What do you think?
Rate this book
Serendipity & Shenanigans
Goode Tidings
Callum Goode, the grumpy creator of the beloved website Goode Tidings, never planned on unlawfully occupying the abandoned lakeside cabin where he spent summers as a child. But after a painful and humiliating betrayal, he trades the city for a secluded life in the mountains. There he finds peace, solitude, and a hot tub—which is where Callum happens to be when Eden Madigan and her teenage son wander onto his property claiming the cabin is theirs for the next year.
Seeking space from the newcomers, Callum moves into the small backyard office. Eden might be beautiful and funny, but she's also the no-filter ex-wife of Callum's former stepbrother, making her totally off-limits.
Callum appears to be all scowls and ruggedly handsome, but Eden knows there's more to him. She's determined to peel back his layers, but what she's really doing is getting under his skin in a way neither of them expected.
Eden maintains that bringing Callum coffee every afternoon is just a simple kindness. Callum claims he was only offering a friendly ear when Eden was upset. But the way Callum has been showing up in town wearing an uncharacteristic smile on his face says otherwise.
With tentative touches lingering, and lengthy glances heating up, Callum's grasp on his control begins to slip.
And when the tension finally snaps? There's no going back.
Seeking space from the newcomers, Callum moves into the small backyard office. Eden might be beautiful and funny, but she's also the no-filter ex-wife of Callum's former stepbrother, making her totally off-limits.
Callum appears to be all scowls and ruggedly handsome, but Eden knows there's more to him. She's determined to peel back his layers, but what she's really doing is getting under his skin in a way neither of them expected.
Eden maintains that bringing Callum coffee every afternoon is just a simple kindness. Callum claims he was only offering a friendly ear when Eden was upset. But the way Callum has been showing up in town wearing an uncharacteristic smile on his face says otherwise.
With tentative touches lingering, and lengthy glances heating up, Callum's grasp on his control begins to slip.
And when the tension finally snaps? There's no going back.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Millikin
37 books2,388 followersJennifer Millikin writes contemporary fiction with elements of romance, emotion, and hard-learned lessons. She likes her characters flawed and her romance swoony.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
October 2, 2026
This was a heartwarming, quick & cozy read- I finished it in 2 days!
The banter between these two was so funny & their meet cute...omg!!! 🤭
HUGE thank you to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the opportunity to listen to this ALC! All opinions are my own.
I was so impressed with the emotional depth of these characters. They worked through heartbreak, family wounds, and did the messy work of healing... and they did it in a way that didn’t come across as overly emotional or depressing.
I loved seeing the relationship between Callum & Eden’s teenage son develop. And I especially loved the nosy town folk that got fully invested in Callum the Hermit’s love life.
🎧This duet audiobook was a fun time! Hannah Chiclana had this cool raspy element to her voice & her little sassy comebacks were done perfectly. Aaron Donahue showed a great range as his character went from grumpy to reluctant to
kind-hearted. Both did the side-characters so well that it felt like listening to a full cast.
What to expect:
🏔️Slow Burn Romance
🏔️Forced Proximity
🏔️Grumpy Sunshine
🏔️Small Town
🏔️Romance After Heartbreak
🏔️Single Mom (teenage son)
This one was a lot of fun but also had depth that I appreciated and it just caused me to fall in love with these characters! Also now I want to go on vacation to a cabin on a mountain somewhere!!
The banter between these two was so funny & their meet cute...omg!!! 🤭
HUGE thank you to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the opportunity to listen to this ALC! All opinions are my own.
I was so impressed with the emotional depth of these characters. They worked through heartbreak, family wounds, and did the messy work of healing... and they did it in a way that didn’t come across as overly emotional or depressing.
I loved seeing the relationship between Callum & Eden’s teenage son develop. And I especially loved the nosy town folk that got fully invested in Callum the Hermit’s love life.
🎧This duet audiobook was a fun time! Hannah Chiclana had this cool raspy element to her voice & her little sassy comebacks were done perfectly. Aaron Donahue showed a great range as his character went from grumpy to reluctant to
kind-hearted. Both did the side-characters so well that it felt like listening to a full cast.
What to expect:
🏔️Slow Burn Romance
🏔️Forced Proximity
🏔️Grumpy Sunshine
🏔️Small Town
🏔️Romance After Heartbreak
🏔️Single Mom (teenage son)
This one was a lot of fun but also had depth that I appreciated and it just caused me to fall in love with these characters! Also now I want to go on vacation to a cabin on a mountain somewhere!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars.
I absolutely LOVED "Goode Tidings" by Jennifer Millikin. My god, this book made me LAUGH! Everything about this book felt near perfect. The setting, the characters, the situations, the laughs, the spice, it just hit all of the right notes for me. I loved Eden (FMC) and Callum (MMC). Eden and her teenage son, Oliver, are heading to her ex-husband's cabin in Snowflake, AZ, for the next year. What is supposed to be an empty cabin is shockingly occupied by a grumpy website creator, Callum, who turns out to be the ex-stepbrother of her ex-husband. Callum has been squatting in the cabin, slowly fixing it up, since retreating there after a painful heartbreak two years ago. He never expected that Eden and Oliver would wiggle their way into his cold, hermit-y heart. The chemistry between Eden and Callum is off-the-charts good, even from their first very awkward encounter. The back-and-forth, biting, witty banter is so freaking funny. Eden is sassy, sunshine-y, and has no filter but is very sweet, and Callum's reclusive and standoffish, but clearly has a good heart deep down, based on his "good deeds" website. The way they slowly become friends over time really won me over, and I loved when they became more than friends. Eden keeps gradually, delicately pushing Callum to open up to the world and to life, to become part of the town he swears he hates, to prove that he's more than just a hermit. Callum pushes Eden to start her own business and believe in herself and her talent. I also liked how they each began to heal from the wounds of their past with one another. I also loved the relationship between Oliver and Callum, especially that scene where they play baseball. Cue waterworks!! Eden's ex-husband/Oliver's dad/Callum's ex-stepbrother is a piece of work, but I even appreciated what happens with him in terms of his character arc. This is a near-perfect romantic comedy that strikes an excellent chord between heartwarming, hilarious, and spicy! Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue offer up the *perfect* audiobook performances of Eden and Callum. Hannah has that perfect cheeky and sunshine combo to her voice, and Aaron is delightfully grouchy. My final note: I do have to say, the use of the word "pheromone-maxxing" in print in the year of Cthulhu 2026 made me want to absolutely ***hurl,*** please, please, please, let's not embrace this vernacular!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to Jennifer Millikin and VPR Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I absolutely LOVED "Goode Tidings" by Jennifer Millikin. My god, this book made me LAUGH! Everything about this book felt near perfect. The setting, the characters, the situations, the laughs, the spice, it just hit all of the right notes for me. I loved Eden (FMC) and Callum (MMC). Eden and her teenage son, Oliver, are heading to her ex-husband's cabin in Snowflake, AZ, for the next year. What is supposed to be an empty cabin is shockingly occupied by a grumpy website creator, Callum, who turns out to be the ex-stepbrother of her ex-husband. Callum has been squatting in the cabin, slowly fixing it up, since retreating there after a painful heartbreak two years ago. He never expected that Eden and Oliver would wiggle their way into his cold, hermit-y heart. The chemistry between Eden and Callum is off-the-charts good, even from their first very awkward encounter. The back-and-forth, biting, witty banter is so freaking funny. Eden is sassy, sunshine-y, and has no filter but is very sweet, and Callum's reclusive and standoffish, but clearly has a good heart deep down, based on his "good deeds" website. The way they slowly become friends over time really won me over, and I loved when they became more than friends. Eden keeps gradually, delicately pushing Callum to open up to the world and to life, to become part of the town he swears he hates, to prove that he's more than just a hermit. Callum pushes Eden to start her own business and believe in herself and her talent. I also liked how they each began to heal from the wounds of their past with one another. I also loved the relationship between Oliver and Callum, especially that scene where they play baseball. Cue waterworks!! Eden's ex-husband/Oliver's dad/Callum's ex-stepbrother is a piece of work, but I even appreciated what happens with him in terms of his character arc. This is a near-perfect romantic comedy that strikes an excellent chord between heartwarming, hilarious, and spicy! Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue offer up the *perfect* audiobook performances of Eden and Callum. Hannah has that perfect cheeky and sunshine combo to her voice, and Aaron is delightfully grouchy. My final note: I do have to say, the use of the word "pheromone-maxxing" in print in the year of Cthulhu 2026 made me want to absolutely ***hurl,*** please, please, please, let's not embrace this vernacular!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to Jennifer Millikin and VPR Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
October 2, 2026
4,5 stars!
When a book doesn´t even have that much of an elaborate or action packed plot but I still read 80% of an over 400 page book in one day, I guess something was done right. This is the story of single mom Eden, who has been mentioned in the other two books, but I think never showed up (as far as I remember, it´s been a while since I read them). She is the older sister of Klein, who is the MMC in book 1. Eden is on her way to her ex husbands cabin in the woods in the small town of Snowflake, to live there for a year. She has her 14 year old son in tow (she had him at 20 years old). Her ex husband Justin, who she´s been divorced from since I think quite a long time, is off to Thailand to marry someone he met on the internet. But when Eden arrives at the cabin, she finds a strange naked guy in the hot tub - enter grumpy Callum, who turns out to be occupying his former step brother Justin´s cabin after a personal betrayal. He renovated the place these past two years and made it his home, even though he´s not in contact with Justin anymore and is basically there illegally. He moves into the shed behind the cabin and these two now have to coexist for a while before Callum finds a new place. Eden who is a very empathetic woman feels bad for kicking him out of his home and they start spending time together.
Reluctant at first, the two get to know each other more and more and I loved seeing them both together, Eden being able to thaw the ice around poor Callums heart. I loved both characters so much! There was not much drama or overly high stakes, it was simply a story of two people finding each other, Eden trying to start over career-wise and learning to let go a little of her son who´s not a little child anymore. Callum finding love and purpose again. I have a thing for hermit MMCs who are touch starved, so I might´ve been a little biased with his character. I LOVE when the FMC ends MMCs dry spell and sweeps him off his feet. The spice was there but more on the tame side, I would say 2/5.
The story was rather character focused but heart-warming and it was nice seeing some of the other characters from the first two books again aswell. There was no third act breakup and no miscommunication. These characters really acted their age and communicated, which is super refreshing.
Safety (spoilers):
100% safe. Eden is divorced but not much known of her love life, other than her having a thing with her sons soccer coach once, who was younger than her. But no info when that was, only that he was younger and that she overheard him and his friends talking bad about her and her age. Ex husband Justin is still in contact but he´s immature and not the best father. He rarely shows up but there are no lingering feelings and no real drama, expect Eden being fed up with his antics.
MMC Callum has been in the cabin for two years with no real human contact except going to stores in town. He´s called "Hermy" by the townfolk. So he´s been celibate for a while. He went to the cabin and renovated it to find solitude and distraction after his fiancee cheated on him with his best friend Todd- even getting knocked up by him. Both are not really hung up on their exes, but the betrayal hit Callum deep (which is super understandable). There is a little bit of a "forbidden" trope because Edens ex husband used to be Callums stepbrother but they´re not blood related and haven´t seen each other since childhood. At a fair Eden and Callum run into his ex fiancee and her husband and their baby. Eden pretends to be Callums girlfriend to make him feel less alone. There´s no drama or anything. Epilogue of them being engaged and talks about having a baby together.
When a book doesn´t even have that much of an elaborate or action packed plot but I still read 80% of an over 400 page book in one day, I guess something was done right. This is the story of single mom Eden, who has been mentioned in the other two books, but I think never showed up (as far as I remember, it´s been a while since I read them). She is the older sister of Klein, who is the MMC in book 1. Eden is on her way to her ex husbands cabin in the woods in the small town of Snowflake, to live there for a year. She has her 14 year old son in tow (she had him at 20 years old). Her ex husband Justin, who she´s been divorced from since I think quite a long time, is off to Thailand to marry someone he met on the internet. But when Eden arrives at the cabin, she finds a strange naked guy in the hot tub - enter grumpy Callum, who turns out to be occupying his former step brother Justin´s cabin after a personal betrayal. He renovated the place these past two years and made it his home, even though he´s not in contact with Justin anymore and is basically there illegally. He moves into the shed behind the cabin and these two now have to coexist for a while before Callum finds a new place. Eden who is a very empathetic woman feels bad for kicking him out of his home and they start spending time together.
Reluctant at first, the two get to know each other more and more and I loved seeing them both together, Eden being able to thaw the ice around poor Callums heart. I loved both characters so much! There was not much drama or overly high stakes, it was simply a story of two people finding each other, Eden trying to start over career-wise and learning to let go a little of her son who´s not a little child anymore. Callum finding love and purpose again. I have a thing for hermit MMCs who are touch starved, so I might´ve been a little biased with his character. I LOVE when the FMC ends MMCs dry spell and sweeps him off his feet. The spice was there but more on the tame side, I would say 2/5.
The story was rather character focused but heart-warming and it was nice seeing some of the other characters from the first two books again aswell. There was no third act breakup and no miscommunication. These characters really acted their age and communicated, which is super refreshing.
Safety (spoilers):
100% safe. Eden is divorced but not much known of her love life, other than her having a thing with her sons soccer coach once, who was younger than her. But no info when that was, only that he was younger and that she overheard him and his friends talking bad about her and her age. Ex husband Justin is still in contact but he´s immature and not the best father. He rarely shows up but there are no lingering feelings and no real drama, expect Eden being fed up with his antics.
MMC Callum has been in the cabin for two years with no real human contact except going to stores in town. He´s called "Hermy" by the townfolk. So he´s been celibate for a while. He went to the cabin and renovated it to find solitude and distraction after his fiancee cheated on him with his best friend Todd- even getting knocked up by him. Both are not really hung up on their exes, but the betrayal hit Callum deep (which is super understandable). There is a little bit of a "forbidden" trope because Edens ex husband used to be Callums stepbrother but they´re not blood related and haven´t seen each other since childhood. At a fair Eden and Callum run into his ex fiancee and her husband and their baby. Eden pretends to be Callums girlfriend to make him feel less alone. There´s no drama or anything. Epilogue of them being engaged and talks about having a baby together.
October 5, 2026
4.5🌟 | 3🌶️
The banter here was SO good, and watching a sunshine single mom completely disrupt a grumpy hermit’s carefully controlled life was ridiculously entertaining.
Eden and Callum had fantastic chemistry, but I especially liked how naturally they went from awkward coexistence to friendship and then something more.
Eden’s big personality and quick comebacks were such a fun match for Callum’s grumpy, reclusive nature. Underneath his walls, he was incredibly thoughtful, and I loved how they brought out the best in each other. Eden pulled Callum back into the world, while he pushed her to believe in herself. And Callum with Oliver? That baseball scene absolutely got me.
The cozy setting, hilarious situations, slow burn, and spice all worked so well together. I also appreciated the emotional depth and lack of unnecessary drama. Their healing felt natural, and the romance never needed manufactured conflict to keep things interesting.
This was such a funny, warm, easy-to-fall-into romance that gave me pretty much everything I wanted.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
The banter here was SO good, and watching a sunshine single mom completely disrupt a grumpy hermit’s carefully controlled life was ridiculously entertaining.
Eden and Callum had fantastic chemistry, but I especially liked how naturally they went from awkward coexistence to friendship and then something more.
Eden’s big personality and quick comebacks were such a fun match for Callum’s grumpy, reclusive nature. Underneath his walls, he was incredibly thoughtful, and I loved how they brought out the best in each other. Eden pulled Callum back into the world, while he pushed her to believe in herself. And Callum with Oliver? That baseball scene absolutely got me.
The cozy setting, hilarious situations, slow burn, and spice all worked so well together. I also appreciated the emotional depth and lack of unnecessary drama. Their healing felt natural, and the romance never needed manufactured conflict to keep things interesting.
