Under the Orchard's Spell

by Ann Adams

A woman reunites with her first love to solve the mystery of the strange occurrences plaguing her family’s pear orchard—only to discover the land holds more magic than she thought—in this cozy second chance romance.

Ali Reid has luck so bad she might actually be cursed. The pear orchard she inherited from her late uncle is drowning in debt, her fiancé and best friend have left her, and now, with picking season looming, she has no way to harvest all her fruit before it rots on the branch.

Desperate, Ali turns to Logan Wright—the town’s stoic carpenter, her first kiss, and the one she left behind. Now, fourteen years later, Logan agrees to move into her farmhouse to help, wearing plaid and a steady gaze, even though the land holds memories he’s not keen to revisit.

As they work side by side, Ali’s feelings for Logan come rushing back, and the orchard’s troubles turn increasingly bizarre. Unnatural storms rage overhead. Jewel-toned rabbits take shelter in the barn. And, worst of all, the pears are crystallizing on their branches, like some kind of fairytale gone wrong.

The deeper they dig into these mysteries, the more long-buried family secrets they uncover—and the more they begin to suspect the land itself carries a curse, one that touches any visitor who lingers too long. With the magic stirring once again, Ali must uncover the orchard’s secrets before she loses the one she loves all over again.

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Magical Realism, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary

9 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 6, 2026

About the author

In a past life, Ann Adams was a junior national champion, national medalist, and resident of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. She competed in sprint kayaking—a sport that’s a lot like rowing, except kayakers face the right direction and no one has ever heard of them. Today, she lives in Sacramento, California, where she spends most of her time analyzing public policy and going for moderate hikes with her husband and overly enthusiastic cockapoo. Mostly, though, she’s writing stories—especially those about women falling in love and finding their power.

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot]

Whimsical AF. Loaded with gorgeous imagery. Heart-wrenchingly relatable complicated family dynamics. Fall vibes.

Side characters that make you dm the author all caps “GIVE MASON HIS OWN BOOK PLEAZE.” Exploration of grief.

10/10 would recommend.

Things to love…
- second chance romance
- magical realism
- found family
- spectacular side characters
- healing from loss
- exploration of grief
- Carpenter MMC
- complicated family dynamics


| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the publisher & author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Laurensliterarylair]

Pre-read thoughts:

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of Racing Hearts by Ann Adams and it was one of my favorite reads of 2025. I can’t wait to dive into another book by this debut author! Fingers crossed I can get an ARC of Under the Orchards Spell!

After reading:

Loved loved loved. This book was pure entertainment. I am discovering a love of magical contemporary romances because I ate this book up and have no notes. I just love Anns writing style, characters, and plots that just draw you in.

If you love Emily Henry’s emotional love stories with characters that are mature, relateable, and introspective then I know youll love Ann’s characters. If you love Sarah Beth Dursts books because of the way they are so beautifully crafted, compelling, comforting, and have the perfect balance of magic woven within the plot then you will love this book!

I love the mystery and the wondering what will happen next. I love that Ann is so detailed in the way that she describes even the smallest parts of her stories such as details within a book a character is reading or the smell of the air on the pear orchard. Each part of the story is so well crafted and shows how much research and heart went into writing the book.

Parts of this book truly made me emotional. The way that Ann spoke about magic and about the emotions or thoughts of the characters were just so beautifully written.

I will definitely read this again and don’t be surprised if you catch me non stop talking about it! Wow wow wow 🤩

Thank you so much to Dell and Ann Adams for the ARC!

[Lina]

4 / 5 Stars
I really enjoyed the fall vibes of this book and right person, wrong time always hits hard for me.

I love magical realism and I loved the magical realism of the orchard. There was a little mystery thrown in as well which made the book engaging. I also really liked the reveal of the mystery and how it connected to everything.

Second chance at first love / right person, wrong time is one of my favorite tropes for all of the emotions that come with it. I honestly thought that the author did such a good job of convincing me it truly was the wrong time that I wasn’t 100% sure how it would work out and I kind of love that. Ali and Logan had good chemistry and I love a stoic man who loves an act of service.

I thought the complicated family dynamics were well done. Both Ali and Logan have complicated relationships with their moms and I felt like the author did a good job of adding some nuance to both without making it overly complicated or cartoonish. The relationships were emotionally charged and raw. The author’s handling of grief was also really well done.

There were a few turns of phrase and a few repetitive phrases that didn’t 100% work for me but overall I would recommend this book for all of your fall needs!

You will probably like this book if you like:
⭐ Magical realism
⭐ Cozy fall vibes
⭐ Second chance at first love romances
⭐ Right person, wrong time
⭐ Only one (bunk) bed
⭐ Exploration of grief
⭐ Complicated family dynamics

Thank you Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 6, 2026

⋆ ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆

[Demi Winters]

A cinnamon-spiced hug of a book that must be added to your fall reading list! When Ali's uncle passes away, she returns to the family's orchard and must uncover the mysteries--and potential curse--it holds. With a second chance romance, a sentient orchard, and a charming cast of characters, it's perfect for cozy romance readers!

[Hailsandtales]

Pre read:
I was able to get an ARC of Ann's first book Racing Hearts and fell in love with the way she writes and her stories. I am so lucky to have gotten an ARC of this book. I am so ready for the magic and story Ann has for us!

After Thoughts:
This book felt like a warm cinnamon hug with a splash of magic and mystery. 🍂✨

Ann does an amazing job of making you feel all the magic while reading. I adored how the story focuses on the orchard and how the trees and land feel everything, reacting directly to emotions.

The story starts off when Ali and Logan are teenagers. Fast-forward to the present...Ali comes back to the family orchard after her uncle passes away, only to discover deep mysteries, a possible curse, and her first love.

I adored how relatable both characters are. Logan has always put everyone else first and never got a chance to leave Apple Orchard, while Ali was moved around constantly and just wants to stay put. She is dealing with a whirlwind of emotions regarding her ex, the land acting up, her feelings for Logan, the mysteries about her uncle and the land, and her unresolved communication with her mom. They are truly all such relatable, real-life situations.

I laughed, smiled, and cried! Holy smokes. Ann knows exactly how to hit me right in the heart. I was in tears at so many moments because I truly felt everything Ali and Logan were going through, but mostly Ali, she became so strong and brave. It was powerful. It was beautiful to read.

Also, I need a Mason book... I loooove him!
I was utterly captivated by this story and highly recommend it to everyone.

Thank you to Ann and Dell for this ARC! 💛

💬 Qoutes
“When you care about something, you hold on to it. Even if it doesn’t work out in the end, you don't abandon what's important.”

“I promised myself I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“No amount of pain could erase what you’ve given me.” “What was that?” “The chance to feel safe enough to cry.”

“About how I lived a whole lifetime in darkness. Shades of gray were all I knew. I was so adjusted to it that I thought that’s just how life is. you are. Always.”

[chloereadsallday]

Five Star Alert!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The absolute perfect magical realism/second chance romance book for your Fall TBR! 🍁☕️

Ali Reid inherits her family’s pear orchard. It is the only pear orchard in Apple Valley. And she slowly realizes this orchard is saturated with issues. Through word of mouth she quickly learned about a man in town who she could hire to help her with the orchard.

It’s her first kiss, Logan Wright. The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from in 14 years. Thankfully he agrees to move into her farmhouse to help out. And soon they realize there is something very strange happening on this pear farm. Something magical…

I loved reading this book because Ann Adam’s writing is so lyrical and pretty. The book feels well structured and the absolute perfect pace. I really enjoyed the magical realism and thought it was a beautiful addition to the story and the characters. It felt real and relevant to the story. Her characters are deep and people you will care for instantly. And I loved the main character’s love for one another. It was respectful, passionate, and truly gorgeous. I loved how they helped each other through their problems and made a truly great team.

Reading this book feels like a beautiful act of self care. Allow your senses to be overwhelmed with the gorgeous autumnal aromas and ambiance. It’s cozy and magical. And will help you believe in forgiveness, feeling your emotions, and speaking your truth. I hope to see the movie made one day!


Tropes:
❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Magical Realism
❤️ Small Town
❤️ Fall Vibes
❤️ Only One Bed
❤️ Mutual Pining
❤️ Exploration of Grief

Thank you Dell Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sara Ann]

I can 100%, without a doubt say Ann Adams is not only an instant buy for me now, but she is in my Top 5 favorite authors of all time! I not only fell in love with this magical realism story, but my heart aches for these characters and I couldn’t put this book down. I read this in under 12 hours in a single day.

