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Sap & Secrets: A Surprise Baby Firefighter Romance
410 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2026
20 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Daphne Elliot
30 books1,303 followersIn High School, Daphne Elliot was voted “most likely to become a romance novelist.” After spending the last decade as a corporate lawyer, she has finally embraced her destiny. Her small town steamy novels are filled with flirty banter, sexy hijinks, and lots and lots of heart.
Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.
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Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.
VISIT MY AMAZON PAGE:
https://www.amazon.com/Daphne-Elliot/...
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/daphneellio...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 21, 2026
5 stars for Jasper, Evie and baby Vincent 😍
I really liked this book and i think it’s the perfect story for this new world of small town romance. Loved the setting and the characters. I really liked how Daphne Elliot gives us a crime mystery within the romance story. It’s very interesting and entertaining.
Jasper and Evie were super cute and liked them both very much. There is something special about a black cat FMC and her flirty golden retriever MMC. Their interactions are very sweet and I was rooting for the from page one. The romance was really well done and I enjoyed the spice.
I am glad we saw Jess and Brian. I met Jasper in their book and it felt like a full circle moment.
I am so hyped for the rest of the series. The little glimpse of book two made me so happy. And i am actually very curious to see if my prediction for the grumpy sheriff and the grumpy female mechanic are correct.
I really liked this book and i think it’s the perfect story for this new world of small town romance. Loved the setting and the characters. I really liked how Daphne Elliot gives us a crime mystery within the romance story. It’s very interesting and entertaining.
Jasper and Evie were super cute and liked them both very much. There is something special about a black cat FMC and her flirty golden retriever MMC. Their interactions are very sweet and I was rooting for the from page one. The romance was really well done and I enjoyed the spice.
I am glad we saw Jess and Brian. I met Jasper in their book and it felt like a full circle moment.
I am so hyped for the rest of the series. The little glimpse of book two made me so happy. And i am actually very curious to see if my prediction for the grumpy sheriff and the grumpy female mechanic are correct.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
This one is for the moms (and dads). Sap & Secrets was so relatable to me in so many ways. I am a mom of young boys who has PCOS and is plus size so the FMC, Evie, felt like she was written for me personally. She is a black car personality who can come off as cold but really just always has her guard up to protect herself. In contrast to her baby daddy, Jasper, who is a golden retriever man that wears his heart on his sleeve.
Evie and Jasper's story starts with a one night stand months ago, nine to be exact. They are brought back together when Jasper responds to an emergency call only to find Evie unknowingly in labor. He gets her handed off to the right people to help her deliver the baby she had no idea she was pregnant with as she drops the bomb that the baby is his.
We read a lot from Jasper's POV which was fun. He has such a good heart and it was so rewarding to watch him keep showing up for Evie and his son, Vincent. While many men would have called Evie a liar or immediately requested a paternity test, Jasper stays consistent in his desire to support Evie and Vincent. I really loved both characters. They both had some growth and they were able to support each other well while doing it. The cast of supporting characters was vast and entertaining! You can't have a small town without a posey of eccentric old women or battling cheese shop owners.
The story developed satisfyingly and I can't wait to read the next one. I liked the mystery and drama involving the sap farms and manufacturers. The love story is why I picked the book up but the other happenings made me want to keep reading. My only complaint is that I felt like the chapters often ended somewhat abruptly. Or I expected the next chapter to continue off that part of the story to finish out the scene and it jumped to another place or time. It could be a bit confusing at times and felt a little disjointed. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town romance, plus size FMC, firefighter MMC, one night stand, or surprise baby trope.
Evie and Jasper's story starts with a one night stand months ago, nine to be exact. They are brought back together when Jasper responds to an emergency call only to find Evie unknowingly in labor. He gets her handed off to the right people to help her deliver the baby she had no idea she was pregnant with as she drops the bomb that the baby is his.
We read a lot from Jasper's POV which was fun. He has such a good heart and it was so rewarding to watch him keep showing up for Evie and his son, Vincent. While many men would have called Evie a liar or immediately requested a paternity test, Jasper stays consistent in his desire to support Evie and Vincent. I really loved both characters. They both had some growth and they were able to support each other well while doing it. The cast of supporting characters was vast and entertaining! You can't have a small town without a posey of eccentric old women or battling cheese shop owners.
The story developed satisfyingly and I can't wait to read the next one. I liked the mystery and drama involving the sap farms and manufacturers. The love story is why I picked the book up but the other happenings made me want to keep reading. My only complaint is that I felt like the chapters often ended somewhat abruptly. Or I expected the next chapter to continue off that part of the story to finish out the scene and it jumped to another place or time. It could be a bit confusing at times and felt a little disjointed. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a small town romance, plus size FMC, firefighter MMC, one night stand, or surprise baby trope.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, thank you to Daphne Elliot for sending me an ARC of Saps & Secrets. I found Daphne through Facebook, and she absolutely put in the work promoting this book. The teasers were fun, the tropes were tempting, and I went in genuinely excited.
This story has a solid foundation and a really strong premise. Jasper delivers on the swoony firefighter front and definitely shows up when it matters. The caretaking, the effort, the consistency, all of that worked for me and kept me turning pages even when I struggled.
That said, this book needs more editing before release. There were frequent errors and a lot of repeated internal thoughts, especially surrounding self-worth and motherhood. After a while, the repetition became exhausting and pulled me out of the story. The FMC is described as a black cat, but her internal dialogue leaned heavily into constant self-doubt, which didn’t fully align with that personality type for me.
Jasper had golden retriever energy at times, but his anger issues made his characterization feel a little uneven. I understand growth was happening, but the balance didn’t quite land. The suspense and mystery elements also felt rushed and somewhat disconnected from the overall vibe of the romance, as if they were added without being fully woven in.
There were moments I almost DNF’d because of the repetition, the negativity, and the uneven writing, but I pushed through because I genuinely wanted to know how it all ended. The heart of the story is there. The characters, the romance, and the small-town setting all have potential, it just needs tighter pacing, cleaner execution, and stronger editorial support.
This is my honest take, not a bash. Daphne clearly has a story worth telling, and with more polishing, this could really shine. If you enjoy firefighter romances, secret baby tropes, and small-town settings, this may still be worth checking out when it releases on January 26th
This story has a solid foundation and a really strong premise. Jasper delivers on the swoony firefighter front and definitely shows up when it matters. The caretaking, the effort, the consistency, all of that worked for me and kept me turning pages even when I struggled.
That said, this book needs more editing before release. There were frequent errors and a lot of repeated internal thoughts, especially surrounding self-worth and motherhood. After a while, the repetition became exhausting and pulled me out of the story. The FMC is described as a black cat, but her internal dialogue leaned heavily into constant self-doubt, which didn’t fully align with that personality type for me.
Jasper had golden retriever energy at times, but his anger issues made his characterization feel a little uneven. I understand growth was happening, but the balance didn’t quite land. The suspense and mystery elements also felt rushed and somewhat disconnected from the overall vibe of the romance, as if they were added without being fully woven in.
There were moments I almost DNF’d because of the repetition, the negativity, and the uneven writing, but I pushed through because I genuinely wanted to know how it all ended. The heart of the story is there. The characters, the romance, and the small-town setting all have potential, it just needs tighter pacing, cleaner execution, and stronger editorial support.
This is my honest take, not a bash. Daphne clearly has a story worth telling, and with more polishing, this could really shine. If you enjoy firefighter romances, secret baby tropes, and small-town settings, this may still be worth checking out when it releases on January 26th
January 16, 2026
👶 🔥 ⛺️
Daphne thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC! This is definitely one that’ll be joining my bookshelves!
I can’t be the only mama who related to this book just for the Postpartum Anxiety portion. Although it didn’t diagnose Evie with it, I felt all of her insecurities and anxiety right along there with her.
I think once you become a mom you’re even more unforgiving with yourself and you critique yourself even harder! Especially when you’ve grown up with that mental abuse like Evie did. The author did a great job putting that emotion into Evie and almost had me in tears a couple times when she’d go into detail. To become a mom like she did had to of been hard but Evie just did the damn thing and she was an amazing mommy to Vincent!
Jasper is the type of guy that exists only for those who truly just waited for THE ONE! And say that from experience! He knew how to be there for her and just showed up! Preparing to become a parent is hard! But becoming a parent with no preparation… oof! That’s got to be hard! Not just for someone giving birth that had no idea she was pregnant… but for the paramedic that found out he was a dad by being the person that showed up to help out! And then to show up by sleeping in a tent in her backyard to be there but not be there?! Like who does that?!
“I’m proud of you,” he said. “Breaking generational cycles is hard, but you’re doing it.”
A quote from Jasper to Evie! And he was right…breaking generational cycles is freaking hard! But it’s even more difficult when you don’t have the support that you need. And Evie didn’t have that problem. She had such a great circle of friends that turned into family! Daphne did a great job portraying Evie’s struggles and self doubts and made this book easily one of my favorites!
I give this one 5⭐️’s!
Daphne thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC! This is definitely one that’ll be joining my bookshelves!
I can’t be the only mama who related to this book just for the Postpartum Anxiety portion. Although it didn’t diagnose Evie with it, I felt all of her insecurities and anxiety right along there with her.
I think once you become a mom you’re even more unforgiving with yourself and you critique yourself even harder! Especially when you’ve grown up with that mental abuse like Evie did. The author did a great job putting that emotion into Evie and almost had me in tears a couple times when she’d go into detail. To become a mom like she did had to of been hard but Evie just did the damn thing and she was an amazing mommy to Vincent!
Jasper is the type of guy that exists only for those who truly just waited for THE ONE! And say that from experience! He knew how to be there for her and just showed up! Preparing to become a parent is hard! But becoming a parent with no preparation… oof! That’s got to be hard! Not just for someone giving birth that had no idea she was pregnant… but for the paramedic that found out he was a dad by being the person that showed up to help out! And then to show up by sleeping in a tent in her backyard to be there but not be there?! Like who does that?!
“I’m proud of you,” he said. “Breaking generational cycles is hard, but you’re doing it.”
A quote from Jasper to Evie! And he was right…breaking generational cycles is freaking hard! But it’s even more difficult when you don’t have the support that you need. And Evie didn’t have that problem. She had such a great circle of friends that turned into family! Daphne did a great job portraying Evie’s struggles and self doubts and made this book easily one of my favorites!
I give this one 5⭐️’s!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
There is no denying that Daphne Elliot knows how to build a charming atmosphere. The town of Maplewood feels like the ultimate Vermont escape, filled with the kind of small-town festivals and quirky local characters that make this genre so addictive. It is a lovely backdrop for a "surprise baby" story, but unfortunately, the execution did not quite live up to the setting for me.
Jasper is easily the best part of the book. He is a tattooed firefighter with massive golden retriever energy who steps up in every way possible. However, the way he was treated by nearly everyone for most of the story was a real sticking point. He is such a genuinely good man that it became quite frustrating to watch him get iced out for so long. It made the emotional balance of the story feel a bit off, and I found myself wishing he had someone actually in his corner.
The plot also felt a little too crowded for its own good. There is a huge influx of secondary characters to set up future books in the series, but it made it difficult to really connect with or keep track of the community. On top of that, there is a murder mystery sub-plot that felt a bit half-baked and remains unresolved. While I assume it is a long-term arc for the series, it did not quite mesh with the romance for me in this instalment.
I also found that some of the post-partum intimacy and specific situations simply did not resonate with my personal tastes. While the bones of a great story are definitely there, the combination of the unresolved mystery and the lacklustre feelings I had towards the main couple made this a bit of a mixed bag. It is a quick and easy read for fans of the trope, and I am looking forward to future stories in the series but this one did not quite hit the mark for me.
There is no denying that Daphne Elliot knows how to build a charming atmosphere. The town of Maplewood feels like the ultimate Vermont escape, filled with the kind of small-town festivals and quirky local characters that make this genre so addictive. It is a lovely backdrop for a "surprise baby" story, but unfortunately, the execution did not quite live up to the setting for me.
Jasper is easily the best part of the book. He is a tattooed firefighter with massive golden retriever energy who steps up in every way possible. However, the way he was treated by nearly everyone for most of the story was a real sticking point. He is such a genuinely good man that it became quite frustrating to watch him get iced out for so long. It made the emotional balance of the story feel a bit off, and I found myself wishing he had someone actually in his corner.
The plot also felt a little too crowded for its own good. There is a huge influx of secondary characters to set up future books in the series, but it made it difficult to really connect with or keep track of the community. On top of that, there is a murder mystery sub-plot that felt a bit half-baked and remains unresolved. While I assume it is a long-term arc for the series, it did not quite mesh with the romance for me in this instalment.
I also found that some of the post-partum intimacy and specific situations simply did not resonate with my personal tastes. While the bones of a great story are definitely there, the combination of the unresolved mystery and the lacklustre feelings I had towards the main couple made this a bit of a mixed bag. It is a quick and easy read for fans of the trope, and I am looking forward to future stories in the series but this one did not quite hit the mark for me.
January 19, 2026
Jasper is a man i could read about for weeks. His speech about love being the quiet moments had me in tears. For someone who is known for being a playboy, his transition is almost unbelievable and im not sure a man with his level of emotional understanding and maturity exists but its worth getting on board with this slightly fantasy man because he is such a sweet, loving present man for those he loves. He is someone who knows the exact right thing to say, who sees the intentions behind someone's actions, who sees the work a person is putting into their own growth...blow me down, its about the sexiest thing I can think of.
Be gentle....my heart is squishy. Oh.my.heart.
The story wasnt perfect. With all of her insecurities, Evie makes some cringe worthy decisions along the way including the third up break up. But in some ways they're also super understandable given she's an unexpected first time mum with no family, a history of emotional abuse and a loud inner critic. It was relatable in its realness. Less fantastical than other elements of the book because i could see people i know making similar decisions. The element of the story i couldnt get totally on board with was the murder mystery. Whilst I enjoyed the vibe it added to the story, i wished the conclusion to it had been padded out a bit more, and it was mildly annoying it wasnt someone we knew a bit better throughout the story - i didnt remember who they were! I know its leaving room for another book, but it felt unfinished here.
However, I loved this book. It's quick, its fun, its romantic as hell. Yes parts of it read as slightly fantastical but I loved the town, the friends, the plot, the maple, how strong Evie was and how delicious Jasper was.
Could not get enough.
Be gentle....my heart is squishy. Oh.my.heart.
The story wasnt perfect. With all of her insecurities, Evie makes some cringe worthy decisions along the way including the third up break up. But in some ways they're also super understandable given she's an unexpected first time mum with no family, a history of emotional abuse and a loud inner critic. It was relatable in its realness. Less fantastical than other elements of the book because i could see people i know making similar decisions. The element of the story i couldnt get totally on board with was the murder mystery. Whilst I enjoyed the vibe it added to the story, i wished the conclusion to it had been padded out a bit more, and it was mildly annoying it wasnt someone we knew a bit better throughout the story - i didnt remember who they were! I know its leaving room for another book, but it felt unfinished here.
However, I loved this book. It's quick, its fun, its romantic as hell. Yes parts of it read as slightly fantastical but I loved the town, the friends, the plot, the maple, how strong Evie was and how delicious Jasper was.
Could not get enough.
January 15, 2026
This story starts off in a small town in Vermont, following Evie as she delivers a baby she didn't know she was pregnant with. Jasper is the paramedic who responds and also the surprise baby's father.
Throughout the story we see the two of them try to figure out how to be working parents, co-parents, and potentially more. There is also a murder mystery subplot that weaves throughout the book.
I enjoyed the small town vibes of this story—complete with nosey neighbors and a strong sense of community—along with the realities of being a first time parent. There was PCOS representation and some of Evie's thoughts and actions accurately display postpartum anxiety.
There were a lot of characters introduced, many with similar names, so it was a bit confusing trying to keep them all straight.
I didn't love how Jasper was treated because he literally did nothing wrong at any point in time and the third act breakup felt really unnecessary.
The murder mystery subplot also didn't really work for me. The investigation was mentioned in small pieces throughout the story and then at the end, a person who was mentioned maybe once was arrested. It wasn't completely resolved either which I'm assuming was to lead into the next book, but it just felt disjointed.
Overall, this was a quick and quirky small town read. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that's a bit unique—taking the accidental pregnancy trope in a different direction and adding a murder mystery element—definitely give it a shot!
Sap & Secrets releases January 26, 2026.
Thank you to Daphne Elliot and The Author Agency for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 19, 2026
Sap & Secrets turned out to be one of those quietly satisfying reads that grows on you the more time you spend with it. Set in a close-knit small town with a strong sense of place, the story leans into atmosphere just as much as romance — and that balance really worked for me. The maple-syrup setting isn’t just decorative; it seeps into the rhythm of the book, giving it a cozy, grounded feel that complements the emotional arc.
The pacing is steady and intentional, allowing the relationship to develop naturally rather than rushing through the connection. I appreciated that the author lets moments breathe — the silences, the shared routines, the unspoken tension — which made the eventual emotional payoff feel earned. The romance itself is soft but layered, built on trust and vulnerability rather than dramatic twists.
Character work is a clear strength here. Both leads feel human and emotionally aware, carrying their own baggage without being frustrating. Their growth happens in small, believable steps, and the supporting cast adds warmth and texture without pulling focus from the main story.
While a few plot beats are familiar to the genre, the execution feels sincere and comforting rather than predictable. Overall, Sap & Secrets is a cozy, heartfelt romance with strong setting work, thoughtful pacing, and characters you genuinely enjoy spending time with — the kind of book that leaves you feeling settled when you turn the final page.
The pacing is steady and intentional, allowing the relationship to develop naturally rather than rushing through the connection. I appreciated that the author lets moments breathe — the silences, the shared routines, the unspoken tension — which made the eventual emotional payoff feel earned. The romance itself is soft but layered, built on trust and vulnerability rather than dramatic twists.
Character work is a clear strength here. Both leads feel human and emotionally aware, carrying their own baggage without being frustrating. Their growth happens in small, believable steps, and the supporting cast adds warmth and texture without pulling focus from the main story.
While a few plot beats are familiar to the genre, the execution feels sincere and comforting rather than predictable. Overall, Sap & Secrets is a cozy, heartfelt romance with strong setting work, thoughtful pacing, and characters you genuinely enjoy spending time with — the kind of book that leaves you feeling settled when you turn the final page.
January 15, 2026
Sap & Secrets is my very first read by Daphne Elliot, and I can say without a doubt that I will absolutely be back for more of her books!
This was such an enjoyable read—full of emotional healing, growth, new beginnings, and love.
I really loved Evie’s character and her strong-willed determination to succeed in everything she sets out to do, even when self-doubt creeps in. Reading about her journey into motherhood brought back so many memories of my own new-mom struggles and emotional moments. I deeply resonated with her as she navigated the challenges of new mom life.
Jasper is the ultimate golden retriever MMC. Already swoon-worthy with his EMT/firefighter career, and then you add him becoming a father? Perfection.
Together, Evie and Jasper make an incredible team. I loved that their relationship was a true slow burn with a meaningful build-up. Watching their individual growth alongside their journey as a couple made their story even more rewarding.
The supporting cast was just as wonderful. Evie’s friendships with Frankie and Ruby felt genuine and heartfelt, and I also loved getting to know Jasper’s family. It’s easy to see how this book sets the foundation for future stories featuring Evie’s friends, Jasper’s family, and other members of the small-town community.
I’m truly excited and hopeful for more books in the Maplewood Series!
This was such an enjoyable read—full of emotional healing, growth, new beginnings, and love.
I really loved Evie’s character and her strong-willed determination to succeed in everything she sets out to do, even when self-doubt creeps in. Reading about her journey into motherhood brought back so many memories of my own new-mom struggles and emotional moments. I deeply resonated with her as she navigated the challenges of new mom life.
Jasper is the ultimate golden retriever MMC. Already swoon-worthy with his EMT/firefighter career, and then you add him becoming a father? Perfection.
Together, Evie and Jasper make an incredible team. I loved that their relationship was a true slow burn with a meaningful build-up. Watching their individual growth alongside their journey as a couple made their story even more rewarding.
The supporting cast was just as wonderful. Evie’s friendships with Frankie and Ruby felt genuine and heartfelt, and I also loved getting to know Jasper’s family. It’s easy to see how this book sets the foundation for future stories featuring Evie’s friends, Jasper’s family, and other members of the small-town community.
I’m truly excited and hopeful for more books in the Maplewood Series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶 - Not overly descriptive, but that mouth
This book had me right from the start. I am an absolute sucker for small-town charm, accidental pregnancy, forced proximity, and slow-burn tension—and this story delivered all of it beautifully.
The vibes? Pure Hallmark movie meets cozy chaos. Think Hart of Dixie/Virgin River vibes small-town magic with the emotional pull of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia. Every setting felt warm, lived-in, and just a little bit messy in the best way.
And Jasper...excuse me while I fall in love. Top book boyfriend material! Why do fictional men set the standard so high? Where do I find one of him in real life because I am tired.
Evie, though...whew. I was this close to losing it with her more than once. But then I realized why I felt so strongly—because I saw myself in her. The fears, the hesitation, the self-doubt. I wanted to shake her and say “just go for it!”...pot, meet kettle LOL. That kind of emotional mirror is what makes a story hit deeper.
Tender, slow-burn, and full of heart, Sap & Secrets is everything I love about this genre.
Also, can we talk about what’s coming next? I am already counting down for Josh’s book, and if we don’t get one for Frankie and Nolan...I know that’s enemies-to-lovers waiting to happen.
Thank you to Daphne Elliot for the ARC—this one was such a joy to read.
🌶🌶 - Not overly descriptive, but that mouth
This book had me right from the start. I am an absolute sucker for small-town charm, accidental pregnancy, forced proximity, and slow-burn tension—and this story delivered all of it beautifully.
The vibes? Pure Hallmark movie meets cozy chaos. Think Hart of Dixie/Virgin River vibes small-town magic with the emotional pull of If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia. Every setting felt warm, lived-in, and just a little bit messy in the best way.
And Jasper...excuse me while I fall in love. Top book boyfriend material! Why do fictional men set the standard so high? Where do I find one of him in real life because I am tired.
Evie, though...whew. I was this close to losing it with her more than once. But then I realized why I felt so strongly—because I saw myself in her. The fears, the hesitation, the self-doubt. I wanted to shake her and say “just go for it!”...pot, meet kettle LOL. That kind of emotional mirror is what makes a story hit deeper.
Tender, slow-burn, and full of heart, Sap & Secrets is everything I love about this genre.
Also, can we talk about what’s coming next? I am already counting down for Josh’s book, and if we don’t get one for Frankie and Nolan...I know that’s enemies-to-lovers waiting to happen.
Thank you to Daphne Elliot for the ARC—this one was such a joy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I LOVED everything about it this book, the surprise pregnancy, Jasper, Betsy Ross the bear, Jasper, Maplewood as a small town, Jasper…
Evie is a newbie in town (like in the past few years but compared to the lifelong small towners of Maplewood, she’s new). & she just delivered a baby, a surprise baby, with assistance of the town firefighter - Jasper - who just found out he’s a dad… of Evies surprise baby. Surprise.
This book was adorable, funny, so sweet, spicy and has the romantic suspense that makes me so happy. It’s an easy read that pulls you in and makes you want to know all the details and all of our characters in this small town. Evie has a bestie, Frankie, who is perfection on page - there’s a coffee shop, a messy farm family (Jaspers), there’s a non book book club, rival cheese business, maple festivals and all the drama to make even reality tv jealous.
DAPHNE DID THE DANG THING WITH THIS ONE!
Tropes:
-cinnamon roll MMC
- surprise pregnancy
- healing from toxic families
- romantic suspense
- small maple town in VT
- found family
Evie is a newbie in town (like in the past few years but compared to the lifelong small towners of Maplewood, she’s new). & she just delivered a baby, a surprise baby, with assistance of the town firefighter - Jasper - who just found out he’s a dad… of Evies surprise baby. Surprise.
This book was adorable, funny, so sweet, spicy and has the romantic suspense that makes me so happy. It’s an easy read that pulls you in and makes you want to know all the details and all of our characters in this small town. Evie has a bestie, Frankie, who is perfection on page - there’s a coffee shop, a messy farm family (Jaspers), there’s a non book book club, rival cheese business, maple festivals and all the drama to make even reality tv jealous.
DAPHNE DID THE DANG THING WITH THIS ONE!
Tropes:
-cinnamon roll MMC
- surprise pregnancy
- healing from toxic families
- romantic suspense
- small maple town in VT
- found family
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sap & Secrets – Daphne Elliott
Sap & Secrets est une romance douce et touchante, portée par des personnages profondément humains et une relation construite avec patience, respect et constance.
J’ai particulièrement apprécié le personnage d’Evie, marquée par un passé familial difficile, et la façon très juste dont le roman aborde la maternité non préparée, la culpabilité et le sentiment de ne jamais être “suffisante”. Jasper est également un vrai point fort : présent, respectueux et fiable, il prouve que les actes peuvent être bien plus parlants que les mots.
Le roman promet une représentation du SOPK et une intrigue de type cozy mystery. Ces éléments sont bien présents, mais restent en arrière-plan. En tant que lectrice, j’aurais aimé qu’ils soient davantage développés, notamment concernant l’impact du SOPK sur le quotidien d’Evie et une implication plus forte autour de l’intrigue criminelle.
Cela reste néanmoins une très belle lecture, agréable et émouvante, qui mérite un solide 4 étoiles et qui donne envie de découvrir la suite de la série se déroulant à Maplewood.
Sap & Secrets est une romance douce et touchante, portée par des personnages profondément humains et une relation construite avec patience, respect et constance.
J’ai particulièrement apprécié le personnage d’Evie, marquée par un passé familial difficile, et la façon très juste dont le roman aborde la maternité non préparée, la culpabilité et le sentiment de ne jamais être “suffisante”. Jasper est également un vrai point fort : présent, respectueux et fiable, il prouve que les actes peuvent être bien plus parlants que les mots.
Le roman promet une représentation du SOPK et une intrigue de type cozy mystery. Ces éléments sont bien présents, mais restent en arrière-plan. En tant que lectrice, j’aurais aimé qu’ils soient davantage développés, notamment concernant l’impact du SOPK sur le quotidien d’Evie et une implication plus forte autour de l’intrigue criminelle.
Cela reste néanmoins une très belle lecture, agréable et émouvante, qui mérite un solide 4 étoiles et qui donne envie de découvrir la suite de la série se déroulant à Maplewood.
Review of advance copy
Sap and Secrets is a romance suspense novel by Daphne Elliot. This book features Evie, a marketing executive at a syrup manufacturer and Jasper, a firefighter. The book starts with Jasper being called to help someone and it turns out that Evie, a one night stand of his is in labor and it's his baby! This is a twist on accidental pregnancy and Daphne definitely did it justice. I really enjoyed Jasper's patience and respect for Evie and I loved watching Evie grow through past trauma.
Of course, one of the most fun parts of this novel was getting to know Maplewood and a new cast of towns people, friends and family! I think that Daphne hit it out of the park and I am already shipping certain couples and cannot wait to uncover more about Will McManus' death in the coming books!
I recommend reading this book, especially if you appreciate your romances with a side of suspense! Thanks to The Author Agency and Daphne Elliot for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Of course, one of the most fun parts of this novel was getting to know Maplewood and a new cast of towns people, friends and family! I think that Daphne hit it out of the park and I am already shipping certain couples and cannot wait to uncover more about Will McManus' death in the coming books!
I recommend reading this book, especially if you appreciate your romances with a side of suspense! Thanks to The Author Agency and Daphne Elliot for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
SAP&SECRETS
First and foremost, thank you so much for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
The first chapter escalated pretty quickly in my opinion. From Jasper talking about Evie to boom now being a father to Evies baby. When I read that a murder had taken place I was excited to see how the romance and investigating a murder would intertwine. It actually never intertwined, instead the murder was only mentioned here and there and the murderer turned out to be someone I never would have thought twice about.
As far as the romance goes, it wasn't bad. I resonated with the post partum anxiety that Evie experienced. However, I knew as soon as Jasper received the folder with the papers that Evie was eventually going to find them. I would give the spice about a 2. 🌶 The family they end up being in the end was pretty awesome, though.
Would I read the 2nd one? yeah, probably.
solid 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
First and foremost, thank you so much for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!
The first chapter escalated pretty quickly in my opinion. From Jasper talking about Evie to boom now being a father to Evies baby. When I read that a murder had taken place I was excited to see how the romance and investigating a murder would intertwine. It actually never intertwined, instead the murder was only mentioned here and there and the murderer turned out to be someone I never would have thought twice about.
As far as the romance goes, it wasn't bad. I resonated with the post partum anxiety that Evie experienced. However, I knew as soon as Jasper received the folder with the papers that Evie was eventually going to find them. I would give the spice about a 2. 🌶 The family they end up being in the end was pretty awesome, though.
Would I read the 2nd one? yeah, probably.
solid 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I first saw this books tropes and I knew I needed to read it, the surprise pregnancy, fire fighter MMC, small town…to name a few. It was a cute read with some mystery of ‘who done it’ thrown in.
I found that the main characters really grew together and they made adult decisions, sometimes it’s all silly problems, blown out of proportion but this was written so well.
Definitely enjoyed the small town scenes. The supporting characters were good and loved how the FMCs friends were very interesting and different from the FMC.
Definitely glad I read this book, looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
*I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, this is my personal and truthful review.
Tropes:
•one night stand
•small town romance
•secret baby
•black cat x golden retriever
•firefighter MMC x curvy FMC
I found that the main characters really grew together and they made adult decisions, sometimes it’s all silly problems, blown out of proportion but this was written so well.
Definitely enjoyed the small town scenes. The supporting characters were good and loved how the FMCs friends were very interesting and different from the FMC.
Definitely glad I read this book, looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
*I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, this is my personal and truthful review.
Tropes:
•one night stand
•small town romance
•secret baby
•black cat x golden retriever
•firefighter MMC x curvy FMC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a good first book in this series. Jasper and Evie were a likable couple who were believable together. I enjoyed reading about the town of Maplewood and it’s inhabitants. I enjoyed Evie’s interactions with her found family and with Jasper’s family as they worked on building a co parenting relationship that lead to more. There were some serious topics discussed but there was enough humor woven in to balance that out. Sap and Secrets was an easy, enjoyable read that sucked me in and cannot wait to see in the next books where the mystery unfolds.
The Epilogue had me squealing with glee because the FMC in the next book is an old favorite from one of Daphne Elliot’s other series who definitely deserves a HEA.
I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
The Epilogue had me squealing with glee because the FMC in the next book is an old favorite from one of Daphne Elliot’s other series who definitely deserves a HEA.
I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.
January 20, 2026
A sweet small town romance with a sprinkle of suspense.
Jasper and Evie's story is a warm hug in pages. Evie is the black cat miss independent, and Jasper is a sweet golden retriever who falls for her 2years ago. One drunken night they end up in each others arms. And 9months later he responds to an emergency call at her favorite Pizza place, where she is in labor, but not knowing that pain IS in fact labor !!!
This man is the baby of the family, grew up in a loving home and has so much of his own to go around, so he steps in to be the best father to baby Vincent and the partner any woman can dream of.
there are few hiccups along the way, Evie's insecurities, her childhood trauma about being judge for her appearance and her body type, her struggles with PCOS. But Jasper was the perfect man to help her through them all.
The sweet town of Maplewood alos is dealing with a threat, and Jasper will stop at nothing to keep his new family safe .
Overall I loved it, I'm a huge fan of Daphne's writing, it is indeed a comfort read for me, can't wait for Josh and Celine's book !!
Thank you for providing me with this ARC.
January 19, 2026
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
This book delivers the accidental pregnancy trope in such an unexpected way. I was completely hooked from chapter one 😱🤭
There are so many things I could talk about, but one of the standouts for me was how effortlessly the author created a cast of charming, memorable side characters without ever making things confusing or turning them into caricatures. It made the small town feel warm, lived in, and welcoming. I could picture every part of it so clearly.
I also really appreciated the postpartum representation. I have never been pregnant or given birth, but it still felt incredibly real. It was not all sunshine and daisies. It was vulnerable, honest, and emotional in a way that truly resonated.
Both main characters were beautifully written, and I genuinely grew to care about them and their journey.
I cannot wait to return to this town and read more in this series. The epilogue gave us a small sneak peek, and now I am officially excited 🤭
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3🌶️
This book delivers the accidental pregnancy trope in such an unexpected way. I was completely hooked from chapter one 😱🤭
There are so many things I could talk about, but one of the standouts for me was how effortlessly the author created a cast of charming, memorable side characters without ever making things confusing or turning them into caricatures. It made the small town feel warm, lived in, and welcoming. I could picture every part of it so clearly.
I also really appreciated the postpartum representation. I have never been pregnant or given birth, but it still felt incredibly real. It was not all sunshine and daisies. It was vulnerable, honest, and emotional in a way that truly resonated.
Both main characters were beautifully written, and I genuinely grew to care about them and their journey.
I cannot wait to return to this town and read more in this series. The epilogue gave us a small sneak peek, and now I am officially excited 🤭
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC reader here! This story was so cute!! I absolutely LOVE Evie, Jasper, Vincent and their peoples! Immediately after finishing, I was like oh no where’s the rest?! The small town vibes were perfect for this unexpectedly sweet love story. I hope we get to see more of them and everyone. This book was light compared to a lot of my recent reads, but it absolutely had a death grip on my soul. I did not want to put it down. My tablet glitched in the middle of reading and I was ready to fight everyone (it came back up a second later but that’s besides the point). I hadn’t read anything by Daphne Elliot, but I will be reading more (and hoping for another book about Jasper and Evie)!
January 17, 2026
ARC review!
I had high hopes when I saw the premise of the book. Unfortunately, I was kind of let down. There was lots of time jumping without any clear indication of what was occurring. The character development attempts were usually boring, repetitive and pointless circles of self doubt and frustration over things that had already been discussed. We also never found out who the real murderer was? As all the language around the person that was arrested made it sound very doubtful that's who it was. All in all, it was cute, but if it were to be developed a bit more it would be a much better read.
I had high hopes when I saw the premise of the book. Unfortunately, I was kind of let down. There was lots of time jumping without any clear indication of what was occurring. The character development attempts were usually boring, repetitive and pointless circles of self doubt and frustration over things that had already been discussed. We also never found out who the real murderer was? As all the language around the person that was arrested made it sound very doubtful that's who it was. All in all, it was cute, but if it were to be developed a bit more it would be a much better read.
January 19, 2026
ARC review
⭐️ ⭐ ⭐️ ⭐
🌶️ 🌶️
Firefighter ✔️
Surprise pregnancy ✔️
Traumatic childhood ✔️
Avoiding relationships ✔️
Who falls first?
I can see this being turned into a hallmark movie and I will definitely watch it.
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t have a lot of spice this is the one for you. It has a man who falls first, a lady who denies it, nearly giving birth in a restaurant, firefighter who runs into a fire for you.
I did think Evie was a bit annoying to begin with. That she should open her eyes up and see what is in front of her! A sweet guy who literally helps out.
I felt like telling Jaspers family to get lost a few times too!
Overall a good book
⭐️ ⭐ ⭐️ ⭐
🌶️ 🌶️
Firefighter ✔️
Surprise pregnancy ✔️
Traumatic childhood ✔️
Avoiding relationships ✔️
Who falls first?
I can see this being turned into a hallmark movie and I will definitely watch it.
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t have a lot of spice this is the one for you. It has a man who falls first, a lady who denies it, nearly giving birth in a restaurant, firefighter who runs into a fire for you.
I did think Evie was a bit annoying to begin with. That she should open her eyes up and see what is in front of her! A sweet guy who literally helps out.
I felt like telling Jaspers family to get lost a few times too!
Overall a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
*2.5
I'm actually so angry because I wanted to love this so bad but I actually kind of hated it. They had chemistry but you were never able to fully feel it because of all the time jumps. There were so many it made me not want to finish the book. They would have an emotional moment and then the chapter would end. You would think it would switch the the other person's pov and you would see what they felt after that moment but no it would always be another time jump.
I received an arc from the author agency.
I'm actually so angry because I wanted to love this so bad but I actually kind of hated it. They had chemistry but you were never able to fully feel it because of all the time jumps. There were so many it made me not want to finish the book. They would have an emotional moment and then the chapter would end. You would think it would switch the the other person's pov and you would see what they felt after that moment but no it would always be another time jump.
I received an arc from the author agency.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Surprise baby! Truly a surprise! Jasper and Evie had a one night stand with Jasper and he has had his eye on her since, Then she tells him he's a father! Jasper is the most amazing book boyfriend ever. Jasper is so patient and thoughtful. He steps up in a huge way. Still Evie is hesitant to believe in his dedication to their new family. Meanwhile there is a also murder mystery in town! Love this couple! Especially Jasper he is all he should be and more!
January 14, 2026
I received this book as an arc for my honest opinion!
Thank you for letting me read it
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
Tropes
Surprise baby
Firefighter
PCOS rep
Small town
Suspense
Listen I LOVED Jasper the MMC
Evie is the FMC and she gives off total Black cat vibes
I really loved the story, the town it was set in, and all the side characters.
The “suspense” part is where it fell flat for me. It didn’t do anything for the story and just felt not needed
Thank you for letting me read it
4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
Tropes
Surprise baby
Firefighter
PCOS rep
Small town
Suspense
Listen I LOVED Jasper the MMC
Evie is the FMC and she gives off total Black cat vibes
I really loved the story, the town it was set in, and all the side characters.
The “suspense” part is where it fell flat for me. It didn’t do anything for the story and just felt not needed
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed Evie the plus size hard headed queen with all her trauma and Jasper with his golden retriever perfect baby daddy firefighter personality. Super cute story and I could definitely see some of the story lines from the next books in the series lining up. Definitely some drama and a quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great book! Like Elliott's Lumberjack series, this has all the small-town, family (and found family) vibes, as well as a mystery and a little danger. Evie has to learn to love herself and trust, Jasper is a certified hero who will do anything for family, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series! Another winner from Daphne.
Review of advance copy
January 14, 2026This was such an easy read! I loved how the characters flowed through their surprise journey of parenthood. I loved the side story (no spoilers) and how it translated to the characters. The perfect amount of sweet and spice for those new to the romance world.
January 18, 2026
This was such a fun read. And what a way to start a book! I fell in love with a new small town and Evie, Jasper, and Vincent. There was fun, but there was also depth to these characters and what went on. I can’t wait to visit this town again!
January 20, 2026
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jasper shows up as Evie is giving birth; she has Honda she was pregnant; but the real shocker is Jasper is the dad. Now throw into parenting they are also navigating getting to know each, small town meddlers and a death in their town.
Will the craziness Draw them closer of tear them apart?
#daphneelliotauthor #risareads221reviews
Jasper shows up as Evie is giving birth; she has Honda she was pregnant; but the real shocker is Jasper is the dad. Now throw into parenting they are also navigating getting to know each, small town meddlers and a death in their town.
Will the craziness Draw them closer of tear them apart?
#daphneelliotauthor #risareads221reviews
January 20, 2026
I got this wonderful book as an arc copy. This book is the perfect small town romance that also has other struggles with it. Seeing them work through traumas & the past was amazing. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
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