This was such a funny, warm, easy-to-fall-into romance that gave me pretty much everything I wanted.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
October 8, 2026
✨ALC provided by Valentine PR for an honest review✨
I thought Goode Tidings was going to be a Christmas story by the name, but it’s actually a website the MMC operates that shares uplifting stories (awwwww) 😂 Eden and her son Oliver have decided to take a year away from their regular lives and move into a cabin that her ex husband inherited. When they finally get to the cabin though, they are surprised to find a man living there! Callum had a bad breakup and decided to move away from his ex. He was in town and was going to pass through when he remembered the cabin him and his stepfamily spent summers in. He went by to see it and was heartbroken to see it falling apart, so he decides to live there and fix it back up. But when Eden and her son show up, he decides to step aside for them and lets them live in the cabin that he’s made a home in for the past two years. Lonely grumpy Callum discover he’s in over his head when he eventually develops feelings for the wise cracking single mom that crashed into his life ❤️
The meet cute in this book had me cackling in the beginning and the rest of the story had a lot more funny moments. Callum was known as a grumpy hermit around town and Eden was the person he needed to bring in some fun! Callum was actually a caring supportive cinnamon roll that was so sweet to Eden and her son 😍
The audiobook was duet narrated by Aaron Donahue and Hannah Chiclana who perfectly captured their characters personalities! This was a fun, super sweet, cozy listen with a little spice, and it made you feel like you got a warm hug in the end ❤️
I thought Goode Tidings was going to be a Christmas story by the name, but it’s actually a website the MMC operates that shares uplifting stories (awwwww) 😂 Eden and her son Oliver have decided to take a year away from their regular lives and move into a cabin that her ex husband inherited. When they finally get to the cabin though, they are surprised to find a man living there! Callum had a bad breakup and decided to move away from his ex. He was in town and was going to pass through when he remembered the cabin him and his stepfamily spent summers in. He went by to see it and was heartbroken to see it falling apart, so he decides to live there and fix it back up. But when Eden and her son show up, he decides to step aside for them and lets them live in the cabin that he’s made a home in for the past two years. Lonely grumpy Callum discover he’s in over his head when he eventually develops feelings for the wise cracking single mom that crashed into his life ❤️
The meet cute in this book had me cackling in the beginning and the rest of the story had a lot more funny moments. Callum was known as a grumpy hermit around town and Eden was the person he needed to bring in some fun! Callum was actually a caring supportive cinnamon roll that was so sweet to Eden and her son 😍
The audiobook was duet narrated by Aaron Donahue and Hannah Chiclana who perfectly captured their characters personalities! This was a fun, super sweet, cozy listen with a little spice, and it made you feel like you got a warm hug in the end ❤️
October 10, 2026
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, Goode Tidings. This is about Eden, her and her son decide to move to her ex-husband's cabin for a year for a fresh start and new scenery. But when they arrive someone is already there, in the hot tub. Callum had a rough breakup and needed a place to getaway, so he went to the place where he had happy childhood memories, his former stepbrother's abandoned cabin. He moved in and has been repairing the cabin as well as his heart for the last two years. He is known as the town hermit and grump but when Eden and her son show up, Callum easily offers them the cabin and he moves into the shed-turned-office in the backyard. Eden can see there is so much more to Callum than the town gossip. And as they spend time living on the same property, sharing laughs, small talk, coffees, and then meals together feelings begin to grow and become stronger every day between Callum and Eden until they can no longer deny what they feel for each other.
This was such a sweet romcom! This was a heartwarming and entertaining story, with a laugh out loud meet cute! 😆 I loved getting chapters from both Eden and Callum's POVs, watching the feelings develop and grow between them until they couldn't resist anymore! The story's setting was so cute, a cozy cabin in the woods of a small town with a lake and snowfall, this was a perfect fall/winter read! I really enjoyed this story!
Also I loved that Eden had a little tradition of making her son cupcakes on the first day of school every year so when she made apple pie cupcakes in the story, I knew I had to make some for my book review pic! I made the cupcakes, the apple pie filling, and the icing all from scratch! 🩵📚
Thank you to Jennifer Millikin and ValentinePR for this ARC of Goode Tidings, in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet romcom! This was a heartwarming and entertaining story, with a laugh out loud meet cute! 😆 I loved getting chapters from both Eden and Callum's POVs, watching the feelings develop and grow between them until they couldn't resist anymore! The story's setting was so cute, a cozy cabin in the woods of a small town with a lake and snowfall, this was a perfect fall/winter read! I really enjoyed this story!
Also I loved that Eden had a little tradition of making her son cupcakes on the first day of school every year so when she made apple pie cupcakes in the story, I knew I had to make some for my book review pic! I made the cupcakes, the apple pie filling, and the icing all from scratch! 🩵📚
Thank you to Jennifer Millikin and ValentinePR for this ARC of Goode Tidings, in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2026
This one was so cute and cozy for this time of year! If you are familiar with the Serendipity & Shenanigans series then you know what toe expect going into this book. But if you are not, just know this light hearted rom com will have you swooning and laughing til the bitter end. And honestly, the duet narration by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue truly brought the book to life and I think the narration made me laugh even harder. Yes the humor is very millennial coded because our MCs are millennials and out FMC has a teenage son so the humor reflects those generations.
I listened to this book and holy moly, the narration as amazing. I had said this a time or two before but I truly enjoy every single book that Hannah Chiclana narrates. Her voice is so soothing to me and her voice acting is phenomenal. And her voice paired with Aaron's truly a was a match made in heaven for Callum and Eden.
You guys, just do me a favor if you have not read a Jennifer Millikin book, please put her on your tbr. Her books are swoony slow burns with banter and tension. You will laugh. You will swoon. You will have an amazing time. And each book is such a vibe. And Goode Tidings, is perfect for the fall/winter season!
*I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for allowing me the pleasure to listen to Goode Tidings as an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
I listened to this book and holy moly, the narration as amazing. I had said this a time or two before but I truly enjoy every single book that Hannah Chiclana narrates. Her voice is so soothing to me and her voice acting is phenomenal. And her voice paired with Aaron's truly a was a match made in heaven for Callum and Eden.
You guys, just do me a favor if you have not read a Jennifer Millikin book, please put her on your tbr. Her books are swoony slow burns with banter and tension. You will laugh. You will swoon. You will have an amazing time. And each book is such a vibe. And Goode Tidings, is perfect for the fall/winter season!
*I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for allowing me the pleasure to listen to Goode Tidings as an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
September 29, 2026
I finished this in one day, could not put it down. The narrators were talented and fun.
The setting. The characters. The banter. The tension. The nicknames. The ease of the story. The friendships. The relatability.
I loved it. Of course I did...it is a grumpy sunshine single mom based in a small town setting!
Callum was the brother she should have met from the start, because Eden's ex is horrid.
Tropes:
🔥 Slow Burn
🙅🏽♀️ Forbidden Love
👐 Forced Proximity
🤱 Single Mom
☕️ Cozy Vibes
🏘 Small Town
😍 No Third Act Breakup
😏 He Falls First
⛈️ Grumpy MMC
The setting. The characters. The banter. The tension. The nicknames. The ease of the story. The friendships. The relatability.
I loved it. Of course I did...it is a grumpy sunshine single mom based in a small town setting!
Callum was the brother she should have met from the start, because Eden's ex is horrid.
Tropes:
🔥 Slow Burn
🙅🏽♀️ Forbidden Love
👐 Forced Proximity
🤱 Single Mom
☕️ Cozy Vibes
🏘 Small Town
😍 No Third Act Breakup
😏 He Falls First
⛈️ Grumpy MMC
September 22, 2026
This is just such a fun series.
It’s giving 2000s movie rom com vibes.
Eden & Callum
The meet cute 🤣🤣🤣
Single mom with an attitude I aspire to have
Grumpy town recluse
A one cabin situation
He runs a good story website
She makes designs for wrapping paper
Fourteen year old Oliver
Kids sometimes get written weird, but not him
There is a lot of rom com moments and banter and laughs.
But both of these people (well all 3 really) have some deeper things they’re going through.
I had a really good time.
This just felt good to read.
Arc review ✨
It’s giving 2000s movie rom com vibes.
Eden & Callum
The meet cute 🤣🤣🤣
Single mom with an attitude I aspire to have
Grumpy town recluse
A one cabin situation
He runs a good story website
She makes designs for wrapping paper
Fourteen year old Oliver
Kids sometimes get written weird, but not him
There is a lot of rom com moments and banter and laughs.
But both of these people (well all 3 really) have some deeper things they’re going through.
I had a really good time.
This just felt good to read.
Arc review ✨
October 1, 2026
Amazon / Audible / Amazon Audiobook
When Eden barges into the cabin where Callum's been squatting, she and her teenage son Oliver upend his world, in the best of ways. Now he's being sweetly and sassily goaded into shedding his grumpy recluse persona, and venturing into the world again. The woman who was dressed like a mint is bringing his heart back to life. But his identity as her ex husband's former stepbrother might be an obstacle too big for them to hurdle.
This has to be one of the sweetest reads I've enjoyed, in a very long time. Callum the Sad Man and Eden the Andes mint, had me swooning and grinning all the way through. And Oliver made their family unit all the better. Usually, teenagers are written (and are irl) obnoxious and sullen 24/7, but Oliver is much more layered than that. The bond he and Callum form is one of the best parts of this story, but the three of them as a family are the very best part. It's always fun reading as a grump is undone by sunshine, and Eden's sassy warmth made short work of Callum's determination to keep his distance. I haven't read the other installments of this series, but after reading this one, I'm a fan! Now I'm off to go download the first two, and will be the first one to download any future stories to come.
ARC provided by Valentine PR for an honest review.
Review Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | Linktree
September 23, 2026
4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5 🌶️🌶️
4/5 🎧🎧🎧🎧
What to Expect:
⛰️Small Town Romance
☕Grumpy x Sunshine
⛰️Ex’s Brother
☕Forced Proximity
⛰️Single Mom
☕Slow Burn
⛰️Found Family
☕Emotional Healing
⛰️Second Chance at Love
I absolutely ADORED Goode Tidings. Eden was such a happy, good time… and when her and her teenage son, Oliver, show up to stay at her son’s - soon-to-be cabin, that her ex-husband said was okay to move to, in Snowflake, Arizona, only to find it was occupied!!!
Callum, the definition of GRUMPY HERMIT, has been squatting there for the last two years… renovating and making the space his. Cue the forced proximity, all the awkward meetings, and some of the best and most hilarious banter around, as Callum is forced to move into the “shed” that has been renovated, and turned into an office… Eden slowly makes her way into his heart, and starts breaking through all those walls he’s built around himself.
What starts out as peaceful coexistence, turns into friendship quickly, and turns into something more even quicker. I absolutely loved watching these two help each other heal their hearts, and find their way back to happiness and love.
This was such a cozy, funny, spicy small-town romance, and I absolutely loved it. Both Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue gave an amazing performance. It was such a cute and happy read. I do wish Callums voice would’ve been a little deeper. I kept imagining this mountain man, and they usually have super deep, raspy voices. So it took me a second to get used to Aarons voice. It wasn’t bad, don’t get me wrong… just wasn’t what my brain wanted? HA!
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for sending this over. I had such a good time and will be on the lookout for more from Jennifer.
---
This was a cute, sweet, little read!!! RTC!!!
2/5 🌶️🌶️
4/5 🎧🎧🎧🎧
What to Expect:
⛰️Small Town Romance
☕Grumpy x Sunshine
⛰️Ex’s Brother
☕Forced Proximity
⛰️Single Mom
☕Slow Burn
⛰️Found Family
☕Emotional Healing
⛰️Second Chance at Love
I absolutely ADORED Goode Tidings. Eden was such a happy, good time… and when her and her teenage son, Oliver, show up to stay at her son’s - soon-to-be cabin, that her ex-husband said was okay to move to, in Snowflake, Arizona, only to find it was occupied!!!
Callum, the definition of GRUMPY HERMIT, has been squatting there for the last two years… renovating and making the space his. Cue the forced proximity, all the awkward meetings, and some of the best and most hilarious banter around, as Callum is forced to move into the “shed” that has been renovated, and turned into an office… Eden slowly makes her way into his heart, and starts breaking through all those walls he’s built around himself.
What starts out as peaceful coexistence, turns into friendship quickly, and turns into something more even quicker. I absolutely loved watching these two help each other heal their hearts, and find their way back to happiness and love.
This was such a cozy, funny, spicy small-town romance, and I absolutely loved it. Both Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue gave an amazing performance. It was such a cute and happy read. I do wish Callums voice would’ve been a little deeper. I kept imagining this mountain man, and they usually have super deep, raspy voices. So it took me a second to get used to Aarons voice. It wasn’t bad, don’t get me wrong… just wasn’t what my brain wanted? HA!
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for sending this over. I had such a good time and will be on the lookout for more from Jennifer.
---
This was a cute, sweet, little read!!! RTC!!!
October 9, 2026
This is a perfect cozy fall/winter ready.
This book had ALL the things:
🩵 So much banter
🏕️ A cabin in the woods
🥵 A little forbidden tension
💙 A grumpy man who yearns
💕 And a romance I couldn’t get enough of
Callum and Eden’s story is here and it’s sooo GOOD! I was smiling, giggling, and completely falling for these two while listening to the audiobook.
The audiobook is duet narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahuehue. I LOVED them. The banter, the chemistry, the emotions… perfection. I highly recommend the audiobook for the ultimate cozy fall/winter read.
This book had ALL the things:
🩵 So much banter
🏕️ A cabin in the woods
🥵 A little forbidden tension
💙 A grumpy man who yearns
💕 And a romance I couldn’t get enough of
Callum and Eden’s story is here and it’s sooo GOOD! I was smiling, giggling, and completely falling for these two while listening to the audiobook.
The audiobook is duet narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahuehue. I LOVED them. The banter, the chemistry, the emotions… perfection. I highly recommend the audiobook for the ultimate cozy fall/winter read.
October 2, 2026
[image error]
Soft Landing
Full frontal view provided by the house squatter? OK, color me intrigued! 🫣☺️
It starts with some drama and plenty of comedy. I like how this all plays out as Callum (Hot Squatter. Sad Man Hermit, Hermie, Cal) Goode meets his match when Eden (Andes Mint) Madigan comes around the corner.
I love that Eden's main focus is her son, Oliver. She's an imperfectly good mom. Not only does Callum see it, but the way he quietly lifts her up is 🫠 so sweet. I just... 💚
When it comes to the couple, I absolutely adore how when the switch flips, it completely flips, and nothing holds them back from exploring the chemistry. ❤️🔥 The way they balance each other is fantastic! Add in her extended found family, and I am so happy that I read this. 🥰
I listened to the audio book. Lending voice to these characters are Aaron Donahue and Hannah Chiclana. The narrators are great in duet. I love the little flourishes that are included. 🎧💚🎧
Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H & h = 34
TROPES & TRIGGERS:
🎙 Duet narration 🩷
🏡 Small town romance
👩 Single mom
👀 Forced proximity
❤️ Found family
😠 Grumpy / Sunshine 🌞
🔥 Open-door steamy scenes 🌶
🕐 First person, dual POV
Soft Landing
Full frontal view provided by the house squatter? OK, color me intrigued! 🫣☺️
It starts with some drama and plenty of comedy. I like how this all plays out as Callum (Hot Squatter. Sad Man Hermit, Hermie, Cal) Goode meets his match when Eden (Andes Mint) Madigan comes around the corner.
I'm so starved for human connection that I'm wilting in the presence of physical beauty.
-- Callum Goode
I love that Eden's main focus is her son, Oliver. She's an imperfectly good mom. Not only does Callum see it, but the way he quietly lifts her up is 🫠 so sweet. I just... 💚
When it comes to the couple, I absolutely adore how when the switch flips, it completely flips, and nothing holds them back from exploring the chemistry. ❤️🔥 The way they balance each other is fantastic! Add in her extended found family, and I am so happy that I read this. 🥰
I listened to the audio book. Lending voice to these characters are Aaron Donahue and Hannah Chiclana. The narrators are great in duet. I love the little flourishes that are included. 🎧💚🎧
Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H & h = 34
TROPES & TRIGGERS:
🎙 Duet narration 🩷
🏡 Small town romance
👩 Single mom
👀 Forced proximity
❤️ Found family
😠 Grumpy / Sunshine 🌞
🔥 Open-door steamy scenes 🌶
🕐 First person, dual POV
September 27, 2026
Callum “eyes on me” Goode!!! Loved him. Loved Eden. Loved Callum’s relationship with Eden’s son. The whole squatting plot line had me laughing. I loved the unique way it was forced proximity. This honestly was such a treat to read!! Thank you VPR & author for this ARC 🫶🏻
September 30, 2026
Loved it!
🏡 Forced Proximity
🎄 Cozy Small Town Romance
😤☀️ Grumpy Recluse MMC x Sunshine FMC
👩👦 Single Mom
💚 Green Flag MMC
🔥 Slow Burn
😂 Hilarious Banter
🫶 Found Family
💔 Healing From the Past
💦 He Comes in His Pants
🎧 Dual Narration
🖥️ Good Deeds Website
⚾ Sweet MMC & Teen Bond
This book is such a feel good, cozy book while also having a delicious slow burn, hilarious banter, an ex-husband that'll make you realize your partner is actually a gem of a human being and a grumpy recluse who the entire town has a nickname for. Oh, and yet another He Comes in His Pants moment.
Callum is running from a terrible break up and doesn't trust anyone. Eden and her son Oliver are in need of a fresh start so her ex offers up his family's cabin for a year. Of course, he doesn't know that Callum is already squatting there. And from the beginning, hilarity ensues.
Watching this man try to maintain his peaceful hermit existence while Eden and Oliver move in? Comedy gold. The cabin situation leads to some fantastic forced proximity, awkward encounters, and banter that had me grinning like an idiot.
Eden's sense of humor is so sharp, witty, and dry that I know her and I would be BFFs. However, I also just wanted her to calm down, take some time for herself, stop worrying about everything, and realize asking for help isn't a weakness...it's often the strongest thing you can do. And not wanting to be alone isn't a failure, it's human nature.
Callum is just green flag after green flag from the get go and the way this man can keep his cool should be studied. Ex-fiancé and best friend suddenly appearing? Cool. Eden pretending to be his girlfriend? Cool. Medical crisis? Cool. Facing his ex-stepbrother after years? Somehow still cool. This man has the emotional regulation of a monk. And once Eden becomes part of his life, those green flags just keep multiplying. He shows up, looks out for her, encourages her to believe in herself and her talent, and quietly does the little things that prove he cares. Watching this touch-starved man slowly realize that he could actually have the love and family he never thought he'd get was one of my favorite parts.
Callum wanted to be a hermit. Eden had other plans. Thank God for Eden.
And Callum with Oliver? My heart. Their relationship develops so naturally, and Callum never tries to force himself into a role that isn't his. He simply becomes someone Oliver can trust. The baseball scene absolutely got me.
I also loved the way Eden and Callum help each other move forward. Eden gets Callum back into the world he's been hiding from, while Callum pushes Eden to believe in herself and her talent. Their healing felt earned, and the romance grew naturally out of their friendship.
The romance was spicy, the banter was hilarious, and the whole book had that warm, cozy small-town feeling that made it ridiculously easy to settle into.
The audiobook was fantastic, too. Hannah Chiclana perfectly captured Eden's cheeky energy, while Aaron Donahue brought the grumpy Callum vibes.
Thank you, Jennifer and Valentine PR for the ARC and ALC.
🏡 Forced Proximity
🎄 Cozy Small Town Romance
😤☀️ Grumpy Recluse MMC x Sunshine FMC
👩👦 Single Mom
💚 Green Flag MMC
🔥 Slow Burn
😂 Hilarious Banter
🫶 Found Family
💔 Healing From the Past
💦 He Comes in His Pants
🎧 Dual Narration
🖥️ Good Deeds Website
⚾ Sweet MMC & Teen Bond
This book is such a feel good, cozy book while also having a delicious slow burn, hilarious banter, an ex-husband that'll make you realize your partner is actually a gem of a human being and a grumpy recluse who the entire town has a nickname for. Oh, and yet another He Comes in His Pants moment.
Callum is running from a terrible break up and doesn't trust anyone. Eden and her son Oliver are in need of a fresh start so her ex offers up his family's cabin for a year. Of course, he doesn't know that Callum is already squatting there. And from the beginning, hilarity ensues.
Watching this man try to maintain his peaceful hermit existence while Eden and Oliver move in? Comedy gold. The cabin situation leads to some fantastic forced proximity, awkward encounters, and banter that had me grinning like an idiot.
Eden's sense of humor is so sharp, witty, and dry that I know her and I would be BFFs. However, I also just wanted her to calm down, take some time for herself, stop worrying about everything, and realize asking for help isn't a weakness...it's often the strongest thing you can do. And not wanting to be alone isn't a failure, it's human nature.
Callum is just green flag after green flag from the get go and the way this man can keep his cool should be studied. Ex-fiancé and best friend suddenly appearing? Cool. Eden pretending to be his girlfriend? Cool. Medical crisis? Cool. Facing his ex-stepbrother after years? Somehow still cool. This man has the emotional regulation of a monk. And once Eden becomes part of his life, those green flags just keep multiplying. He shows up, looks out for her, encourages her to believe in herself and her talent, and quietly does the little things that prove he cares. Watching this touch-starved man slowly realize that he could actually have the love and family he never thought he'd get was one of my favorite parts.
Callum wanted to be a hermit. Eden had other plans. Thank God for Eden.
And Callum with Oliver? My heart. Their relationship develops so naturally, and Callum never tries to force himself into a role that isn't his. He simply becomes someone Oliver can trust. The baseball scene absolutely got me.
I also loved the way Eden and Callum help each other move forward. Eden gets Callum back into the world he's been hiding from, while Callum pushes Eden to believe in herself and her talent. Their healing felt earned, and the romance grew naturally out of their friendship.
The romance was spicy, the banter was hilarious, and the whole book had that warm, cozy small-town feeling that made it ridiculously easy to settle into.
The audiobook was fantastic, too. Hannah Chiclana perfectly captured Eden's cheeky energy, while Aaron Donahue brought the grumpy Callum vibes.
Thank you, Jennifer and Valentine PR for the ARC and ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ALC review
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
"Eden is my business. Which makes Oliver my business!"
This story follows Callum, Eden and her teenage son when they meet in the cabin from Eden's ex husband. Callum squatted there for the last 2 years and Eden is supposed to be staying there for the upcoming year. They solve this clash with Callum moving out and moving into the “office”. In the period that follows they interact more with each other in different occasions. They quickly find out that there is more than a common place they want to stay at.
This was a cute story. I enjoyed reading about Callum, who was the hermit of the town but slowly turned into a person that wanted to be where he was again. Eden too, she is a woman has to do everything herself, she has no one to rely on. I'm glad to see that she manages to let loose more. Than her son, I loved how perceptive he was. We often forget that kids are like that.
The romance between Callum and Eden was explosive and very enjoyable to read.
I was not a fan of Eden's ex. I found him a horrible father and if it were me, He would have had to do a lot more graveling to be accepted again.
Overall this was a very cozy read.
Audio book – 5 stars
This book is narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue. I enjoyed their interpretation of the characters very well. They matched the vibe of the book so well with their voices. I was not familiar with these narrators yet, but I'm sure to be on the lookout for more of their work.
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
"Eden is my business. Which makes Oliver my business!"
This story follows Callum, Eden and her teenage son when they meet in the cabin from Eden's ex husband. Callum squatted there for the last 2 years and Eden is supposed to be staying there for the upcoming year. They solve this clash with Callum moving out and moving into the “office”. In the period that follows they interact more with each other in different occasions. They quickly find out that there is more than a common place they want to stay at.
This was a cute story. I enjoyed reading about Callum, who was the hermit of the town but slowly turned into a person that wanted to be where he was again. Eden too, she is a woman has to do everything herself, she has no one to rely on. I'm glad to see that she manages to let loose more. Than her son, I loved how perceptive he was. We often forget that kids are like that.
The romance between Callum and Eden was explosive and very enjoyable to read.
I was not a fan of Eden's ex. I found him a horrible father and if it were me, He would have had to do a lot more graveling to be accepted again.
Overall this was a very cozy read.
Audio book – 5 stars
This book is narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue. I enjoyed their interpretation of the characters very well. They matched the vibe of the book so well with their voices. I was not familiar with these narrators yet, but I'm sure to be on the lookout for more of their work.
October 8, 2026
Oh, I had SUCH a good time with this one!! 😂 A grumpy mountain hermit, a sunshine single mom with absolutely no filter, forced proximity, and a cozy little mountain town...say less!
Eden and her teenage son, Oliver, arrive at a cabin in Snowflake, Arizona, ready for a fresh start. What they don't expect is to find Callum Goode, her ex-husband's former stepbrother, already living there. And Callum has absolutely no intention of making friends.
I loved watching Eden slowly work her way past Callum's grumpy exterior. Their banter, the awkward situations, the little acts of kindness, and the tension building between them were SO good. What starts as an unexpected living arrangement turns into a beautiful friendship, and eventually something neither of them saw coming.
But what I especially loved was how they showed up for each other. Callum encourages Eden to believe in herself and pursue her dreams, while Eden helps him find his way back to a life he's been hiding from. Both carry hurt from their pasts, and I appreciated how naturally their healing was woven into the story without making it feel overly heavy.
And Callum with Oliver? 🥹 Oh, my heart!! Watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts. Beneath all that grumpiness is a man who genuinely cares and shows it through his actions. The way he slowly becomes part of their little family was so sweet.
And can we talk about how touch-deprived this man is?! 🫠 For someone determined to keep everyone at arm's length, Callum doesn't stand a chance against Eden. The longing, the lingering touches, the way he falls for her before he's even ready to admit it... SO GOOD!!
Add in the nosy townspeople who are VERY invested in Callum's love life, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, some delicious tension, and a little heat, and you've got such a fun, heartwarming romance.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue were both new narrators to me, and I loved them! Hannah captured Eden's sass and humor perfectly, while Aaron brought Callum's grumpy personality to life. I especially enjoyed how they handled the supporting characters. Such a fun duet performance!
This was a quick, cozy read with just the right amount of humor, emotion, and romance. And now I wouldn't mind escaping to a secluded mountain cabin myself. Preferably one with a hot tub...
What to expect:
🏔️ Grumpy × Sunshine
☕️ Forced Proximity
🏔️ Forbidden Romance
☕️ He Falls First
🏔️ Touch-Deprived MMC
☕️ Slow Burn
🏔️ Single Mom / Teenage Son
☕️ Small-Town Romance
🏔️ Cozy Vibes
☕️ Acts of Service
🏔️ Found Family
☕️ Healing After Heartbreak
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts. So, so grateful, as always! 🫶🏻
Eden and her teenage son, Oliver, arrive at a cabin in Snowflake, Arizona, ready for a fresh start. What they don't expect is to find Callum Goode, her ex-husband's former stepbrother, already living there. And Callum has absolutely no intention of making friends.
I loved watching Eden slowly work her way past Callum's grumpy exterior. Their banter, the awkward situations, the little acts of kindness, and the tension building between them were SO good. What starts as an unexpected living arrangement turns into a beautiful friendship, and eventually something neither of them saw coming.
But what I especially loved was how they showed up for each other. Callum encourages Eden to believe in herself and pursue her dreams, while Eden helps him find his way back to a life he's been hiding from. Both carry hurt from their pasts, and I appreciated how naturally their healing was woven into the story without making it feel overly heavy.
And Callum with Oliver? 🥹 Oh, my heart!! Watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts. Beneath all that grumpiness is a man who genuinely cares and shows it through his actions. The way he slowly becomes part of their little family was so sweet.
And can we talk about how touch-deprived this man is?! 🫠 For someone determined to keep everyone at arm's length, Callum doesn't stand a chance against Eden. The longing, the lingering touches, the way he falls for her before he's even ready to admit it... SO GOOD!!
Add in the nosy townspeople who are VERY invested in Callum's love life, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, some delicious tension, and a little heat, and you've got such a fun, heartwarming romance.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue were both new narrators to me, and I loved them! Hannah captured Eden's sass and humor perfectly, while Aaron brought Callum's grumpy personality to life. I especially enjoyed how they handled the supporting characters. Such a fun duet performance!
This was a quick, cozy read with just the right amount of humor, emotion, and romance. And now I wouldn't mind escaping to a secluded mountain cabin myself. Preferably one with a hot tub...
What to expect:
🏔️ Grumpy × Sunshine
☕️ Forced Proximity
🏔️ Forbidden Romance
☕️ He Falls First
🏔️ Touch-Deprived MMC
☕️ Slow Burn
🏔️ Single Mom / Teenage Son
☕️ Small-Town Romance
🏔️ Cozy Vibes
☕️ Acts of Service
🏔️ Found Family
☕️ Healing After Heartbreak
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts. So, so grateful, as always! 🫶🏻
October 2, 2026
Goode Tidings by Jennifer Millikin
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I really enjoyed Eden and Callum's grumpy man meets single mom romance.
I loved Eden. She has an excellent sense of humor, very little filter, and a kind heart that wants to help everyone around her. As a parent, I relate to her sadness at her son growing older and starting to drift away from the little boy who needed her. I appreciate that she is a single mom, but that isn't her only defining character trait. She is also a talented creative who grabs her future by the horns and chases her dreams. Basically, she's amazing, and I am obsessed with her.
And Callum? YES, PLEASE. He is such an interesting character—a touch-starved grump who hides in his cabin while also looking for the best in humanity by creating and running a website focused on delivering only good news. I love this kind of complex depth because it feels so much more authentic. He checks so many of my boxes. Wounded due to a sad romantic history? Check. King yearner of Yearningville? Check. Falls first and arguably harder? Check and check!
My favorite part of the story was the bond that forms between Callum and Eden's teenage son, Oliver. Oliver's relationship with his father is super complicated, and Callum offers him the stability and presence he's been missing. I definitely got a little choked up during some of their scenes together. Truly loving a single mom means loving her child(ren) too, and Callum can't help but fall for both of them.
While Goode Tidings can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Here for the Cake and Hard Feelings first, as the couples are related to Eden and make appearances here.
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for providing an ARC.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I really enjoyed Eden and Callum's grumpy man meets single mom romance.
I loved Eden. She has an excellent sense of humor, very little filter, and a kind heart that wants to help everyone around her. As a parent, I relate to her sadness at her son growing older and starting to drift away from the little boy who needed her. I appreciate that she is a single mom, but that isn't her only defining character trait. She is also a talented creative who grabs her future by the horns and chases her dreams. Basically, she's amazing, and I am obsessed with her.
And Callum? YES, PLEASE. He is such an interesting character—a touch-starved grump who hides in his cabin while also looking for the best in humanity by creating and running a website focused on delivering only good news. I love this kind of complex depth because it feels so much more authentic. He checks so many of my boxes. Wounded due to a sad romantic history? Check. King yearner of Yearningville? Check. Falls first and arguably harder? Check and check!
My favorite part of the story was the bond that forms between Callum and Eden's teenage son, Oliver. Oliver's relationship with his father is super complicated, and Callum offers him the stability and presence he's been missing. I definitely got a little choked up during some of their scenes together. Truly loving a single mom means loving her child(ren) too, and Callum can't help but fall for both of them.
While Goode Tidings can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Here for the Cake and Hard Feelings first, as the couples are related to Eden and make appearances here.
Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for providing an ARC.
October 3, 2026
4.5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
What a fun read/listen this was! I loved the meet cute where Eden literally barged in on Callum while he was in the hot tub and she ended up seeing more of him than she bargained for! 😉 Callum was a sweet, golden retriever MMC who started to fall for Eden before he even realized what was happening. The way he stepped up and started to genuinely care for Eden and her teenage son was really wonderful. It was great to see a MMC who is a caretaker of those around him.
The narrators here, Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue, did an excellent job! I love duet narration and they were really a perfect choice for these roles. I thought Hannah had a voice that conveyed fun and Aaron sounded a little stern at first, but masculine and really sweet as he started to fall for Eden.
One thing that I thought was funny is that I'm familiar with Snowflake, AZ and it's not really at all like the author describes, but it's a fun name and it sounds like it would be a town where snowy, cold winters are common. In reality that's just not how the real Snowflake is, but that's the beauty of fiction, right? I loved the Arizona connection, though, and it made it that much more fun for me to read. The only reason I took a half a star away is that the book felt a little long at some points. I think the author could have moved along a little quicker with Callum and Eden's relationship, but it was no hardship to listen to a little more of their stories.
Loved this one! It's low angst, the male lead is a gem, and the female lead is someone I would admire and like in real life. Read this book! I think you'll love it to.
What a fun read/listen this was! I loved the meet cute where Eden literally barged in on Callum while he was in the hot tub and she ended up seeing more of him than she bargained for! 😉 Callum was a sweet, golden retriever MMC who started to fall for Eden before he even realized what was happening. The way he stepped up and started to genuinely care for Eden and her teenage son was really wonderful. It was great to see a MMC who is a caretaker of those around him.
The narrators here, Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue, did an excellent job! I love duet narration and they were really a perfect choice for these roles. I thought Hannah had a voice that conveyed fun and Aaron sounded a little stern at first, but masculine and really sweet as he started to fall for Eden.
One thing that I thought was funny is that I'm familiar with Snowflake, AZ and it's not really at all like the author describes, but it's a fun name and it sounds like it would be a town where snowy, cold winters are common. In reality that's just not how the real Snowflake is, but that's the beauty of fiction, right? I loved the Arizona connection, though, and it made it that much more fun for me to read. The only reason I took a half a star away is that the book felt a little long at some points. I think the author could have moved along a little quicker with Callum and Eden's relationship, but it was no hardship to listen to a little more of their stories.
Loved this one! It's low angst, the male lead is a gem, and the female lead is someone I would admire and like in real life. Read this book! I think you'll love it to.
October 5, 2026
This was my first book by Jennifer Millikin, and I really enjoyed it! ❤️ I can definitely see why everyone has been loving this one. Eden and Callum had such a fun connection, and I loved watching their relationship slowly develop. The small-town setting, grumpy sunshine dynamic, and humor worked so well together, and this book had me laughing more than once. I really enjoyed the romance, but the spice? 🔥🔥 Let’s just say it was spicy good! 😂 Definitely a 5 ⭐️ read for me, and I’ll be checking out more from Jennifer Millikin.
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin for the ARC opportunity and the chance to share my honest thoughts!
Thank you so much to Jennifer Millikin for the ARC opportunity and the chance to share my honest thoughts!
September 27, 2026
Goode Tidings was such a cute, cozy small-town romance! Eden had me laughing with her zero-filter personality, and watching her slowly break down Callum’s walls was so good. I listened to the audiobook, and Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue were fantastic together!
Eden was so much fun, especially with her complete lack of a filter (and the effect it always had on Callum), and her dynamic with Callum was everything. Watching this grumpy, standoffish guy turn into someone who would do anything for them completely melted me. Their friendship, chemistry, and the way they helped each other heal made the romance feel so natural. Plus, there are plenty of cameos from Word Daddy Klein & Presley and Dom & Cecily, which was so fun!
If you love grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, single mom, and a hero who falls HARD, definitely add this one to your TBR.
Eden was so much fun, especially with her complete lack of a filter (and the effect it always had on Callum), and her dynamic with Callum was everything. Watching this grumpy, standoffish guy turn into someone who would do anything for them completely melted me. Their friendship, chemistry, and the way they helped each other heal made the romance feel so natural. Plus, there are plenty of cameos from Word Daddy Klein & Presley and Dom & Cecily, which was so fun!
If you love grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, single mom, and a hero who falls HARD, definitely add this one to your TBR.
October 18, 2026
This was a fun romance to listen to. From the way Callum and Eden met to the slow, slow burn of falling in love and finally to the happily ever after ending, Goode Tidings was definitely good. Enjoy!
Thank you to the author for this copy.
Thank you to the author for this copy.
October 2, 2026
4.25 ★ sooo sweet!!
September 25, 2026
Loved this one! Definitely my new favorite from Jennifer!
There were so many great parts of this! I always love seeing a successful single parent that has learned to thrive. It always makes me want to better mom.
I loved the sweet interactions from the MMC and FMC! He was the town hermit and she was just everything he didn’t know that needed! 🥹
Ooohh! And the side characters were phenomenal!
There were so many great parts of this! I always love seeing a successful single parent that has learned to thrive. It always makes me want to better mom.
I loved the sweet interactions from the MMC and FMC! He was the town hermit and she was just everything he didn’t know that needed! 🥹
Ooohh! And the side characters were phenomenal!
September 26, 2026
Goode Tidings by Jennifer Millikin
My Rating: ★★★★
I absolutely loved this book! The main characters Eden, her son Oliver and the MMC Callum were so fun to read about. The way they met had me cackling from the start and that first awkward moment had me hooked!
I loved the hilarious banter throughout the book, the situations that led to the forced proximity, I loved the sweet moments of clarity Eden and Callum had and of course the small town feel. The forbidden-ish feel to their connection was also fun and I was holding out to the very end to see how things played out. I really enjoyed the connection Oliver and Callum developed and the fatherly feel that gave this book such a wholesome feel.
I was able to do a fully immersive read with this one with the audiobook and ebook and loved taking the story in this way. Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue did a phenomenal job narrating this story and bringing these characters story to life.
What to Expect:
Small Town
Single Mom
Found Family
He Falls First
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
My Rating: ★★★★
I absolutely loved this book! The main characters Eden, her son Oliver and the MMC Callum were so fun to read about. The way they met had me cackling from the start and that first awkward moment had me hooked!
I loved the hilarious banter throughout the book, the situations that led to the forced proximity, I loved the sweet moments of clarity Eden and Callum had and of course the small town feel. The forbidden-ish feel to their connection was also fun and I was holding out to the very end to see how things played out. I really enjoyed the connection Oliver and Callum developed and the fatherly feel that gave this book such a wholesome feel.
I was able to do a fully immersive read with this one with the audiobook and ebook and loved taking the story in this way. Hannah Chiclana and Aaron Donahue did a phenomenal job narrating this story and bringing these characters story to life.
What to Expect:
Small Town
Single Mom
Found Family
He Falls First
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
October 20, 2026
Heartwarming in a very lukewarm kinda way.
October 17, 2026
Goode Tidings was such a cozy, funny, feel-good read, and Jennifer Millikin really knows how to do grumpy/sunshine. Callum is the grumpy creator of a beloved website who flees to his childhood lakeside cabin after a humiliating betrayal and basically squats there in peace. Then Eden and her teenage son wander onto the property claiming the cabin is theirs for the next year, and he happens to be in the hot tub when they do. Such a chaotic, perfect meet-cute.
Callum seems all scowls and rugged handsomeness, but Eden decides there's more to him and sets out to peel back his layers. I loved the little rituals that build between them, like her bringing him coffee every afternoon and both of them insisting it's just a simple kindness. The "I was only being a friendly ear" energy while they're clearly falling for each other had me grinning the whole time. Watching his control slip with every lingering touch and long glance was so satisfying, and when the tension finally snaps, it really snaps.
Eden being a single mom made the story feel warm and grounded too. Her son gives the cabin a real family feel, and the small-town, cabin-in-the-mountains setting is the ideal cozy backdrop for a holiday-ish read.
Only reason it's not a full 5 is I wanted a bit more of Callum's betrayal backstory, since it drives so much of who he is and it felt a little glossed over. But overall such a charming, swoony, laugh-out-loud read, and a great addition to the Serendipity & Shenanigans series.
Callum seems all scowls and rugged handsomeness, but Eden decides there's more to him and sets out to peel back his layers. I loved the little rituals that build between them, like her bringing him coffee every afternoon and both of them insisting it's just a simple kindness. The "I was only being a friendly ear" energy while they're clearly falling for each other had me grinning the whole time. Watching his control slip with every lingering touch and long glance was so satisfying, and when the tension finally snaps, it really snaps.
Eden being a single mom made the story feel warm and grounded too. Her son gives the cabin a real family feel, and the small-town, cabin-in-the-mountains setting is the ideal cozy backdrop for a holiday-ish read.
Only reason it's not a full 5 is I wanted a bit more of Callum's betrayal backstory, since it drives so much of who he is and it felt a little glossed over. But overall such a charming, swoony, laugh-out-loud read, and a great addition to the Serendipity & Shenanigans series.
Review of advance copy
First of all, I would like to thank Valentine PR and Jennifer Millikin for receiving an ARC copy of Goode Tidings.
Reading Goode Tidings was definitely a mixed bag for me. While there were elements I genuinely appreciated, a lot of the execution left me rolling my eyes.
To start off, the writing in this installment felt noticeably more cringe than previous books in the series. Between the forced "your mom" and "bro" jokes and dialogue that tried way too hard to be funny (like the period joke line), the humor fell flat. The millennial-style humor throughout made the characters feel weirdly out of touch. Unless they’re meant to be in their mid-forties, it just felt off.
The romance dynamic was also a bit bizarre. On one hand, Callum and Eden have this instant, intense physical attraction where they're constantly ogling each other within 24 hours of meeting. On the other hand, their actual bond is built so gradually that while it’s technically styled as a slow burn, it doesn't quite hit like one because the physical tension is right there from day one. That said, Callum himself is total "acts of service" material, and I really enjoyed the calm, low-conflict atmosphere of their storyline. That serene, cozy vibe is always what I look forward to in this series.
Character-wise, Eden is a strong lead. I loved seeing how independent she is, particularly her decision to walk away from a job where she wasn't valued, and how surprisingly open she was from the start. Her relationship with Oliver, however, brought up some odd dynamics. Oliver’s behavior towards her felt way over the top, as someone who loves spending time with their own mom, I couldn't relate to his dramatic attitude, and I felt bad for Eden. On top of that, Justin was infuriatingly childish. It made no sense why Oliver idolized his father so much when the man does absolutely nothing for them, though I was glad when Oliver finally started seeing through him.
As Callum step-dad vibes go, I started to see the vision toward the end, though I wish we’d gotten more actual interactions between Callum and Oliver to really establish that relationship.
There were also a few plot points that stretched my suspension of disbelief. Logistically, I couldn't stop wondering how Callum runs a story-sharing website that somehow generates enough revenue to pay himself and three full-time employees, especially when free platforms like Reddit exist! And later on, Callum casually diagnosing Oliver’s appendicitis over a simple phone call felt pretty unrealistic, regardless of the circumstances.
Overall, if you enjoy low-drama, cozy reads with a sweet, service-oriented male lead and can look past some cringe dialogue and questionable logistics, it’s an easy read—but it definitely isn't without its flaws.
Reading Goode Tidings was definitely a mixed bag for me. While there were elements I genuinely appreciated, a lot of the execution left me rolling my eyes.
To start off, the writing in this installment felt noticeably more cringe than previous books in the series. Between the forced "your mom" and "bro" jokes and dialogue that tried way too hard to be funny (like the period joke line), the humor fell flat. The millennial-style humor throughout made the characters feel weirdly out of touch. Unless they’re meant to be in their mid-forties, it just felt off.
The romance dynamic was also a bit bizarre. On one hand, Callum and Eden have this instant, intense physical attraction where they're constantly ogling each other within 24 hours of meeting. On the other hand, their actual bond is built so gradually that while it’s technically styled as a slow burn, it doesn't quite hit like one because the physical tension is right there from day one. That said, Callum himself is total "acts of service" material, and I really enjoyed the calm, low-conflict atmosphere of their storyline. That serene, cozy vibe is always what I look forward to in this series.
Character-wise, Eden is a strong lead. I loved seeing how independent she is, particularly her decision to walk away from a job where she wasn't valued, and how surprisingly open she was from the start. Her relationship with Oliver, however, brought up some odd dynamics. Oliver’s behavior towards her felt way over the top, as someone who loves spending time with their own mom, I couldn't relate to his dramatic attitude, and I felt bad for Eden. On top of that, Justin was infuriatingly childish. It made no sense why Oliver idolized his father so much when the man does absolutely nothing for them, though I was glad when Oliver finally started seeing through him.
As Callum step-dad vibes go, I started to see the vision toward the end, though I wish we’d gotten more actual interactions between Callum and Oliver to really establish that relationship.
There were also a few plot points that stretched my suspension of disbelief. Logistically, I couldn't stop wondering how Callum runs a story-sharing website that somehow generates enough revenue to pay himself and three full-time employees, especially when free platforms like Reddit exist! And later on, Callum casually diagnosing Oliver’s appendicitis over a simple phone call felt pretty unrealistic, regardless of the circumstances.
Overall, if you enjoy low-drama, cozy reads with a sweet, service-oriented male lead and can look past some cringe dialogue and questionable logistics, it’s an easy read—but it definitely isn't without its flaws.
September 25, 2026
I can always look forward to this series giving me a smile, and I’m adding book 3 to my list of favorites this year. I was impressed by Eden and Callum in terms of their strengths, fears, and the way they were able to find beauty in each other.
What Eden wants, Eden gets, and she wants the Hot Naked Squatter. He’s her new project to “soft-launch” the grumpy hermit personality out of him. Eden is friendly and no-nonsense, and she’s the perfect fit for Callum, who is hiding away from life.
Callum has been deprived of touch, conversation, and someone to take care of him for a couple of years because of a betrayal by someone close to him. All he needed was the feisty single mom with a sparkle in her eye to open his heart and make him whole again.
The relationship develops slowly as Eden and Callum move from enemies to friends, then to lovers. I really liked the way Eden convinced Callum to get out into the world and once again become a normal person in a small town that had nicknamed him the Sad Man Hermit. Her determination and honesty are refreshing, and I valued the author’s depiction of a single mother who wants what is best for her teenage son, Oliver, without suffocating him. Callum, in turn, is a great source of support for both Eden and Oliver, being neither pushy nor judgmental.
Between the initial meet-cute naked hot tub incident, puppy yoga, hiney shakes, and hermit sightings, I fell so fast for Callum and Eden. Ms. Millikin’s characters make me laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again. Even her villains manage to redeem themselves in some way or another.
Pick up this book; in fact, pick up this series. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Ms. Millikin for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
What Eden wants, Eden gets, and she wants the Hot Naked Squatter. He’s her new project to “soft-launch” the grumpy hermit personality out of him. Eden is friendly and no-nonsense, and she’s the perfect fit for Callum, who is hiding away from life.
Callum has been deprived of touch, conversation, and someone to take care of him for a couple of years because of a betrayal by someone close to him. All he needed was the feisty single mom with a sparkle in her eye to open his heart and make him whole again.
The relationship develops slowly as Eden and Callum move from enemies to friends, then to lovers. I really liked the way Eden convinced Callum to get out into the world and once again become a normal person in a small town that had nicknamed him the Sad Man Hermit. Her determination and honesty are refreshing, and I valued the author’s depiction of a single mother who wants what is best for her teenage son, Oliver, without suffocating him. Callum, in turn, is a great source of support for both Eden and Oliver, being neither pushy nor judgmental.
Between the initial meet-cute naked hot tub incident, puppy yoga, hiney shakes, and hermit sightings, I fell so fast for Callum and Eden. Ms. Millikin’s characters make me laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again. Even her villains manage to redeem themselves in some way or another.
Pick up this book; in fact, pick up this series. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Ms. Millikin for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
October 1, 2026
Oh how I adore Jennifer Millikin’s stories! Start to finish, I absolutely adored everything about Goode Tidings! It was a sweet and swoony romance that had me giddy and grinning every other minute. Eden and Callum just did it for me. They were sexy and real and plain addicting. They were just perfect. I loved this story!
What starts as an hysterical meet-cute completely evolves into a swoony and heartfelt story of true love and finding what you need when you least expect it. I loved how Callum was a man of many different facets. Grumpy and tortured, just wanting to be alone and out of the drama his past brings. But he meets his match in the sassy and quirky, single mom, Eden, who is a firecracker that combusts his whole life.
The banter. Gah. It was so on point. It was so sparky and satisfying. It was sassy and fierce but intricately laced with these shimmering threads of emotion. I found myself smiling at their continually butting heads and then - boom - my heart welled up with emotion. They were sexy and sweet and satisfying. This was so much fun, and full of laughs, swoons and heat. All the butterflies and heart eyeballs for this book!
What starts as an hysterical meet-cute completely evolves into a swoony and heartfelt story of true love and finding what you need when you least expect it. I loved how Callum was a man of many different facets. Grumpy and tortured, just wanting to be alone and out of the drama his past brings. But he meets his match in the sassy and quirky, single mom, Eden, who is a firecracker that combusts his whole life.
The banter. Gah. It was so on point. It was so sparky and satisfying. It was sassy and fierce but intricately laced with these shimmering threads of emotion. I found myself smiling at their continually butting heads and then - boom - my heart welled up with emotion. They were sexy and sweet and satisfying. This was so much fun, and full of laughs, swoons and heat. All the butterflies and heart eyeballs for this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews