Review of advance copy received from Author I really enjoyed this book. It had a cozy vibe to it with a splash of spice. I loved Cass as a person and it took me a little to like Trevor but by the end I loved him too. Their relationship is so cute. I’m hoping her next book is about Adam and Lydia. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
Oh how I love a good hallmark story with some cheeky banter and this book delivered the feel good vibes !! Starting out in your typical small town with all the cozy sweet vibes. Bring in the hot , melt in your mouth city villain dude , Trevor. He wants to buy our damsel in distress’s business which is sinking and demolish it !! Poor Cassia !!
These two had such great chemistry from the start ! I loved the way they were thrown together and then the way they found out they were enemies !! Such fun times !! Of course our villain and our damsel in distress get up to some great shenanigans!! Loved the snark and banter between the two. Also. Loved the bunny !! Every flower shop needs a bunny.
This was such an enjoyable and entertaining read that I easily cozied up to. Totally a great read when you are in the mood for something sweet , sassy, fun with some fabulous spice.
Lauren does it again! I am not surprised that Brews in Bloom by Lauren Sanatra is a 5 star read. This book has a charming small town setting and comforting Hallmark vibes that are thoughtfully woven in, making every scene feel alive with both heart and hops 😉🐰
The characters were easy to love—kind, a little quirky, and deeply rooted in their town. I adored watching relationships grow alongside a gentle enemies to lovers romance with some spice 🌶️, meaningful friendships, and that special magic only a close-knit town can bring. The slow-burn connection felt natural and sweet, with just the right amount of tension and tenderness.
If you love cozy reads filled with small-town traditions, comforting routines, and love that blooms when you least expect it, Brews in Bloom deserves a spot on your TBR (preferably enjoyed with your favorite curated cup of coffee and a beautifully arranged bouquet of flowers ☕️💐).
Advanced reader copy was received from author and let me tell you… it did not disappoint. Was looking for something cozy and light hearted to read while transitioning into all the spring activities and this delivered. Big city meets small town girl. It was cute and light hearted. I found myself giggling at the MCs banters back and forth. I would definitely recommend this to someone who is looking for something cozy light hearted fun with not a lot of spice. Just enough 😉 to feel the “come on!?!” tension. Characters were well developed and fit well together. Makes me want to pop in have some coffee and chitchat with them.
My initial thought as I started the book was that everything was so descriptive in a way that reminded me of a writing class I once took. When someone is told “the more detail the better” and now your brain is feeling sensory overload through words. It definitely got better as the story went along, either that or I just grew accustomed to it but it wasn’t as overwhelming.
I did enjoy Cass and Lydia’s friendship. It was honest, light in the midst of the heaviness of life, and pretty funny. Their banter was amusing and reminded me of my sister and I.
I commiserated with her grief over her grandmother — I lost mine and she was my best friend, so every memory she had with her grandmother brought me back to one with my own.
What I don’t get is why the town didn’t do more to help Cass’s business if they all knew she was struggling and she was as revered as she seemed to be. If my town sweetheart was a struggling florist, I’d be buying a bouquet weekly, adorning my kitchen counter if nothing else, just to give her a sale. But I guess such as in life, everyone loves you until they have to actually do something to prove it.
Captain Capitalism made me bark out a laugh. Cass is normally witty and snarky but that one was probably my favorite.
I didn’t think I was going to connect with Cass outside of the grandma thing, but her loneliness was relatable and when the time the rain scene happened I felt her to my core. The frustration, the loneliness, the sense of almost nothingness, I think more people can relate to that than we realize.
The entire story I just kept thinking to myself: PLOT HOLE, HOW THE HELL DOES SHE SHOWER? She must smell. Maybe she hoses down? Why isn’t this discussed more, surely I can’t be the only freak that thought this. Until finally, the hotel shower. Thank God, I was seriously overly concerned for her hygiene.
The spice left a bit to be desired but considering the sweet vibes of the book I wasn’t really expecting there to be choking or spitting in eachother’s mouths 🤣
All in all, it did feel like I was reading a Hallmark movie, and that’s not a bad thing. It was sweet and it gave me the HEA I’m always looking for and I have a feeling I know whose story will come in the next one.
This was such a cute Hallmark feel book! I’m so glad I got an ARC with this one. Thank you so much Lauren!
I’ve never owned my own business like this, I mean I do nails for a living but owning a flower shop is completely different. And one that started generations ago with your family makes it even more sentimental! So to be on the verge of losing a place that holds so much for you and your family must have been hard. Especially trying to save it all on your own! And I don’t know if Lauren wrote Cassia’s story out of experience or just had the idea but whatever it was, the emotion and soul that she put into the character and her story was amazing!
Trevor’s background was the typical Corporate America’s son who was bred only to carry on the name of a company that only cared about the dollar signs. I love that he had a coffee shop in mind and that was the dream business he wanted to create. And I’m so glad he had Cassia to help him change the image into something that fit more in with Ambervale and the community within it!
There wasn’t a ton of 🌶️ in this one but there was enough once you got through the slow burn! You could tell there was chemistry from the beginning and once they both recognized it, the rest was history! I love their love story and I’m glad they were able to figure out a solution for both companies that worked for the both of them!
Is there going to be a sequel with Adam and Lydia?!? 👀
Also, I think I want a pet bunny! And I think I’ll name him Tugger! 😉
The second I saw this book revolved around coffee and flowers, I knew it was for me. Two of my favorite things in a small town? Consider me in. I’m so glad I reached out to Lauren for this free advanced readers copy, it was an honor to read before its official release.
I fell in love with Trevor Mason the moment he was introduced. A hot, sweet businessman who has a heart of gold and daddy issues? Swoon. Trevor is trying to please his dad and make his own dream come true but what he doesn’t see coming is Cass, the stubborn small town florist whose floral shop has been in her family for generations. She’s been hiding the truth of living in the floral shop and the debt that’s been piling up since her grandma died. She’s determined to do anything to keep the shop out of Mason and Co’s hands.
As the annual flower festival approaches our two sworn enemies find themselves giving into the feelings swirling under the surface. But what happens when Cass is forced to face the truth of her situation and the only other offer for her beloved floral shop.
I loved the small town backdrop for our unlikely couple and I can’t wait to read the story of their two best friends when Lauren writes their beautiful love story too!!
All in all, I adored this sweet but spicy story and recommend it to anyone who likes small town hallmark-ish stories.
I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC. My first read by Laura Sanatra and I really enjoyed it!
Small town romance will sweetness and full of heart.
I loved the side character Tugger 🐰🩵
Brews in Bloom is about how two people can come together and build something special.
Cassia Rhodes is the local florist in small town Ambervale. Her great grandmother came to town from the Netherlands with a handful of tools and a bundle of tulips bulbs. Now the shop has been passed down to her, the bills are pilling up and she stands to lose it to either the bank or a development company.
Trevor is apart of his families developmental company and has come to Ambervale to open his first solo project, a new coffee shop. Part of the project is to buy the struggling business next door and make it an entertainment area for singer and poetry nights. But as soon as he meets the headstrong owner things get complicated.
Trevor planned to get the town to fall for him so when he takes the flower shop from Cass he won’t be hated by everyone. But soon he finds the town and Cass growing on him. Will he be able to follow through with buying the flower shop out from under Cass like his father wants or will he help her save the only thing she has left?
I went into this book expecting to roll my eyes a few times. But I do have a fondness for Hallmark movies, and once in awhile you just have to bask in the lovey dovey cuteness of it. But this goes beyond that awkward one-time kiss you see in the movies…and yes, this story has the SPICE that comes after.
The author was able to find the magic in the mundane as we learn about Ambervale; a small town where two enemies *might just* become lovers. The romance felt authentic, including some raw moments between characters feeling so relatable that I barely had time to roll my eyes. Somehow, the only unrealistic factor in this book was a $3 bottle of Merlot (I would happily stock up on that). When the time came, I wasn’t quite ready for this story to be over. But something tells me we haven’t heard the last of Ambervale.
Thank you to the author for permitting me to read an ARC of “Brews in Bloom.” It was a polished and engaging tale full of colorful characters that I sympathized with from chapter one (and cried for in chapter four). I was not prepared to love it as much as I did, but I will now forever recommend it as a top cozy romance read!
Cozy but with spice? Check. Witty banter? Check. Hallmark, small town vibes? Check. Rivals to lovers? Check. Adorable, furry sidekick? Check. What more could you ask for?!
Brews in Bloom by Lauren Sanatra was such a sweet and cozy (with just the right touch of spice!) read that felt like the literary equivalent of curling up with your favorite blanket and a warm latte. From the very first chapter, I was completely charmed by the atmosphere. The small-town setting is vibrant and welcoming, full of personality and heart without feeling over-the-top.
The rivals-to-lovers dynamic is executed well. The tension between the main characters feels authentic, and the witty banter had me smiling more than once. Their chemistry builds at the perfect pace, giving us that delicious slow burn that makes every glance and every almost moment feel meaningful. I loved the overall character growth throughout the story.
The pacing was spot on and the balance between cozy comfort and romantic spice was absolutely perfect. This was my first read by Lauren Sanatra, and I can confidently say I’m hooked.
And can we talk about the adorable furry sidekick? Truly the icing on the cake.
I was not prepared for how much this story would feel like home 🌸☕️
Cass fighting for Rhodes’ Roses…her memories, her life, her home…absolutely wrecked me. Her shop wasn’t just a business, but generations of love pressed into every petal… you could feel what she stood to lose on every page.
And Trevor? Watching him slowly unravel under the weight of ambition, expectation, and then her…it hurt in the best way. The tension between legacy and love was so tender and real. I kept bracing for the heartbreak because you just know what’s at stake.
By the time the Spring Bloom Festival arrived, I was emotionally invested beyond repair. This wasn’t just a romance…it was about choosing belonging over ego, roots over reputation, and love over pride.
Lauren did it again. Brews in Bloom left me soft, hopeful, and fully convinced that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let your heart bloom where it’s planted🌷
I love Brews in Bloom so much!! This is perfect for anyone who loves small town romance, the cast of characters is cute and deep, the setting adorable… it’s a dream.
Brews in Bloom picks up with Cass, who is struggling to keep her family owned floral shop, amid attempted buy out offers from corporate interests. Enter Trevor, a representative from the company attempting to buy her shop, a man who is too good looking for his own good.
Trevor and Cass are meant to be enemies, but over the course of the story they grow on each other, and a sweet romance blossoms (get it?!). The spice here is top tier, and there is still a delicious slow burn on our way to the more spicy scenes, this story gave it all in the romance department.
I was so invested in these characters, the third act reveal was done well, and the ending is delicious. Brava Lauren Sanatra, this is work well done! Many thanks to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. 🌷
This book gave me so much anticipation and the slow burn hurt in a good way! I think the small town vibe was really captured well.
Brews in Bloom is a rom-com hallmark vibes with a little slow burn and spice at the end.
Cass is a small town girl owning a floral shop in town. She doesn’t date and throws everything into work. Trevor, big city boy, is opening a coffee shop next door. Trevor wants to buy the flower shop to expand his first real business with his dad’s company.
I felt like I could relate to Cass putting your heart and soul into the things you love and cherish. It really will resonate with people doing everything they can to save their homes/work/traditions.
Please have a sequel! I’m dying to hear about Lydia!
Looking for a sweet romance novel just that just feels right? An easy love story that sweeps you away and nestles you into a cozy small town filled with good people and strong relationships?
This is the book you’re after!
Brews in Bloom takes you by the hand and leads you down a soft pathway in a nice town where everything goes right, until, for our FMC, it doesn’t, and she’s left trying to save her reputation, her legacy, and her family’s shop. The stakes become even higher when a rich business man comes to town to try to buy her shop and make it his own!
The spice in this book is just right, a great enemies to lovers story with side characters to love and a whole town you’ll want to move to.
If you enjoy romance, you’ll enjoy this book!
Watch for its release March 3, 2026!
Thank you to Lauren Sanatra for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Talk about a perfect palate cleanser! I primarily read romantasy or dark romance BUT I love me a good contemporary romance every now and then. When I heard about Brews in Bloom, I knew I HAD to have it! Not only is it by Lauren Sanatra, whose books I loveeee, but it’s also basically a Hallmark movie in book form! SOLD!!
Cass Rhodes runs the flower shop that has been in her family for generations. But when times get hard and all she has left is the shop and her bunny, Tuggers, the “corporate villains” come calling.
In comes Trevor Mason, who has already bought the empty space next door and is looking to buy Cass’ shop to expand his coffee business. When they meet, it’s instant attraction! But can it work when they’re supposed to be enemies?!
If you love Hallmark movies, great banter, and writing so good, you can see the story like a movie in your head, THIS is the book for you!
This year, I decided to request fewer ARCs because my physical TBR is out of hand and I wanted to be able to work through some. But when I saw an ARC for "Brews in Bloom" by Lauren Sanatra, I knew I needed to read it. Coffee? Flowers? Some feel good romance? Some of my favorite things, all wrapped into one. It's cozy, it's quirky and and enjoyable read.
Small Town Romance ✔️ Animal Sidekick ✔️ Hallmark with Spice ✔️ Engaging Banter ✔️ Forced Proximity ✔️
Cass is a longtime resident of a small town and owner of the local floral shop. Trevor is the big bad developer who wants to buy out the floral shop and turn it into a coffee shop. If you've ever seen a Hallmark movie, you know where this is going. "Brews in Bloom" goes there well and fills that cozy cup of romance and just the right way. If you also enjoy a good cup of coffee, florals everywhere and a good book, this one is for you!
Overall, this was a great read! A small town, enemies to lovers romance that has a happy ending.
Trev and Cass were very cute together! They had a great dynamic and I liked the moments where they’d work together, using their skill sets and working as a team
I had a few things I wanted more/less of that are pretty minor. I wanted a little less of Cass’ inner monologue about being in debt near the beginning of the book, though it did get progressively better as the story flourished. I also wanted a little more of Cass taking an active role to save her shop (or showing a little more independence) as she felt a little like a damsel in distress. Either way, it was to see her being taken care of and loved in the right way.
Definitely enjoyed this one!
Thank you so much for choosing me as an ARC Reader!
Thank you so much Lauren Sanatra for the ARC opportunity to read Brews in Bloom !!
As a sucker for contemporary romances I would give this 6 stars if I could! Trev and Cass are classic Hallmark movie worthy MMC and FMC main characters and numerous times I was wrapped right up in the emotional roller coaster with them. Without giving away spoilers.... I absolutely LOVED the small town theme and the way the entire book literally goes with the title itself and it flows! There were strong meaningful messages and side characters who start to build their own story! I love following characters !!!! I need book 2 and a Lydia and Adam story asap! 🤭🫣 Thank you again @laurensanatra.author
Here is me, wishing for book 2 🙏🌷🌷🌷
Everyone go get your copy of Brews in Bloom RIGHT NOW!!! It's available!!!! Amazon and Kindle....GO, don't wait , this is a must 🥰
I have never been one for Hallmark specials, but if they're anything like this book, sign me up! Lauren Sanatra's first small-town romance book, "Brews in Bloom" has everything you could ever want in a classic love story. You follow along with Cassia as she fights back against the big town overlords trying to buy out her family's flower shop, all while also falling in love with the enemy. This is for fans of slow-pace, slow-burn, small town romance fans who enjoys enemies-to-lovers. This book is full of whimsy, flowers, coffee, and a new rabbit friend named Tugger and I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the classics or anyone who enjoys their satisfaction a little delayed 😉.
Rating: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a lovely and cozy read! This book has all the elements of a Hallmark movie: feel-good romance, small town setting, & a happy ending! With that said, this book was such a joy to read. I absolutely loved our MMC, Trevor, he starts off as the heartless corporate businessman who has arrived to buy our FMC, Cass’s family-owned flower shop. Their attraction is evident and is displayed throughout the story through hilarious and flirtatious banter! I love their dynamic and how their relationship blossoms. This book features a slow-burn romance and some spicy moments! The pace of the book is excellent and I also enjoyed that it wasn’t a cheesy romance. Overall, I enjoyed reading this warm and cozy book. Thank you Lauren for this wonderful ARC!
A sweet, captivating small town cozy read with a dose of spice. It was descriptive and free flowing, making me enjoy the characters Cass and Trevors building storyline. Before I knew it, I was half way through the novel. Lost time, always a plus in my book world.
Cass, shes a gem, heart of gold with a good head on her shoulders with her own inner dilemma. Then walks in Trevor, at first I was like, he is a douche canoe but then he grew on me, as their relationship dynamic shifted and the witty banter amped up this enemies to new found unexpected love story full of lightheartedness.
Totally a great read when you are in the mood for something lively and fun with some fabulous chemistry vibes.
Brews in Bloom by Lauren Sanatra felt like a gentle cup of comfort with just the right amount of spice. Cass and Trev’s relationship unfolded naturally with building on trust, support, and a slow-growing connection that felt deeply earned. Beneath the romance, Cass’s grief for her grandmother added such an emotional layer, grounding the story in love, loss, and the quiet ways we carry those we’ve lost forward.
The ending truly shined, especially with how clever Trev was making thoughtful and protective moves in a way that honored Cass’s heart and independence. A cozy, heartfelt read about healing, growth, and blooming again when you least expect it. ☕🌸
This was such a cute book! 100% loved the hallmark vibe but spicy because let's face it, all Hallmark movies should have more spice anyways and this was what I needed.
I enjoyed the banter between Trevor and Cass. There's just something about it when the two people involved are seemingly enemies but the chemistry says otherwise. Add in her cute rabbit, the immense amount of small town pride, and the way they grow together makes for a light hearted, fuzzy feeling read. I would've liked a little epilogue at the end expanding on their story or giving us a tiny glimpse of their future, but regardless I enjoyed how the story unfolded. Great work by Lauren.
I received this book as an ARC and it was a really fun read. If you love small town Hallmark love stories, you'll love this book. Cass, our FMC, is so caring and devoted to her community it is hard not to fall in love with her. Then you get the our MMC, Trevor, coming in to disrupt Cass' small town business. The beginning of their "enemy" era is just adorable. They want to hate each other so badly but just can't do it. I loved it. Tugger, the flower shop bunny, is hilarious and has a few scene stealing moments. I adored this story. The conflict resolution did seem very easy and quick at the end, but for a light romance read it made sense.
This book had total Hallmark vibes with just the right touch of sweet heat. A cozy, bingeable small-town romance and a perfect slow burn for spring reading.
It’s well written and easy to read, and I loved getting to know these characters and watching them gradually come together. Tugger the bunny was an adorable little sidekick that added extra charm. The side characters were just as engaging, and I’d love to see them get their own stories in future books.
I loved this book so much! This isn’t the type of book I normally read but I fell in love with the characters and the whole idea of the book and I want more!! The ending definitely caught me off guard and I wasn’t expecting it but I couldn’t have wanted it to end any better! This was such a quick and cozy read and I loved how there was a bunny in it! I never see books that have them in it and it was so fun reading the cute descriptions when talking about it. This book makes me want to own my own flower shop and hopefully one day find the man of my dreams!
Love is brewing and blooming in this contemporary rom-com by Lauren Sanatra ☕️⚘️
I was drawn right into the whimsical town of Ambervale right off the bat. Author Lauren Sanatra paints an amazing view of this charming small town and the characters in it. The descriptors of both are so well written that I immediately could picture them so vividly. And I liked getting to known Trevor and Cass in this story. Seeing them consider one another as an enemy rival to seeing them fighting the fall as they got to known each other, was sigh worthy. 😍
If you are looking for a sweet, spring romance (with a little spice) to brighten your day, then you will love Brews in Bloom.
In the quaint, small town of Ambervale we find, Cassia, who runs the town flower shop that her family has owned for years! Cassia pours her heart and soul into that shop, but soon finds out it just might not be enough to keep it open! Then in walks Trevor, the rich, corporate, big city guy who is on a mission to take the shop off her hands!
If you love a good enemies to lovers story - one of my favorite tropes - then you will really enjoy Cass & Trev’s story!
This was such a sweet and fun romance. Small town romance, an adorable flower shop, and two absolutely wonderful main characters. I loved Trevor and Cass so much. Trevor started out as kind of not nice guy. And Cass was all rainbows and sunshine. He wanted her business, she wasn’t about to give it up. The banter between these two was so much fun. They were flirty and cute. This really felt like a sweet hallmark type read, except for a little bit of spice. Such a wonderful read. I had a great time reading it. Thx so much Lauren for letting me be a part of your team ❤️
Brews in Bloom, is the first in a genre the author has not touched before however it is still in the romance genre. This is a small town romance, billionaire MMC/small town FMC. Enemies to lovers, and I read it as a kind of redemption story as well. The MMC comes to town with an objective that would hurt the FMC but ends up saving her instead.
I will say this is outside of my tastes in reading because it is small town, but once I got through the first couple of chapters I was invested!!!!