In this novel we follow Ali who was once a consultant in Florida but is now taking over her Uncle’s pear orchard after he passed. She’s loved this orchard since she was a kid, but from day one there have been issues. From crystallized pears, harsh hail storms, and technicolored bunnies, Ali can’t figure out what is going on and why this orchard is determined not to grow. Enter her first kiss and the-one-that-got-away Logan. He is determined to help Ali with the harvest and figure out how to cure this cursed orchard. But…Logan doesn’t have plans to stay in town. Will this supernatural orchard bring these two together?

This story, start to end, captivated me. I loved every moment because it was so unique. Yes, there is one cliche element (Blake and Liv) but everything else is original and completely Adams.

Ali is such a strong woman. The things she has been through, from moving around as a child, having those you trust most betray you, and an emotionally stunted mother…that’s hard and while some may say it only made her stronger, I say it made her more relatable and real. I saw her story, her journey, and I hurt for her.

Logan…what can I say about this perfect specimen of a man? He was perfect. He was truly Ali’s protector while also giving her the room to flourish and carve her own path in this strange situation. He always wanted to do what was right for Ali, but I loved how he did what was right for him at the end. There is a HEA but man did I ball my eyes out. It was a beautiful and crushing moment. I honestly had to stop reading and let myself have a good cry because their words of truth hit me deep and brought about some of my own insecurities and thoughts.

I want to include the Orchard as a character. Let’s be honest, the pear trees and all her critters were the star of the show. I loved the intricate butterflies that appeared before Ali and Logan’s first kiss as teenagers. The innocence of it. I loved watching those two chase yellow and green bunnies in the barn. I also loved how the trees had their own personality and will not be ignored. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

If you can tell I truly loved this novel. It’s been a long time since a book made me feel this much. I loved this authors first novel and was so hopeful this one would live up to it. Guys, this surpassed my expectations. I can’t wait to see what Ann Adams puts out next (no pressure).

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review. Trust me, I’m brutally honest in all my reviews.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle]

The pears turned to crystal, the rabbits started showing up in designer colors, and somehow Ali still had time to deal with the man who broke her heart fourteen years ago. Priorities at this orchard are absolutely feral.

Ali has inherited her late uncle Martin’s pear orchard, which would be dreamy if the place weren’t drowning in debt and apparently processing grief through agricultural warfare. She’s also fresh off discovering that her fiancé Blake and best friend Liv have betrayed her, because apparently the universe looked at the struggling orchard and thought, you know what this woman needs? More problems. Now harvest is coming, Ali needs help, and the person she calls is Logan Wright, her first kiss and the guy she left behind fourteen years ago.

And Logan. LOGAN. This man moves into the farmhouse to help with harvest while carrying approximately fourteen years of unresolved Ali feelings and his own family baggage. He’s a carpenter. He’s stoic. He wears plaid. He has spent most of his life taking care of everybody else and putting himself dead last. This is not a man. This is a targeted fall-romance attack. Meanwhile Ali grew up constantly being moved around and has finally gotten the one place that ever felt like home, so naturally she has fallen in love with a man who wants to leave. Excellent. Everybody is making very emotionally convenient choices.

Meanwhile the orchard is behaving like a third person in their relationship who has absolutely had enough. The pears crystallize on the branches. Unnatural weather rolls in. Jewel-toned rabbits start appearing. There are butterflies. Trees bloom when they have opinions. At some point Ali and Logan are chasing brightly colored rabbits around a barn while trying to determine whether her family property is cursed, and I stopped questioning anything. Sure. The orchard has feelings. Frankly, it communicates better than half the humans.

The deeper Ali and Logan dig into what happened to Martin and what has been happening on this land for generations, the more all their family garbage starts coming out with it. And there is a LOT. Ali has her complicated relationship with her mother and a truly impressive ability to shove unpleasant feelings into a mental attic. Logan has spent so long fixing everyone else’s lives that somebody needs to confiscate his emotional tool belt. Then Mason shows up with exactly the chaotic little-brother energy this situation needed, and I immediately understood why people are already demanding that man get his own book.

I also need five minutes with Blake and Liv. Just five. Because showing back up after what they did and expecting Ali to basically reach emotional enlightenment about it is an astonishing amount of confidence. Ali handles the whole thing with considerably more grace than I possess. I understand growth. I understand choosing peace. I also understand wanting one really satisfying barn-side verbal homicide, and apparently I contain multitudes.

But underneath all the magical pear nonsense, this one got me with Ali and Logan both being people who learned very different ways to survive being left. Ali desperately wants somewhere permanent. Logan has made himself useful enough that maybe nobody will leave. And when that finally clicked for me, the cute orchard romance suddenly had teeth. Sometimes you don’t need someone to fix what happened. You need one person who makes it safe to stop pretending it didn’t hurt.

There were stretches where I wanted the orchard investigation to hurry up and tell me what the hell was happening, and I could have used a little more of Ali and Logan actually rebuilding the bridge between fourteen years ago and now. But once the orchard really starts showing its hand and all those buried family pieces start connecting, I was fully wandering through Apple Valley with these people like yes, obviously we should investigate the emotionally sentient pear trees. What else would we be doing today?

Under the Orchard’s Spell gets 4 stars from me. It’s cozy, strange, romantic, occasionally heartbreaking, and somehow convinced me that crystal pears and technicolor rabbits are reasonable relationship counselors. Also, Logan Wright, sir, please put down the hammer and process one emotion that does not belong to somebody else.

Huge thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC and for sending me to an orchard where the fruit has generational trauma, the rabbits look like they escaped a Lisa Frank folder, and the land itself has apparently decided therapy is too expensive.

[Annie K]

TL;DR: Cozy, whimsical magical orchard mystery with strong found-family vibes and fun sleuthing, but the romance is underdeveloped and not as central as expected.

Ali inherits her family’s orchard, a place that’s been passed down for generations—but something about it is…off. Slightly magical, slightly wrong, and threatening this year’s pear crop. Teaming up with Logan, Ali sets out to figure out what’s going on before the orchard—and its legacy—slips away. As they work together, sparks start to fly… but are they actually headed in the same direction?

Ann Adams does it again with another charming, beautifully crafted story. While this one didn’t quite hook me in the same addictive way as her first, it still had me consistently turning pages.

The standout here is the vibe: wholesome, whimsical, found-family orchard magic. I was completely on board. Rainbow bunnies? Say less.

The romance, unfortunately, is where things fell a bit short for me. It’s not really the focal point of the story in the way I expected, and the pacing reflects that. While the moments of tension we do get are genuinely well done, they’re spaced too far apart to build real momentum. Because of that, I never fully felt the emotional pull between Ali and Logan, which is why this landed at 4 stars instead of 5.

That said, the mystery element was genuinely fun. I really enjoyed the sleuthing aspect and watching Ali and Logan work together to piece things together. And Adam’s prose continues to shine—it flows so naturally that it feels less like reading and more like experiencing the story in real time.

Overall, this is a fun, cozy, magical read with strong found-family elements. If that’s your thing, you’ll have a great time with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine Valdez]

Another winner from Ann Adams. This was magical.

I loved the complex main character and love interest, the quirky supporting characters, as well as the family mystery and themes of family of origin, found family, environment and what (and who) constitutes “home.”

Looking forward to publication day in October 2026! Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review coming soon to TheDefiantCurtsy.com

[Mama Needs to Read Romance]

Ali has inherited a pear orchard. It's always been her dream. But sadly, sometimes the dreams don't live up to the reality. The debts, and the problems, are mounting. But one day, her old flame reappears. He's a man who she loved when they were just teenagers. Each of them has secret hurts, past pain, reasons to stay, and reasons to go. Can Ali figure out what's truly important, or will she lose it all?

The above paragraph was probably too vague, but it needs to be. The reader needs to absorb the main points of the story over time, not in a brief summary. This book reads almost like a dream. Magical events occur. Mysteries are teased out slowly across the pages. The characters take their time. This novel will take readers on a journey that will lead to revelations not just on the page, but in their hearts.

Ann Adams did a great job! It was atmospheric. The characters are wonderfully flawed. (Yes, I said that, and I stand by it, LOL.) The spice and romance were top notch. This was more poignant and bittersweet than the novels I tend to enjoy, so I didn't give it five stars, but I can see this being a five star read for MANY of my friends. It's deep. It's unique. And it's unforgettable.

Content Warnings: patient grappling with cancer and dying of cancer (before story begins), dysfunctional family dynamics, abandonment by mother (before story begins)

I'd like to thank Ballentine and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Ruth_Reads1]

Small town · Second chance · Whimsical & magical

This isn't usually the kind of book I gravitate towards, but its whimsical, magical atmosphere completely won me over.

Ali and Logan were both great characters, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop throughout the story. Several of the side characters stood out as well, adding extra charm and depth to the small town setting.

One of my favourite aspects was the way Ann Adams brought the orchard to life. Her descriptions were so vivid that I felt immersed in the setting, surrounded by the scents and colours of autumn. I could easily picture myself wandering among the trees, making the orchard feel almost magical in its own right.

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that the romance was open door. The intimate scenes weren't overly explicit, which worked well for the story.

Tropes

Magical orchard
Autumnal setting
Small-town romance
Second-chance romance
Whimsical & magical elements
First person · Single POV (Ali)
🌶️ Open-door, not overly explicit

[Isabella]

Arc review

This book was such a cute, cozy read! I loved the small-town vibes, the magical orchard, and the second-chance romance. Ali and Logan were so sweet, and I really enjoyed watching their story unfold.
The magical elements were such a fun addition! I also loved all the themes of family, grief, healing, and finding your way forward.
Overall, this was such a cozy fall read with just the right amount of romance and magic. Definitely recommend if you love small towns, second chances, and a little magic!
I loved getting to buddy read this with some of my besties!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!

[Samantha Bailey]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this beautiful book.

This is the perfect fall romance. The pear farm setting was sweet and just the right amount of quirky, and I loved the family dynamic with all the side characters coming into the storyline. Ali and Logan worked so well together and I really liked how their story developed in a healthy manner. You could tell they truly cared about each other and how that care brought them back together as adults in such a meaningful way. If you love fall and need a little more on your TBR, this one is for you.

[Patricia]

This is a beautifully written story filled with emotions we can all relate to—heartbreak, despair, hopelessness, and ultimately, a hard-earned happy ending that feels both satisfying and deeply deserved (without giving anything away, of course—most romance novels promise one, but few earn it this well).

I absolutely loved Ali as a protagonist. She’s resilient, determined, and impossible not to root for. Despite setback after setback, she keeps moving forward with strength and grit. Her struggles feel real and relatable: betrayal from those closest to her, the overwhelming responsibility of trying to keep her orchard afloat, and the emotional and financial pressure of fighting for a future that often seems out of reach.

And then there’s Logan. Logan. The dream man every romance reader hopes for—steady, dependable, compassionate, and always guiding things in the right direction without overshadowing Ali’s strength. Their dynamic felt genuine, supportive, and emotionally rewarding.

What truly elevated this book for me, though, was the fantasy element. The magical aspects were written with such vivid beauty and emotional depth that they felt immersive and enchanting rather than simply fantastical. The world carried a sense of wonder that lingered long after I finished reading.

I rarely cry while reading, but this book moved me to tears more than once—from heartbreaking moments of anguish to overwhelming tears of joy. I loved every word, every page, and especially the ending. This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page.

[Anouk]

Magic realism is something I hadn't really dipped my toes into until now, but I can definitely see the appeal - it felt so dreamy ✨ The idea of a magical pear orchard in a place called Apple Valley was brilliant, and following the characters on their journey to solve the mystery of the crystal pears was fun 🍐 The story explores themes like grief, growth, and the importance of following your dreams.

The prologue was so sweet, but around the 30% mark, I started to get bored and found it hard to bring myself to care. The slow pacing didn't help the experience either. I pushed through, though, and admittedly finished it fairly quickly.

Logan and Ali were cute, and there's nothing I love more than a second-chance romance 🤭 Still, I would've loved to see more depth to their relationship. It was more tell than show - they're supposed to be in love but I never quite believed it.

What I disliked the most, however, was that the Blake and Liv storyline stayed unresolved at the end 🍂 I mean, if my fiancé cheated on me with my best-friend, I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive either of them.

3.5 ⭐️ ARC Review

[Vanessa]

Thank you Ann and Ballantine/Dell for the ARC!

Fans of magical realism, slow-burn, and ample yearning are sure to love Ann's second book! I was drawn to the book's magical realism premise but stayed for the cozy, autumnal vibes. The book was a delightful read and written beautifully. The descriptive language made me feel like I was in the pear orchard with all the characters. There were a few moments that didn't fully work for me: the secondary characters felt a bit too cliched, the whimsical components weren't always easy to follow, and the pacing didn't quite match up to the story, I still recommend it to those seeking a cute, cozy romance this fall/winter. Overall, 3.5 stars!

[Madison Barnes]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

MY FIRST ARC OMG YAYYYYY!!! I was SO excited when I got that email saying I’d been approved for this through NetGalley, especially for a Random House title!!! Such a fun little milestone for me 🥹 Thank youuuuu AHHHH

I do think I need to preface this review by saying I was going through a bit of a hard time while reading this and just wasn’t feeling particularly inspired to pick up a book, which is why it took me SO long to finish. I’m sure that affected my overall reading experience a little, especially because I probably wasn’t in the right headspace for a swoony romance at the time…

That being said, I still thought this was really well-written! There were so many little lines that made me pause, and the prose was genuinely beautiful. It’s also such a sweet second-chance story, with great autumnal vibes and a really unique, immersive setting. The characters were easy to root for, and I especially enjoyed Ali’s character development throughout the story 🍎

And obviously… GORGEOUS COVER!!! Bonus points because you already know I’m a sucker for a pretty book oops.

I do think I was hoping to be a little more wowed, though. Especially when it came to the magical realism elements! They were fun and definitely added something to the story, but I think I was expecting them to feel a little more whimsical than they actually did 🤷🏼‍♀️ I also thought the story was a bit drawn out in places, although again, that could partly be because I wasn’t exactly in my peak reading-romance-headspace LOL.

Overall, though, this was a really solid feel-good romance with a bit more depth than your typical fluffy read. Nothing felt particularly overdone or cringe, and there was a lot here to enjoy. I’m especially glad I got to support a smaller author with my very first ARC, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Ann Adams’ future releases!

Would recommend checking this one out if you’re looking for an autumnal, sweet second-chance romance with a unique setting and a touch of magic!🍁

[Shannon]

This was a moving second chance romance set on a family pear orchard and I loved the unique setting (lots of apple orchard stories - first time I've read about pear orchards - fun!). Ali is trying to save the family farm and is reunited with her high school love when he comes back home. The two work together to solve the mysterious happenings in the orchard and organize a fundraiser to help rebuild her barn. I liked the magical realism elements and the chemistry between the two MCs, there's also some family trauma/abandonment issues to work through. Overall, a slow-burn, open door love story with lots of emotional depth that was good on audio. A great cozy Autumn romance perfect to set the season.

[Cheryl Hanzidiakou]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Under the Orchard’s Spell is a cute magical romance with loads of cozy fall vibes. The descriptive language is lovely. I like when things become characters in books and the orchard was certainly a character in its own right with its own personality. Sadly, the story became boring and the pace was too slow and dragged out. This wasn’t a bad book by any stretch it just didn’t pop for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Dell for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Kamryn]

I said it before and I’ll say it again I love second chance! But mixed with magical realism too? Sooo good!!

This book is seriously the perfect fall read! It’s cozy and sweet and oh so magical. Plus there’s also a fun mystery aspect that will keep you throughly entertained the whole way through. I adore Ann’s writing so much, as it always keeps me engaged.

You’ll find…
💗 second chance
✨ magical realism
💐 perfect fall vibes
🍐 only one bed

Thank you to the publisher for the early arc!

[Savannah Mattair]

i’m so happy i was invited to read this early! i really liked Ann’s first book “Racing Hearts” so I was really excited to be invited by the publisher to read and review her new book Under the Orchards Spell.
this was such a different vibe than her debut and she killed it. I absolutely love magical realism so I knew I was going to love this.
Ali inherits her family’s pear orchard and things start going wrong right away. in comes logan (her first kiss) who is going through is own things and agrees to help Ali with her orchard but only for a short time.
while they try to break the maybe curse maybe not, we get to watch their relationship and love grow.
I had high hopes and I wasn’t disappointed! i can’t wait to see what Ann throws at me next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!

[Isabel Jarnow]

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

Such a perfect read for fall!

Ali moves back to Apple Valley to run her family's pear orchard after her uncle passes.
She sees Logan, her teenage boyfriend, and he agrees to help her pick pears for a place to stay

During their proximity, they explore their grief and the magic of the orchard.

This was cozy, heartwarming, and magical!

Tropes:
Second chance
Small town
Magical realism

[Julia Guilardi]

Ann is a beautiful writer and this is such a beautiful book! Cozy, warmhearted, poignant, with a cast of characters who worm their way into your heart. Just the right amount of magic! Ali and Logan forever. What a perfect fall read. I’m moving to a pear orchard bye!

[Tamara]

Thank you NetGalley!

Fall vibes!!

I love Ali and Logan. This was such a sweet second chance love story with a touch of whimsy. I would have given the book 5 stars, however the beginning was a little too slow for me, but definitely worth pushing through because at 44% I could not put the book down. There was some spice, it was well written and only where it needed to be. Not spice just to have spice.
I definitely recommend this book for a nice cozy fall read.

[emma]

oh man i wish i liked this more :(

after really loving racing hearts by ann adams, i was so excited to read this! autumn themed books are some of my fav and i figured under the orchard's spell would be perfect for me. unfortunately, i thought this book was just okay. i thought the writing was good and i liked the characters but the plot and pacing were way too slow. i kept getting bored in parts and i just felt kinda disconnected at times.

overall, i did like this and i liked the messages, but it just didn't land the way i wanted it to. thanks to ballantine/dell for the arc <3

[Sarah]

4/5 stars, thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book took me a (long) minute to get through, but in a very rare case for my reading preferences, I really enjoyed really this slowly because I really did want to savor it as I entered autumn and felt in a time of my life where Ali's experiences with change in her life felt so similar to mine. Logan was just so swoony and an amazing MMC (does it give me more faith in real men? Who knows, but I can appreciate his character for it was).

Something I have only read some of but every time it makes me realize I want to read more of is some slightly paranormal (maybe more so unexplainable fate and some things that just can't be explained, is that a genre? I want it to be. This can be book #1 in it). This book inspired me to commit more to reading some more autumnal books this season, so if you appreciate seasonal books with fun, complex characters, and an interesting plot, this book is out now!

This is now my second Ann Adams book and as long as she keeps writing books that are actually romantic, sweet, emotional, and fun, I will keep reading!

[kiara]

thanks to dell romance for the ARC!

i loved reading logan and ali's story sm. i will always adore a second chance romance and this one was perfectly written! i also loved the setting & world ann created was so immersive and magical!!

def recommend adding this one to your tbr, especially if you're looking for a magical & cozy fall read!!

what to expect:
🧡 second chance romance
✨ magical realism
🍁 cozy fall vibes
🏡 small town

[sophia]

Considering my affinity for knowing things before other people do, you can probably imagine how much I love receiving ARCs of books, and I especially love it when a publishing team or author reaches out to me asking if I’d like to ARC read a new book. This is what happened with Under the Orchard’s Spell by Ann Adams—someone from her marketing team reached out and sent me the NetGalley link to the book, which I truly am so grateful for, and I pretty much immediately got to reading.

Under the Orchard’s Spell is a cozy, second-chance romance following a woman named Ali who just recently inherited a pear orchard. It belonged to her family for generations, and Ali spent her childhood visiting every summer between constant moves; it was the only place Ali felt she could call home. And when her uncle passes away, he leaves the orchard to her. Ali doesn’t hesitate to take on the workload—the orchard is part of her and she’s part of the orchard. But upon her return, Ali quickly realizes the orchard is far more special than she ever thought. It should be noted that moving to the orchard after her uncle’s passing brought about multiple, major life changes for Ali, excluding the move itself. Ali had been engaged during the move, and both her fiancé and her best friend moved to the orchard with her, intending to help her get everything sorted and live a life with her there. Except one day, Ali caught them together in the barn, and promptly ended the engagement and the friendship. The two moved away, leaving Ali to her own devices. Ali, then being down two pear pickers for the upcoming season, looks for someone to help as suggested by a longtime family friend and stumbles upon no other than the first man she ever loved, Logan. Logan, who is out of a house because of a fire and needs a place to stay until the insurance money comes through. Logan, who reluctantly agrees to help her.

Being on the orchard stirs up a lot of memories and feelings, both old and new, but Ali and Logan quickly realize that there is something off about the orchard. They always knew it was different from the other orchards in the area; to start, it’s the only pear orchard in an area filled with apple orchards. But what is now Ali’s orchard also experiences strange bouts of harsh weather, extraordinary animals, and in Ali’s current case, pears ensconced in what seems to be crystal. All of these unusual happenings tip off Ali and Logan that the land has magical properties—nothing else could be the cause of what they see on the orchard. The problem is the crystallized pears can’t be sold during the harvest, so Ali and Logan set out to discover what exactly is going on with the orchard and how to rectify the problems it faces, while also reconnecting after not seeing each other for over a decade.

I found it really hard to get into this story. It was very slow-paced at the beginning, and I didn’t find myself wanting to get through it until I reached the halfway point, and that was more due to the drama that was going down within the book. The story simply wasn’t engaging me before then, despite mentions of the magical happenings going on. The characters fall flat, but once you reach about 50% through the story, they start becoming real people with real personalities—before then, they’re relatively bland, which is unfortunate because the book has a really solid ending but readers won’t get to that ending if they decide to DNF. I’m not usually a fan of the second-chance romance trope, but Under the Orchard’s Spell handled it really well, and I did enjoy it. If you’re going into this book purely for the romance though, I’d probably steer you away because I wouldn’t say the main premise of the story is the romance. It’s more about found-family and dealing with grief. This story is unlike anything I’ve read, with a very unique plot and setting, and it was well-written in the grand scheme of things, but it wasn’t the kind of book that filled any part of me, if you know what I mean.

I love to say that certain books have a lot of potential, and this one certainly has potential. It felt incomplete in a way, and that may be because I read so many books so I have a preconceived notion of what I want from a cozy, fall romance, but this book didn’t meet my standards. Under the Orchard’s Spell was not a bad read, but it wasn’t a very engaging one, and I felt very separated from the story. As I said, the bones are there! We just need some more meat on them!

[Sarah]

Ali grew up with her mother constantly moving them from place to place. The only consistency she had, and the only place that felt like home, was her uncle’s pear orchard, where she spent her summers. Now an adult, Ali has inherited the orchard. But as she settles in, it becomes clear that all is not right there, and not just because of the financial troubles or the fact that her best friend and fiancé left her.

Unnatural storms rage over only her land and damage her beloved fruit, and the pears that are left are turning into pure crystal right on the trees. Needing help to pick the remaining pears before it’s too late, she hires Logan, the only person she can find available to help, who also was the first love she was forced to leave behind. Together, they must figure out how to break the orchard’s curse, in order to save the orchard along with any hope for a second chance at love.

I absolutely adored this story, and I can’t say I’ve ever read anything quite like it. Ann has a magical way with words, and I immediately connected both with her writing and with the characters themselves. I loved both Ali and Logan, but Ali in particular felt especially relatable to me, and my heart broke for her with all of the hurt she experienced.

The side characters were endearing as well, and I especially loved Mason with all his humor and heart. I thought the portrayal of different types of family relationships was really well done, as well as the exploration of grief that largely stemmed from family wounds. Ann handled this so well by not sugarcoating the complicated feelings or the process involved in healing, but rather just letting us sit with the characters as they worked through it, while simultaneously seeing the hope on the horizon for them.

The setting on the pear orchard was captivating and gorgeous. It was described so beautifully, I felt like I was there and could see how breathtaking it was. Ali’s connection to the land was something I really appreciated as well, and the Fall vibes were immaculate. I already find myself wishing I could escape back to this beautiful orchard!

I also have to mention that I’ve never read anything (that I can think of) with magical realism before, so I was a little unsure of what to expect, but I absolutely loved it. Ann and her beautiful writing will forever have credit for introducing me to it, and being the reason I want to explore this style of writing more.

If you enjoy a good second chance romance with a gorgeous Fall setting, found family, or magical realism, this book is definitely for you, and I highly recommend you check it out.

Thank you so much to Dell Romance and Ann Adams via NetGalley for the privilege of reading this beautiful book early. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to experience the magic of this story too!