What do you think?
Rate this book
Budgie Bay #1
A Place to Land
A cozy, small-town enemies-to-lovers romance by June Jule...
I came back to Budgie Bay to clean out my grandmother’s cottage.
That’s it. In and out. Sell the place. Return to my real life in New York with my billionaire boyfriend and my fast-paced marketing career.
Instead, I found a collapsing house, an empty aviary…
and the grumpy carpenter who’d been taking care of her behind my back.
Elias Cove thinks I abandoned my grandmother.
He’s not entirely wrong.
Now I’m stuck in his house sleeping in my grandmother’s old room, surrounded by her journals, her birds, and the small-town memories I tried to outrun.
He loves slow mornings.
I live on airport coffee and deadlines.
He resents the city girl who never showed up.
I resent the way he makes this town feel like something I lost.
But when BudgieFest, the town’s iconic annual event, rolls around and a public proposal from my perfect-on-paper boyfriend forces me to choose who I really am…
the truth is harder to ignore.
Because somewhere between rescuing neglected birds, restoring a broken cottage, and falling asleep to the sound of wind chimes singing on the porch, I realize something terrifying…
Home isn’t where you’re from.
It’s where you decide to stay.
And Elias Cove might be the only place I’ve ever truly wanted to land.
This small-town cozy romance will take you on a vacation of the mind. HEA guaranteed. Welcome to Budgie Bay. You’re always invited.
Small-town enemies to lovers
forced proximity
grumpy carpenter
city girl slowdown
public proposal gone wrong
slow burn
generational love story
cute feathered friends
I came back to Budgie Bay to clean out my grandmother’s cottage.
That’s it. In and out. Sell the place. Return to my real life in New York with my billionaire boyfriend and my fast-paced marketing career.
Instead, I found a collapsing house, an empty aviary…
and the grumpy carpenter who’d been taking care of her behind my back.
Elias Cove thinks I abandoned my grandmother.
He’s not entirely wrong.
Now I’m stuck in his house sleeping in my grandmother’s old room, surrounded by her journals, her birds, and the small-town memories I tried to outrun.
He loves slow mornings.
I live on airport coffee and deadlines.
He resents the city girl who never showed up.
I resent the way he makes this town feel like something I lost.
But when BudgieFest, the town’s iconic annual event, rolls around and a public proposal from my perfect-on-paper boyfriend forces me to choose who I really am…
the truth is harder to ignore.
Because somewhere between rescuing neglected birds, restoring a broken cottage, and falling asleep to the sound of wind chimes singing on the porch, I realize something terrifying…
Home isn’t where you’re from.
It’s where you decide to stay.
And Elias Cove might be the only place I’ve ever truly wanted to land.
This small-town cozy romance will take you on a vacation of the mind. HEA guaranteed. Welcome to Budgie Bay. You’re always invited.
Small-town enemies to lovers
forced proximity
grumpy carpenter
city girl slowdown
public proposal gone wrong
slow burn
generational love story
cute feathered friends
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 17, 2026⋆˚✿˖° 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙: let’s just assume i’m not already 13% into this book🫣
⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙: 14th May,2026
⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙: 14th May,2026
May 19, 2026
3 stars.
"A Place to Land" by June Jule is a cozy romance with a real homey feel to it. I did enjoy the world of Budgie Bay because it felt like one of those small towns you'd actually want to live in. Unfortunately, I did not really click with the characters all that much. This book did not really capture my attention, mostly because there wasn't a huge, deep relationship between Nora and Elias, the main characters of this book. It's an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy x sunshine story, but it doesn't ever feel fully realized, in a way. Nora and Elias are fine on their own, but I didn't feel any discernible chemistry between them romantically. They might be good as friends, but as lovers, I just didn't feel it! Elias is grumpy-ish, but I never felt the full potential of his irritability or crankiness. Nora is supposed to be sunshine-personified, but I just thought she was written as a normal ol', nice person. What I think this book does well is make the connection between Nora and her recently deceased grandmother very clear. Nora is in town to clean her grandmother's house in order to sell it. The earnest things she uncovers while she is cleaning, the letters, the history, the trinkets, the things Nora learns about her grandma *and herself*, a grandmother wanted her to always follow her heart, *that's* where this book shines. Sadly, the romance is not all that strong here. I wish I had liked this more.
Thank you to June Jule and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"A Place to Land" by June Jule is a cozy romance with a real homey feel to it. I did enjoy the world of Budgie Bay because it felt like one of those small towns you'd actually want to live in. Unfortunately, I did not really click with the characters all that much. This book did not really capture my attention, mostly because there wasn't a huge, deep relationship between Nora and Elias, the main characters of this book. It's an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy x sunshine story, but it doesn't ever feel fully realized, in a way. Nora and Elias are fine on their own, but I didn't feel any discernible chemistry between them romantically. They might be good as friends, but as lovers, I just didn't feel it! Elias is grumpy-ish, but I never felt the full potential of his irritability or crankiness. Nora is supposed to be sunshine-personified, but I just thought she was written as a normal ol', nice person. What I think this book does well is make the connection between Nora and her recently deceased grandmother very clear. Nora is in town to clean her grandmother's house in order to sell it. The earnest things she uncovers while she is cleaning, the letters, the history, the trinkets, the things Nora learns about her grandma *and herself*, a grandmother wanted her to always follow her heart, *that's* where this book shines. Sadly, the romance is not all that strong here. I wish I had liked this more.
Thank you to June Jule and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️
This is the first book I have read by June Jule and I really liked her book. A Place to Land is book 1 in her Budgie Bay series. June pulled me in with her character development, the reminder of learning to forgive, and to never judge a person before getting to know them. I truly loved being part of the journey our MCs take in the book and what they find along the way.
Nora is a wonderful representation of what many women feel they have to be today. She is hardworking, finding her place in the world, and creating a life for herself she can be proud of. Has this caused some things to fall to the back burner? Something I am familiar with and completely understand. So when she receives news that her grandmother has passed, she sets out to take care of her estate and come home. She doesn’t plan on meeting the man who has been taking care of her grandmother and thinks she abandoned her. She didn’t do that; just missed the funeral and really didn’t talk to her during the last year. But still, how dare he judge her!
Elias is a grump, but has a soft spot for people and things he cares about. He rescues budgies and helps Nora’s grandma when she needs it. He heard many stories about her granddaughter, but never saw her come and visit. So he forms some pretty weighted opinions of Nora before even meeting her. When Nora arrives, he agrees to help her and give her a place to stay. The more he gets to know her the more he realizes he was wrong and that Nora is lost and trying to find her way. Maybe he can help with that? Between him and the townspeople sharing stories about her grandmother maybe they can finally give her a place to call home.
I absolutely loved learning about Nora’s grandmother at the same time she was. I have wonderful memories of my grandparents and treasure them. As she discovers more and more not only about her grandmother, but the town she called home, she realizes she is missing out on so much that life has to offer. June perfectly captures that home isn’t a place, but people that surround you in love. I really enjoyed reading her for the first time and am excited to read more of her.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
💚Small Town Romance
🏠Opposites Attract
💚Finding Yourself
🏠Enemies to Lovers
💚Neighbors to More
🏠Fish Out of Water
💚Grumpy x Sunshine
🏠Adorable Budgies
This is the first book I have read by June Jule and I really liked her book. A Place to Land is book 1 in her Budgie Bay series. June pulled me in with her character development, the reminder of learning to forgive, and to never judge a person before getting to know them. I truly loved being part of the journey our MCs take in the book and what they find along the way.
Nora is a wonderful representation of what many women feel they have to be today. She is hardworking, finding her place in the world, and creating a life for herself she can be proud of. Has this caused some things to fall to the back burner? Something I am familiar with and completely understand. So when she receives news that her grandmother has passed, she sets out to take care of her estate and come home. She doesn’t plan on meeting the man who has been taking care of her grandmother and thinks she abandoned her. She didn’t do that; just missed the funeral and really didn’t talk to her during the last year. But still, how dare he judge her!
Elias is a grump, but has a soft spot for people and things he cares about. He rescues budgies and helps Nora’s grandma when she needs it. He heard many stories about her granddaughter, but never saw her come and visit. So he forms some pretty weighted opinions of Nora before even meeting her. When Nora arrives, he agrees to help her and give her a place to stay. The more he gets to know her the more he realizes he was wrong and that Nora is lost and trying to find her way. Maybe he can help with that? Between him and the townspeople sharing stories about her grandmother maybe they can finally give her a place to call home.
I absolutely loved learning about Nora’s grandmother at the same time she was. I have wonderful memories of my grandparents and treasure them. As she discovers more and more not only about her grandmother, but the town she called home, she realizes she is missing out on so much that life has to offer. June perfectly captures that home isn’t a place, but people that surround you in love. I really enjoyed reading her for the first time and am excited to read more of her.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
💚Small Town Romance
🏠Opposites Attract
💚Finding Yourself
🏠Enemies to Lovers
💚Neighbors to More
🏠Fish Out of Water
💚Grumpy x Sunshine
🏠Adorable Budgies
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Place To Land 🏚️
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & June Jule for trusting me with this ARC!💚
Being back in Budgie Bay to clean my grandmother's cottage is the last time this town is going to see me.In out and sell the place.
Or so I thought...
A Place To Land is not just another small town romance,but a story about love and grief while learning the act of forgiveness towards both others and your own self.In Nora's face, I didn't just saw an other female character but the every day woman,who is always working always busy because now days life demands her to be,leading her to lose the real meaning of life,and people who matter.Literally,my favorite moment on the both,which equally hurt me,was the moment she understood how her work centered and dull her life had become.From that point and later,the real juicy story started.Nora's story started .
So,as you understood Nora,is a really special woman,and to be 100% honest,I loved reading about her journey more than the actual romance (without implying at all that it was not good ,cute or not worth reading about,I think just her journey clicked something in me).She is beautiful inside and out, a really heartwarming person and since we see her and as a girlfriend I can say she was sassy until to fall in without our boy,BUT THE MOMENT IT HAPPENED,I was like 🗣️: Siri,play Lover Girl by Laufey.
Elias on the other side,had heart eyes even when he hated,even when he loved,even when he was heartbroken,HE ALWAYS HAD HEART EYES for our girl,and that is how it should be if you ask me!
Their romance was beautiful,slow with feisty lines,and a contemporary enemies to lovers vibe,that most of the time had me laughing.However,I loved and appreciated all their journey and their HEA ending was the cherry on top to this cutie pie of a book!
So,if you want a shortie that will keep you smiling for 250 pages A Place To Land Is The Perfect For You!
Out On May 19th 🪻
4⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & June Jule for trusting me with this ARC!💚
Being back in Budgie Bay to clean my grandmother's cottage is the last time this town is going to see me.In out and sell the place.
Or so I thought...
A Place To Land is not just another small town romance,but a story about love and grief while learning the act of forgiveness towards both others and your own self.In Nora's face, I didn't just saw an other female character but the every day woman,who is always working always busy because now days life demands her to be,leading her to lose the real meaning of life,and people who matter.Literally,my favorite moment on the both,which equally hurt me,was the moment she understood how her work centered and dull her life had become.From that point and later,the real juicy story started.Nora's story started .
So,as you understood Nora,is a really special woman,and to be 100% honest,I loved reading about her journey more than the actual romance (without implying at all that it was not good ,cute or not worth reading about,I think just her journey clicked something in me).She is beautiful inside and out, a really heartwarming person and since we see her and as a girlfriend I can say she was sassy until to fall in without our boy,BUT THE MOMENT IT HAPPENED,I was like 🗣️: Siri,play Lover Girl by Laufey.
Elias on the other side,had heart eyes even when he hated,even when he loved,even when he was heartbroken,HE ALWAYS HAD HEART EYES for our girl,and that is how it should be if you ask me!
Their romance was beautiful,slow with feisty lines,and a contemporary enemies to lovers vibe,that most of the time had me laughing.However,I loved and appreciated all their journey and their HEA ending was the cherry on top to this cutie pie of a book!
So,if you want a shortie that will keep you smiling for 250 pages A Place To Land Is The Perfect For You!
Out On May 19th 🪻
4⭐
May 20, 2026
Review of an ARC copy!
first as always thank you LoveNotes PR for allowing me the opportunity to be apart of the ARC community and to June Jule for choosing me!
A Place To Land was such a devastating but good read. Grief is never linear and finding someone who also understands it to help you is a lot.
It takes place in Budgie Bay a small town where everyone knows everyone and things are never out of place. After the death of her grandmother Goldie, Nora returns to the small town trying to find her reasoning for being there and grieve her grandmother after missing her funeral. She feels guilty and wants to clean up her grandmothers house to see if she can heal in some way. Enter Elias a grumpy man who also happened to be the roommate of Goldie, the grandson she never had who loved her just as one and took care of her. He watched as she arrives to her grandmothers old house angry seeing the only grandchild who missed her grandmothers own funeral. He was not happy to see her arrive and shake things up but he also wasn’t expecting to actually fall for someone so quickly who didn’t take crap from him.
At first they didn’t get along a bad run in if you will. But with Nora needing help Elias was reluctant (after a guilt trip from his best friend) to allow her into his space and help with rebuilding. He was also developing feelings very quickly for Nora. Morning coffee with the sun rising, long conversations and opening up drew them to each other. At the biggest event of the town while on a date Nora’s controlling ex shows up proposing in front of everyone. Elias of course not happy ran thinking she had said yes.
Thank goodness for his nosy family and best friend. Nora decided slow days with Elias were better than a city day without him. She and Elias stayed together!
A Place Like Home to me was such a good quick book to keep out of a book slump. It’s like a pallet cleanser and i enjoyed it so much. Not a typical read but i didn’t know that till reading and I’m so glad i did. It showed me that you never judge a book by its cover and that one person can bring a lot of people together. Grief is not linear but a rollercoaster of emotions that you may need help on
first as always thank you LoveNotes PR for allowing me the opportunity to be apart of the ARC community and to June Jule for choosing me!
A Place To Land was such a devastating but good read. Grief is never linear and finding someone who also understands it to help you is a lot.
It takes place in Budgie Bay a small town where everyone knows everyone and things are never out of place. After the death of her grandmother Goldie, Nora returns to the small town trying to find her reasoning for being there and grieve her grandmother after missing her funeral. She feels guilty and wants to clean up her grandmothers house to see if she can heal in some way. Enter Elias a grumpy man who also happened to be the roommate of Goldie, the grandson she never had who loved her just as one and took care of her. He watched as she arrives to her grandmothers old house angry seeing the only grandchild who missed her grandmothers own funeral. He was not happy to see her arrive and shake things up but he also wasn’t expecting to actually fall for someone so quickly who didn’t take crap from him.
At first they didn’t get along a bad run in if you will. But with Nora needing help Elias was reluctant (after a guilt trip from his best friend) to allow her into his space and help with rebuilding. He was also developing feelings very quickly for Nora. Morning coffee with the sun rising, long conversations and opening up drew them to each other. At the biggest event of the town while on a date Nora’s controlling ex shows up proposing in front of everyone. Elias of course not happy ran thinking she had said yes.
Thank goodness for his nosy family and best friend. Nora decided slow days with Elias were better than a city day without him. She and Elias stayed together!
A Place Like Home to me was such a good quick book to keep out of a book slump. It’s like a pallet cleanser and i enjoyed it so much. Not a typical read but i didn’t know that till reading and I’m so glad i did. It showed me that you never judge a book by its cover and that one person can bring a lot of people together. Grief is not linear but a rollercoaster of emotions that you may need help on
May 18, 2026
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Title: A Place to Land: Budgie Bay (Book 1)
Author: June Jule
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 298
Rating: 4⭐️/5
“Home isn’t where you’re from. It’s where you decide to stay.”
Nora returns to Budgie Bay with lingering guilt over missing her grandmother’s funeral due to her billionaire boyfriend and fast-paced marketing career, planning to quickly settle the estate and go back to her city life. But things become more emotional than expected when she finds the cottage in disrepair, the abandoned bird sanctuary, and meets Elias - the gruff yet caring sheriff/neighbor who helped her grandmother during her final year. During BudgieFest, she’s forced to stay longer and slowly uncovers her grandmother’s life through journals, rescued birds, and the small town she once left behind. As her connection with Elias grows and New York starts to feel further away, she begins to question where “home” really is.
This book felt like a warm, small-town hug with Hallmark-movie energy, full of birds and two stubborn people accidentally falling hard for each other. The grumpy x grumpy dynamic was so fun, but the real heart of the story is Nora’s journey as she slowly reconnects with herself, her family, and what truly matters. My favorite part is when she finds her grandma’s letters to her grandpa; it’s such a simple but heartfelt moment that lets her see them as young people who loved deeply, dreamed, and were full of life, not just as her grandparents. With slow-burn chemistry, cozy town vibes, forced proximity, adorable pets, and plenty of hilarious banter, this is a cute, easy read with a very obvious happily-ever-after.
A big thanks to Love Notes PR and June Jule for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 05/19/2026 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
Title: A Place to Land: Budgie Bay (Book 1)
Author: June Jule
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 298
Rating: 4⭐️/5
“Home isn’t where you’re from. It’s where you decide to stay.”
Nora returns to Budgie Bay with lingering guilt over missing her grandmother’s funeral due to her billionaire boyfriend and fast-paced marketing career, planning to quickly settle the estate and go back to her city life. But things become more emotional than expected when she finds the cottage in disrepair, the abandoned bird sanctuary, and meets Elias - the gruff yet caring sheriff/neighbor who helped her grandmother during her final year. During BudgieFest, she’s forced to stay longer and slowly uncovers her grandmother’s life through journals, rescued birds, and the small town she once left behind. As her connection with Elias grows and New York starts to feel further away, she begins to question where “home” really is.
This book felt like a warm, small-town hug with Hallmark-movie energy, full of birds and two stubborn people accidentally falling hard for each other. The grumpy x grumpy dynamic was so fun, but the real heart of the story is Nora’s journey as she slowly reconnects with herself, her family, and what truly matters. My favorite part is when she finds her grandma’s letters to her grandpa; it’s such a simple but heartfelt moment that lets her see them as young people who loved deeply, dreamed, and were full of life, not just as her grandparents. With slow-burn chemistry, cozy town vibes, forced proximity, adorable pets, and plenty of hilarious banter, this is a cute, easy read with a very obvious happily-ever-after.
A big thanks to Love Notes PR and June Jule for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 05/19/2026 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
Review of advance copy
While a cute read, this book just wasn't for me.
After missing her grandmother's funeral, and really the last year of her life, Nora is back in Budgie Bay to help sort out her grandma's house and sell it. What she wasn't counting on was the mess or the grief hitting her hard. Or the grumpy, but attractive, neighbor, Elias, who was caring for her grandma's rescue Budgies. Staying with him due to the town festival happening and nowhere else to go, Nora learns that this is where her grandma spent the last year, and Elias may know more than she does. Uncovering her grandma's past helps Nora move on and connect with her grandma in a way she didn't think she could. But when the time comes, will she stay, or will she return to the big city?
Nora and Elias get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.
This book was cute and sweet, but it just didn't hold my attention like I thought it would. It is also a closed-door romance with nothing more than kissing on the page for those looking for that type of book. I do wonder if Nora talked with more of the grandma generation in town to learn more about her grandma from them and the love story between her grandparents, especially because her grandpa couldn't tell it to her. From personal experience, having the letters that Nora found and kept they are a treasure to learn more about people you only knew as older people, to see them young and carefree. I loved her idea of turning it into a book, though I wonder about its reach.
I received an advance review copy from Love Notes PR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After missing her grandmother's funeral, and really the last year of her life, Nora is back in Budgie Bay to help sort out her grandma's house and sell it. What she wasn't counting on was the mess or the grief hitting her hard. Or the grumpy, but attractive, neighbor, Elias, who was caring for her grandma's rescue Budgies. Staying with him due to the town festival happening and nowhere else to go, Nora learns that this is where her grandma spent the last year, and Elias may know more than she does. Uncovering her grandma's past helps Nora move on and connect with her grandma in a way she didn't think she could. But when the time comes, will she stay, or will she return to the big city?
Nora and Elias get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.
This book was cute and sweet, but it just didn't hold my attention like I thought it would. It is also a closed-door romance with nothing more than kissing on the page for those looking for that type of book. I do wonder if Nora talked with more of the grandma generation in town to learn more about her grandma from them and the love story between her grandparents, especially because her grandpa couldn't tell it to her. From personal experience, having the letters that Nora found and kept they are a treasure to learn more about people you only knew as older people, to see them young and carefree. I loved her idea of turning it into a book, though I wonder about its reach.
I received an advance review copy from Love Notes PR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reading this sweet story was like getting a comforting hug and a cup of tea! I absolutely loved the world the author created in the adorable small town of Budgie Bay. Nora Everhart feels incredibly guilty for not being there for her grandmother’s funeral and arrives to sell her cottage and settle her affairs. Nora finds so much more when she meets grumpy neighbor, carpenter Elias Cove. They instantly become enemies when he judges her harshly, yet eventually Nora ends up having to stay with him in his house as the cottage gets repaired.
The true stars of Budgie Bay are the cute little parrots from Australia called Budgies. Nora’s grandmother, Goldie Everhart, ran a rescue for them and one cutie in particular is a pet Budgie called Cloverby (Clo). The longer that Nora stays in town, the more she questions her fast-paced life in NYC and her self-absorbed rich boyfriend Denver, who is also her boss. Nora learns how close her grandmother was to Elias and he shares many stories with her that she never knew.
Nora is an only child, mothered by an only child, so she doesn’t have a big family like Elias does. She comes to know and appreciate his family, and she makes new friends in town. Soon she and Elias are letting their walls down and enjoying each other’s company. I especially love the theme of slow mornings and savoring your surroundings. The story has some funny moments and some very sweet and poignant ones - I can’t wait to read more books in the series!
The true stars of Budgie Bay are the cute little parrots from Australia called Budgies. Nora’s grandmother, Goldie Everhart, ran a rescue for them and one cutie in particular is a pet Budgie called Cloverby (Clo). The longer that Nora stays in town, the more she questions her fast-paced life in NYC and her self-absorbed rich boyfriend Denver, who is also her boss. Nora learns how close her grandmother was to Elias and he shares many stories with her that she never knew.
Nora is an only child, mothered by an only child, so she doesn’t have a big family like Elias does. She comes to know and appreciate his family, and she makes new friends in town. Soon she and Elias are letting their walls down and enjoying each other’s company. I especially love the theme of slow mornings and savoring your surroundings. The story has some funny moments and some very sweet and poignant ones - I can’t wait to read more books in the series!
May 20, 2026
ARC Review
This book was a cute, quick read for me.
The story takes place in small-town Budgie Bay where Nora is cleaning out her grandmother’s cottage. While there she runs into a grumpy carpenter named Elias, and they get off on the wrong foot. The story moves along as Nora is discovering things about her grandmother and herself while going through her belongings and fixing her home.
What hooked me from the start was the depiction of what grief looks like to different people, at different times. The various emotions one goes through and the healing that comes after grief. I thought the author portrayed that very well with these characters. This book is filled with other elements too, like a public proposal gone wrong and enemies to lovers that brings humor and tension.
I also liked the budgie birds and their interactions with the characters. They were so cute and funny!
Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy a forced proximity, small-town charm, and healing after loss.
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC!
This book was a cute, quick read for me.
The story takes place in small-town Budgie Bay where Nora is cleaning out her grandmother’s cottage. While there she runs into a grumpy carpenter named Elias, and they get off on the wrong foot. The story moves along as Nora is discovering things about her grandmother and herself while going through her belongings and fixing her home.
What hooked me from the start was the depiction of what grief looks like to different people, at different times. The various emotions one goes through and the healing that comes after grief. I thought the author portrayed that very well with these characters. This book is filled with other elements too, like a public proposal gone wrong and enemies to lovers that brings humor and tension.
I also liked the budgie birds and their interactions with the characters. They were so cute and funny!
Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy a forced proximity, small-town charm, and healing after loss.
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
A Place to Land by June Jule absolutely stole my heart. This was such a tender, slow burn romance filled with grief, healing, and two people finding comfort in each other when they needed it most.
The grumpy x grumpy dynamic turning into the softest sunshine relationship was EVERYTHING. Their connection felt so genuine and deeply emotional, and I loved watching the walls slowly come down between them. The chemistry simmered perfectly the entire book, definitely a true slow burn.
The small town obsession with birds was honestly one of the cutest and most unique settings I’ve read in a while, and the creative swearing had me laughing throughout. Add in the adorable pets, the forced proximity, and the emotional vulnerability, and I was completely hooked.
If you love:
🏡 Small towns
🥰 Enemies to lovers
💞 Forced proximity
🔨 Grumpy carpenter
🌆 City girl slowdown
💍 Public proposal gone wrong
🔥 Slow burn romance
🌶️
A Place to Land by June Jule absolutely stole my heart. This was such a tender, slow burn romance filled with grief, healing, and two people finding comfort in each other when they needed it most.
The grumpy x grumpy dynamic turning into the softest sunshine relationship was EVERYTHING. Their connection felt so genuine and deeply emotional, and I loved watching the walls slowly come down between them. The chemistry simmered perfectly the entire book, definitely a true slow burn.
The small town obsession with birds was honestly one of the cutest and most unique settings I’ve read in a while, and the creative swearing had me laughing throughout. Add in the adorable pets, the forced proximity, and the emotional vulnerability, and I was completely hooked.
If you love:
🏡 Small towns
🥰 Enemies to lovers
💞 Forced proximity
🔨 Grumpy carpenter
🌆 City girl slowdown
💍 Public proposal gone wrong
🔥 Slow burn romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had such a cozy, comforting atmosphere. Between the small-town setting, the rescue budgies, and the emotional storyline surrounding Nora’s grandmother, it definitely had a soft and heartfelt feel to it.
I think readers who love quieter romances, grumpy x sunshine dynamics, and slower emotional stories will really enjoy this one. Nora and Elias had a sweet relationship, and I liked the themes of grief, healing, and reconnecting with family history.
For me personally though, the story just didn’t fully hold my attention the way I hoped it would. I wanted a little more emotional depth and connection in certain parts of the story, especially surrounding Nora’s grandparents and the history she was uncovering.
It’s also definitely more of a gentle, closed-door romance, so readers looking for spice should keep that in mind going in.
✨ tropes ✨
☀️ Grumpy x sunshine
💞 Slow burn
🏡 Small town romance
❤️🩹 Grief & healing
💌 Family history
🚪 Closed-door spice
I think readers who love quieter romances, grumpy x sunshine dynamics, and slower emotional stories will really enjoy this one. Nora and Elias had a sweet relationship, and I liked the themes of grief, healing, and reconnecting with family history.
For me personally though, the story just didn’t fully hold my attention the way I hoped it would. I wanted a little more emotional depth and connection in certain parts of the story, especially surrounding Nora’s grandparents and the history she was uncovering.
It’s also definitely more of a gentle, closed-door romance, so readers looking for spice should keep that in mind going in.
✨ tropes ✨
☀️ Grumpy x sunshine
💞 Slow burn
🏡 Small town romance
❤️🩹 Grief & healing
💌 Family history
🚪 Closed-door spice
May 19, 2026
- Small-town enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Generational love story
- Slow burn
A Place to Land by June Jule was a beautiful second chance enemies to lovers romance that swept me off my feet from the very first few chapters. In this novel, we get to meet our FMC Nora as she travels back to Budgie Bay to take care of her late grandmothers cottage. Along the way, she runs into a grumpy carpenter named Elias who has been taking care of her grandmother in her absence. One of the things I liked about this novel is how June Jules is able to write in an immersive style that created a comforting atmosphere while I read. Overall, A Place to Land is a touching and uplifting read that kept my attention from start to finish!
I received an ARC copy from Love Notes PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
- Forced proximity
- Generational love story
- Slow burn
A Place to Land by June Jule was a beautiful second chance enemies to lovers romance that swept me off my feet from the very first few chapters. In this novel, we get to meet our FMC Nora as she travels back to Budgie Bay to take care of her late grandmothers cottage. Along the way, she runs into a grumpy carpenter named Elias who has been taking care of her grandmother in her absence. One of the things I liked about this novel is how June Jules is able to write in an immersive style that created a comforting atmosphere while I read. Overall, A Place to Land is a touching and uplifting read that kept my attention from start to finish!
I received an ARC copy from Love Notes PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC of A Place to Land! I’m giving this one 3.5 stars. This enemies to lovers story was really cute, but I do feel like there were some gaps in the plot that left me wondering how we got from point A to point B. However, the small town feel and the characters were great! Everyone had such a unique personality. I also loved all the bird! Especially Clo! This book also had our main female character, Nora, dealing with the death of her grandmother. Seeing how she dealt with the grief of her loss through out the story really struck home as I’m still grieving my grandma 6 years later.
I’m already excited for next book about Kayla and Monroe. I feel like that one is going to be so good!
I’m already excited for next book about Kayla and Monroe. I feel like that one is going to be so good!
Read
May 15, 2026Thank you Love Notes PR for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was such a tender, cozy slow-burn romance filled with grief, healing, and finding your way back to yourself. The small-town obsession with birds made Budgie Bay feel so unique and charming, and the creative swearing genuinely had me laughing throughout.
Nora and Elias had such a sweet dynamic, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow through shared vulnerability, forced proximity, and reconnecting with family history. Add in the adorable animals and cozy small-town atmosphere, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
This was such a tender, cozy slow-burn romance filled with grief, healing, and finding your way back to yourself. The small-town obsession with birds made Budgie Bay feel so unique and charming, and the creative swearing genuinely had me laughing throughout.
Nora and Elias had such a sweet dynamic, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow through shared vulnerability, forced proximity, and reconnecting with family history. Add in the adorable animals and cozy small-town atmosphere, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.
May 17, 2026
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, this book had a very cozy feeling to it and the ending was super sweet and had a happy ending in multiple different ways. The touches of the FMCs grandparents love story was well written and included into the overall story.
However, I felt as though I couldn’t connect well with the characters and the timing of everything was just off. I didn’t truly feel the “grumpiness” of the MMC and I felt like he warmed up to the FMC way too fast. I wasn’t a fan of all the birds either, but stuck through with the book. The last 1/4th of the book made up for the beginning.
Overall, this book had a very cozy feeling to it and the ending was super sweet and had a happy ending in multiple different ways. The touches of the FMCs grandparents love story was well written and included into the overall story.
However, I felt as though I couldn’t connect well with the characters and the timing of everything was just off. I didn’t truly feel the “grumpiness” of the MMC and I felt like he warmed up to the FMC way too fast. I wasn’t a fan of all the birds either, but stuck through with the book. The last 1/4th of the book made up for the beginning.
May 19, 2026
Thank you to Love Notes for providing me with an E-ARC to review.
Let's start easy. I think this could be a great read if you are looking for a cliché small town romance with elements of home Reno, grief of a grandparent, pet birds, and a little bit of mystery.
I, unfortunately have already read dozens of these kind of stories, so to me it felt a little overdone. The characters weren't very sympathetic, and their connection came out of nowhere. I think the birds were a nice touch, but again, not fully realised. Also, the fake swearing was so annoying.
I personally won't be reading the next book in this series, but I could recommend this one.
Let's start easy. I think this could be a great read if you are looking for a cliché small town romance with elements of home Reno, grief of a grandparent, pet birds, and a little bit of mystery.
I, unfortunately have already read dozens of these kind of stories, so to me it felt a little overdone. The characters weren't very sympathetic, and their connection came out of nowhere. I think the birds were a nice touch, but again, not fully realised. Also, the fake swearing was so annoying.
I personally won't be reading the next book in this series, but I could recommend this one.
May 21, 2026
If you love small town romances, this book is for you!
Nora comes back to where she spent summers with her grandma only to fall back in love with the place among other things.
Elias is a the grumpy next door neighbor Nora didn’t realize she needed in her life. Elias hates Nora before he even knows her but soon he realizes that’s not the case once he begins to learn more about her.
Along the way, these 2 uncover some things regarding Amos who Goldie has been waiting for him to come back to her.
In order to find out all the details, you’re going to need to pick up the book yourself 🥰
Nora comes back to where she spent summers with her grandma only to fall back in love with the place among other things.
Elias is a the grumpy next door neighbor Nora didn’t realize she needed in her life. Elias hates Nora before he even knows her but soon he realizes that’s not the case once he begins to learn more about her.
Along the way, these 2 uncover some things regarding Amos who Goldie has been waiting for him to come back to her.
In order to find out all the details, you’re going to need to pick up the book yourself 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an ARC review: This was a sweet, closed-door story, personally would not consider this a enemies to lovers. The evolution in their relationship happened very fast. Thought it lacked depth, Goldie was a big part of this story yet we only know very little about her. The ex boyfriend with the surprise proposal and his stay in town after was random and did nothing for the story. Personally, I was looking and hoping for more. But overall a sweet story
May 19, 2026
Favorite and a must read!
I loved reading about Nora and Elias' story. The way their relationship evolves and all they go through. Their back and forth was so funny. The budgies. She's a city girl, and he's a town grump. The whole small town and their part. Noras best friend kayla who keeps referring to the town as a hallmark movie. The letter shatters me. And then it's just a beautiful ending. I can't wait to read the next book!
I loved reading about Nora and Elias' story. The way their relationship evolves and all they go through. Their back and forth was so funny. The budgies. She's a city girl, and he's a town grump. The whole small town and their part. Noras best friend kayla who keeps referring to the town as a hallmark movie. The letter shatters me. And then it's just a beautiful ending. I can't wait to read the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to June Jule and Love Notes PR for the ARC!
A Place to Land is such a charming little romance. If you're a fan of grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers, and slowburns, this is the one for you. You will absolutely fall in love with Nora and Elias, and all the budgies!! <3
Excited for the next novel in the Budgie Bay series (especially after the little spoiler at the end!!)
A Place to Land is such a charming little romance. If you're a fan of grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers, and slowburns, this is the one for you. You will absolutely fall in love with Nora and Elias, and all the budgies!! <3
Excited for the next novel in the Budgie Bay series (especially after the little spoiler at the end!!)
Review of advance copy
AS AN ARC READER,
Oh my god i absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and so sweeet and I even started crying, missing Goldie as if she were my grandma!!!! I also loved the little… twist at the end!
No spoilers!
Highly recommend this book, i loved it so so much <3
Thank you Love Notes for giving me the opportunity to read this masterpiece!
Oh my god i absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and so sweeet and I even started crying, missing Goldie as if she were my grandma!!!! I also loved the little… twist at the end!
No spoilers!
Highly recommend this book, i loved it so so much <3
Thank you Love Notes for giving me the opportunity to read this masterpiece!
May 15, 2026
This book was so cute! I enjoyed Elias and Nora’s mutual love for her grandma and rescuing birds. I recommend this book if you like small town romance, grumpy MMC, sunshine FMC, lost family, slow burn, and no spice.
May 20, 2026
This book was a sweet little read that’s perfect for the summer season!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews