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Strawberry Springs #4
As We Touch
She can’t touch anyone. He could be the exception.
Piper MacMillian is falling behind. Despite being a successful romance author, her childhood trauma has left her unable to touch anyone, something that makes finding love feel impossible. But when she takes a leap of faith and moves to Strawberry Springs, she knows she needs to start living—starting with getting out of her apartment. An older, tattooed coffee shop owner isn’t someone she expects to be interested in, but stolen moments after closing turn into something more. For the first time, Piper finds herself wanting to push her boundaries to touch him. As she feels herself falling for the first man she doesn’t fear, she hopes it’s her turn to find the love she’s only written about.
Theo Murf refuses to get close to anyone. He’s made a lot of mistakes in his past and spent years running from them. Strawberry Springs was never supposed to be a permanent stop, but the quirky town gave him his greatest dream—opening his own coffee shop. When a stunning blonde with an anxiety he recognizes walks into his life, he’s certain she deserves better than a troubled man twelve years her senior. As Theo’s longing grows, so does his fear—especially when his past comes knocking and threatens the peace he’s found. His head tells him to pack up and run, but his heart tells him he’s found something worth staying for.
As they open up about their pasts, Piper and Theo wonder if change is worth the risk. Will they let go of fear and throw caution to the wind as they touch, or will they hold tight to their pasts that haunt them?
As We Touch is a small-town, grumpy/sunshine romance novel with the touch-starved and age gap tropes, set in the town of Strawberry Springs. It’s the fourth in a series of interconnected standalone novels.
Piper MacMillian is falling behind. Despite being a successful romance author, her childhood trauma has left her unable to touch anyone, something that makes finding love feel impossible. But when she takes a leap of faith and moves to Strawberry Springs, she knows she needs to start living—starting with getting out of her apartment. An older, tattooed coffee shop owner isn’t someone she expects to be interested in, but stolen moments after closing turn into something more. For the first time, Piper finds herself wanting to push her boundaries to touch him. As she feels herself falling for the first man she doesn’t fear, she hopes it’s her turn to find the love she’s only written about.
Theo Murf refuses to get close to anyone. He’s made a lot of mistakes in his past and spent years running from them. Strawberry Springs was never supposed to be a permanent stop, but the quirky town gave him his greatest dream—opening his own coffee shop. When a stunning blonde with an anxiety he recognizes walks into his life, he’s certain she deserves better than a troubled man twelve years her senior. As Theo’s longing grows, so does his fear—especially when his past comes knocking and threatens the peace he’s found. His head tells him to pack up and run, but his heart tells him he’s found something worth staying for.
As they open up about their pasts, Piper and Theo wonder if change is worth the risk. Will they let go of fear and throw caution to the wind as they touch, or will they hold tight to their pasts that haunt them?
As We Touch is a small-town, grumpy/sunshine romance novel with the touch-starved and age gap tropes, set in the town of Strawberry Springs. It’s the fourth in a series of interconnected standalone novels.
522 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is definitely my favourite from the series! Oh, how I adore Piper and Theo together. This, this is what a girl wants! (Minus the trauma, of course, but this is how a woman should be treated!)
Both have their own issues, quite different issues, but it seems like the outcome is similar—they don't get close to other people. Piper does want to break the cycle, though, so she moves to Strawberry Springs, leaving the constant protection of her best friend (and when I catch Joey, he will be just a splash on the wall, let me tell you!), working through her fears in therapy and trying to take control of her own life.
And as she moves into the apartment above Theo's café, the proximity is doing its thing from the start. Piper finds the café a great space to boost her writing motivation and observe Theo, whom she finds intriguing. I enjoyed how they kept getting closer and closer, breaking down the walls they both set up around themselves and opening up to each other about their respective pasts. Theo is a great guy and the best one for Piper—he never lets her feel inadequate, believes in her, and encourages the small steps she's taking to break down her fears. He never takes control; he is just always there to help in whatever capacity she needs.
I'm quite surprised with Kerry—I didn't expect Theo could have such a hold on her to finally see some emotional intelligence from her and less gossiping, even the town's Facebook group was surprised. Joey is a worm and should just hide somewhere and never show his face in any proximity to the town, or I'm sure he won't leave in one piece. Good for Mitch at the end!
I hope the next one will be great as well (I hope we're getting one, especially with Gabriel coming back at the end here—this will be so much fun!).
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
Both have their own issues, quite different issues, but it seems like the outcome is similar—they don't get close to other people. Piper does want to break the cycle, though, so she moves to Strawberry Springs, leaving the constant protection of her best friend (and when I catch Joey, he will be just a splash on the wall, let me tell you!), working through her fears in therapy and trying to take control of her own life.
And as she moves into the apartment above Theo's café, the proximity is doing its thing from the start. Piper finds the café a great space to boost her writing motivation and observe Theo, whom she finds intriguing. I enjoyed how they kept getting closer and closer, breaking down the walls they both set up around themselves and opening up to each other about their respective pasts. Theo is a great guy and the best one for Piper—he never lets her feel inadequate, believes in her, and encourages the small steps she's taking to break down her fears. He never takes control; he is just always there to help in whatever capacity she needs.
I'm quite surprised with Kerry—I didn't expect Theo could have such a hold on her to finally see some emotional intelligence from her and less gossiping, even the town's Facebook group was surprised. Joey is a worm and should just hide somewhere and never show his face in any proximity to the town, or I'm sure he won't leave in one piece. Good for Mitch at the end!
I hope the next one will be great as well (I hope we're getting one, especially with Gabriel coming back at the end here—this will be so much fun!).
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
June 21, 2026
I really enjoyed this one!! I feel like i was finally reading a book for the first time in ages where the romance didn’t completely overshadow the characters storyline’s and characteristics.
I felt so connected to piper and theo the minute i started reading. I like that we can see an instant connection and safety net between the two without everything else being super rushed. I’m always a sucker for a small town grumpy opening up to his one person.
I also really liked the fact that Theo knew Piper could handle things on her own — how he didn’t have to come running in to save her every time she flinched or tensed up. He was there but he wasn’t overbearing as if she were weak (completely opposite to joey which she so needed to get away from).
My only thing is that i feel like Theo’s secret is a little over dramatic to be fussed over like he does (i just feel like it’s a common thing to see these days so doesn’t seem realistic for an entire town to have those reactions) but you know what what’s a good book without a little bit of dramatic flare.
I felt so connected to piper and theo the minute i started reading. I like that we can see an instant connection and safety net between the two without everything else being super rushed. I’m always a sucker for a small town grumpy opening up to his one person.
I also really liked the fact that Theo knew Piper could handle things on her own — how he didn’t have to come running in to save her every time she flinched or tensed up. He was there but he wasn’t overbearing as if she were weak (completely opposite to joey which she so needed to get away from).
My only thing is that i feel like Theo’s secret is a little over dramatic to be fussed over like he does (i just feel like it’s a common thing to see these days so doesn’t seem realistic for an entire town to have those reactions) but you know what what’s a good book without a little bit of dramatic flare.
July 24, 2026
This is the fourth book the strawberry springs series. I will be going back and reading the beginning of this series.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 30, 2026
This is a heartfelt small-town romance about Piper, a romance author who, because of childhood trauma, can't stand being touched by other people. When she moves to Strawberry Springs, she meets Theo, a café owner who's carrying his own painful past. It's a story about healing, facing your fears, and finding love when you least expect it.
Coming back to Strawberry Springs honestly felt like coming home. I love this town and its characters so much, so seeing everyone again made me smile from the very first page. One of my favorite things about this series is that it isn't just about romance—it also puts a huge focus on friendship and found family.
Theo and Piper completely stole my heart. Their relationship developed slowly, and every little moment between them felt meaningful. Theo is the definition of a green flag—patient, kind, and always making sure Piper felt safe and comfortable. I also loved that Piper's journey wasn't all about falling in love. Watching her slowly work through her trauma and become more confident in herself was just as important as the romance.
The only thing that felt a little odd to me was how quickly Piper was able to overcome her fear of touch when it came to Theo, while she still struggled so much with everyone else. I also think the book could have been about 100 pages shorter because the pacing dragged a little at times.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this. It's one of those books that leaves you smiling after you turn the last page, and I already miss these characters. Theo has officially earned a spot on my book boyfriend list, and somehow I've fallen in love with Strawberry Springs all over again. 🤍
Coming back to Strawberry Springs honestly felt like coming home. I love this town and its characters so much, so seeing everyone again made me smile from the very first page. One of my favorite things about this series is that it isn't just about romance—it also puts a huge focus on friendship and found family.
Theo and Piper completely stole my heart. Their relationship developed slowly, and every little moment between them felt meaningful. Theo is the definition of a green flag—patient, kind, and always making sure Piper felt safe and comfortable. I also loved that Piper's journey wasn't all about falling in love. Watching her slowly work through her trauma and become more confident in herself was just as important as the romance.
The only thing that felt a little odd to me was how quickly Piper was able to overcome her fear of touch when it came to Theo, while she still struggled so much with everyone else. I also think the book could have been about 100 pages shorter because the pacing dragged a little at times.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this. It's one of those books that leaves you smiling after you turn the last page, and I already miss these characters. Theo has officially earned a spot on my book boyfriend list, and somehow I've fallen in love with Strawberry Springs all over again. 🤍
June 20, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
A cute small town romance. I adored getting to know Piper and Theo. Both were pretty guarded in their feelings to begin with for obvious reasons but to see them come out of their shells for each other was so sweet.
Theo is hot, tattooed and older (12 year age gap) but is scared to let anyone in because of his past and he doesn’t think he deserves anything good 🥺
Piper is so sweet. She has an aversion to touch but quite quickly begins to trust Theo and she starts putting herself out there. It was so lovely to see.
I’m in love with Strawberry Springs and all its characters.
There isn’t much angst in this book, but I will say Theo doesn’t think it’ll last between him and Piper in case his past comes back and he needs to leave. There is no third act breakup.
The only thing I will say is it was just way too long. I needed 100 pages less and that’s why I’ve not rated it higher. Not much really happened for it to be that length.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC.
A cute small town romance. I adored getting to know Piper and Theo. Both were pretty guarded in their feelings to begin with for obvious reasons but to see them come out of their shells for each other was so sweet.
Theo is hot, tattooed and older (12 year age gap) but is scared to let anyone in because of his past and he doesn’t think he deserves anything good 🥺
Piper is so sweet. She has an aversion to touch but quite quickly begins to trust Theo and she starts putting herself out there. It was so lovely to see.
I’m in love with Strawberry Springs and all its characters.
There isn’t much angst in this book, but I will say Theo doesn’t think it’ll last between him and Piper in case his past comes back and he needs to leave. There is no third act breakup.
The only thing I will say is it was just way too long. I needed 100 pages less and that’s why I’ve not rated it higher. Not much really happened for it to be that length.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC.
July 16, 2026
Oh that was SO good! And that ending?!? Jade’s book cannot come fast enough! First of all, thank you Elle Rivers and company for the ARC! It is such a privilege to receive an ARC from an author whose work I’ve loved since high school.
I saw another reviewer say that they liked that the love story plot didn’t overpower Piper’s own story about working through her past trauma and getting over her fear of touch. I absolutely agree, and I think that’s something we really need to commend Elle Rivers for because it’s so important to see actual depictions of trauma survival in books, even when sometimes it seems like we just want “silly little romance plots”. I also loved seeing how loving and supportive the girl group was in this book! Such a great group of characters to keep connected and have fun with. Theo was great too, of course, but Piper was the real standout of this book. She was strong and cool while also being open and honest about her fears.
Thank you again for the ARC, and I absolutely loved this book! Strawberry Springs is a must read series for any romance lover!
I saw another reviewer say that they liked that the love story plot didn’t overpower Piper’s own story about working through her past trauma and getting over her fear of touch. I absolutely agree, and I think that’s something we really need to commend Elle Rivers for because it’s so important to see actual depictions of trauma survival in books, even when sometimes it seems like we just want “silly little romance plots”. I also loved seeing how loving and supportive the girl group was in this book! Such a great group of characters to keep connected and have fun with. Theo was great too, of course, but Piper was the real standout of this book. She was strong and cool while also being open and honest about her fears.
Thank you again for the ARC, and I absolutely loved this book! Strawberry Springs is a must read series for any romance lover!
August 2, 2026
This was the cutest thing I've read in a while🥹❤️.
Piper and Theo are just so cutest and them healing together from their pasts and seeing they're more than their pasts is beautiful.
Piper and Theo are just so cutest and them healing together from their pasts and seeing they're more than their pasts is beautiful.
August 4, 2026
very cutesy and a little spicy romcom. this was a great palate cleanser!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was a sweet, heartwarming read! Even though it’s part of a series, I had no trouble following the story or getting to know the side characters without reading the previous books. I really loved the forgiveness and found family, which are my favorites :)
While I liked watching Piper grow and become more independent, I did wish that growth had stayed a little more centered on her. At times, she became so reliant on Theo that I worried it undercut some of the progress she’d made. Also I liked that she broke away from a toxic relationship along with someone else in the book but it felt kind of open ended like it was a little abrupt and unresolved. Overall, this wasn’t a super loved read for me, but it was an enjoyable romance with a lot of heart.
This was a sweet, heartwarming read! Even though it’s part of a series, I had no trouble following the story or getting to know the side characters without reading the previous books. I really loved the forgiveness and found family, which are my favorites :)
While I liked watching Piper grow and become more independent, I did wish that growth had stayed a little more centered on her. At times, she became so reliant on Theo that I worried it undercut some of the progress she’d made. Also I liked that she broke away from a toxic relationship along with someone else in the book but it felt kind of open ended like it was a little abrupt and unresolved. Overall, this wasn’t a super loved read for me, but it was an enjoyable romance with a lot of heart.
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June 26, 2026ARC Review*
*Ebook ARC provided by Book Funnel*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star Read
🔥🔥🔥 Spice level ( readers opinion )
As we Touch by Elle Rivers is book 4 in an interconnected Strawberry Springs standalone series.
As we touch is going to be the perfect book for the summer ! It is a Spicy Romantic Comedy with all the feels . Strawberry Springs is a small town of quirky characters and the home of The Reserved Bean owned by Theo Murf , a tattooed hottie who keeps to himself. He has a past he’s not proud of and doesn’t plan on staying in one place long . He’s gotten to know the people in Strawberry Springs and can recite every persons order by heart . He has the best coffee in town and the biceps aren’t bad either!! I really wanted a cup of his coffee through the entire book .
Piper Macmillan is a successful Spicy Romance Author who has been struggling to write recently and moves to Strawberry Springs to start fresh hoping to begin working on finishing her novel. She left behind the only friend she’s had through her life and this is a big transition for her. She has anxiety about exploring the town and being around people and she has trauma from her past that sometimes keeps her away from people . Oh and she’s a virgin and has never dated !!! Will she be able to make new friends, settle in and finish her novel?
Rivers gives her characters depth and unique perspectives and traits that readers don’t easily forget when the last page has flipped . She’s a master at her craft ! If you love spice and small.
Town romance with side troupes and a bucket full of quirky characters of various ages .. you will love As we Touch ! Thank you for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy .
*Ebook ARC provided by Book Funnel*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star Read
🔥🔥🔥 Spice level ( readers opinion )
As we Touch by Elle Rivers is book 4 in an interconnected Strawberry Springs standalone series.
As we touch is going to be the perfect book for the summer ! It is a Spicy Romantic Comedy with all the feels . Strawberry Springs is a small town of quirky characters and the home of The Reserved Bean owned by Theo Murf , a tattooed hottie who keeps to himself. He has a past he’s not proud of and doesn’t plan on staying in one place long . He’s gotten to know the people in Strawberry Springs and can recite every persons order by heart . He has the best coffee in town and the biceps aren’t bad either!! I really wanted a cup of his coffee through the entire book .
Piper Macmillan is a successful Spicy Romance Author who has been struggling to write recently and moves to Strawberry Springs to start fresh hoping to begin working on finishing her novel. She left behind the only friend she’s had through her life and this is a big transition for her. She has anxiety about exploring the town and being around people and she has trauma from her past that sometimes keeps her away from people . Oh and she’s a virgin and has never dated !!! Will she be able to make new friends, settle in and finish her novel?
Rivers gives her characters depth and unique perspectives and traits that readers don’t easily forget when the last page has flipped . She’s a master at her craft ! If you love spice and small.
Town romance with side troupes and a bucket full of quirky characters of various ages .. you will love As we Touch ! Thank you for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy .
July 17, 2026
Una chica con fobia a ser tocaba y su vecino grumpy que es el único hombre con el que se siente lo suficiente segura para dejarlo tocarla ?? Toma todo mi dinero Elle 💸💞
Desde que leí esta premisa sabía que el libro me iba a encantar y justo así fue. Fue un slow burn demasiado bien construido que te tiene esperando ESE momento en el que ella sea capaz de dar el paso de dejarla acercarse. Y este protagonista masculino que le implementó todo un menú de desayunos a su cafetería (solo vendía café) después de que ella le dijo que a veces se olvidaba de comer 😭❤️🩹
—————
Thank you so much Literary Rising for the ARC💌
Tropes:
-grumpy x sunshine
-small town
-age gap (12 años)
-found family
-friends to lovers
Piper 📖:
Después de vivir un infierno en su infancia viviendo con su padre, Piper desarrolló fobia al toque de otras personas. Esto ha hecho que viva una vida solitaria alejada de todos. Pero ella no quiere vivir más así, y decide mudarse a este pueblito que vio en televisión para empezar de nuevo y superar su trauma, y quien sabe, igual y encuentra al hombre perfecto al que pueda darle su primera vez🥹…
Theo ☕️:
Huyendo de su pasado termina en este pueblo pequeño con la intención de solo pasar ahí un tiempo y luego seguir su camino. Ese tiempo se termina convirtiendo en años y ahora tiene una cafetería debajo de la casa de Piper. A pesar del apego que tiene por el pueblo, Theo siempre se a manteniendo alejado de sus habitantes y lo más desapegado posible, nunca deja que nadie se acerque lo suficiente como para conocerlo. Esto es hasta que conocer a su nueva vecina Piper y por primera vez en años, una mujer lo tiene cautivado y ya no quiere mantenerse alejado ❤️🩹
Historia 📝:
Piper no falta ningún día a esta cafetería que está debajo de su casa con el objetivo de superar su trauma y ser más sociable. Y también porque no puede evitar mirar y hablar con su vecino gruñón Theo 🥹 y el tampoco puede concentrarse mucho en el trabajo porque no puede dejar de mirar a Piper. Cuando Piper se acerca a él para pedirle ayuda con algo, Theo no se lo piensa dos veces y acepta, solo que no esperaba que ese algo fuera que ella quería que él la dejara tocarlo 🙈💖
English version:
A girl with a fear of being touched and her grumpy neighbor, who’s the only man she feels safe enough to let touch her?? Elle, take all my money 💸💞
The moment I read this premise, I knew I was going to love this book—and I absolutely did. It was such a beautifully crafted slow burn that keeps you waiting for that moment when she’s finally able to take the next step and let him get close to her. And this male main character? He added an entire breakfast menu to his coffee shop (he only sold coffee before) after she mentioned that she sometimes forgot to eat 😭❤️🩹
—————
Thank you so much, Literary Rising, for the ARC 💌
Tropes:
* Grumpy x Sunshine
* Small Town
* Age Gap (12 years)
* Found Family
* Friends to Lovers
Piper 📖:
After surviving a nightmare of a childhood with her father, Piper develops a fear of being touched by other people. Because of it, she has spent years living a lonely, isolated life. But she doesn’t want to live that way anymore, so she moves to a small town she saw on TV, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to heal from her trauma. And who knows… maybe she’ll even find the perfect man to give her first time to 🥹
Theo ☕️:
Running from his past, Theo ends up in this small town intending to stay only for a little while before moving on. That little while turns into years, and now he owns the coffee shop right below Piper’s apartment. Even though he’s grown attached to the town, he’s always kept his distance from everyone, never letting anyone get close enough to truly know him. That changes when he meets his new neighbor, Piper. For the first time in years, a woman completely captivates him, and he no longer wants to keep his distance ❤️🩹
Story 📝:
Piper never misses a day at the coffee shop beneath her apartment, determined to overcome her trauma and become more social. It also doesn’t hurt that she can’t stop looking for excuses to talk to her grumpy neighbor, Theo 🥹. And Theo can’t seem to focus on work either because he can’t stop watching Piper. When Piper asks him for help with something, Theo agrees without hesitation. What he doesn’t expect is that the favor she wants is for him to let her touch him 🙈💖
Desde que leí esta premisa sabía que el libro me iba a encantar y justo así fue. Fue un slow burn demasiado bien construido que te tiene esperando ESE momento en el que ella sea capaz de dar el paso de dejarla acercarse. Y este protagonista masculino que le implementó todo un menú de desayunos a su cafetería (solo vendía café) después de que ella le dijo que a veces se olvidaba de comer 😭❤️🩹
—————
Thank you so much Literary Rising for the ARC💌
Tropes:
-grumpy x sunshine
-small town
-age gap (12 años)
-found family
-friends to lovers
Piper 📖:
Después de vivir un infierno en su infancia viviendo con su padre, Piper desarrolló fobia al toque de otras personas. Esto ha hecho que viva una vida solitaria alejada de todos. Pero ella no quiere vivir más así, y decide mudarse a este pueblito que vio en televisión para empezar de nuevo y superar su trauma, y quien sabe, igual y encuentra al hombre perfecto al que pueda darle su primera vez🥹…
Theo ☕️:
Huyendo de su pasado termina en este pueblo pequeño con la intención de solo pasar ahí un tiempo y luego seguir su camino. Ese tiempo se termina convirtiendo en años y ahora tiene una cafetería debajo de la casa de Piper. A pesar del apego que tiene por el pueblo, Theo siempre se a manteniendo alejado de sus habitantes y lo más desapegado posible, nunca deja que nadie se acerque lo suficiente como para conocerlo. Esto es hasta que conocer a su nueva vecina Piper y por primera vez en años, una mujer lo tiene cautivado y ya no quiere mantenerse alejado ❤️🩹
Historia 📝:
Piper no falta ningún día a esta cafetería que está debajo de su casa con el objetivo de superar su trauma y ser más sociable. Y también porque no puede evitar mirar y hablar con su vecino gruñón Theo 🥹 y el tampoco puede concentrarse mucho en el trabajo porque no puede dejar de mirar a Piper. Cuando Piper se acerca a él para pedirle ayuda con algo, Theo no se lo piensa dos veces y acepta, solo que no esperaba que ese algo fuera que ella quería que él la dejara tocarlo 🙈💖
English version:
A girl with a fear of being touched and her grumpy neighbor, who’s the only man she feels safe enough to let touch her?? Elle, take all my money 💸💞
The moment I read this premise, I knew I was going to love this book—and I absolutely did. It was such a beautifully crafted slow burn that keeps you waiting for that moment when she’s finally able to take the next step and let him get close to her. And this male main character? He added an entire breakfast menu to his coffee shop (he only sold coffee before) after she mentioned that she sometimes forgot to eat 😭❤️🩹
—————
Thank you so much, Literary Rising, for the ARC 💌
Tropes:
* Grumpy x Sunshine
* Small Town
* Age Gap (12 years)
* Found Family
* Friends to Lovers
Piper 📖:
After surviving a nightmare of a childhood with her father, Piper develops a fear of being touched by other people. Because of it, she has spent years living a lonely, isolated life. But she doesn’t want to live that way anymore, so she moves to a small town she saw on TV, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to heal from her trauma. And who knows… maybe she’ll even find the perfect man to give her first time to 🥹
Theo ☕️:
Running from his past, Theo ends up in this small town intending to stay only for a little while before moving on. That little while turns into years, and now he owns the coffee shop right below Piper’s apartment. Even though he’s grown attached to the town, he’s always kept his distance from everyone, never letting anyone get close enough to truly know him. That changes when he meets his new neighbor, Piper. For the first time in years, a woman completely captivates him, and he no longer wants to keep his distance ❤️🩹
Story 📝:
Piper never misses a day at the coffee shop beneath her apartment, determined to overcome her trauma and become more social. It also doesn’t hurt that she can’t stop looking for excuses to talk to her grumpy neighbor, Theo 🥹. And Theo can’t seem to focus on work either because he can’t stop watching Piper. When Piper asks him for help with something, Theo agrees without hesitation. What he doesn’t expect is that the favor she wants is for him to let her touch him 🙈💖
July 26, 2026
#arcreview
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 -
Friends to Lovers
Age Gap
Grumpy x Sunshine
Touch-Starved MMC
Touch-Phobic FMC
Small Town
Romance author FMC
Found Family
—
“having her close to me was worth all the heartbreak it would cause later. I didn’t do this. I didn’t allow touch like this with anyone else. I never threw caution to the wind. Piper had changed me.”
I was freaking waiting for a Theo book since he's so quite and mysterious and it did not disappoint him and Piper are definitely meant to be together cause they just match each other vibes so much and their chemistry is just so amazing I couldn't put this book down this series is just so amazing it reminds me every time why I love a small town romance and the Facebook group for this serie!? Has me cracking up every time especially Hugh he's my favorite character lol. Piper and Theo are so cute together and seeing them grow and develop into something so much more. The way they are there for each other like no other is so heartwarming because they definitely needed each other. My favorite thing about this series will always be the found family aspect because seeing how open people were to Piper especially the girls was amazing
“My heart lurched. When she pulled back to look at me, I was sure she’d somehow stolen it. I was hers. There was no doubt about it. Everything could go wrong. My past could fuck this all up for me, but hearing Alex’s words followed by Piper’s agreement made me care just a little bit less. And for once, I wanted to hope that everything would be okay.”
Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 -
Friends to Lovers
Age Gap
Grumpy x Sunshine
Touch-Starved MMC
Touch-Phobic FMC
Small Town
Romance author FMC
Found Family
—
“having her close to me was worth all the heartbreak it would cause later. I didn’t do this. I didn’t allow touch like this with anyone else. I never threw caution to the wind. Piper had changed me.”
I was freaking waiting for a Theo book since he's so quite and mysterious and it did not disappoint him and Piper are definitely meant to be together cause they just match each other vibes so much and their chemistry is just so amazing I couldn't put this book down this series is just so amazing it reminds me every time why I love a small town romance and the Facebook group for this serie!? Has me cracking up every time especially Hugh he's my favorite character lol. Piper and Theo are so cute together and seeing them grow and develop into something so much more. The way they are there for each other like no other is so heartwarming because they definitely needed each other. My favorite thing about this series will always be the found family aspect because seeing how open people were to Piper especially the girls was amazing
“My heart lurched. When she pulled back to look at me, I was sure she’d somehow stolen it. I was hers. There was no doubt about it. Everything could go wrong. My past could fuck this all up for me, but hearing Alex’s words followed by Piper’s agreement made me care just a little bit less. And for once, I wanted to hope that everything would be okay.”
Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤
June 18, 2026
As We Touch by Elle Rivers was a sweet, funny, engaging and heartfelt book. It touches on the struggles of mental health, healing from your past and moving on.
Piper, a romance author, has a deep fear of being touched. After seeing a small town on a TV show and falling in love with it, she decides to move there, away from her support system, as she thinks it would help hear heal. As we watch Piper navigate the struggles of her mental health, we meet Theo, the grumpy cute coffee shop owner. We really watch Piper become her own person, as well as Theo heal from his troubled past.
Both main characters are so likable. They seem like polar opposites at first, because although Piper’s super shy, she is so loving and sunshiney, but they’re genuinely such a great match. He is so incredibly patient with her, I think it raised my standards.
I love how this book touched on mental health! I loved how the author approached Piper’s fears, and how realistic her experience was. Her healing process wasn’t rushed, nor was it forgotten halfway through the book. It’s incredibly consistent, something I loved!!!
Although I haven’t read the other books in this series, the town felt so heartwarming and sweet! I loved all the main characters, and I loved the found family aspect of it all. The way Hen and Marjorie took care of Theo, even if he was scared to let them in, brought tears to my eyes at the end.
Overall great book and would highly recommend!
thank you to netgalley and elle rivers for an arc in exchange for an honest review <3
tropes: age gap, touch starved, coffee shop owner x romance author, grumpy x sunshine, teach me, found family
Piper, a romance author, has a deep fear of being touched. After seeing a small town on a TV show and falling in love with it, she decides to move there, away from her support system, as she thinks it would help hear heal. As we watch Piper navigate the struggles of her mental health, we meet Theo, the grumpy cute coffee shop owner. We really watch Piper become her own person, as well as Theo heal from his troubled past.
Both main characters are so likable. They seem like polar opposites at first, because although Piper’s super shy, she is so loving and sunshiney, but they’re genuinely such a great match. He is so incredibly patient with her, I think it raised my standards.
I love how this book touched on mental health! I loved how the author approached Piper’s fears, and how realistic her experience was. Her healing process wasn’t rushed, nor was it forgotten halfway through the book. It’s incredibly consistent, something I loved!!!
Although I haven’t read the other books in this series, the town felt so heartwarming and sweet! I loved all the main characters, and I loved the found family aspect of it all. The way Hen and Marjorie took care of Theo, even if he was scared to let them in, brought tears to my eyes at the end.
Overall great book and would highly recommend!
thank you to netgalley and elle rivers for an arc in exchange for an honest review <3
tropes: age gap, touch starved, coffee shop owner x romance author, grumpy x sunshine, teach me, found family
June 20, 2026
At the very beginning, the story was sprinting to explain everything while I was still trying to find my seat. Some dialogues felt a bit like the characters had been hired to give me a rundown on the plot. But once I pushed through those first chapters? I was hooked. The banter started bantering, the chemistry started chemistry-ing, and I was suddenly very invested.
Piper moves to a small town after seeing it on TV. She’s nervous but witty and desperately needs to finish her latest book. Luckily, there’s a coffee shop downstairs and its owner, Theo, can’t seem to look away from her. Theo, however, is carrying his own baggage. Slowly, they find comfort in each other and create a connection that feels like coming home: warm, healing, and just the right amount of swoony.
I loved how this book focuses on mental health and really lets you inside Piper’s head. Her anxiety is described so clearly that it made me realise how overwhelming and “touchy” the world around us can be.
Safe to say I will be reading more from Elle Rivers!
#NetGalley #ARC #Hookedontheplot
Piper moves to a small town after seeing it on TV. She’s nervous but witty and desperately needs to finish her latest book. Luckily, there’s a coffee shop downstairs and its owner, Theo, can’t seem to look away from her. Theo, however, is carrying his own baggage. Slowly, they find comfort in each other and create a connection that feels like coming home: warm, healing, and just the right amount of swoony.
I loved how this book focuses on mental health and really lets you inside Piper’s head. Her anxiety is described so clearly that it made me realise how overwhelming and “touchy” the world around us can be.
Safe to say I will be reading more from Elle Rivers!
#NetGalley #ARC #Hookedontheplot
Review of advance copy
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book, thanks so much Elle Rivers.
Strawberry Springs is an eclectic mix of people who all care about their community and its residents. The story centres around Piper who is escaping her past and her fears and the book handles and details mental health extremely well. Piper is sassy, funny and super sweet and a really likeable FMC.
Theo is a real cutie with tattoos and top communication skills. He’s caring, thoughtful and tuned into his and others feelings.
It was lovely to see their relationship develop but I also loved the Facebook excerpts from the quirky SS residents there were some LOL moments for me.
I really enjoyed going back to strawberry springs and falling in love with a new love story.
Strawberry Springs is an eclectic mix of people who all care about their community and its residents. The story centres around Piper who is escaping her past and her fears and the book handles and details mental health extremely well. Piper is sassy, funny and super sweet and a really likeable FMC.
Theo is a real cutie with tattoos and top communication skills. He’s caring, thoughtful and tuned into his and others feelings.
It was lovely to see their relationship develop but I also loved the Facebook excerpts from the quirky SS residents there were some LOL moments for me.
I really enjoyed going back to strawberry springs and falling in love with a new love story.
July 31, 2026
4.75
Everytime I get a new book from Elle, I think it can't possibly top the last one. And then it does!
Elle really works to give her characters depth and create spins and twists you aren't always expecting. She pours her heart into these books and it's so obvious.
I love the amount of representation in her series. It's clear Elle does the research and has a way of writing it so you can connect with the character, even if you don't have that mental health issue, if one at all.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review is all my own opinions.
Everytime I get a new book from Elle, I think it can't possibly top the last one. And then it does!
Elle really works to give her characters depth and create spins and twists you aren't always expecting. She pours her heart into these books and it's so obvious.
I love the amount of representation in her series. It's clear Elle does the research and has a way of writing it so you can connect with the character, even if you don't have that mental health issue, if one at all.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review is all my own opinions.
July 12, 2026
Thank you so much to Elle and her team for allowing me to read this early!
I had no idea this was apart of a series when I signed up for it, but boy am I glad. This book was so good! This whole series is amazing, but I think Theo and Piper are my new favorite! It’s such a lighthearted, easy to read series and I can’t get enough of it. Although, I think it may just be Elle’s writing I can’t get enough of!
Theo is my new main man, but Henry is a close second🤭
I had no idea this was apart of a series when I signed up for it, but boy am I glad. This book was so good! This whole series is amazing, but I think Theo and Piper are my new favorite! It’s such a lighthearted, easy to read series and I can’t get enough of it. Although, I think it may just be Elle’s writing I can’t get enough of!
Theo is my new main man, but Henry is a close second🤭
July 17, 2026
This is an ARC review and contains spoilers!
She has done it again…
I love this small town series. I always get excited when i get to return to strawberry springs. This time we get to follow the story of Piper and Theo.
This book is such a fun summer read. The floral dressed and the farmers market vibes. I loved stepping back into this series.
Piper is new to town and is there to overcome her fears and her past. Theo on the other hand feels like he is living on borrowed time because of his past. The way these two inch towards each other… and then of course the inevitable happens…
Truths are unveiled and they don’t know if there is a way to get past them. The beauty of this series is where you not only follow the story of the main characters, you also get to watch the town and its residents grow.
If you like cosy small town romance, please, check out this series! I, for one, can’t wait for the next book.
She has done it again…
I love this small town series. I always get excited when i get to return to strawberry springs. This time we get to follow the story of Piper and Theo.
This book is such a fun summer read. The floral dressed and the farmers market vibes. I loved stepping back into this series.
Piper is new to town and is there to overcome her fears and her past. Theo on the other hand feels like he is living on borrowed time because of his past. The way these two inch towards each other… and then of course the inevitable happens…
Truths are unveiled and they don’t know if there is a way to get past them. The beauty of this series is where you not only follow the story of the main characters, you also get to watch the town and its residents grow.
If you like cosy small town romance, please, check out this series! I, for one, can’t wait for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2026
Thank you for the advanced reader copy!!! My opinions are entirely my own 🫶🏻🌺💘
Let me just say…Theo knows exactly how to treat a woman oh my god
I really loved Piper as a character, I felt like she was well developed and had real life issues and reactions and genuinely tried to work through things. I also feel like their chemistry was so strong because they both shared trauma in their respective lives.
Considering this is my first Elle Rivers book, I will absolutely be going back to read the rest of the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let me just say…Theo knows exactly how to treat a woman oh my god
I really loved Piper as a character, I felt like she was well developed and had real life issues and reactions and genuinely tried to work through things. I also feel like their chemistry was so strong because they both shared trauma in their respective lives.
Considering this is my first Elle Rivers book, I will absolutely be going back to read the rest of the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2026
I loved every moment of this! Theo is so sweet and tender, Piper is timid but also so brave and kind. Joey pissed me off this entire fucking book omg. Honestly I should just start this entire series over again because it’s so good.
I cannot wait for Gabe and Jade! Their love is going to be electric, I can tell.
I’m so thankful I received this ARC! 🫶🏼
I cannot wait for Gabe and Jade! Their love is going to be electric, I can tell.
I’m so thankful I received this ARC! 🫶🏼
July 27, 2026
I haven’t read the other Strawberry Springs book in the series but I really enjoyed Theo and Pipers story and how they relate to each other with no judgement. Looking forward to the next book!
July 26, 2026
I’m sorry but this is just fucking boring and annoying. DNF.
August 6, 2026
Ugh Theo the man that you are 😮💨 an age gap and him helping her through her trauma is the HOTTEST THING EVER!!!
July 10, 2026
Read if you like:
🏡Small Town
🫂Found Family
💕Age Gap
💔Anxiety/Trauma Rep.
I appreciate the idea behind the book, but parts of it fell short for me. I wish we had more background on Theo and Piper; I felt like the "no touching" development with Theo happened pretty fast. Piper went from panic attacks from any touch to not even flinching when she ran her face over Theo's beard. The “spice” also felt rushed, considering her trauma and anxieties. I did like how everyone in town was understanding of Piper, which is never the case in the "small town with nosy residents" book. The same goes with Theo, he listened and wasn’t an unrealistic MMC that never felt emotion a day in his life. Overall, this wasn't a 10/10 for me, but it was enjoyable with a lot of heart!
🏡Small Town
🫂Found Family
💕Age Gap
💔Anxiety/Trauma Rep.
I appreciate the idea behind the book, but parts of it fell short for me. I wish we had more background on Theo and Piper; I felt like the "no touching" development with Theo happened pretty fast. Piper went from panic attacks from any touch to not even flinching when she ran her face over Theo's beard. The “spice” also felt rushed, considering her trauma and anxieties. I did like how everyone in town was understanding of Piper, which is never the case in the "small town with nosy residents" book. The same goes with Theo, he listened and wasn’t an unrealistic MMC that never felt emotion a day in his life. Overall, this wasn't a 10/10 for me, but it was enjoyable with a lot of heart!
July 25, 2026
Piper has a lot of trauma and can’t stand to be touched. She moves to Strawberry Springs and meets Theo who knows about having a tough past. Through patience and understanding they fall in love.
Oh gosh this book was amazing. I was super hesitant when I first learned about the 12 year age gap between Piper and Theo. I’m here to say that this is one of the only books that deals with an age gap in a way that does not weird me out. So much time and care was taken to show that these characters were both in the same stage in their lives and were equals. There was no odd power imbalance to their relationship. I’ve read many Elle Rivers books and I think this one is my favorite so far. The amount of care and compassion she showed through the characters was amazing. There are important messages within this book for anyone dealing with mental health issues. This book was amazing and had such a beautiful, fun, and playful romance.
Thank you to Elle Rivers for providing this review, copy for my consideration via literary rising. All opinions are my own.
Oh gosh this book was amazing. I was super hesitant when I first learned about the 12 year age gap between Piper and Theo. I’m here to say that this is one of the only books that deals with an age gap in a way that does not weird me out. So much time and care was taken to show that these characters were both in the same stage in their lives and were equals. There was no odd power imbalance to their relationship. I’ve read many Elle Rivers books and I think this one is my favorite so far. The amount of care and compassion she showed through the characters was amazing. There are important messages within this book for anyone dealing with mental health issues. This book was amazing and had such a beautiful, fun, and playful romance.
Thank you to Elle Rivers for providing this review, copy for my consideration via literary rising. All opinions are my own.
July 29, 2026
this book is just pure kindness
Off the bat the book is chaotic in the best way. I love the chaos of the town. Like Piper I have fallen in love with Strawberry Springs and wish I could jump into their world. I adore the reappearance of our favorite chaotic neighbors, but watching them grow alongside our main characters is also such a fun and endearing experience.
Let’s start with Piper. 25 pages in & I already felt like crying. This book is going to hurt. ~ “This is scary,” I said to myself. “But this is what I need to do.” ~ I was in ruins from this. I’ve known her for 3 minutes and I’m already a proud mom. Piper above everything is brave. She’s so resilient and it’s no wonder Theo is unable to deny her anything. Even when she pushes herself too hard and then regresses she doesn’t let that stop her as much as she wants to crawl back into her comfort zone. She still is determined to push past it to continue to grow as a person, and I find that really respectable. You see how hard she is about working towards growth and how determined she is not to struggle any further. She struggled enough with this and she’s sick of the control that it has taken from her. I also really love that you see that she tries to push her growth with other people even when she’s uncomfortable she still tries and you see that people are still gentle with her, don’t push her, & know to respect her space. You see that people all around her genuinely want to help her. She is surrounded by people who care about her and who have her best interest at heart even when they have no reason to, beyond wanting her in their community that just really cares about each other and I love to see it.
Theo is a ‘bad boy’ and seeing him as the one who kind of constantly needs the reassurance of, “hey you’re worthy, you’re loved, people aren’t going to judge you” is a really nice change to how a bad boy character is portrayed. You don’t see that very often or at least consistently and throughout the entire book you see Piper as well as the town people reassure him that “we love you dude. You are one of us. You are the center of our community, you are the glue that hold us together. We all rely on you and we all appreciate you. You contribute to us, but even if you didn’t would still love the heck out of you.” And you see that especially with his relationship with H&M. You see his gratitude towards them and I just think that that’s so beautiful. Even when you see his at arm’s-length relationships with his employee, Kelsey or the town people he cares and even if it is his own emotionally constipated way of caring it’s still him caring and I just think that that’s really sweet and endearing to watch. Just the fact that he is the more insecure of the two despite being who “should be” (by societal standards) the more confident one, because he’s got the tattoos, he’s older, he’s him. I just love that we see this guy who doesn’t really have that self-confidence, despite having a decades worth of proof that he literally is a part of this community and belongs and he’s convinced himself that he doesn’t have relationships with these people because he hasn’t opened up when in reality he knows enough about all of these people and you see that with him memorizing their coffee orders. I’m a firm believer that knowing things about people isn’t necessarily obvious things so knowing someone’s coffee order which granted he is the coffee shop owner, but knowing that coffee order to me is far more important than knowing someone’s entire life story and I think Theo does a great job of proving that the town doesn’t need to know his history. They don’t need to know anything other than to know that he makes a mean cup of coffee and he cares enough to know what they need and what they like and that they can rely on him to show up every single day. You see that when they worry about him when he takes three days off in it’s endearingly chaotic way. It’s cute. It’s they are genuinely concerned for him because that’s not something he does and although they have a crazy way of showing it, they care.
Off the bat the book is chaotic in the best way. I love the chaos of the town. Like Piper I have fallen in love with Strawberry Springs and wish I could jump into their world. I adore the reappearance of our favorite chaotic neighbors, but watching them grow alongside our main characters is also such a fun and endearing experience.
Let’s start with Piper. 25 pages in & I already felt like crying. This book is going to hurt. ~ “This is scary,” I said to myself. “But this is what I need to do.” ~ I was in ruins from this. I’ve known her for 3 minutes and I’m already a proud mom. Piper above everything is brave. She’s so resilient and it’s no wonder Theo is unable to deny her anything. Even when she pushes herself too hard and then regresses she doesn’t let that stop her as much as she wants to crawl back into her comfort zone. She still is determined to push past it to continue to grow as a person, and I find that really respectable. You see how hard she is about working towards growth and how determined she is not to struggle any further. She struggled enough with this and she’s sick of the control that it has taken from her. I also really love that you see that she tries to push her growth with other people even when she’s uncomfortable she still tries and you see that people are still gentle with her, don’t push her, & know to respect her space. You see that people all around her genuinely want to help her. She is surrounded by people who care about her and who have her best interest at heart even when they have no reason to, beyond wanting her in their community that just really cares about each other and I love to see it.
Theo is a ‘bad boy’ and seeing him as the one who kind of constantly needs the reassurance of, “hey you’re worthy, you’re loved, people aren’t going to judge you” is a really nice change to how a bad boy character is portrayed. You don’t see that very often or at least consistently and throughout the entire book you see Piper as well as the town people reassure him that “we love you dude. You are one of us. You are the center of our community, you are the glue that hold us together. We all rely on you and we all appreciate you. You contribute to us, but even if you didn’t would still love the heck out of you.” And you see that especially with his relationship with H&M. You see his gratitude towards them and I just think that that’s so beautiful. Even when you see his at arm’s-length relationships with his employee, Kelsey or the town people he cares and even if it is his own emotionally constipated way of caring it’s still him caring and I just think that that’s really sweet and endearing to watch. Just the fact that he is the more insecure of the two despite being who “should be” (by societal standards) the more confident one, because he’s got the tattoos, he’s older, he’s him. I just love that we see this guy who doesn’t really have that self-confidence, despite having a decades worth of proof that he literally is a part of this community and belongs and he’s convinced himself that he doesn’t have relationships with these people because he hasn’t opened up when in reality he knows enough about all of these people and you see that with him memorizing their coffee orders. I’m a firm believer that knowing things about people isn’t necessarily obvious things so knowing someone’s coffee order which granted he is the coffee shop owner, but knowing that coffee order to me is far more important than knowing someone’s entire life story and I think Theo does a great job of proving that the town doesn’t need to know his history. They don’t need to know anything other than to know that he makes a mean cup of coffee and he cares enough to know what they need and what they like and that they can rely on him to show up every single day. You see that when they worry about him when he takes three days off in it’s endearingly chaotic way. It’s cute. It’s they are genuinely concerned for him because that’s not something he does and although they have a crazy way of showing it, they care.
August 11, 2026
☕️💛 When the Safest Touch Becomes the One You Crave 💛☕️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
As We Touch gave me something I've been missing lately: a romance where I fell for the couple without their relationship completely overshadowing who they were as individuals.
I felt connected to Piper and Theo almost immediately. Piper is a successful romance author who has spent years writing about love while believing the kind of intimacy she creates on the page might never be possible for her. Childhood trauma has left her unable to tolerate being touched, and moving to Strawberry Springs is a huge leap toward finally creating a life on her own terms.
Then she walks into Theo's coffee shop. ☕️
Theo is older, tattooed, grumpy, guarded, and carrying plenty of his own baggage. Basically, I was doomed. 😂 I am such a sucker for the small-town grump who slowly realizes he has found his one person, and Theo absolutely delivered.
What I loved most was that Piper and Theo had this almost immediate sense of connection and safety without their entire relationship feeling rushed. Their emotional intimacy develops through small moments, conversations, quiet evenings after the coffee shop closes, and gradually learning the pieces of each other they normally keep hidden. Every step forward meant something.
And Theo was SUCH a green flag. 💚
One of my favorite things about him was that he understood the difference between supporting Piper and rescuing her. He noticed when she became anxious or uncomfortable. He was there if she needed him. But he didn't immediately swoop in every time she tensed or flinched as though she couldn't handle herself. He trusted her strength and allowed her to decide what she needed.
That distinction mattered so much, especially after Piper had experienced someone whose version of "helping" actually took away her independence. Theo gave her safety without making her feel weak.
I also appreciated how much of this story belonged to Piper herself. Her journey isn't simply about finding the one man she can touch. It's about leaving the safety of the life she knows, building friendships, becoming more independent, confronting her anxiety, finding her confidence, and learning that she is capable of creating a life bigger than the limitations trauma placed around her.
Theo has healing to do too. Strawberry Springs was never supposed to become home, and he has spent years believing his past means he shouldn't let anyone get too close. Watching this guarded man realize that maybe staying, belonging, and allowing himself to be loved aren't things he has to run from gave their romance even more emotional weight.
And when all that carefully built tension finally turns into something more? 🌶️🔥 Their chemistry absolutely delivered.
I loved returning to the quirky found family of Strawberry Springs too. There is such warmth in this town, and I loved watching both Piper and Theo discover different versions of belonging within it.
I did think some of the drama surrounding Theo's secret felt a little bigger than I expected it to once everything was revealed, but it was a small thing in a story I otherwise completely adored.
At its heart, As We Touch is about two people learning that their pasts don't have to dictate everything that comes next. Piper and Theo don't fix each other. They create a space where each of them feels safe enough to start making different choices for themselves.
For a book centered around a woman who fears physical touch, I loved that some of its most intimate moments had nothing to do with touching at all. 💛
Thank you so much to Elle Rivers for the gifted advanced copy. I absolutely loved spending time with Piper, Theo, and Strawberry Springs. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
As We Touch gave me something I've been missing lately: a romance where I fell for the couple without their relationship completely overshadowing who they were as individuals.
I felt connected to Piper and Theo almost immediately. Piper is a successful romance author who has spent years writing about love while believing the kind of intimacy she creates on the page might never be possible for her. Childhood trauma has left her unable to tolerate being touched, and moving to Strawberry Springs is a huge leap toward finally creating a life on her own terms.
Then she walks into Theo's coffee shop. ☕️
Theo is older, tattooed, grumpy, guarded, and carrying plenty of his own baggage. Basically, I was doomed. 😂 I am such a sucker for the small-town grump who slowly realizes he has found his one person, and Theo absolutely delivered.
What I loved most was that Piper and Theo had this almost immediate sense of connection and safety without their entire relationship feeling rushed. Their emotional intimacy develops through small moments, conversations, quiet evenings after the coffee shop closes, and gradually learning the pieces of each other they normally keep hidden. Every step forward meant something.
And Theo was SUCH a green flag. 💚
One of my favorite things about him was that he understood the difference between supporting Piper and rescuing her. He noticed when she became anxious or uncomfortable. He was there if she needed him. But he didn't immediately swoop in every time she tensed or flinched as though she couldn't handle herself. He trusted her strength and allowed her to decide what she needed.
That distinction mattered so much, especially after Piper had experienced someone whose version of "helping" actually took away her independence. Theo gave her safety without making her feel weak.
I also appreciated how much of this story belonged to Piper herself. Her journey isn't simply about finding the one man she can touch. It's about leaving the safety of the life she knows, building friendships, becoming more independent, confronting her anxiety, finding her confidence, and learning that she is capable of creating a life bigger than the limitations trauma placed around her.
Theo has healing to do too. Strawberry Springs was never supposed to become home, and he has spent years believing his past means he shouldn't let anyone get too close. Watching this guarded man realize that maybe staying, belonging, and allowing himself to be loved aren't things he has to run from gave their romance even more emotional weight.
And when all that carefully built tension finally turns into something more? 🌶️🔥 Their chemistry absolutely delivered.
I loved returning to the quirky found family of Strawberry Springs too. There is such warmth in this town, and I loved watching both Piper and Theo discover different versions of belonging within it.
I did think some of the drama surrounding Theo's secret felt a little bigger than I expected it to once everything was revealed, but it was a small thing in a story I otherwise completely adored.
At its heart, As We Touch is about two people learning that their pasts don't have to dictate everything that comes next. Piper and Theo don't fix each other. They create a space where each of them feels safe enough to start making different choices for themselves.
For a book centered around a woman who fears physical touch, I loved that some of its most intimate moments had nothing to do with touching at all. 💛
Thank you so much to Elle Rivers for the gifted advanced copy. I absolutely loved spending time with Piper, Theo, and Strawberry Springs. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hoping for a fresh start, touch-phobic Piper moves to Strawberry Springs where she meets Theo, the owner of the local coffee shop who's also running from his own traumas. But for some reason, he seems to be the one person who makes her feel safe enough to want to reach out. As We Touch was the story of two people carrying the weight of their past who slowly find healing, trust, confidence and comfort in each other.
Can I just say...Strawberry Springs is my favourite small town. Every time I come back here, it feels like coming home. You already know you're in for endearing characters and wonderfully quirky townsfolk that leave your heart feeling so full. At this point, I think we're all honorary Strawberry Springs residents because I genuinely feel like I'm part of this community every time I pick up one of these books.
“I never imagined that love would be this…easy. But with you, it feels like it fits.”
Theo and Piper were absolutely endearing. They were both so touch-starved in completely different ways, which made every tiny moment between them feel so meaningful. Their relationship started off so innocent and tender, with every touch carrying so much weight and context behind it. Watching them slowly build trust and friendship before anything else was honestly one of my favourite parts of the book. And what I appreciated even more was that once they finally got together...that wasn't the end of their growth. They were still learning each other, figuring out what made the other person happy, and discovering new things together.
You know, if you looked up "gentleman" in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'd find a picture of Theo. He carried so much darkness from his past, but despite everything he'd been through, he never let it harden his heart. He really deserves to give himself more credit because he is genuinely such a good man and oh so emotionally intelligent not to mention the patience he showed Piper? Saint-level and we stan that, it’s giving King behaviour. The way he loved her exactly where she was while giving her the space to heal had me completely melting.
And Piper was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for. I loved that she refused to let her trauma define the rest of her life. Healing wasn't easy, and she never pretended that it was, but Piper kept choosing herself over and over again. Watching her slowly push past her fears and reclaim pieces of herself was so rewarding. She may have been scared, but she was not a quitter.
“Theo and I were the magic. And I would do anything to keep it.”
As always, the town completely stole my heart too. Henrietta and Marjorie have always been favourites of mine, but seeing them become those pseudo-parent figures genuinely made me emotional, they have the biggest hearts. I also loved seeing all the girls so active in the Strawberry Springs Facebook group because it really showed how much they'd all become part of this wonderful little community over the course of the years since As It Was. And of course Hugh and Kerry continue to make me laugh every single time they appear (although can somebody PLEASE confiscate Hugh's phone before he traumatizes the entire town with another rash photo? 😂)
I'm also quietly cheering for our newcomer (IYKYK cause I'm not spoiling anything) because I have a feeling our girl Jade has a beautiful story waiting for her. The one-that-got-away vibes are STRONG, and I am so ready for her happily ever after. And while we're making requests...can someone please find Kelsey a prince charming in a big city? She deserves it.
Honestly, Elle Rivers has done it again. Every time I pick up one of her books, I leave feeling just a little lighter than when I started.
Can I just say...Strawberry Springs is my favourite small town. Every time I come back here, it feels like coming home. You already know you're in for endearing characters and wonderfully quirky townsfolk that leave your heart feeling so full. At this point, I think we're all honorary Strawberry Springs residents because I genuinely feel like I'm part of this community every time I pick up one of these books.
“I never imagined that love would be this…easy. But with you, it feels like it fits.”
Theo and Piper were absolutely endearing. They were both so touch-starved in completely different ways, which made every tiny moment between them feel so meaningful. Their relationship started off so innocent and tender, with every touch carrying so much weight and context behind it. Watching them slowly build trust and friendship before anything else was honestly one of my favourite parts of the book. And what I appreciated even more was that once they finally got together...that wasn't the end of their growth. They were still learning each other, figuring out what made the other person happy, and discovering new things together.
You know, if you looked up "gentleman" in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'd find a picture of Theo. He carried so much darkness from his past, but despite everything he'd been through, he never let it harden his heart. He really deserves to give himself more credit because he is genuinely such a good man and oh so emotionally intelligent not to mention the patience he showed Piper? Saint-level and we stan that, it’s giving King behaviour. The way he loved her exactly where she was while giving her the space to heal had me completely melting.
And Piper was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for. I loved that she refused to let her trauma define the rest of her life. Healing wasn't easy, and she never pretended that it was, but Piper kept choosing herself over and over again. Watching her slowly push past her fears and reclaim pieces of herself was so rewarding. She may have been scared, but she was not a quitter.
“Theo and I were the magic. And I would do anything to keep it.”
As always, the town completely stole my heart too. Henrietta and Marjorie have always been favourites of mine, but seeing them become those pseudo-parent figures genuinely made me emotional, they have the biggest hearts. I also loved seeing all the girls so active in the Strawberry Springs Facebook group because it really showed how much they'd all become part of this wonderful little community over the course of the years since As It Was. And of course Hugh and Kerry continue to make me laugh every single time they appear (although can somebody PLEASE confiscate Hugh's phone before he traumatizes the entire town with another rash photo? 😂)
I'm also quietly cheering for our newcomer (IYKYK cause I'm not spoiling anything) because I have a feeling our girl Jade has a beautiful story waiting for her. The one-that-got-away vibes are STRONG, and I am so ready for her happily ever after. And while we're making requests...can someone please find Kelsey a prince charming in a big city? She deserves it.
Honestly, Elle Rivers has done it again. Every time I pick up one of her books, I leave feeling just a little lighter than when I started.
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW
4.5/5 stars
I absolutely loved it, I know I say that every time but I can’t help that it is true every time. Strawberry Springs is like my absolute favorite comfort small town and it’s amazing to get to go back there whenever possible. In this one specifically, we have Piper, who is such a strong female character, and Theo, who is such a caring male character. They both deserve the whole wide world and Strawberry Springs is just the place for them to find it. If you love our elderly gays (Marjorie and Henrietta) then this is definitely the installation for you because they are definitely featured a bit more in this one. We have girlhood, we have personal growth, we have the overarching feeling of coming home. It was so beautifully done, if I wasn’t actively falling asleep I would have never put it down. Anyways, as you may or may not know, we met both Piper and Theo in earlier books of the series. Piper was the girl that Dean ran into in Book Three and Theo was the old town handyman mentioned throughout the series. So, if you were ever interested in where they ended up or if we would ever see them again, we absolutely do and it was magical to witness them grow as people. Now it’s time for everybody’s favorite segment, how many annotations did I write this time? Any guesses? Yes? No? Maybe? Drumroll please. 1387. Which is a lot. Plus another 18 in the bonus chapter. These books are so easy for me to annotate like I’m having a conversation. I’m so invested in all of the characters' lives, I have thoughts and opinions on everything and it’s so nice to be able to tell them “I told you so.” Main characters, side characters, and relatively new characters too. Everybody is so important to the plot of the story, it feels so homey. It’s SO easy to get attached to the series and I would highly recommend giving it a shot from the beginning. It’s a very comforting environment even though it tackles some very difficult topics in, what I believe to be, is a graceful manner. This one specifically mentions childhood abuse, addictions, drug dealing, and haphephobia. It also does include some smut for those who are wondering. So if that’s not your thing, you’ll be missing some pretty important plot points of the story considering the traumas of our characters. The sex is pretty important. It’s not just for the sake of ripping each other’s clothes off, it’s for the act of growing together, and feeling completely comfortable being that close to another human being. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE MAIN GIRLY IS AN AUTHOR AND THE MAIN GUY IS THE COFFEE SHOP OWNER. If that’s not the most adorable pairing then I don’t know what to tell you. That’s so perfect. Honestly, it really works for their dynamic too. They will both ride for each other, no questions asked which is perfect. So overall, I loved it to the point where my thoughts are all garbled and you should absolutely give it a chance. Thank you Elle Rivers and Literary Rising for letting me read this book early, I enjoy it so much.
4.5/5 stars
I absolutely loved it, I know I say that every time but I can’t help that it is true every time. Strawberry Springs is like my absolute favorite comfort small town and it’s amazing to get to go back there whenever possible. In this one specifically, we have Piper, who is such a strong female character, and Theo, who is such a caring male character. They both deserve the whole wide world and Strawberry Springs is just the place for them to find it. If you love our elderly gays (Marjorie and Henrietta) then this is definitely the installation for you because they are definitely featured a bit more in this one. We have girlhood, we have personal growth, we have the overarching feeling of coming home. It was so beautifully done, if I wasn’t actively falling asleep I would have never put it down. Anyways, as you may or may not know, we met both Piper and Theo in earlier books of the series. Piper was the girl that Dean ran into in Book Three and Theo was the old town handyman mentioned throughout the series. So, if you were ever interested in where they ended up or if we would ever see them again, we absolutely do and it was magical to witness them grow as people. Now it’s time for everybody’s favorite segment, how many annotations did I write this time? Any guesses? Yes? No? Maybe? Drumroll please. 1387. Which is a lot. Plus another 18 in the bonus chapter. These books are so easy for me to annotate like I’m having a conversation. I’m so invested in all of the characters' lives, I have thoughts and opinions on everything and it’s so nice to be able to tell them “I told you so.” Main characters, side characters, and relatively new characters too. Everybody is so important to the plot of the story, it feels so homey. It’s SO easy to get attached to the series and I would highly recommend giving it a shot from the beginning. It’s a very comforting environment even though it tackles some very difficult topics in, what I believe to be, is a graceful manner. This one specifically mentions childhood abuse, addictions, drug dealing, and haphephobia. It also does include some smut for those who are wondering. So if that’s not your thing, you’ll be missing some pretty important plot points of the story considering the traumas of our characters. The sex is pretty important. It’s not just for the sake of ripping each other’s clothes off, it’s for the act of growing together, and feeling completely comfortable being that close to another human being. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE MAIN GIRLY IS AN AUTHOR AND THE MAIN GUY IS THE COFFEE SHOP OWNER. If that’s not the most adorable pairing then I don’t know what to tell you. That’s so perfect. Honestly, it really works for their dynamic too. They will both ride for each other, no questions asked which is perfect. So overall, I loved it to the point where my thoughts are all garbled and you should absolutely give it a chance. Thank you Elle Rivers and Literary Rising for letting me read this book early, I enjoy it so much.
Review of advance copy
I loved it!!!! Review to follow 🩷
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As we touch by Elle Rivers 5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
• Age gap.
• Grumpy x Sunshine.
• Small town romance.
• Touch starved MMC.
• Touch phobic FMC.
Thanks to Literary Rising and the author for the ARC!
“I knew the answer. I didn’t want to admit it, though. I felt alive. I felt like life was worth living.”
Oh my god! This is my first time reading Elle’s work, and I can’t believe I didn’t start sooner. As I had lots of time, I decoded to read the first book from the series, and I’m really happy I did because by the time I started with this book, I was so in love with the characters, the town, even with the very funny and sometimes crazy people from Strawberry Springs.
I’m such a sucker for an age gap romance, especially when we have a grumpy x sunshine dynamic. And Piper and Theo were the perfect couple for this trope! I was also really interested about the concept of having a touch phobic FMC, I think it’s actually the first time I read something like that, and even if I had my doubts, I think Elle managed Pipers struggles in a very good way.
Piper was such an adorable character. I loved how determined she was to face her struggles, to start brand new in this lovely town. I feel like since her first chapters, I just wanted to give her a massive hug. It was very nice to see how everyone made her feel welcomed, even Kerry haha. Piper was doing an amazing job working as a romance author, keeping constant therapy sessions, and by the way, I loved her therapist. I feel like showing that even with therapy, she still struggles with some episodes, was a very realistic way to represent her trauma, because let’s be honest, treating our mental health is never an easy thing to do. Also, I think it was lovely to see how the people around her in town knew a little bit about her struggles, but they tried not to make it weird for her, they just wanted her to be comfortable.
Now, talking about friends… this Joey guy, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, I thought it was just a matter of protection, a lovely friendship, but oh god, I knew eventually he was gonna be trouble and in fact, he was! I was so bloody angry! I hope we never hear his name again.
Theo, oh dear Theo. This man was the perfect representation of the grumpy older guy who is very interested in the sweet, new member of Strawberry Springs, even if denied it like a hundred times, let’s be honest, he fell and hard. Knowing a bit more about Theo’s past, you can absolutely understand why he felt it was necessary to keep it down and probably don’t get too attached to the town and people who lived there, but as we saw in the previous books, that was impossible. Theo is a character that hides behind the grumpiness but very deeply, he felt part of Strawberry Springs without noticing it. Also I can’t believe the power he had on Kerry, that was hilarious!
That brief slow burn between Piper and Theo was such a nice thing to read. I liked how Theo never made Piper feel different or inadequate. Since the moment they formed their friendship, he encouraged her, motivated her to take small steps, and to take control of her own fears. He never presents himself as someone who was going to take control of Pipers decisions or how she was deciding to live her life, he just presents as someone who is going to give a lot of support and help in any way she needs. The chemistry between them was soooo evident from the very beginning and the few spicy scenes Elle gave us were beautiful. No pressure, no control, nothing but confidence, trust and support.
The dynamic between the lovely residents of Strawberry Springs was amazing, just like in the previous books, I found myself laughing, tearing up a bit, and then crying again. In their own funny, crazy way, all these characters have created such an amazing bond, and I felt like they were a super big family, who of course, enjoys lots of gossip. I liked how Piper found a new group of friends with the rest of the girls, and how they also showed themselves as a very supporting group.
Shout out to Marjorie and Henrietta, I love you!
In general, I really liked the book, I had to do a whole reread of the series once I finished As We Touch, because I felt like I needed to go back to Strawberry Springs and its particular charm. I can’t to know what is gonna happen next, especially with Gabriel back in town!
----------------
As we touch by Elle Rivers 5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
• Age gap.
• Grumpy x Sunshine.
• Small town romance.
• Touch starved MMC.
• Touch phobic FMC.
Thanks to Literary Rising and the author for the ARC!
“I knew the answer. I didn’t want to admit it, though. I felt alive. I felt like life was worth living.”
Oh my god! This is my first time reading Elle’s work, and I can’t believe I didn’t start sooner. As I had lots of time, I decoded to read the first book from the series, and I’m really happy I did because by the time I started with this book, I was so in love with the characters, the town, even with the very funny and sometimes crazy people from Strawberry Springs.
I’m such a sucker for an age gap romance, especially when we have a grumpy x sunshine dynamic. And Piper and Theo were the perfect couple for this trope! I was also really interested about the concept of having a touch phobic FMC, I think it’s actually the first time I read something like that, and even if I had my doubts, I think Elle managed Pipers struggles in a very good way.
Piper was such an adorable character. I loved how determined she was to face her struggles, to start brand new in this lovely town. I feel like since her first chapters, I just wanted to give her a massive hug. It was very nice to see how everyone made her feel welcomed, even Kerry haha. Piper was doing an amazing job working as a romance author, keeping constant therapy sessions, and by the way, I loved her therapist. I feel like showing that even with therapy, she still struggles with some episodes, was a very realistic way to represent her trauma, because let’s be honest, treating our mental health is never an easy thing to do. Also, I think it was lovely to see how the people around her in town knew a little bit about her struggles, but they tried not to make it weird for her, they just wanted her to be comfortable.
Now, talking about friends… this Joey guy, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, I thought it was just a matter of protection, a lovely friendship, but oh god, I knew eventually he was gonna be trouble and in fact, he was! I was so bloody angry! I hope we never hear his name again.
Theo, oh dear Theo. This man was the perfect representation of the grumpy older guy who is very interested in the sweet, new member of Strawberry Springs, even if denied it like a hundred times, let’s be honest, he fell and hard. Knowing a bit more about Theo’s past, you can absolutely understand why he felt it was necessary to keep it down and probably don’t get too attached to the town and people who lived there, but as we saw in the previous books, that was impossible. Theo is a character that hides behind the grumpiness but very deeply, he felt part of Strawberry Springs without noticing it. Also I can’t believe the power he had on Kerry, that was hilarious!
That brief slow burn between Piper and Theo was such a nice thing to read. I liked how Theo never made Piper feel different or inadequate. Since the moment they formed their friendship, he encouraged her, motivated her to take small steps, and to take control of her own fears. He never presents himself as someone who was going to take control of Pipers decisions or how she was deciding to live her life, he just presents as someone who is going to give a lot of support and help in any way she needs. The chemistry between them was soooo evident from the very beginning and the few spicy scenes Elle gave us were beautiful. No pressure, no control, nothing but confidence, trust and support.
The dynamic between the lovely residents of Strawberry Springs was amazing, just like in the previous books, I found myself laughing, tearing up a bit, and then crying again. In their own funny, crazy way, all these characters have created such an amazing bond, and I felt like they were a super big family, who of course, enjoys lots of gossip. I liked how Piper found a new group of friends with the rest of the girls, and how they also showed themselves as a very supporting group.
Shout out to Marjorie and Henrietta, I love you!
In general, I really liked the book, I had to do a whole reread of the series once I finished As We Touch, because I felt like I needed to go back to Strawberry Springs and its particular charm. I can’t to know what is gonna happen next, especially with Gabriel back in town!
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