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Cinnamon Springs #2
When Forever Falls Apart: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26A cozy and steamy small-town romance about a runaway bride and her best friend’s older brother who agree to fake-date to make her ex jealous, from the author of How to Break My Heart.
Maddy Beaumont has been dubbed the runaway bride of Cinnamon Springs ever since she left her ex, Myles, waiting at the altar and fled to Manhattan. But she can’t escape the town’s judgment forever. When she returns home, she runs into Myles and his new girlfriend.
Did she make a mistake by calling off the wedding? There’s only one way to find out. To save face—and maybe test the waters—Maddy’s best friend’s charming older stepbrother, Elliot Woods, suggests they pretend to be a couple. He knows exactly how jealous a man can become, plus Elliot is bored with Cinnamon Springs, desperate to head back to France where everyone wants him.
But the more time Maddy spends with Elliot, the more she realizes what they share might not be so fake after all—and soon, she’s left wondering if the love she’s been running from has been right in front of her all along.
Maddy Beaumont has been dubbed the runaway bride of Cinnamon Springs ever since she left her ex, Myles, waiting at the altar and fled to Manhattan. But she can’t escape the town’s judgment forever. When she returns home, she runs into Myles and his new girlfriend.
Did she make a mistake by calling off the wedding? There’s only one way to find out. To save face—and maybe test the waters—Maddy’s best friend’s charming older stepbrother, Elliot Woods, suggests they pretend to be a couple. He knows exactly how jealous a man can become, plus Elliot is bored with Cinnamon Springs, desperate to head back to France where everyone wants him.
But the more time Maddy spends with Elliot, the more she realizes what they share might not be so fake after all—and soon, she’s left wondering if the love she’s been running from has been right in front of her all along.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Kat T. Masen
51 books3,381 followersBorn and bred in Sydney Australia, Kat T. Masen is a mother to four crazy boys and wife to one sane husband. Growing up in a generation where social media and fancy gadgets didn’t exist, she enjoyed reading from an early age and found herself immersed in these stories. After meeting friends on twitter who loved to read as much as she did, her passion to write began and the friendships continued on despite the distance. “I’m known to be crazy and humorous. Show me the most random picture of a dog in a wig and I’ll be laughing for days.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 17, 2026
This was my first time reading a book written by Kat T. Masen and enjoyed it so much. I’ve recently discovered that I love small town romances so much!! Cinnamon Springs sounds like such a cute and cosy town, and this book delivered all the good things I expect to find in a small town romance book. 🥰 Cosy community vibes where everyone knows each other, gossipy old ladies, and an adorable donut cafe! Loved the whole vibe! 🥹
Madelina and Elliot’s romance was also fun to read and watch unfold. The forbidden romance (best friends brother / sisters best friend) is one of my favourite tropes 🥰 Their spice was also spicing! 😆
The side characters were also fantastic to read and I enjoyed them as well! I really hope we get a Billie book because she seems so awesome!
Tropes in this one include:
🧡Best friends older brother / Sisters best friend
🩷Fake Dating
🧡Possessive MMC
🩷 Small Town
🧡 Found Family
If you’re looking for a cosy small town romance, I highly recommend this one! 🤗
Madelina and Elliot’s romance was also fun to read and watch unfold. The forbidden romance (best friends brother / sisters best friend) is one of my favourite tropes 🥰 Their spice was also spicing! 😆
The side characters were also fantastic to read and I enjoyed them as well! I really hope we get a Billie book because she seems so awesome!
Tropes in this one include:
🧡Best friends older brother / Sisters best friend
🩷Fake Dating
🧡Possessive MMC
🩷 Small Town
🧡 Found Family
If you’re looking for a cosy small town romance, I highly recommend this one! 🤗
June 14, 2026
Not a bad read. It read quickly, like the first one did. I thought some substance was missing. The romance seemed to happen so quickly, followed by the third act break up and resolution. I wanted to a little more. There were also a few times where I thought to myself “are these even adults?” because of some decisions. I really would like to read Billie’s book - she’s my favorite character in the series. Fingers crossed!
Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
July 8, 2026
The snippets of the couple from the first book made me just want to knock my head on a desk. Because apparently people don’t change. Just like in their book, both the characters in this book were disgusting and should just split up for crying out loud.
Excluding that, this whole book is just negative; no one likes each other. Also, show, not tell, please, authors, I beg you.
Also, the degrading of women is so frickin hypocritical when the male characters projecting that hate, are so much worse.
But, just like the first book, this book is diabolically bad, like soooo badly written and executed. Again, everything is there for a small town romance. But, this book just oversimplified an easy small-town romance; it incorporates or tries to fit in six too many romance factors and in the end just becomes a hot mess.
1.5
Excluding that, this whole book is just negative; no one likes each other. Also, show, not tell, please, authors, I beg you.
Also, the degrading of women is so frickin hypocritical when the male characters projecting that hate, are so much worse.
But, just like the first book, this book is diabolically bad, like soooo badly written and executed. Again, everything is there for a small town romance. But, this book just oversimplified an easy small-town romance; it incorporates or tries to fit in six too many romance factors and in the end just becomes a hot mess.
1.5
Read
May 9, 2026Al terminarlo, la primera palabra que se me vino a la mente fue: Inconsistente.
Tanto la trama, como las personajes, sus pensamientos y acciones fueron inconsistentes.
Tanto la trama, como las personajes, sus pensamientos y acciones fueron inconsistentes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
There is something about a good small town romance that makes me want to move into the town, make friends with everyone, and somehow become a regular at the local coffee shop. Cinnamon Springs gave me exactly that feeling.
Maddy’s return home is not exactly under the best circumstances. She has left her fiancé at the altar and is now back in the place she grew up, trying to figure out what comes next while dealing with the embarrassment and guilt that comes with walking away from a life she thought she wanted. I really appreciated that her decision was not treated as something easy. She has plenty of doubts, and watching her slowly learn to trust her own instincts again was one of my favorite parts of her story.
Then there is Elliott. He is confident, charming, stubborn, and just arrogant enough to be entertaining. He also happens to be her best friend’s brother and a chef, which certainly makes the whole situation more interesting. What starts as a fake relationship quickly becomes a lot harder to keep fake once the two of them start spending more time together.
I really liked their chemistry. Their relationship did not feel like it appeared out of nowhere. There was a gradual shift from friendship and pretending to something much deeper, and I enjoyed watching them realize that they were becoming important to each other. Elliott has his own issues with commitment, while Maddy is trying to figure out what she actually wants from her future, so they end up understanding each other in ways neither of them expected.
The book does have a slower beginning, and there were definitely moments when I wanted the characters to just communicate instead of making things harder than they needed to be. I also felt like the ending wrapped up a little too quickly considering how much time was spent building everything up.
Still, I had a really good time with this one. The setting was charming, the romance had plenty of tension, and I liked that there was more emotional depth underneath the cozy small town atmosphere. It is the kind of story that feels comforting while still giving you enough drama to keep you invested.
I also did not realize this was part of a series until after I started reading, but I never felt lost or like I was missing important pieces. If anything, it made me want to go back and see where the story began.
A lovely romance about starting over, making peace with the life you thought you wanted, and realizing that sometimes the biggest wrong turn can lead you exactly where you were meant to be.
Maddy’s return home is not exactly under the best circumstances. She has left her fiancé at the altar and is now back in the place she grew up, trying to figure out what comes next while dealing with the embarrassment and guilt that comes with walking away from a life she thought she wanted. I really appreciated that her decision was not treated as something easy. She has plenty of doubts, and watching her slowly learn to trust her own instincts again was one of my favorite parts of her story.
Then there is Elliott. He is confident, charming, stubborn, and just arrogant enough to be entertaining. He also happens to be her best friend’s brother and a chef, which certainly makes the whole situation more interesting. What starts as a fake relationship quickly becomes a lot harder to keep fake once the two of them start spending more time together.
I really liked their chemistry. Their relationship did not feel like it appeared out of nowhere. There was a gradual shift from friendship and pretending to something much deeper, and I enjoyed watching them realize that they were becoming important to each other. Elliott has his own issues with commitment, while Maddy is trying to figure out what she actually wants from her future, so they end up understanding each other in ways neither of them expected.
The book does have a slower beginning, and there were definitely moments when I wanted the characters to just communicate instead of making things harder than they needed to be. I also felt like the ending wrapped up a little too quickly considering how much time was spent building everything up.
Still, I had a really good time with this one. The setting was charming, the romance had plenty of tension, and I liked that there was more emotional depth underneath the cozy small town atmosphere. It is the kind of story that feels comforting while still giving you enough drama to keep you invested.
I also did not realize this was part of a series until after I started reading, but I never felt lost or like I was missing important pieces. If anything, it made me want to go back and see where the story began.
A lovely romance about starting over, making peace with the life you thought you wanted, and realizing that sometimes the biggest wrong turn can lead you exactly where you were meant to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you netgalley
When Forever Falls Apart • Kat T. Masen
Cinnamon Springs #2
One phrase: fake dating with real feelings 💞
Cinnamon Springs is one of those fictional small towns I desperately wish I could visit. Kat T. Masen makes the town feel so vivid and cozy that it honestly feels like a place you could pack a bag for and never want to leave.
Maddy returns home with the title of runaway bride hanging over her head, and I really felt for her. Leaving someone at the altar sounds dramatic, but sometimes walking away is the bravest thing you can do when something does not feel right. I loved that her story explored the messy reality of questioning a future you thought you wanted and learning to trust yourself again.
Then there’s Elliott.
Cocky. Charming. A little arrogant. A hot chef who knows how to turn up the heat in more ways than one. He starts off helping Maddy fake date to make her ex jealous, but the more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that the real love story may have been sitting right in front of her all along.
What I loved most was how genuine their relationship felt. It built through small moments, honest conversations, insecurities, and the kind of emotional growth that makes a romance feel real. Elliott had to learn that forever might actually be meant for him, and watching him soften into that possibility was so satisfying.
This book has all the cozy small town charm, fake dating tension, and emotional honesty I love in romance. It is sweet, steamy, and full of characters who feel like people you could actually know.
✨ Tropes & vibes:
💞 fake dating
🏡 small town romance
👫 best friend’s older brother
🫶 friends to lovers
🔁 second chance energy
🔥 forced proximity
👰 runaway bride
👨🍳 hot chef MMC
💔 healing after heartbreak
🥹 found love where you least expect it
📚 Read this if you like:
Cozy small town romances, fake relationships that turn real, emotional growth, hot chefs, messy ex drama, and love stories that feel grounded, heartfelt, and swoony.
Cinnamon Springs has my heart and I am absolutely not ready to leave.
#WhenForeverFallsApart #KatTMasen #SmallTownRomance #FakeDatingRomance #BookReview @atria
When Forever Falls Apart • Kat T. Masen
Cinnamon Springs #2
One phrase: fake dating with real feelings 💞
Cinnamon Springs is one of those fictional small towns I desperately wish I could visit. Kat T. Masen makes the town feel so vivid and cozy that it honestly feels like a place you could pack a bag for and never want to leave.
Maddy returns home with the title of runaway bride hanging over her head, and I really felt for her. Leaving someone at the altar sounds dramatic, but sometimes walking away is the bravest thing you can do when something does not feel right. I loved that her story explored the messy reality of questioning a future you thought you wanted and learning to trust yourself again.
Then there’s Elliott.
Cocky. Charming. A little arrogant. A hot chef who knows how to turn up the heat in more ways than one. He starts off helping Maddy fake date to make her ex jealous, but the more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that the real love story may have been sitting right in front of her all along.
What I loved most was how genuine their relationship felt. It built through small moments, honest conversations, insecurities, and the kind of emotional growth that makes a romance feel real. Elliott had to learn that forever might actually be meant for him, and watching him soften into that possibility was so satisfying.
This book has all the cozy small town charm, fake dating tension, and emotional honesty I love in romance. It is sweet, steamy, and full of characters who feel like people you could actually know.
✨ Tropes & vibes:
💞 fake dating
🏡 small town romance
👫 best friend’s older brother
🫶 friends to lovers
🔁 second chance energy
🔥 forced proximity
👰 runaway bride
👨🍳 hot chef MMC
💔 healing after heartbreak
🥹 found love where you least expect it
📚 Read this if you like:
Cozy small town romances, fake relationships that turn real, emotional growth, hot chefs, messy ex drama, and love stories that feel grounded, heartfelt, and swoony.
Cinnamon Springs has my heart and I am absolutely not ready to leave.
#WhenForeverFallsApart #KatTMasen #SmallTownRomance #FakeDatingRomance #BookReview @atria
June 14, 2026
*Review of Advanced copy received by NetGalley*
When Forever Falls Apart is an emotional and heartwarming small-town romance that perfectly blends humor, heartbreak, family and friendship.
Maddy thought walking away from her wedding was the hardest thing she'd ever do. After leaving her fiancé, Myles, at the altar and disappearing for months to escape the fallout, she finally returns home to Cinnamon Springs carrying a mountain of guilt and regret. Her father is furious that her decision ruined an important business deal, and everywhere she turns she's reminded of the life she left behind. Determined to rebuild her life, Maddy takes a job at her best friend Eva's bakery, where she finds herself working alongside Eva's brother, Elliot.
Elliot is a standout hero. After leaving Paris when his girlfriend Nicole wanted a deeper commitment, he comes to Cinnamon Springs to figure out his future. Charming and funny but emotionally guarded, he shares undeniable chemistry with Maddy. Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey feels natural and believable.
Their relationship starts out with plenty of tension and bickering, but beneath the sharp banter is an attraction that neither of them can ignore. Watching their friendship develop into something deeper was one of my favorite parts of the story. The chemistry between Maddy and Elliot leaps off the page, and their conversations are filled with wit, warmth, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
What makes this book especially compelling is that both characters are running from similar fears. Maddy is haunted by the damage she caused when she fled her wedding, while Elliot is equally guilty of abandoning his own relationship when things became too serious.Their journey forces them to confront their mistakes and learn what it truly means to commit to another person.
The fake dating storyline adds another layer of fun. After discovering that Myles has already moved on, Maddy convinces Elliot to pretend to be her boyfriend and accompany her to a mutual friend's wedding. As expected, the fake relationship quickly becomes much more complicated when real feelings begin to surface. The sexual tension during these scenes is absolutely delicious, and it was impossible not to root for them.
When Forever Falls Apart is a beautifully written story about second chances, forgiveness, and finding love when your life doesn't go according to plan. Filled with emotional depth, swoon-worthy romance, and unforgettable characters, this book will be a hit with fans of small-town romance, fake dating, and slow-burn love stories.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A charming, emotional, and utterly addictive romance that proves sometimes the best love stories begin after everything falls apart.
When Forever Falls Apart is an emotional and heartwarming small-town romance that perfectly blends humor, heartbreak, family and friendship.
Maddy thought walking away from her wedding was the hardest thing she'd ever do. After leaving her fiancé, Myles, at the altar and disappearing for months to escape the fallout, she finally returns home to Cinnamon Springs carrying a mountain of guilt and regret. Her father is furious that her decision ruined an important business deal, and everywhere she turns she's reminded of the life she left behind. Determined to rebuild her life, Maddy takes a job at her best friend Eva's bakery, where she finds herself working alongside Eva's brother, Elliot.
Elliot is a standout hero. After leaving Paris when his girlfriend Nicole wanted a deeper commitment, he comes to Cinnamon Springs to figure out his future. Charming and funny but emotionally guarded, he shares undeniable chemistry with Maddy. Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey feels natural and believable.
Their relationship starts out with plenty of tension and bickering, but beneath the sharp banter is an attraction that neither of them can ignore. Watching their friendship develop into something deeper was one of my favorite parts of the story. The chemistry between Maddy and Elliot leaps off the page, and their conversations are filled with wit, warmth, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
What makes this book especially compelling is that both characters are running from similar fears. Maddy is haunted by the damage she caused when she fled her wedding, while Elliot is equally guilty of abandoning his own relationship when things became too serious.Their journey forces them to confront their mistakes and learn what it truly means to commit to another person.
The fake dating storyline adds another layer of fun. After discovering that Myles has already moved on, Maddy convinces Elliot to pretend to be her boyfriend and accompany her to a mutual friend's wedding. As expected, the fake relationship quickly becomes much more complicated when real feelings begin to surface. The sexual tension during these scenes is absolutely delicious, and it was impossible not to root for them.
When Forever Falls Apart is a beautifully written story about second chances, forgiveness, and finding love when your life doesn't go according to plan. Filled with emotional depth, swoon-worthy romance, and unforgettable characters, this book will be a hit with fans of small-town romance, fake dating, and slow-burn love stories.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A charming, emotional, and utterly addictive romance that proves sometimes the best love stories begin after everything falls apart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a huge fan of Kat T. Masen and her writing. I’ve read many of her series and probably more than thirteen of her books, so I went into the *Cinnamon Springs series *with high expectations and genuinely wanting to love it. I received the first book as an ARC as well. Unfortunately, this series didn’t impact me in the same way her other books have.
For me, the biggest issue was the lack of emotional depth. I never found myself becoming as invested in the characters, their individual stories, or their romance as I have with so many of Kat’s other books. There were moments that I could see had the potential to be emotional or meaningful, but I often felt like the story moved on before I had a chance to really feel them.
The pacing was also difficult for me. Everything seemed to happen so quickly that I sometimes felt like I was struggling to keep up. I wanted more time with the characters—to understand them, connect with them, and really experience their journey rather than feeling like we were moving from one event to the next. Because of that, some of the relationships and emotional moments didn't have the impact I was hoping for.
There were also times when the story felt a little immature to me, which made it harder to connect with the characters and take certain moments as seriously as I wanted to. I kept finding myself wishing for more depth, more development, and more of the emotional intensity that I've come to love in Kat's writing.
That said, this review is difficult for me because I genuinely adore Kat T. Masen as an author. Having read so many of her books, I know how much emotional depth and connection she is capable of creating, which is probably why this one stood out to me as not quite reaching the same level.
Overall, *When Forever Falls* wasn't a bad read, but for me, it simply needed **more**. More depth. More time with the characters. More development in the romance. More emotional connection. The story moved too quickly for me to fully invest in it, and unfortunately, it didn't leave the lasting impression that so many of Kat's other books have. As a longtime fan, I’ll absolutely continue reading her work, but this particular series just didn't capture me in the way I had hoped it would.
For me, the biggest issue was the lack of emotional depth. I never found myself becoming as invested in the characters, their individual stories, or their romance as I have with so many of Kat’s other books. There were moments that I could see had the potential to be emotional or meaningful, but I often felt like the story moved on before I had a chance to really feel them.
The pacing was also difficult for me. Everything seemed to happen so quickly that I sometimes felt like I was struggling to keep up. I wanted more time with the characters—to understand them, connect with them, and really experience their journey rather than feeling like we were moving from one event to the next. Because of that, some of the relationships and emotional moments didn't have the impact I was hoping for.
There were also times when the story felt a little immature to me, which made it harder to connect with the characters and take certain moments as seriously as I wanted to. I kept finding myself wishing for more depth, more development, and more of the emotional intensity that I've come to love in Kat's writing.
That said, this review is difficult for me because I genuinely adore Kat T. Masen as an author. Having read so many of her books, I know how much emotional depth and connection she is capable of creating, which is probably why this one stood out to me as not quite reaching the same level.
Overall, *When Forever Falls* wasn't a bad read, but for me, it simply needed **more**. More depth. More time with the characters. More development in the romance. More emotional connection. The story moved too quickly for me to fully invest in it, and unfortunately, it didn't leave the lasting impression that so many of Kat's other books have. As a longtime fan, I’ll absolutely continue reading her work, but this particular series just didn't capture me in the way I had hoped it would.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is book 2 in the Cinnamon Springs series, and my disclaimer here is that I haven’t read book 1 in the series. I suspect that having reviewed the blurb about book 1 I would have had more context to the story but, that didn’t distract from my enjoyment of this light-hearted, easy cosy romance with a hint of spice at all. And yes, I will be picking up book 1 as I’m intrigued about how the whole series started.
So, what did I think? Well, I read this book in just a few hours and was entranced. The story is fast paced, filled with all the self-conscious angst we all know and recognise from our own dating and romance misadventures, dramas, and a whole multitude of romance tropes that didn’t disappoint.
Maddy and Elliott were the perfect couple as their relationship transitioned from colleagues to friends to much, much more. Although I did think that the friendship element and longing tropes could have been used much more than it was as their relationship developed at such a fast pace.
Maddy is such an empathisable character, her past experiences and actions still weighed her down as she tried so hard to please others, whilst trying to find her own path and Elliott, was the epitome of the ideal book boyfriend, skilled in the kitchen and the bedroom, with just the right levels of confidence and cockiness, balanced by his own insecurities and need to grow to get to the next chapter. Each had their own and their shared arc that were full to the brim with all the romantic bookish references, tropes and that small-town world charm that I have to admit, charmed me.
This is such a fun, banter filled, easy, cosy romance that doesn’t ratchet up the tension to heart stopping levels but, instead carries you along at a perfect pace for falling in love with the town, the characters and the story. A perfect weekend or holiday read for those looking for a little fun, spice and romantic misadventure.
Thank you so much Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
So, what did I think? Well, I read this book in just a few hours and was entranced. The story is fast paced, filled with all the self-conscious angst we all know and recognise from our own dating and romance misadventures, dramas, and a whole multitude of romance tropes that didn’t disappoint.
Maddy and Elliott were the perfect couple as their relationship transitioned from colleagues to friends to much, much more. Although I did think that the friendship element and longing tropes could have been used much more than it was as their relationship developed at such a fast pace.
Maddy is such an empathisable character, her past experiences and actions still weighed her down as she tried so hard to please others, whilst trying to find her own path and Elliott, was the epitome of the ideal book boyfriend, skilled in the kitchen and the bedroom, with just the right levels of confidence and cockiness, balanced by his own insecurities and need to grow to get to the next chapter. Each had their own and their shared arc that were full to the brim with all the romantic bookish references, tropes and that small-town world charm that I have to admit, charmed me.
This is such a fun, banter filled, easy, cosy romance that doesn’t ratchet up the tension to heart stopping levels but, instead carries you along at a perfect pace for falling in love with the town, the characters and the story. A perfect weekend or holiday read for those looking for a little fun, spice and romantic misadventure.
Thank you so much Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance with fake dating, fun banter, and two people trying to figure out what they actually want after life does not go according to plan.
Maddy returns home to Cinnamon Springs after leaving her fiancé at the altar, carrying a lot of guilt and uncertainty about what comes next. I really liked that her story explored the idea that walking away from the future you thought you wanted can sometimes be the bravest choice, even when it leaves everything feeling messy.
Then there’s Elliott, her best friend’s older brother, a charming and slightly cocky chef with his own complicated feelings about commitment.
The chemistry between Maddy and Elliott was definitely the highlight for me. Their banter felt natural, their connection built through smaller moments, and I loved watching them slowly let their walls down. Once the fake-dating storyline came into play, it added some great tension and made it very easy to root for them.
The pacing was a little slower than I expected, especially at the beginning, and it took a while for the fake-dating premise to really get going. I also found some of the miscommunication frustrating, and the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the slower build throughout the rest of the story.
Even with those small issues, I really enjoyed the emotional side of Maddy and Elliott’s relationship and the themes of second chances, forgiveness, healing, and finding love when you least expect it.
Cinnamon Springs also had all the cozy small-town charm I love.
A sweet, steamy, and heartfelt romance that reminded me that sometimes everything has to fall apart before the right pieces can fall into place.
Thank you to Kat T Masen, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Maddy returns home to Cinnamon Springs after leaving her fiancé at the altar, carrying a lot of guilt and uncertainty about what comes next. I really liked that her story explored the idea that walking away from the future you thought you wanted can sometimes be the bravest choice, even when it leaves everything feeling messy.
Then there’s Elliott, her best friend’s older brother, a charming and slightly cocky chef with his own complicated feelings about commitment.
The chemistry between Maddy and Elliott was definitely the highlight for me. Their banter felt natural, their connection built through smaller moments, and I loved watching them slowly let their walls down. Once the fake-dating storyline came into play, it added some great tension and made it very easy to root for them.
The pacing was a little slower than I expected, especially at the beginning, and it took a while for the fake-dating premise to really get going. I also found some of the miscommunication frustrating, and the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the slower build throughout the rest of the story.
Even with those small issues, I really enjoyed the emotional side of Maddy and Elliott’s relationship and the themes of second chances, forgiveness, healing, and finding love when you least expect it.
Cinnamon Springs also had all the cozy small-town charm I love.
A sweet, steamy, and heartfelt romance that reminded me that sometimes everything has to fall apart before the right pieces can fall into place.
Thank you to Kat T Masen, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i was hoping for a cute little small town romance to start the weekend but sadly my hopes were not met. nevertheless, i want to thank pan Macmillan for the e-arc!
following review contains slight spoilers.
this is book 2 of the series but no worries if you haven't read book 1 because the couple's story is recounted multiple times in this book, and we also get to see them have several crises in this book. half of the drama of this book came from the book 1 couple having drama and these two being siblings to the couple on both sides. (she gets pregnant snd doesn't tell her partner and then they almost break up, and almost break up the couple of this book as well)
i had my hopes up based on the description, but from the start my hopes for the rest of the book started to disappear.
i couldn't connect with any of the characters, and all their feelings seemed so two dimensional. this book really missed the show don't tell -rule.
the jokes in the book weren't funny, and too many times it was the MMC trying to be a typical man and then making me hate him even more. he for example didn't understand why all gen Z are lazy workers because he called his worker on her day off and forced her to cancel her plans and she didn't like it?? he also basically only thought about having sex with the fmc and how hot she looked, and then suddenly decided he was in love. (also accused the fmc of lying while simultaneously lying himself).
the timeline was so wacky as well, she skips the wedding, gets back town 4 months later, they hang for three weeks have a fight, don't see each other for half a year (because he can't get over her lying, qnd he wants to achieve his dreams) and then he comes back and PROPOSES.
all the side plots were so unnecessary and honestly i should have skipped this book.
thank you again for the e arc. im so sad it didn't hit for me.
following review contains slight spoilers.
this is book 2 of the series but no worries if you haven't read book 1 because the couple's story is recounted multiple times in this book, and we also get to see them have several crises in this book. half of the drama of this book came from the book 1 couple having drama and these two being siblings to the couple on both sides. (she gets pregnant snd doesn't tell her partner and then they almost break up, and almost break up the couple of this book as well)
i had my hopes up based on the description, but from the start my hopes for the rest of the book started to disappear.
i couldn't connect with any of the characters, and all their feelings seemed so two dimensional. this book really missed the show don't tell -rule.
the jokes in the book weren't funny, and too many times it was the MMC trying to be a typical man and then making me hate him even more. he for example didn't understand why all gen Z are lazy workers because he called his worker on her day off and forced her to cancel her plans and she didn't like it?? he also basically only thought about having sex with the fmc and how hot she looked, and then suddenly decided he was in love. (also accused the fmc of lying while simultaneously lying himself).
the timeline was so wacky as well, she skips the wedding, gets back town 4 months later, they hang for three weeks have a fight, don't see each other for half a year (because he can't get over her lying, qnd he wants to achieve his dreams) and then he comes back and PROPOSES.
all the side plots were so unnecessary and honestly i should have skipped this book.
thank you again for the e arc. im so sad it didn't hit for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
I can see this one working for a lot of readers, but unfortunately it just didn’t quite hit all the marks for me.
The pacing was my biggest issue. It felt very slow going, with the main characters not even meeting until around 20% and the fake dating premise not really kicking in until much later than I expected. By 40%, Maddy still hadn’t even run into her ex, so it took a while for the story to find its footing.
Another thing that didn’t work for me was the constant references to romance novels and tropes. I know it’s something a lot of readers enjoy, but lately I’m finding it takes me out of the story more than it pulls me in.
And then there’s the miscommunication, which is one of my biggest bookish icks, and this story relied heavily on misunderstandings and people not having conversations they really should have had. It had me irrationally frustrated more than once.
That said, it wasn’t all bad. I genuinely enjoyed the dynamic between Maddy and Elliott. Their banter was fun, and I loved that Elliott’s nickname for Maddy came from an inside joke rather than appearing out of nowhere. It made it feel more natural and personal. And while the romance wasn’t entirely for me, Her Royal Majesty, Margaret Anne absolutely stole the show and was easily my favourite character.
One thing worth mentioning is that the formatting in my eARC seemed to be all over the place. I’m not sure if that was an issue with the file I received, but it did affect my reading experience at times.
Overall, I can absolutely see why others are enjoying this one, but between the slow pacing, the heavy reliance on miscommunication, and characters who often felt more like teenagers than adults, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
The pacing was my biggest issue. It felt very slow going, with the main characters not even meeting until around 20% and the fake dating premise not really kicking in until much later than I expected. By 40%, Maddy still hadn’t even run into her ex, so it took a while for the story to find its footing.
Another thing that didn’t work for me was the constant references to romance novels and tropes. I know it’s something a lot of readers enjoy, but lately I’m finding it takes me out of the story more than it pulls me in.
And then there’s the miscommunication, which is one of my biggest bookish icks, and this story relied heavily on misunderstandings and people not having conversations they really should have had. It had me irrationally frustrated more than once.
That said, it wasn’t all bad. I genuinely enjoyed the dynamic between Maddy and Elliott. Their banter was fun, and I loved that Elliott’s nickname for Maddy came from an inside joke rather than appearing out of nowhere. It made it feel more natural and personal. And while the romance wasn’t entirely for me, Her Royal Majesty, Margaret Anne absolutely stole the show and was easily my favourite character.
One thing worth mentioning is that the formatting in my eARC seemed to be all over the place. I’m not sure if that was an issue with the file I received, but it did affect my reading experience at times.
Overall, I can absolutely see why others are enjoying this one, but between the slow pacing, the heavy reliance on miscommunication, and characters who often felt more like teenagers than adults, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The synopsis told me everything. I still wasn't prepared for how fast "just for one night" would turn into forever.
Maddy Beaumont, Cinnamon Springs' resident runaway bride, left Myles at the altar and fled to Europe to outrun the gossip. Months later she's home, blindsided by how much it stings that Myles has already moved on. When an event throws them into the same room, she strikes a deal with pastry chef Elliot, her best friend's older brother: one night, hands held, feelings faked. Naturally, faking it turns out to be the easy part.
What worked: the fake-dating setup is a clean, well-built premise, and Elliot brings a steadiness to the page that this series' men have been missing so far. The small-town backdrop still does a lot of heavy lifting, atmosphere has never been Cinnamon Springs' problem.
Why not 5 stars: it wasn't me, it was the pacing. One pretend night turns into declared forever within a handful of chapters, and the book never slows down long enough to earn it. I was told Maddy and Elliot were falling, I was never shown a single scene doing the actual work of that fall. Same note as book one: real feeling, staged like a montage.
Trope Chaos Check
✨ Runaway bride (still running, now just running back)
✨ Fake dating (for one night, allegedly)
✨ Best friend's older brother (Cinnamon Springs has one card and keeps dealing it)
✨ Small town reckoning (the whole town has opinions on Maddy's wedding day)
★★★☆☆ a fake-dating premise with real promise that never slowed down enough to convince me it was real.
Thank you to Atria Books for the gifted ARC, Elliot deserved a slower book to fall in.
Maddy Beaumont, Cinnamon Springs' resident runaway bride, left Myles at the altar and fled to Europe to outrun the gossip. Months later she's home, blindsided by how much it stings that Myles has already moved on. When an event throws them into the same room, she strikes a deal with pastry chef Elliot, her best friend's older brother: one night, hands held, feelings faked. Naturally, faking it turns out to be the easy part.
What worked: the fake-dating setup is a clean, well-built premise, and Elliot brings a steadiness to the page that this series' men have been missing so far. The small-town backdrop still does a lot of heavy lifting, atmosphere has never been Cinnamon Springs' problem.
Why not 5 stars: it wasn't me, it was the pacing. One pretend night turns into declared forever within a handful of chapters, and the book never slows down long enough to earn it. I was told Maddy and Elliot were falling, I was never shown a single scene doing the actual work of that fall. Same note as book one: real feeling, staged like a montage.
Trope Chaos Check
✨ Runaway bride (still running, now just running back)
✨ Fake dating (for one night, allegedly)
✨ Best friend's older brother (Cinnamon Springs has one card and keeps dealing it)
✨ Small town reckoning (the whole town has opinions on Maddy's wedding day)
★★★☆☆ a fake-dating premise with real promise that never slowed down enough to convince me it was real.
Thank you to Atria Books for the gifted ARC, Elliot deserved a slower book to fall in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cinnamon Springs is a place I wish I could physically travel to. While the mental escape has been phenomenal, it definitely leaves a girl wanting to visit in real life! Kat does an incredible job bringing the town, the people, the story, and the romance to life in such a vivid way that you almost forget you’re reading fiction.
Maddy is such a strong and relatable woman. While I never left anyone at the altar, I do relate to being engaged and realizing something was missing — that “forever and more” kind of feeling. In the end, waiting was worth it for me because I found my own Elliott when I least expected it.
Elliott is the definition of a man’s man — arrogant, cocky, and a know-it-all in all the right ways. He’s someone who never truly believed forever was meant for him and had to learn the hard way that real love does exist. Sometimes it’s hidden in the smallest moments that eventually become the biggest ones. Watching him grow and become willing to put aside his personal dreams for the dream of a true partnership was inspiring. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a hot chef who knows how to turn up the heat in more ways than one?
All jokes aside, this love story captures the reality of relationships so well — the hard conversations, the red flags, the insecurities, anxiety, and overthinking that can come along with loving someone deeply. It’s refreshing to read a story that feels genuine and relatable. The characters feel so real that you could picture yourself being friends with them, which makes you even more invested in their story and wanting more by the end.
Maddy is such a strong and relatable woman. While I never left anyone at the altar, I do relate to being engaged and realizing something was missing — that “forever and more” kind of feeling. In the end, waiting was worth it for me because I found my own Elliott when I least expected it.
Elliott is the definition of a man’s man — arrogant, cocky, and a know-it-all in all the right ways. He’s someone who never truly believed forever was meant for him and had to learn the hard way that real love does exist. Sometimes it’s hidden in the smallest moments that eventually become the biggest ones. Watching him grow and become willing to put aside his personal dreams for the dream of a true partnership was inspiring. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a hot chef who knows how to turn up the heat in more ways than one?
All jokes aside, this love story captures the reality of relationships so well — the hard conversations, the red flags, the insecurities, anxiety, and overthinking that can come along with loving someone deeply. It’s refreshing to read a story that feels genuine and relatable. The characters feel so real that you could picture yourself being friends with them, which makes you even more invested in their story and wanting more by the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think this was a decent read but for me, it definitely fell into the category of good, but nothing particularly special. It was your typical fake dating trope and if you love that trope, there is definitely still enjoyment to be found here but unfortunately, it also felt very predictable and formulaic for this type of romance and I never really felt like it brought anything fresh or different.
One of my biggest issues, just like with the first book, was the writing style. It feels very chaotic and all over the place at times, and I honestly think it really affects the overall flow of the story. There were multiple moments where I got pulled out of the book because the pacing or transitions felt off, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the romance.
I also struggled with Maddy as a character. She came across pretty badly in the first book, and unfortunately, I do not think this one really redeemed her for me. She had a few good moments here and there but I still found her frustrating more often than not.
I did enjoy some parts of the relationship dynamic with Elliot, and there were definitely cute moments sprinkled throughout. I just wanted more depth and something that made this stand out from the many other fake dating romances out there.
Not a bad book by any means, but not one that really wowed me either. I guess if you enjoy this trope, you will have a good time with this but I was personally underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kat T. Masen, and Atria for the eARC of this book.
One of my biggest issues, just like with the first book, was the writing style. It feels very chaotic and all over the place at times, and I honestly think it really affects the overall flow of the story. There were multiple moments where I got pulled out of the book because the pacing or transitions felt off, which made it harder for me to fully immerse myself in the romance.
I also struggled with Maddy as a character. She came across pretty badly in the first book, and unfortunately, I do not think this one really redeemed her for me. She had a few good moments here and there but I still found her frustrating more often than not.
I did enjoy some parts of the relationship dynamic with Elliot, and there were definitely cute moments sprinkled throughout. I just wanted more depth and something that made this stand out from the many other fake dating romances out there.
Not a bad book by any means, but not one that really wowed me either. I guess if you enjoy this trope, you will have a good time with this but I was personally underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kat T. Masen, and Atria for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75⭐
This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance that really surprised me. 💛
Maddy returns home after leaving her fiancé at the altar, carrying a lot of guilt and trying to figure out where her life goes from here. And then enters Elliot… her best friend's brother! He is dealing with his own fears about
commitment.
I really enjoyed watching these two slowly let their walls down and build something genuine together! The chemistry between Maddy and Elliot was definitely the highlight for me. Their banter was fun, the slow burn felt natural, and I loved the fake dating storyline once it came into play. It added some great tension and had me rooting for them.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a little slower than I would have liked, which stopped this from being a full 4-star read for me - especially the ending where I felt it was rushed…
Even so, I was invested in the characters and appreciated the themes of second chances, forgiveness, and finding your way after life doesn't go to plan.
If you love small-town romance, fake dating, slow burn, and emotionally driven love stories, this one is definitely worth picking up. 💛🧡
Out 28th July!
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Kat. T Masen for the earc in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance that really surprised me. 💛
Maddy returns home after leaving her fiancé at the altar, carrying a lot of guilt and trying to figure out where her life goes from here. And then enters Elliot… her best friend's brother! He is dealing with his own fears about
commitment.
I really enjoyed watching these two slowly let their walls down and build something genuine together! The chemistry between Maddy and Elliot was definitely the highlight for me. Their banter was fun, the slow burn felt natural, and I loved the fake dating storyline once it came into play. It added some great tension and had me rooting for them.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a little slower than I would have liked, which stopped this from being a full 4-star read for me - especially the ending where I felt it was rushed…
Even so, I was invested in the characters and appreciated the themes of second chances, forgiveness, and finding your way after life doesn't go to plan.
If you love small-town romance, fake dating, slow burn, and emotionally driven love stories, this one is definitely worth picking up. 💛🧡
Out 28th July!
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Kat. T Masen for the earc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐
This was an enjoyable, easy read that I finished quickly, much like the first book in the Cinnamon Springs series.
The fake dating between Maddy and Elliot had plenty of potential, and I really enjoyed the cosy small town atmosphere. Elliot was definitely the standout for me. Charming, supportive, and easy to root for, and I liked seeing Maddy return home to confront both her past and the decisions she'd made.
That said, I found myself wanting a little more depth from both the romance and the characters. Their relationship developed quite quickly, and because of that, I didn't feel as emotionally invested as I had hoped. The third act conflict and resolution also felt a little rushed, and there were a few moments where some of the characters' decisions had me questioning whether they were acting like adults.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable small-town romance with a fun fake dating premise, but I was left wishing there had been a little more emotional build-up and relationship development.
I'm especially looking forward to Billie's story, I think she's become my favourite character in the series, and I'm really hoping she gets her own book!
3.5⭐
This was an enjoyable, easy read that I finished quickly, much like the first book in the Cinnamon Springs series.
The fake dating between Maddy and Elliot had plenty of potential, and I really enjoyed the cosy small town atmosphere. Elliot was definitely the standout for me. Charming, supportive, and easy to root for, and I liked seeing Maddy return home to confront both her past and the decisions she'd made.
That said, I found myself wanting a little more depth from both the romance and the characters. Their relationship developed quite quickly, and because of that, I didn't feel as emotionally invested as I had hoped. The third act conflict and resolution also felt a little rushed, and there were a few moments where some of the characters' decisions had me questioning whether they were acting like adults.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable small-town romance with a fun fake dating premise, but I was left wishing there had been a little more emotional build-up and relationship development.
I'm especially looking forward to Billie's story, I think she's become my favourite character in the series, and I'm really hoping she gets her own book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of those books that’s perfect to read rugged up on a cold, rainy day. I was expecting a cute small town romance, which it definitely is, but what I wasn’t expecting was just how spicy it turned out to be! The story follows Madelina and Elliot, with chapters alternating between their POVs. Madelina is a runaway bride trying to settle back into her hometown of Cinnamon Springs after calling off her wedding. Elliot is her best friend Eva’s brother, who’s returned from Paris to help his sister run her donut shop while she navigates some big life changes of her own. The chemistry between Madelina and Elliot is hot, I found myself really rooting for them. They’re both dealing with similar struggles, which naturally pulls them closer together. The only thing that frustrated me a bit was the miscommunication (you’ll know what I mean when you read it). I also enjoyed the little pop culture references sprinkled throughout, and the pacing felt just right, not rushed, but never dragging either. One thing I didn’t realise going in is that this is actually the second book in the Cinnamon Springs series. I haven’t read the first, but honestly, this one works perfectly well as a standalone, you don’t feel like you’ve missed anything. That said, I’ll definitely be going back to read book one now. Overall, this was a really lovely and enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Forever Falls Apart by Kat T. Masen 🤍🍩
This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance about love, heartbreak, and realizing you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way.
Maddy becoming a runaway bride honestly set the tone perfectly for a story about figuring out who you are outside of everyone else’s expectations. And Elliott? Absolutely loved him. A Michelin-star chef leaving Europe behind to help run his sister’s donut shop, Donuts Ever After, while still chasing dreams of Paris? Say less. 🥹
Their chemistry felt so natural, full of tension, miscommunication, lingering feelings, and all those “just SAY WHAT YOU FEEL” moments that make romances so addictive.
✨ Best friend’s older brother
✨ Friends-to-lovers
✨ Second chance romance
✨ Small-town gossip
✨ Hidden feelings & misunderstandings
✨ Adorable dog content
✨ Cozy Cinnamon Springs vibes
I also loved getting to see Ava again from Trouble With Him. Kat always does such a good job making her books feel connected while still letting each story shine on its own.
And honestly? Cinnamon Springs is quickly becoming one of those fictional small towns I never want to leave. Kat T. Masen really knows how to deliver cozy romance with heart. 🤍
This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance about love, heartbreak, and realizing you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way.
Maddy becoming a runaway bride honestly set the tone perfectly for a story about figuring out who you are outside of everyone else’s expectations. And Elliott? Absolutely loved him. A Michelin-star chef leaving Europe behind to help run his sister’s donut shop, Donuts Ever After, while still chasing dreams of Paris? Say less. 🥹
Their chemistry felt so natural, full of tension, miscommunication, lingering feelings, and all those “just SAY WHAT YOU FEEL” moments that make romances so addictive.
✨ Best friend’s older brother
✨ Friends-to-lovers
✨ Second chance romance
✨ Small-town gossip
✨ Hidden feelings & misunderstandings
✨ Adorable dog content
✨ Cozy Cinnamon Springs vibes
I also loved getting to see Ava again from Trouble With Him. Kat always does such a good job making her books feel connected while still letting each story shine on its own.
And honestly? Cinnamon Springs is quickly becoming one of those fictional small towns I never want to leave. Kat T. Masen really knows how to deliver cozy romance with heart. 🤍
June 2, 2026
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
When Forever Falls Apart by Kat T. Masen is the second book in the Cinnamon Springs series, and it was such a cozy, steamy small town romance!
Maddy, a runaway bride, and Elliot, her best friend’s older brother, agree to a fake-dating arrangement to make her ex jealous, and the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore. I’m always a fan of the fake dating trope, and this story delivered plenty of tension, sweet moments, and swoony romance.
I loved the small-town atmosphere of Cinnamon Springs and enjoyed watching Maddy and Elliot’s relationship develop from a simple arrangement into something much deeper. Elliot was the perfect older brother next door type hero protective, caring, and incredibly charming.
The story was cozy, emotional, and had just the right amount of steam to keep me turning the pages. While there were a few moments that felt a little predictable, I still had a great time with this book and found myself invested in the characters from beginning to end.
If you enjoy small-town romances, fake dating, runaway brides, and best friend’s older brother storylines, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
When Forever Falls Apart by Kat T. Masen is the second book in the Cinnamon Springs series, and it was such a cozy, steamy small town romance!
Maddy, a runaway bride, and Elliot, her best friend’s older brother, agree to a fake-dating arrangement to make her ex jealous, and the chemistry between them was impossible to ignore. I’m always a fan of the fake dating trope, and this story delivered plenty of tension, sweet moments, and swoony romance.
I loved the small-town atmosphere of Cinnamon Springs and enjoyed watching Maddy and Elliot’s relationship develop from a simple arrangement into something much deeper. Elliot was the perfect older brother next door type hero protective, caring, and incredibly charming.
The story was cozy, emotional, and had just the right amount of steam to keep me turning the pages. While there were a few moments that felt a little predictable, I still had a great time with this book and found myself invested in the characters from beginning to end.
If you enjoy small-town romances, fake dating, runaway brides, and best friend’s older brother storylines, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
July 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I absolutely loved returning to Cinnamon Springs!
We pick up months after Maddy leaves her ex at the altar and returns home, heartbroken and desperate to escape the rumours surrounding her. The last thing she expects is to run into Eva’s older brother, Elliot. What starts as a distraction quickly turns into something much more as forced proximity brings them together, complete with plenty of chemistry.
Maddy and Elliot’s journey was engaging, emotional and full of tension, and I couldn’t help but root for them. While third-act breakups aren’t usually my favourite trope, this one was handled really well and felt true to the characters and their story.
The plot was slightly predictable at times, but that didn’t take away from how enjoyable this book was. The small-town setting, familiar faces and relationships made it such a satisfying read.
And can we please get Billie’s book next? She is the ultimate bestie, and I’d love to dive deeper into her story.
A highly enjoyable romance that I’d definitely recommend adding to your TBR!
📚 Out 28 July
Thank you to @netgalley and @authorkattmasen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
One of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I absolutely loved returning to Cinnamon Springs!
We pick up months after Maddy leaves her ex at the altar and returns home, heartbroken and desperate to escape the rumours surrounding her. The last thing she expects is to run into Eva’s older brother, Elliot. What starts as a distraction quickly turns into something much more as forced proximity brings them together, complete with plenty of chemistry.
Maddy and Elliot’s journey was engaging, emotional and full of tension, and I couldn’t help but root for them. While third-act breakups aren’t usually my favourite trope, this one was handled really well and felt true to the characters and their story.
The plot was slightly predictable at times, but that didn’t take away from how enjoyable this book was. The small-town setting, familiar faces and relationships made it such a satisfying read.
And can we please get Billie’s book next? She is the ultimate bestie, and I’d love to dive deeper into her story.
A highly enjoyable romance that I’d definitely recommend adding to your TBR!
📚 Out 28 July
Thank you to @netgalley and @authorkattmasen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A small town romance that's both sweet and spicy, and features characters who are after a second chance at love. Welcome to Cinnamon Springs!
Maddy left her fiance at the altar, and after an escape to Europe, she puts on a brave face and returns to the small town she's from. When she's faced with an event where she'll be seeing her ex-fiance, she recruits the help of her best friend's older brother, Elliott. He's a chef, temporarily heading up his sister's pastry shop/cafe - and also Maddy's boss while she finds her footing. He agrees to the fake date, but finds himself enchanted by her as they spend more time together. But is she still hung up on her ex? And is his time in Cinnamon Springs coming to an end?
This was enjoyable, the town was very cute and charming, and I thought Maddy and Elliott had good chemistry! The pacing, though, felt off to me. They didn't meet until about 20% into the book, and I felt like there were unnecessary details given about some of the side characters that weren't developed. The event itself/need for the fake date also felt somewhat anticlimactic.
I thought the banter and self discovery were excellent! Both characters experienced growth and I liked the motivations behind their decisions. Some fun and classic tropes, and a classic small town!
Maddy left her fiance at the altar, and after an escape to Europe, she puts on a brave face and returns to the small town she's from. When she's faced with an event where she'll be seeing her ex-fiance, she recruits the help of her best friend's older brother, Elliott. He's a chef, temporarily heading up his sister's pastry shop/cafe - and also Maddy's boss while she finds her footing. He agrees to the fake date, but finds himself enchanted by her as they spend more time together. But is she still hung up on her ex? And is his time in Cinnamon Springs coming to an end?
This was enjoyable, the town was very cute and charming, and I thought Maddy and Elliott had good chemistry! The pacing, though, felt off to me. They didn't meet until about 20% into the book, and I felt like there were unnecessary details given about some of the side characters that weren't developed. The event itself/need for the fake date also felt somewhat anticlimactic.
I thought the banter and self discovery were excellent! Both characters experienced growth and I liked the motivations behind their decisions. Some fun and classic tropes, and a classic small town!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I felt that despite Madelina's feelings for Myles she did the right thing by not marrying him. Elliot and Madelina's relationship developed in a genuine fashion but I do wish that there was more yearning and angst between them. While I felt that Madelina and Myles did still have some feelings for each other, those feelings were absolutely squashed later on in the book. I did feel that Myles' was a bit insufferable when he was on page because he just couldn't get the hint that she was no longer interested. Especially since he supposedly had a girlfriend. I also thought the handling of Nicole, Elliot's girlfriend was well executed. I do think that a certain situation between Elliot and Madelina could have been avoided all together, but it is what it is. I'm just happy they were able to find their way back to each other.
Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the tropes:
Fake dating
Small Town
Best Friend's Brother
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Thank you Atria Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the tropes:
Fake dating
Small Town
Best Friend's Brother
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Thank you Atria Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is book 2 of the Cinnamon Springs series. Although you could read this as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book first. This book follows Madeline (Maddy) and Elliot and is dual POV. Elliot is Maddy's best friends older brother and comes back to town to help his sister with her bakery. Maddy also recently comes back to town after leaving after running away from her wedding some time before. I loved how this picked up right after book 1 and had all of the characters from that book here as well. I loved catching up with all of them and their story.
As for the romance is this book, I will say the banter between Elliot and Maddy was fun and they had great chemistry and development, but the miscommunication that occurs did get on my nerves a little bit. The second chance and fake dating tropes were also very rushed and barely present. For instance, the fake dating was only present in a couple chapters max and I thought it would be in the book more as it is mentioned in the book description.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
As for the romance is this book, I will say the banter between Elliot and Maddy was fun and they had great chemistry and development, but the miscommunication that occurs did get on my nerves a little bit. The second chance and fake dating tropes were also very rushed and barely present. For instance, the fake dating was only present in a couple chapters max and I thought it would be in the book more as it is mentioned in the book description.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fake Dating ☑️
Brothers best friend ☑️
Small town vibes ☑️
A fun quick read that keeps you rooting for the characters to figure out they are actually in love ☑️
Cinnamon Springs gives such a fun small town vibe that I wish I could go visit! I loved the back and forth and the denial between Maddy and Elliot. They got that friendship tension and all it takes is that one kiss for it all to change! There’s an obvious miscommunication trope that just makes you want to lock the characters in a room together until they figure it out lol
I wish there had been a bit more groveling and more of Elliot’s perspective towards the end of the book in what brings them back together because where I understand certain decisions and wanting to have certain experiences but I love those groveling moments and grand gestures when in a romance book and I feel like this book, this redemption needed it!
Overall though, this was such a fun read and I’m so glad I was introduced to Kat Masen! I recommend this book if these tropes are for you or if you’re looking to try something new! It’s a quick, fun read that is easy to curl up on the couch with!
Brothers best friend ☑️
Small town vibes ☑️
A fun quick read that keeps you rooting for the characters to figure out they are actually in love ☑️
Cinnamon Springs gives such a fun small town vibe that I wish I could go visit! I loved the back and forth and the denial between Maddy and Elliot. They got that friendship tension and all it takes is that one kiss for it all to change! There’s an obvious miscommunication trope that just makes you want to lock the characters in a room together until they figure it out lol
I wish there had been a bit more groveling and more of Elliot’s perspective towards the end of the book in what brings them back together because where I understand certain decisions and wanting to have certain experiences but I love those groveling moments and grand gestures when in a romance book and I feel like this book, this redemption needed it!
Overall though, this was such a fun read and I’m so glad I was introduced to Kat Masen! I recommend this book if these tropes are for you or if you’re looking to try something new! It’s a quick, fun read that is easy to curl up on the couch with!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Forever Falls Apart was such a fun return to Cinnamon Springs. I have the first book of this series sitting on my shelf so will likely add this to my shelf once I can get a physical copy. It felt like catching up with old friends while getting to watch a new love story unfold.
If you enjoy small-town romance, fake dating, and the best friend's older brother trope, this one is definitely worth picking up. I really enjoyed Maddy and Elliot together. Their relationship developed naturally, and I loved watching the fake dating slowly turn into something much more real. Elliot was easily my favorite—steady, supportive, and exactly what Maddy needed as she worked through where life had taken her.
One of my favorite parts of this series is the sense of community, and this book was no exception. Returning to Cinnamon Springs felt warm, familiar, and reminded me why I enjoy this series so much.
I did wish for just a little more emotional depth in a few places, but overall this was a sweet, cozy romance that kept me smiling and left me looking forward to another return to Cinnamon Springs. 💛📚
If you enjoy small-town romance, fake dating, and the best friend's older brother trope, this one is definitely worth picking up. I really enjoyed Maddy and Elliot together. Their relationship developed naturally, and I loved watching the fake dating slowly turn into something much more real. Elliot was easily my favorite—steady, supportive, and exactly what Maddy needed as she worked through where life had taken her.
One of my favorite parts of this series is the sense of community, and this book was no exception. Returning to Cinnamon Springs felt warm, familiar, and reminded me why I enjoy this series so much.
I did wish for just a little more emotional depth in a few places, but overall this was a sweet, cozy romance that kept me smiling and left me looking forward to another return to Cinnamon Springs. 💛📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I enjoyed this one, I don’t think it quite lived up to its full potential.
My biggest struggle was the romance. It felt very insta-love to me, and I found myself wishing there had been more of a slow burn. The relationship seemed to go from sleeping together to being deeply in love pretty quickly, and I would have loved to see more friendship, tension, and emotional build-up before they got there.
I also had a hard time with some of the FMC’s decisions. There were several moments where her choices felt a little immature, and I occasionally felt the same way about Elliot. It made it difficult to fully connect with them because some of their actions felt frustrating rather than believable.
That said, I still genuinely enjoyed the story. The ending left me satisfied, and it definitely made me curious to see what happens next. Even though I wanted more character development and a stronger progression of the romance, I’m still planning to pick up the next book because I think this series has a lot of potential.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read—I just wish the journey to the happily ever after had felt a little more earned.
My biggest struggle was the romance. It felt very insta-love to me, and I found myself wishing there had been more of a slow burn. The relationship seemed to go from sleeping together to being deeply in love pretty quickly, and I would have loved to see more friendship, tension, and emotional build-up before they got there.
I also had a hard time with some of the FMC’s decisions. There were several moments where her choices felt a little immature, and I occasionally felt the same way about Elliot. It made it difficult to fully connect with them because some of their actions felt frustrating rather than believable.
That said, I still genuinely enjoyed the story. The ending left me satisfied, and it definitely made me curious to see what happens next. Even though I wanted more character development and a stronger progression of the romance, I’m still planning to pick up the next book because I think this series has a lot of potential.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read—I just wish the journey to the happily ever after had felt a little more earned.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Maddy leaves her fiancé at the alter and flees to Manhattan. When she returns to Cinnamon Springs not only is the whole town judging her, but her ex has a new girlfriend.
Maddy struggles to figure out if she made the right choice, but decides a fake relationship with her best friends older brother Elliot might be a good distraction, and a good way to show her ex that she has moved on too.
Elliot is desperate to return back to France but finds Maddy is more of a distraction then he anticipated.
It's not long until the two start to realise that maybe their feelings aren't so fake after all.
This book was a sweet small town romance with lots of tension. I did find it moved too fast in some areas and slow in other's which did cause me to struggle to get into it at the start. The characters were hard for me to connect with as I did find them a bit immature but the dynamic and bit if banter were there.
Over all if you like a small town romance that's got lots of classic romance tropes, you will enjoy this one.
Whilst I received this book from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions remain my own
Maddy struggles to figure out if she made the right choice, but decides a fake relationship with her best friends older brother Elliot might be a good distraction, and a good way to show her ex that she has moved on too.
Elliot is desperate to return back to France but finds Maddy is more of a distraction then he anticipated.
It's not long until the two start to realise that maybe their feelings aren't so fake after all.
This book was a sweet small town romance with lots of tension. I did find it moved too fast in some areas and slow in other's which did cause me to struggle to get into it at the start. The characters were hard for me to connect with as I did find them a bit immature but the dynamic and bit if banter were there.
Over all if you like a small town romance that's got lots of classic romance tropes, you will enjoy this one.
Whilst I received this book from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions remain my own
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to @atriabooks via @netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity.
°My thoughts°
This is book 2 of the Cinnamon Springs series and I read it as a standalone.
This was a very quick paced, fun read for me. It kept me engaged with the plot. I just had to know what was going to happen between Maddy and Elliot. I found their relationship to be realistic a bit. They have flaws, goals, they fit together smoothly, anddd I soo appreciate the dual POV between these two. It flowed perfectly. Its nice seeing how the characters think and why they react certain ways.
Im a sucker for small town romance, slow burn, and found family. I thought it was really sweet how the author ties in the tropes on a certain part of the story. Like that made my heart sooo happy. In that moment, I felt like the main characters realized how much they needed each other. Cant say anymore orrrr ill spoil it for ya.
I would like to add that I love the dedication page of the book.
If you want a steamy and full of emotions romance...
DEFINITELY check this book out. Add it to that TBR list of yours, you wont regret it. 🫶
°My thoughts°
This is book 2 of the Cinnamon Springs series and I read it as a standalone.
This was a very quick paced, fun read for me. It kept me engaged with the plot. I just had to know what was going to happen between Maddy and Elliot. I found their relationship to be realistic a bit. They have flaws, goals, they fit together smoothly, anddd I soo appreciate the dual POV between these two. It flowed perfectly. Its nice seeing how the characters think and why they react certain ways.
Im a sucker for small town romance, slow burn, and found family. I thought it was really sweet how the author ties in the tropes on a certain part of the story. Like that made my heart sooo happy. In that moment, I felt like the main characters realized how much they needed each other. Cant say anymore orrrr ill spoil it for ya.
I would like to add that I love the dedication page of the book.
If you want a steamy and full of emotions romance...
DEFINITELY check this book out. Add it to that TBR list of yours, you wont regret it. 🫶
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tropes:
*Best friend's brother
*Friends to lovers
*Fake dating
*Small town romance
Maddy knew she couldn't go through with her marriage to Myles but is now facing the questions of what comes next and what she does want out of life. Elliot has returned to Cinnamon Springs with similar questions of his own. They become fast friends, but forever can't be on the table, until they slowly realize forever is the only thing they want.
Maddy and Elliot's vulnerable sides were very relatable. They were both trying to be brave and move toward a future that seemed scary while still battling insecurities. Their friendship felt real and they had a magnetism that kept bringing them together despite trying to build up walls and boundaries. They both wanted more, but were afraid to ask for it, especially with past relationships being brought back to the surface. Their relationship was sweet, emotional, and steamy. And that fake dating tension and Elliot's possessive vibes were fantastic!
Thank you to NetGalley and @Atria books for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
*Best friend's brother
*Friends to lovers
*Fake dating
*Small town romance
Maddy knew she couldn't go through with her marriage to Myles but is now facing the questions of what comes next and what she does want out of life. Elliot has returned to Cinnamon Springs with similar questions of his own. They become fast friends, but forever can't be on the table, until they slowly realize forever is the only thing they want.
Maddy and Elliot's vulnerable sides were very relatable. They were both trying to be brave and move toward a future that seemed scary while still battling insecurities. Their friendship felt real and they had a magnetism that kept bringing them together despite trying to build up walls and boundaries. They both wanted more, but were afraid to ask for it, especially with past relationships being brought back to the surface. Their relationship was sweet, emotional, and steamy. And that fake dating tension and Elliot's possessive vibes were fantastic!
Thank you to NetGalley and @Atria books for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
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