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Westerly Point #1
Neap & Spring
She ran to protect him. Now she has to stay to save him.
Callum Reid is about to lose everything he's built. Six months from foreclosure, the restaurant he's poured years into is slipping through his fingers.
So when his investors insist on bringing in a consultant, the last person he expects to walk through the door is the woman who disappeared on him five years ago. She hung up her own chef's coat for good, and now she's back to tell him how to run his kitchen. He let her in once. He's not about to make that mistake again.
Vivienne Lane never expected to end up here. Not in Westerly Point, not at this restaurant, and definitely not face to face with the man she's spent five years trying not to think about. But she's the best in the business, and she's not about to start failing now. Even if staying means facing exactly what she ran from.
The clock is ticking on the restaurant, and the only way to save it means sharing a kitchen. And it doesn't take long for the pull between them to become impossible to ignore again. Except now everything is on the line, a secret is still buried, and there's so much more to lose.
When the truth about why Vivienne left finally surfaces, Callum has to decide if he can risk loving a woman who might walk away again. And Vivienne has to decide if she's finally brave enough to stay. Can they survive a second chance, or will old wounds sink them both?
Callum Reid is about to lose everything he's built. Six months from foreclosure, the restaurant he's poured years into is slipping through his fingers.
So when his investors insist on bringing in a consultant, the last person he expects to walk through the door is the woman who disappeared on him five years ago. She hung up her own chef's coat for good, and now she's back to tell him how to run his kitchen. He let her in once. He's not about to make that mistake again.
Vivienne Lane never expected to end up here. Not in Westerly Point, not at this restaurant, and definitely not face to face with the man she's spent five years trying not to think about. But she's the best in the business, and she's not about to start failing now. Even if staying means facing exactly what she ran from.
The clock is ticking on the restaurant, and the only way to save it means sharing a kitchen. And it doesn't take long for the pull between them to become impossible to ignore again. Except now everything is on the line, a secret is still buried, and there's so much more to lose.
When the truth about why Vivienne left finally surfaces, Callum has to decide if he can risk loving a woman who might walk away again. And Vivienne has to decide if she's finally brave enough to stay. Can they survive a second chance, or will old wounds sink them both?
- GenresSecond ChanceRomance
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2026
About the author
K.H. Jones
2 books13 followersK.H. Jones is an eternal romantic, devoted reader and lifelong storyteller who has been dreaming up characters and worlds for as long as she can remember.
Her books are small-town romances centered on messy, real people finding their way back to each other and to themselves.
She lives in the Midwest with her husband — who is every bit the reason she believes in love stories — and their two kids, who are her greatest inspiration and her biggest distraction.
When she’s not writing, you can find her chasing her kids, haunting farmers markets and thrift stores, or testing a new recipe that probably has too much garlic.
Her love stories are full of slow burns, messy hearts and happy endings. And she hopes they make you stay up a little too late finishing them.
Her books are small-town romances centered on messy, real people finding their way back to each other and to themselves.
She lives in the Midwest with her husband — who is every bit the reason she believes in love stories — and their two kids, who are her greatest inspiration and her biggest distraction.
When she’s not writing, you can find her chasing her kids, haunting farmers markets and thrift stores, or testing a new recipe that probably has too much garlic.
Her love stories are full of slow burns, messy hearts and happy endings. And she hopes they make you stay up a little too late finishing them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 11, 2026
☆ This book made me fall in love with second chance romances😭🫶
I am in awe with the idea of this book↴
She is a consultant sent to help his failing restaurant. But they have shared history and she is one who got away. But when her secrets resurfaces, they might have a second chance at their first love.
I'm genuinely so glad that i stumbled upon this book on Threads. I really loved this debut novel by KH jones. i was hooked from chapter 1. There was this curiosity to read ahead.
» the characters in this story was so so beautiful. They are very sunshine encoded. the way they care for each other is everything! My heart really ached upon their separation. And after all this year they are clearly MEANT TO BE WITH EACH OTHER despite all the differences.
» I loved Callum so much. he remembered her coffee order 5 years after😭 He is a truly yearned for her.
» Also all the side characters were so lovable! His family was so supportive. I loved the scenes from their family dinner.
But there are also some things that didn't worked for me↴
» the writing was a bit repetitive like i don't want to hear how much instagram is imp for marketing, yk?
» Also there were some quotes like
Okay? Okay
You did? Yes, I did
You will do that ? Yes I'll
Yeah? Yeah
it's kinda irritating.
» And also i think the characters spent a lot of time in their head, rather than actually diagolues.
» He went from hating her to suddenly loving again?i wanted a bit more tension stakes.
But overall i am happy with this book! And i can't wait for the next books in the series
⇒3.25 stars rounded off to 3 stars!
I am in awe with the idea of this book↴
She is a consultant sent to help his failing restaurant. But they have shared history and she is one who got away. But when her secrets resurfaces, they might have a second chance at their first love.
I'm genuinely so glad that i stumbled upon this book on Threads. I really loved this debut novel by KH jones. i was hooked from chapter 1. There was this curiosity to read ahead.
» the characters in this story was so so beautiful. They are very sunshine encoded. the way they care for each other is everything! My heart really ached upon their separation. And after all this year they are clearly MEANT TO BE WITH EACH OTHER despite all the differences.
» I loved Callum so much. he remembered her coffee order 5 years after😭 He is a truly yearned for her.
» Also all the side characters were so lovable! His family was so supportive. I loved the scenes from their family dinner.
But there are also some things that didn't worked for me↴
» the writing was a bit repetitive like i don't want to hear how much instagram is imp for marketing, yk?
» Also there were some quotes like
Okay? Okay
You did? Yes, I did
You will do that ? Yes I'll
Yeah? Yeah
it's kinda irritating.
» And also i think the characters spent a lot of time in their head, rather than actually diagolues.
» He went from hating her to suddenly loving again?i wanted a bit more tension stakes.
But overall i am happy with this book! And i can't wait for the next books in the series
⇒3.25 stars rounded off to 3 stars!
August 6, 2026
Happy Release Day K.H. Jones!!!! Thanks so much for having me along as an ARC reader! Book besties, I loved Neap & Spring. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do enough poetic justice in my review here lmao. I spent most of the book extremely hungry because our wonderful author has such a talent for describing food, the kitchen & restaurant scene. Literally had me going like “Maybe I want to also be a scallop master chef too”. It’s not just the food descriptions though that had me locked in.
This story is such a beautiful second chance romance about over coming inner obstacles, finding yourself again, and accepting that you have a place where you do belong. We are a “Protect Vivienne” household and you will be too, I’m sure of it. She’s an extremely talented chef but she hasn’t cooked in years. Her confidence was shaken so badly by her experiences post-culinary school. The way K.H. Jones described Vivienne’s anxiety felt so real and accurate to me as a person with some breathtaking anxiety. She doesn’t have the best coping mechanisms which is why she’s thrown herself into work as a consultant and this is also how she ends up at Neap & Spring…seeing Callum again after so many years.
Callum has been trying to keep his restaurant afloat after an ex put the establishment into debt. The investors are breathing down his back and he just wants to cook food for people in his restaurant with his staff. Seeing Vivienne again was of course a shock, and he was understandably salty about it (and we learn why), but really this mustached hottie is a big cinnamon roll.
The found family vibes are immaculate in this book as they try to rally and save the restaurant. I love Callum’s family and so many of the other characters we meet. One of my favorite scenes was when Callum, Roman, and Wesley were out fishing, and that’s where the inspiration for this review’s meme came from. Literally SO funny!
I can’t wait for book 2!
This story is such a beautiful second chance romance about over coming inner obstacles, finding yourself again, and accepting that you have a place where you do belong. We are a “Protect Vivienne” household and you will be too, I’m sure of it. She’s an extremely talented chef but she hasn’t cooked in years. Her confidence was shaken so badly by her experiences post-culinary school. The way K.H. Jones described Vivienne’s anxiety felt so real and accurate to me as a person with some breathtaking anxiety. She doesn’t have the best coping mechanisms which is why she’s thrown herself into work as a consultant and this is also how she ends up at Neap & Spring…seeing Callum again after so many years.
Callum has been trying to keep his restaurant afloat after an ex put the establishment into debt. The investors are breathing down his back and he just wants to cook food for people in his restaurant with his staff. Seeing Vivienne again was of course a shock, and he was understandably salty about it (and we learn why), but really this mustached hottie is a big cinnamon roll.
The found family vibes are immaculate in this book as they try to rally and save the restaurant. I love Callum’s family and so many of the other characters we meet. One of my favorite scenes was when Callum, Roman, and Wesley were out fishing, and that’s where the inspiration for this review’s meme came from. Literally SO funny!
I can’t wait for book 2!
August 7, 2026
A lovely debut
It’s been five years. