. Part of the skeleton crew: Jesse, the inn’s infuriating bartender.

Despite making a terrible first impression, he turns out to be “a walking romance novel in flannel.” He adopts the stray kitten Maria found in the storm, teaches her to fix a leaking sink, cooks for her, and more. The man is a total green flag and their connection develops in genuine way.

Snowed Inn was everything I want in a small-town romance. Counting down to Honeycrisp Orchard book 3!

Thanks to Avon a and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Honeycrisp Orchard series, and it pretty much picks up where the other left off, but you get plenty of backstory if this is your first read in the series.
PR girl, Maria from LA never expected to not be able to leave Honeycrisp Orchard Inn when she went to visit best friend Ellie, owner. Lots of beautiful sparkling snow says otherwise and she's snowed in and stuck at the inn.
It only goes from bad to worse when she sees hot bartender Jesse, who she desperately has tried to avoid this time around. Her last visit didn't go so well, and they had words with each other.
Sledding and snowball fights along with delicious homemade cookies and hot chocolate and something she can't resist.
When the mistletoe starts her thinking and Jesse is conveniently there, well you just never know what'll happen.
Warm, fuzzy, totally charming holiday book that I absolutely loved.
Hope there's more in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Casey Severin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this through NetGalley, and it ended up being exactly the kind of light, feel-good read I needed.

This is one of those soft, cozy romances that leans into all the warm holiday vibes without trying to be anything overly heavy—and honestly, it works. A fast-paced city girl finds herself stuck in a quiet small town over Christmas, helping out at her friend’s inn after an unexpected snowstorm throws off her plans. What starts as a temporary inconvenience turns into a much-needed pause from her usual chaos—and, of course, a certain small-town guy makes it even harder to leave.

The story is simple in the best way. The characters are easy to connect with, the setting feels warm and inviting, and the romance develops naturally without feeling forced. It’s not meant to be complex—it’s meant to make you smile, and it absolutely does.

If you’re looking for a cozy, low-stakes holiday romance that delivers charm, chemistry, and a satisfying ending, this one hits the mark.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In the second novel of the Honeycrisp Orchard series by Valerie Bowman, this novel is set around Christmastime with the characters of Maria and Jesse. Maria is set to fly out to California when her flight is cancelled due to the weather. Her best friend, Ellie invites her to spend the holiday with her at the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn. She agrees only because Jesse, the annoying brewer owner will not be there. When her friends get the flu, Maria finds herself helping out. As the snow continues to fall, they are forced to work together on the New Year's Eve celebration. As feelings develop will they be able to resist them?

This novel has all the feels of a holiday romance. Set in a wintry wonderland, emotional baggage to overcome, it is easy to root for them. I will be staying tuned for the next novel in the series.

[ChapterByTina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a cozy, snowed-in romance with sharp banter and a true slow-burn build, Snowed Inn delivers.

From the start, the forced proximity setup creates just the right amount of tension, but what really stood out to me was the dialogue. The banter between the main characters is quick, witty, and feels completely natural making their connection feel authentic as it develops.

This is very much a slow burn, and it leans into that strength. The chemistry builds gradually through small, meaningful moments, giving you that “just kiss already” feeling without rushing the relationship. When things finally begin to shift, it feels earned.

The winter setting adds an extra layer of charm snowstorms, close quarters, and that cozy atmosphere that makes this the perfect seasonal read.

Overall, a warm, engaging romance with standout banter and satisfying slow-burn tension. Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with strong chemistry and a cozy backdrop.

[Courtney Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about me is I will eat up a book that involves a big city girl, a ruggedly handsome small town guy, and an INN. 😂

The story follows Maria, who's stranded on the east coast during a blizzard preventing her from flying to the west coast to spend Christmas with her family. She previously has a bad taste in her mouth about Jesse Butler, who works at the Inn's Brewery.

Did I love this book? Absolutely. The characters are great and the story has good pacing and reads as if you're watching a Hallmark movie, which makes the book fly by. I liked the banter between Maria and Jesse, however, Maria at times comes off a bit meh - like showing up to Christmas eve dinner in a Valentino dress..., BUT we do see character development!

I would immediately fall in love with Jesse. We wouldn't be enemies to lovers - just lovers 😂

Thank you netgalley for the arc!

[Serena Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great slow burn, enemies to lovers trope! Marie is smart, well dressed and super sassy PR business woman! Jesse is a ball cap, flannel, jeans wearing bar keep with a mouth on him. Sparks flew when they first met, now the electricity parts the air when they are around each other. If only they could get over the past and self doubt they each have. Getting snowed in by a blizzard that grounds all flights out of the city leaving Marie stranded with ball cap at the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn. With a little flu bug that takes Marie’s friend Elle (the Inns owner) out for a week conveniently throwing Marie and Jesse together over and over. Giving them time to actually get to know each other instead of presuming the worst of each other. Great character and storyline! Can’t wait to read Charlotte, Miller and Sawyers story next, fingers crossed!

[Theresa Macdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick-witted and full of cozy, holiday vibes in this enemies-to-lovers romance! I was so excited to receive an advance reader copy of Snowed Inn, thanks to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager! If you’re craving a small-town, forced proximity romance, this one will be sure to get the sparks flying. I’m a sucker for anything set in a small town, and with characters we’ve come to know and love in the first Honeycrisp Orchard book, it won’t take long to eat up this second novel by Valerie Bowman. Snowed Inn was a great sequel and made me excited to see who is going to fall in love next at the Honeycrisp Orchard! This is a perfect book for those looking to cozy up under a blanket with some hot chocolate (or apple cider) and be transported to a wintery romance.

[Holly M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Avon publisher for the e-ARC.

Grab your favorite blanket and cozy up with Snowed Inn by Valerie Bowman. Maria is our big city girl and Jesse is our small town boy. From frenemies to lovers to break-ups, to the tear jerking confession of love. This book covers all the hallmarks vibes with a little bit of spice.

When I finish the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn, and was so excited for Maria and Jesse’s love story. This book had hooked right away and could not put it down. From the character development to the writing. Maria and Jesse had me laughing out loud and to crying. I’ll be definitely reading this again during the holidays with my chocolate peppermint martini.

I’ll be counting down to the 3rd book Honeycrisp Orchard Inn series.

[Katie Lavoie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a light-hearted, fluffy romcom, this is a good pick. You get lots of banter, a cute small town, delightful Christmas vibes, and a sweet happily ever after. I also appreciated that it was all in Maria’s perspective which, while sometimes less common in the genre, gives the opportunity to go deeper into Maria’s perspective and motives.

However, if you think about plots for more than a second, this is likely not the right book for you. It feels like it wasn’t thought all the way through in both the speed and way it all comes together (e.g., one week being enough to make you rethink your career, where you live, etc).

Thanks to Valerie Bowman, Avon, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book. Maria works in PR in NYC and is visiting her friend Ellie, who runs the family inn in a small town on Long Island. Although Maria gets snowed in and cannot leave NY to visit her family in CA, she helps out at the inn and learns to enjoy a quieter life away from her usual PR activities. She also gets to know better the local bartender Jesse, whose lifestyle is far from the glamorous life that Maria has sought. Maria and Jesse learn to readjust their ideas of who they are and what would make them happy in life. This is the 2nd book in a series but is easily read as a standalone.

[Kennedy Dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wanted to start off by saying thank you to NetGalley for this eARC.

This book was good but not the best cozy holiday romance I have ever read for a couple of reasons. I did not really like the writing style. The characters were very stereotypical and kind of flat. This book also was iceberg slow with really no burn. Snowed Inn is the second book in a series but it can be a standalone. The premise of the book really had me so excited but sadly I have to say it didn't really stand out to me.

Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Slowburn
Small Town
City Girl x Small Town Boy
PR Agent x Bartender

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of this cozy fun-filled series. Maria comes to visit her friend Ellie when her plans to visit her family in L.A. are changed due to bad weather. The blizzard shuts down air travel and keeps the inn that Ellie runs steadily booked. When Ellie gets sick, Maria and the brewery master, Jesse, work together to pull off holiday festivities and plan for the New Year’s bash. They have clashed since they met in the previous book but get to know each other better. Their chemistry abounds and they are more alike than anyone would have thought but there are lots of issues to overcome. This series brings such romance, friendship and hope.

[Katie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowed Inn is a cozy Christmas read. It has all the hallmarks of a good romcom, and feels like reading a Hallmark movie. This book has enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, Pumpkin the pug, a stray kitten, character growth, friendship, and romance all set in a winter wonderland.

While this is the second book in the series, it stands on its own and you don’t have to have read the first book to understand and enjoy it.

Snowed Inn was a really fun read, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Shannon Melendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowed In by Valerie Bowman is a cozy and feel-good romance that’s perfect for fans of Hallmark-style stories. The snowy setting and sweet storyline make it an easy, comforting read.

Bowman’s writing is simple and engaging, with a nice mix of humor and emotion. The characters feel real and are easy to like, and the chemistry between them makes the story enjoyable from start to finish.

Overall, Snowed In is a warm, charming book that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a light and romantic escape.

[Miranda Mussario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book as an advanced publication.

This story follows PR specialist Maria from New York who is snowed in at her friend's cozy inn for the holidays. Maria and Jesse, the hot bartender, who got off on the wrong foot are forced to work together to help the inn while Maria's best friend El is down with the flu. Maria and Jesse's chemistry was electric and made think "just kiss already!" Multiple times throughout the book. I read these books out of order but I am looking forward to going back to read the Honeycrisp Orchard.

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie doesn't expect to be spending Christmas at the Orchard Inn with her best friend Elle. It is snowing so she can't fly home for Christmas. She didn't expect for Jess to be there either. The last time they met they didn't like each other. while at the Inn they started talking again. Elle and Aiden got the flu and Marie really helped out and she and Jess started figuring out that they were more alike than they thought. They shared a lot of the same things. Follow their journey and see how things worked out A VERY GOOD READ.

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare series where I like book two even more than book one. And I gave book one five stars, so that's a statement. This is around a six hour read, so it's perfect for a cozy holiday Saturday. The cat on the cover is a minor character though, not a major player. This has very Hallmark-movie vibes, but it's a little better, because, while I usually like those movies, I usually don't like the main characters as much as I liked these ones. It's nice when the male lead is someone genuinely nice that you feel free to root for.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

Unfortunately, I was just not a fan of this book for a few different reasons. The writing style felt very choppy to me, which made it hard to get fully into the story. The characters seemed really shallow, and I didn't believe the love story at all, which was a real bummer since the premise seemed really promising. I'm sure there are people out there who will love this book when it comes out! I'm just not one of them.

[Guadalupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

This is your classic city girl gets stranded in a small town. Maria (FMC) has some unprocessed relationship package that shows up in her interactions with Jesse (MMC). This was definitely a cozy read with a happy ending.


Some tropes you’ll find:

- Enemies to lovers
- Small town vs city
- Slow burn!

[Cheryl McTyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

coming soon

[Viviana]

I received a NetGalley ARC from Jillian Perez at Harper Collins.

[Jen Nagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the perfect cozy read! Enemies to lovers with sweet pets and an inn in a small town! Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley!