Mirabelle

Blue Willow #2

by Ki Stephens

Saving the orchard was always the plan. Falling for her fake husband was not.

When Isla Winslow takes over her family’s failing plum orchard, Mirabelle, she’s sure of only one thing: she’ll save it alone or lose it on her own terms. But grants come with strings, debt collectors don’t care about sentiment, and the land that raised her is running out of time.

To keep Mirabelle out of a developer’s hands, Isla agrees to the most ridiculous solution she can think of: a practical marriage to the man who’s been arguing with her since the day he moved to Blue Willow.

Jack Rhodes only meant to stay in town for a job. Years later, he has a renovation business, a life he loves, and one rule he keeps breaking: he can’t stop showing up when Isla calls. Their marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, nothing more than signatures and shared bills.

But as spring settles over the orchard and the fight for Mirabelle turns into a fight for their future, Isla and Jack have to decide what they’re really willing to risk for the land that holds their history and the love that might finally feel like home.

Genres: Romance, Adult

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 15, 2026

About the author

Ki Stephens is a romance enthusiast who finds comfort in the happily-ever-after . . . with just a little bit of angst along the way. She has a special interest in works that include neurodivergent characters like herself. When she’s not daydreaming about books, Ki enjoys working with kids, creating art in her backyard studio, and spending loads of time with her baby girl, her husband, and their three pets.

Reviews

[rei ‧₊˚✩彡]

pre-read:

eeeek thank you so much to love notes pr and ki for the e-arc of this book! also, i’m buddy reading this one with joni 💞🏹🌟 we read the first book together, and now this one!! BIG YAY! i’m truly sooo excited for isla and jack because i loved the first book of the series so much! if you haven’t read blue willow yet, what are you waiting for?! wish us luck for this one 🥹💌🩷

pre-release:

can’t believe we’re getting teasers for the second book of the series already! 🥹💞✨ i’m so sat for this because it’s isla and jack fs 🤭

[jae ⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was SO GOOD. i’ve always been a fan of ki but this might be her best writing so far. such a magical reading experience, picturing mirabelle so vividly in my mind that it felt like i was there in the orchard with isla and jack 💐 they were such charming characters too and i genuinely stood up and applauded because of how perfectly they served the marriage of convenience trope 🤭

as one does, i ate up all the elsiewells appearances <3 jack and wells’ friendship was also a really unexpected highlight for me… girl the ring shopping scene…

ⓘ thank you to lovenotespr for the arc!

[veerali · Rating 4 out of 5]

my heart is so full 😭💗 RTC.

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus]

oh this was so beautiful and everything i didn't know i needed.

rtc

[ri ⊹.˚ [ semi-ia - finals ] · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ‎ mirabelle ꒱ 4.5 stars
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: may 4 ‘26⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: may 4 ‘26

review with some spoilers

i was really intrigued by the premise of this book from the moment i first found it. i absolutely loved the plot, the magical realism of the orchard was subtle but still present enough to keep the reader interested. it’s the story a girl just trying her best with what she got, and a man who wants to do anything in his power to help her and in the end it all worked out in a practically perfect manner.

isla winslow, she is an absolute fighter. she completely refused to give up but also denied herself the ability to truly hope and feel happy when things were going well. she truly cared about the land and preserving the magic. the big bad being so close to her without her noticing till the last second was honestly not totally unexpected but still suspenseful enough. i wish we got to see more of her relationship with her father, i feel like he was just kind of there. her character was absolutely lovely and i loved reading from her perspective.

jack rhodes, this man was so down bad for her, i loved it. i was a huge fan of how much respect he had for her, when it came to her no touching rule as well as her second job. his perspective of the orchard as a bit of an outsider was also really cool to see because he genuinely grew to care for the people in blue willow even when he wasn’t planning to stick around 6 years prior. i wish he got to see more of his personals side, outside of mirabelle, like his business but i also understand that his presence at the orchard was kind of important.

the relationship, the romance was pretty slowburn, they didn’t truly start contemplating themselves falling for each other till around 70%. i really loved their dynamic especially since they were friends before they agreed to get married. the progression was also perfect, they were truly just two people living together until they weren’t. their scenes together were so fun and i loved how she could just let go when she was with him. their banter was also super cute and sarcastic i had so much fun.

overall, i wish we got to explore more of the magic of the orchard. i would love to get even just -bonus chapter about elias’ and how the magic came to be. there was offhand comments but i can’t wait to see how else the magic will be explored in future books. i had a lot of fun with this book and i am so honored to have had the opportunity to read it earlier.

── preread

i haven’t read the first book of the series but i absolutely loved the premise of this book so i’m super excited !!

[°✧ sultana ✧° · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review cooking

[daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐱 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥.”

It feels so good to be back in Blue Willow. Mirabelle is such a perfect, whimsical spring read. The vibes were immaculate and the cover is honestly stunning (and reminds me a bit of Studio Ghibli). I love Ki’s immersive storytelling and the way she brings both characters and scenery to life. The portrayal of neurodivergence here was absolutely incredible.

Jack and Isla were honestly perfect for each other, even if it took them a while to find their way. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how reluctant Isla was to trust Jack, but considering her hyper independence (hello twin), it felt true to her character. The epilogue was so wholesome too, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Blue Willow.

the vibes ™:
- whimsical spring read
- marriage of convenience
- midnight ballerina
- learning to lean on others
- adhd rep
- coziest small town

💌 Special thanks to LoveNotesPR for allowing me to read this as an e-arc, super grateful <3

🧚🏻‍♀️✨🍇

[kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ki Stephens and LoveNotes PR for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!

This is the second book in a series but you don’t have to read the first in order to enjoy!

Isla owns a magical plum orchard (not a farm!) which despite its magic, is struggling. Isla is too and despite a second job as an exotic dancer, she needs major help. Enter Jack! He’s not a native to the mystical town of Blue Willow but he’s proven his worth and decides to marry Isla so she can qualify for a grant to save her orchard. They’ve been frenemies for years since Jack stood her up but Isla recognizes his stability as a business owner can only help her cause.

I really enjoyed the extremely slow burn of their romance! I also loved how both were so honest about their feelings and what they both needed from their marriage. Jack was so funny! I loved the chapter about his hair crisis! I wish there were more of the magical elements of the orchard but I’m excited to read about the other magical properties!

[memoriediunalettricedisperata francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Thank you the author for the advance copy .
Mirabelle was a beautiful and lovely story.
Jack and Isla’s story was so cute and I enjoyed it very much.
I started yesterday and finish today because the book was very good to read and I was captured by this magical small town.
I loved the characters, very interesting.
Jack and his yearning make me falls in love with him and Isla was so a strong character.
I loved her so much truthfully.
You have to add it to the tbr .
The book will be released on the 15th May!

[Sinead · Rating 5 out of 5]

you know it’s always gonna be a 5 ⭐️ with ki

[drea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ki Stephens for the ARC!

I was absolutely delighted to be back in the small town of Blue Willow with all of these characters. The charm, the cozy elements, the whimsy!! I love it all so much. Jack and Isla completely won me over in this book and I was rooting for them the entire time.

I love a good marriage of convenience so I was absolutely sat for this. Especially because it's so clear from the very start how much of a goner Jack is for Isla. Who doesn't love a man who is down bad for his own wife? We love to see it!! Jack was the most patient, compassionate, and generous man. The way he cared for Isla in all of the specific ways she didn't even know she needed only spoke to how intimately he knew her. To be loved is to be seen and this man definitely saw her. His love for her was patient, kind, and beautiful. It was also filled with him teasing and challenging her. It was everything.

Isla was my favorite kind of fmc - a little prickly, guarded, funny with a quick wit, and a huge heart. Her love for Mirabelle was apparent in everything that she did. She poured her heart into her orchard and worked so hard for it - it honestly was really moving how much it meant to her and how steadfast she was in protecting it. While she was entirely capable of doing it all on her own, I loved nothing more than seeing Jack come in to help share that load with her. I completely understood why her shared history with him made her a little standoff-ish at first. It was realistic, but I'm glad the she was able to eventually get to a point where she trusted him implicitly. It was a process that was worth the wait.

Aside from how much I loved the romance between Jack and Isla, I also really enjoyed the overarching plot with the grant and the grant committee. It was such a great way to bring Jack and Isla together, but it also made me super curious about Beau!! I love a good redemption arc and I sense a possibility for a second chance romance?? I don't know, but I hope I'm right lol.

I loved that we got plenty of Elsie and Wells in this - it made me so happy to see them thriving and living happily after their book. I am also dying for Winnie's book - I'm so here for whatever this connection is between her and Reid. He seems sweet and is so good with Goldie.

Anyway, definitely recommend! This is such a cozy series and I definitely see this being a comfort series that I will certainly revisit.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

I was so happy to get the chance to go back to Ki Stephens's Blue Willow universe! I love this town, and I love these characters! "Mirabelle" is honestly the perfect whimsical springtime read. I think it is such a visual treat... there's no doubt in my mind that readers will literally see Blue Willow vividly in their minds while reading this, the descriptions are *that* good! This story is all about Isla, the stubborn, hardworking but burnt-out owner of the magical Mirabelle orchard who moonlights as an exotic dancer at a club after hours, and Jack, a dedicated contractor with his own business who has been down bad for Isla for years. In order to help Isla keep the struggling Mirabelle orchard afloat while she applies for grants and loans to save it, Jack offers to marry (!!!!) her since he has a stable business and income. I am a goner for marriage of convenience, and the trope works so well here. I absolutely loved Jack and Isla's connection in this story. They are enemies at first because Jack stood Isla up on a date when he first got to town, which put her off ever since. Their banter is so freaking *good,* snarky, and laugh-out-loud funny and utterly incredible. Absolutely insane chemistry with one another. I also loved seeing Elsie and Wells again, as well as getting to know the other characters who I hope are going to get their own books soon! The scene where Jack changes his hair? The scene where Jack takes Wells to a specific shop? My goodness, I laughed so hard while reading this! There is also a ton of heat and heart between Jack and Isla to the point where it's swoon-worthy. The lengths he's willing to go for her.... agh, so delicious! I powered through this book *so* fast because I was loving it to the point where I could not put it down. It's a slow-burning romance, so be prepared for that. Ugh, I *love* the Blue Willow series so much! Can't wait for the next installment!!

Thank you to Ki Stephens and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[nakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75. all the whimsy in my life comes from reading ki’s books, but especially this series 🙂‍↕️

thank u so sooo much for the arc queen <3

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

*Thank you Ki Stephens for this ARC, I greatly appreciate it!

Ki Stephens wrote a lovely story with whimsical vibes, a magical orchard, a feisty determined FMC, and an MMC who finds himself offering to help in many ways…including offering a MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE TO HELP THE FMC! This is the second book in Ki’s “Blue Willow” series, and it focused on, Isla and Jack. This story had the picturesque small town, lovable characters, and two characters in an interesting predicament.

This book wouldn’t be possible without our main characters, Jack and Isla. Jack and Isla were lovable characters and I adored seeing the two of them enter a marriage of convenience. For Isla, getting married was solely for the sake of having someone to help her through the process of obtaining the proper loan/ or grants to save her family’s orchard. For Jack, he wanted to do whatever was necessary to help Isla, but also…he wasn’t complaining at the fact of having the woman he always liked being his WIFE.

Isla was such a hardworking person and she did whatever she could to make ends meet. Between trying to run the orchard, and being a midnight ballerina, Isla was always on the go doing something to try to save her family’s orchard. I admired Isla’s dedication to her work, as well as her admiration for being a midnight ballerina. Quick side note, often times midnight ballerinas get stereotyped and judged for what they do, but the way this story discussed Isla being one and how she actually enjoyed it was done in a respectful way and showed that there shouldn’t be a misconception about those who work in that industry. Anyways, end of my mini side note, but yes I really thought Isla was so confident and great being a midnight ballerina.

Jack was also a hardworking, he was always ready to lend a helping hand, and he was a great man overall. Despite his initial hair dye and haircut mishap at the start of the book, Jack’s hair look grew on me just like his personality did too. I think in the first book I obviously didn’t know much about Jack so, I wasn’t necessarily obsessed with him before this book, but that clearly went away once he appeared and I started to see who Jack really was. Jack was the man to help Isla out, plus he got to refer to Isla as his wife teehee. Jack lowkey had it bad for Isla and as much as Isla was afraid that Jack would leave her too just like the previous people in her life, he continued to show up for her, and prove to her he wasn’t going away. By the end of this book, Jack lived up to his promise that he and Isla were always going to be together, and I just really adored Jack! He was sweet, protective, kind, and essentially all about Isla’s happiness.

This book was the perfect book to read that gives me all the relaxing, whimsical vibes that perfectly describes Blue Willow. Just like the first book, this book also had the special details on how the orchard itself had its own kind of magic. With each book, it’s clear that not all magic is the same, and it’s wholly unique to the land itself and its purpose. With familiar characters and new ones appearing, I’m really looking forward to getting (HOPEFULLY) Winnie and Reid’s book!!!! This book was sweet, lovely, and had its moments of humor too. Ki Stephens wrote Isla and Jack perfectly and I’m really happy with the way their relationship ended up being so loving and encouraging. No complaints whatsoever, Ki Stephens always knows how to write heartwarming and intriguing stories.

[MacKenzie’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank Ki Stephens for the chance to read this arc. I need to sit on it till a time that’s not 4am but I’m in love with Jack and feel seen by Isla. My heart is so warm and happy.

4.25/5
Mirabelle is a whimsical romance with touches of magical realism. The town of Blue Willow gives magic to the oldest families and shows itself to people who prove they deserve its warmth. When Isla Winslow takes over her families plum farm, Mirabelle, she is determined to save it by herself or to lose it on her own terms. She refuses to rely on anyone after her mother left, and she especially doesn’t want to rely on Jack Rhodes, a cocky flirt who hasn’t left her alone for 6 years. But when grants continue to reject her because of her single home finances, Isla and Jack decide on the most ridiculous solution they can think of: getting married for the sake of paperwork. This marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, but when someone on grant committee shows it has ulterior motives they must decide what they’re willing to risk for Mirabelle and a love that feels like coming home.

────﹒♡﹒————
I LOOOOVED this book. I love a man who yearns and a love that is patient (also might be in love with Jack). I felt so seen by Isla and her independence caused from past trauma, it was almost like looking straight into a mirror and seeing the effects of closing yourself off that you never saw before. The banter was chefs kiss as well throughout the whole book. The thoughtfulness Jack showed throughout the whole book pulled my heart strings, and I was annotating almost every line he said to Isla. Their love is a slooooow burn aka my favorite type of burn, and I am actually over the moon that there was no stupid third act break up. They were adults and although they did not always communicate the best, they did not let that rip them apart, they truly worked through their issues together even when Isla was fighting tooth and nail not too. Jack was just there in small and big ways and I cannot express how heartfelt it was. I also love the found family, which has made me already start planning to buy Blue Willow on the 15th when Mirabelle comes out because I NEEEED to see Wells and Elsie fall in love. This is probably the best pallet cleaner I have read in a long time and no tea no shade I liked it more than the other small town romances I have read thus far. I find it hard to give pallet cleansers anything above a 3-3.5 since I am a fantasy girl through and through and need immensely long background stories and world building, but this one really knocked it out of the park. I wish we delved into the world a bit more, but I’m hoping that’ll happen more in book 1 since this is technically book 2. There were a couple time skips that brought me out of the story, but I think they did well to push forward the storyline and I’m glad there wasn’t excess filler. I also wish we got to see more of Luxe and Simone too because I loved her so so much. Overall, I was kicking and giggling my feet the whole time and it was EXACTLY what I needed before finals week chews me up and spits me out. You guys 1000% NEEED to read this book, and I’m so excited to read the rest of the series!l

[arley_starkreadingmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.

This is Ki’s tenth full length novel (11th published work including novellas) and I honestly think I need to come up with better words because how can I say “this is another favorite book of mine, no notes, impeccable piece of work” 11 different ways without sounding like either a liar, or a broken record.

For the jury, I am neither a liar or a broken record.

Also, petition to have something stronger than 5 stars because it somehow seems like not enough.

Anyway, how Ki manages to blow me away every single time she puts thoughts to paper, I shall never know (but also please never tell me, it’s like a magician not revealing their tricks, keep your mystery Queen Ki).

This book focuses on characters we have already met in Blue Willow. Isla Winslow is our FMC, owner of the Mirabelle Plum Orchard. Jack Rhodes is our MMC, resident handyman aka a whole ass general contractor, and Wells’ BFF.

These two put the “annoyance” in annoyance to lovers trope. Their bickering is top tier and the just know which buttons to hit to rile each other up.

Now you may be asking “I heard there was marriage of convinence? WHERE IS IT?” Well let me tell you, Isla with her not so steady/consistent income hasn’t been approved for any grants or loans due to the ebb and flow of agriculture, so who better to provide some stability than the man you can always count on finding and getting on your last nerve.

So naturally when Isla mentions that a fake husband would help her get what she needs to keep her family’s plum orchard afloat, OF COURSE Jack, the one who has been in love with her for years, is the first one to pitch himself as the best man for the job.

Isla is in for a treat once she finds out that her fake husband is actually really good at being a real husband… 👀

Now while it’s a marriage of convinience trope it still has a bit of a slow burn element to it. I mean you don’t just go from annoyance to lovers in one step. But let me guarantee that the payoff is electric.

Anyway Mirabelle hits the shelves on May 15th
(That’s this Friday for those reading this when I posted it)

Run don’t walk to check this absolutely phenomenal addition to the the Ki-llection.

PS if you’ve made it all the way to here and you’re wondering “BUT DO I HAVE TO READ BLUE WILLOW BEFORE MIRABELLE?” The short answer is no you don’t HAVE to read Blue Willow before Mirabelle. But the long answer is you should read Blue Willow (at some point) because Elsie and Wells are also amazing and your life will be better having them in it, but alas I understand some people are into instant gratification so sure go out of order but having read Blue Willow will inform reading Mirabelle. So do with that information what you will.

[kia &#x131fc; · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc reader here! it was SOOOO good!!! i swear in the two hours n a half it took me to read it all, i didn’t stop for even a SECOND!! that’s how good this book is, and the couple??? girl, they were fantastic, not a single page i didn’t love and don’t even get me started on the teasing, their dynamic and the way their love kept blossoming as the book went on; i really enjoyed it 🥹 the storyline too, but what i loved most was the small town community, the little acts of kindness, the good friends; all that was really comforting in a way that made me feel at ease bc there was no unnecessary drama, so +10 points for that!
so long story short, this book was EVERYTHING in just 400 pages 🙂‍↕️🥳

(spanish, more detailed review version)

Tuve ma suerte de tener el arc de este libro y fue una joya, realmente no he disfrutado un libre de esta manera en tanto tiempo. Fue refrescante en cada sentido de la palabra, me lo devoré en solo DOS horas y media así que solo háganse una idea de lo increíblemente bueno que está!!!
No hubo ni una cosa que me haya arruinado la lectura, no molestos exes, no miscomunication, nadaaaa y eso me encanta, es divino poder leer un libro bien hecho con todo en su lugar como corresponde, y la storyline??? girl, esta mujer logró poner a una stripper y a una farmer en una misma persona sin arruinar ninguna de las dos 😮‍💨

Isla es lo que cualquier fmc debería de ser. No solo por lo fuertemente independiente que es y terca como la mierda, sino que es ese tipo de persona que tu lees y es exactamente lo que tu quieres en una amiga; no hay nada mas fantástico que una mujer que sigue empujando hacia adelante con todo lo que tiene, buscando estrategias y trabajando con lo que tiene en su plato para salir a delante, y eso es algo tan básico pero que a veces se pierde en los libros de romance así que realmente disfrute de ver esa virtud en ella

Y Jack por otro lado es no solo un buen fake esposo sino también un muy buen hombre con buena cabeza en sus hombros, siempre estuvo mas que dispuesto y no hice casi nada para intentar ocultar lo enamoradisimo que estaba de isla, siempre dispuesto a dar una mano incluso cuando ella se lo hacia difícil y eso es tan lindo aunque sea lo mas básico que ddba de tener alguien. Realmente me encantó su dinámica, sabia cuando dar y cuando empujar, y no fue un mmc de mierda que le hecha en cara nada so buen trabajo. 🤝

Ellos dos juntos fueron otra cosa, fueron hermosos de leer de inicio a fin. Pero mi cosa favorita es la hermosa comunidad que tiene el pueblo, realmente me encantaron, el libro en general fue un abrazo al corazón y logró entrar a mi top 15 del año 🫂🫶

[K Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think I’m having an identity crisis. There’s no other explanation for why I’m standing in my bathroom with kitchen scissors, a plastic mixing bowl, and a box of bleach that expired two months ago.”

Isla is a 28 year old who is doing everything in her power to keep her family farm, Mirabelle Orchards, including working a second job (a spicy one at that!)

Jack is a 31 year old business owner who has been chasing Isla for years. He’s kind, hardworking, and, most importantly, does not have a hero complex.

What I Liked:
📕 I really enjoyed that the plot got straight to the point. It immediately explained what Jack did to Isla when he first moved into town, so readers aren’t left second guessing the whole book. (as someone with ADHD I would’ve scanned ahead just to find out 👀)
📕 Jack doesn’t have a hero complex,he maturely reminds himself that Isla has taken care of herself and her farm long before he came into the picture. ( swoon on him supporting her being a girl boss!!)
📕 Isla wasn’t insufferable with her “mommy issues.” It was acknowledged a few times, but she moved on and faced her problems head on. 
📕 The banter between friend,especially Jack, was great.
📕 Jack’s character was written beautifully by a woman. ( the haircut inner monologue 😌)
📕 Jack’s has retriever energy, sure, but how about loyal companion too? *swoon*
📕 Isla is said to have black cat energy. But she’s not mean like so many other characters identified as 🐈‍⬛ energy. LOVED that!

My Favorite Part(s):
❤️ When Jack is spiraling and decides he’ll do what any woman does,grab scissors and a box of dye.
❤️ When Jack saw Isla at her second job and all rational thinking about their marriage being just a “contact” went out the window. ( I loved this part so much I read it TWICE!)

What I Didn’t Like:
🌶️.5/5 I wish it had more spice. Though I was giddy and kicking my feet anytime I read

Overall:
I am so happy I had the opportunity to receive an ARC from Love Notes, especially for something written by KI Stephens. This was my first ARC I ever signed up for, and the moment I saw it was KI, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I will 100% buy this as a hardcover, and I will!

[Posy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isla Winslow owns a magical orchard in Blue Willow. Unfortunately, maintaining it is expensive, and to qualify for a grant, Isla needs to be married. Enter Jack Rhodes. What was initially meant to be a brief stop in Blue Willow has turned into six years, and he’s just as infatuated with Isla as he was on day one. Determined to help her save her orchard, Jack also wants to prove that the right people will stay for her.

Jack is the ultimate golden retriever hero. He’s patient, funny, and always there whenever someone needs him. Some might even call him a fixer. It didn’t take long for me to completely fall for this adorable dork. I mean, he calls her Freckles, how cute is that? And his identity crisis, complete with dyeing his hair? Honestly, who hasn’t been there? He’s impossible not to love.

Isla has been hurt in the past, and it shows in how fiercely she guards herself and insists on handling everything alone. Sweet Isla would do anything to save her family’s orchard, even after certain awful people tried to tear her down. I was so happy when she finally began to let her guard down with Jack, and I completely understood why she kept her heart so protected for so long. I wanted to be friends with her immediately.

The banter? Absolute 10/10. I loved how natural it felt, like Jack calling the oldest tree on the farm “upper management.” It’s such a simple detail, yet I couldn’t stop giggling, and those little moments are exactly what make me fall so hard for characters. Ki Stephens has such a gift for writing characters who feel incredibly real. And honestly, I adored that the running joke about Elsie not being able to bake continues throughout Mirabelle. By book four, though, we absolutely need an edible cake so we can celebrate Elsie’s victory.

As always, Ki Stephens did not disappoint. I couldn’t put this book down (unfortunately, work responsibilities did get in the way, but you know how it is). This was the perfect first read for May, the perfect way to kick off spring, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone - especially if you’re a fan of marriage-of-convenience romances.

Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Small town
Black cat x golden retriever
Spring romance
Freckles
Magical realism
Protective mmc
Midnight ballerina

[Sayani Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 🌟
Thank you to ki stephens and Love Notes PR for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
“When it comes to you,” she says, “I’m downright sentimental."
This is a story about two people who, despite getting together for circumstantial reasons, found love and peace with each other. This was a beautiful story and I enjoyed reading this book. I fell in love with blue willow and its people. This place feels right up my alley.

This story has a slow burn—and I mean a beautiful slow burn—with both heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments. Isla and Jack are made for each other. They balance and understand each other so well. I liked isla winslow's character. She stands strong in the face of any challenge or hurdle life throws at her. She is stubborn as a mule, which is both inspiring and irritating at times. But she is also a person who has been let down in the past.

Jack Rhodes is a man of commitment. He does more than he says. He goes an extra mile for isla. He supports her even when she pushes him away. He understands her without her saying anything. He is my favourite person in the book. A beautiful person who knows the meaning of unwavering loyalty in both good and bad days.

Life is rarely fair; however, a true partnership brings a sense of peace and contentment that nothing else can offer. Isla and Jack both found a true partnership. It was not an easy journey but it was worth it. The ending was perfect. I loved the ending for them. They deserve nothing less.
"For the people who stay.
For the ones who choose love even when it scares them.
And for the places that hold our stories long after we leave."

[BookishJibberJabber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirabelle is a beautifully heartfelt continuation of the Blue Willow series. Isla Winslow’s determination to save her family’s plum orchard is inspiring, and the stakes feel both personal and universal—heritage, love, and the fight to preserve what matters most. The setup of a practical marriage with Jack Rhodes could have been cliché, but Ki Stephens turns it into something tender, layered, and deeply engaging.

The orchard itself becomes a living character, with spring settling over Mirabelle in ways that mirror Isla and Jack’s growing connection. Their banter, history, and reluctant partnership evolve into a romance that feels earned, full of warmth and quiet moments that resonate. Stephens balances the tension of looming debt and developers with the sweetness of two people realizing that “temporary” might just mean forever.

What makes this book shine is its emotional authenticity. Isla’s fierce independence and Jack’s steady reliability create a dynamic that is both frustrating and endearing. The writing flows smoothly, the atmosphere is cozy yet urgent, and the love story blossoms naturally against the backdrop of family legacy.

While I still hold a soft spot for the first book’s emotional core, Mirabelle is a strong second best—loveable, heartfelt, and a perfect blend of romance and resilience. It’s the kind of story that leaves you smiling, with a touch of wistfulness for orchards, springtime, and the courage to risk love.

A tender, charming romance—Stephens delivers a love story that feels like home.

4.5 stars

[Kayla Quincey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think it could get much better than Blue Willow, but KI Stephens has proved herself yet again with Mirabelle!

Isla is a fiercely independent and strong woman that feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. Jack is a hard-working and fixer type man who wants to finally belong. With years of getting under each other’s skin and buried feelings, it makes sense that once they’re finally together in a marriage of convenience, all the puzzle pieces click.

They might drive each other crazy, but they complement each other so well, and KI does a beautiful job of showing that on the page. Jack is able to take care of Isla in a way no one has before. Isla gives Jack a reason to stay for the long run.

“But she’s here, on me and with me, and when I let myself picture the future, it looks a lot like this. Messy, hard-won, and worth staying for.” - Jack

Mirabelle is a place I could spend hours roaming the rows and sipping on sweet wine. Jack and Isla show each other the same care as they do for the orchard. I love how passionate Jack is about not giving up on Isla or anything that comes along with her.

“Or maybe I just really like the idea of my roots tangled up with yours.” - Jack

There’s a special something about this magical little world that makes you wanna stroll the town market and chat with the locals as if you were always meant to be there!

thanks for the e-arc 🤍

p.s.
I need the next book in the series…like now; I have a feeling there might be more to Beau and Greer than we think 👀

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

3.5 (Rounded Up) ⭐️

Thank you to Love Notes PR for sending me an e-Arc in exchange for my honest review! 💌

Overall, I enjoyed this one! Mirabelle offers some light, whimsical magical realism and a marriage of convenience between a golden retriever MMC and a strong, independent FMC. There is also a touch of a second chance romance sprinkled in.

I did feel like the pacing was a bit slow initially, and that the initial interactions between Jack and Isla were awkward and forced, if didn't necessarily feel like a friends to lovers vibe that I think it was going for. I did feel like I wanted a little bit more from the world building about the orchard and get a better sense of the magic in Blue Willow.

Now for what I did love and it was mostly revolving around Jack! With the dual POV you get both thoughts and feelings of Isla and Jack and LET ME TELL YOU this guy is so hopelessly in love it gave me a toothache! This man is so DOWN BAD for his girl that it did have me giggling and kicking my feet at times. I also did love the banter back and forth between them as they both tried to avoid shows any sign of true feelings. I also loved their loyalty to each other and the orchard, it 100% gave the small town mentality of having something to protect.

You should read Mirabelle if you love these tropes;

‣ Forced Proximity
‣ Marriage of Convenience
‣ Golden Retriever x Black Cat energy
‣ He falls first and falls HARD!
‣ Small Town Romance
‣ Protective MMC and Baddie FMC

[Jaydee · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review 💐🍊 🌳

Blue Willow was my first ever ARC and I LOVED IT so I REALLY wanted the ARC for Mirabelle!! From book one, the banter with her and Jack I knew I was gonna loved this book and fast forward to now . . . I did!! 🥹

I was already laughing by the first few chapters. First of all Jack is so funny omg😭 I was literally laughing and smiling the entire time. Him and Isla have such amazing banter and despite being "frenemies" they trusted each other so much. There were so many lines that had me laughing the entire time, the banter was so well done. 🤭 The way Jack cares about Isla was so sweet and also loved the respect he has for her and running the orchard even if it meant for her to have a second job. He didn't shame her, just stayed by her side and offered extra support without overstepping too much. He knew just how important Mirabelle was for her and Blue Willow.

Isla was also such a gem in this book. She's incredibly strong, caring, and hardworking. She loves Mirabelle so much and wasn't willing to give it up without a fight and did whatever it took to keep it running. She's been hurt in the past before but I'm glad she was able to breathe and let herself trust Jack 🩷

I cannot wait to share more of my favorite quotes once the book is out!!!

Anyways loved this book and everyone in Blue Willow ✨🫶🏾

Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for the ARC!

Read their story May 15th!

Finished May 7th

[lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.25/3.5 stars!

thank you to love notes pr and the author for sending me an e-arc for review! all thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was a delightfully whimsical spring read! mirabelle gives you perfect small town romance vibes that feel magical yet grounded in the cozy town of blue willow. jack and isla were very sweet together and i loved how much jack cared about her. there were also a few classic tropey moments that i really enjoyed, especially in the first half. i could feel their spark in those moments and in their witty jabs, just not throughout the entirety of the book i think.

my main issue was that there was just too much business talk surrounding mirabelle. it was pretty detailed too, especially when lawyers etc. got involved. the story revolves around keeping mirabelle in isla’s care, but i think there was too much emphasis on it in the latter half and that ultimately ended up taking away from the fun of the marriage of convenience between her and jack for me.

i think this still has some beautiful writing and descriptions which i appreciated a lot. ki stephens really has a way of creating a lovely, magical atmosphere and some sweepingly romantic declarations in both the pov’s of the characters. i think mid-way through the romance lost a bit of steam and left me wanting something a bit more memorable.

[Cara Niehoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a touch of magic in a small town with plenty of lovable characters, the Blue Willow series is for you! Mirabella is the orchard in town, run by Isla's family for generations, that has fallen on hard times financially. In order to get the grants she needs to keep the orchard, Isla agrees to marry Jack, and the two go from a fake marriage to budding feelings!

I love how Jack was so into Isla from the start, and they had both been unknowingly hiding their feelings for years behind banter. The romance was a slow build in the story due to how much of their time was dedicated to saving the orchard, but the wait paid off! Once Isla gave in, their relationship was so adorable. I appreciated having both POVs in this story so we could see their feelings grow, and Jack's inner dialogue made me LOL!

Blue Willow is the cutest town, and getting to see more of the magic was so special! Isla and Jack also have so much support from their friends in town, which was sweet. Isla deserves all the love and happiness in the world, so I loved seeing her happy ending!

Some of the unexpected assistance they receive in their business matters was interesting, and makes me curious to see if a certain character will have a full redemption later in the series!

Thank you to Ki Stephens and Love Notes PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Willow is the most magical place and I truly don’t know how Ki does it. This was PERFECT. Magical and whimsical and filled with so much love! And AS ALWAYS!! Ki’s writing feels like coming home. And there’s something even more comforting about this series, maybe the magic of Blue Willow.

Isla, my sweet sweet people always leave girl, and Jack, the boy who spiraled so hard at the mere THOUGHT of his crush going on a date he ended up with frosted tips!! I love them so so so much. I love that they were so connected from the moment they met, even though as Isla said, they were more frenemies than anything. But it was clear how important they were for each other, that they’d always always show up for each other. I loved that no matter how scared Isla was Jack made sure to let her know he wasn’t going anywhere, ever.

Everything about than friend group makes my heart sing. I love Elsie, Isla, and Winnie (and Goldie!!!) SO MUCH. Their love for each other is so big!! And Wells and Jack!! The actual perfect pair! I can’t wait to see more of Reid! And Greer?! Maybe!? Hopefully! And BEAU!? I know Ki said it’ll be a second before we’re back and that’s fine! It’ll be so so worth the wait.

Thank you so so much to Ki Stephens for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[book.lover4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't convince someone to read a book only with its cover and character art, right? Well, the second I saw Mirabelle's character art and the cover of the book I was like 'I have to read this one' and here we are 😆😄

I loved this book- I liked the characters, the complexity of their personalities and the struggles each faced. I absolutely enjoyed the magical small-town setting (with a beautiful map at the beginning!) and the vibe of it was just so whimsical and cozy. The love story was so sweet, the mmc a totally green flag 🥰 and I liked the side characters too.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the book I went into a reading slump 🫤 (it wasn't because of the book but because of me, honestly) and read the last 20% or so without the same enthusiasm. I didn't particularly enjoy the epilogue, how it showed tidbits of the characters' lives throughout a year- I get that it served to highlight how the fmc changed her mindset about some aspects but I reckon that it could have been done with a single scene after a few months or so.
In conclusion, Mirabelle was definitely an enjoyable read, one that I would highly recommend for those who wish to read a cozy romance with a touch of magic.
Thanks to the author and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this ARC 🩷

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
Thank you to the author for this ARC of Mirabelle

"Mirabelle in a glass-plums and sunshine and the faintest floral thing I can never name."

We are back in the magical town of Blue Willow! This time we get to feel the magic of Mirabelle as we follow Isla and Jack!

"I didn't know a kiss could rearrange your whole day. Your whole goddamn life."

Isla is stubborn but she has the biggest heart. I admired her intense dedication and love for the orchard and her legacy. Isla had great understandable tension with Jack. Learning about their history led to amazing growth from both of them. Jack held so much patience and compassion towards Isla. He became this steadfast pillar that Isla eventually learned to lean on. Jack understood Isla to her core.

"He's been steady in all places I pretend I don't need steadiness."

This was another great cozy read, and I was really happy to see all the other characters of Blue Willow. I loved seeing Elsie and Wells again. I enjoyed the scenes of Well's and Jack's friendship. There was peaked curiosity for Beau, Winnie and Reid. I can't wait to see what the rest of this series has to offer.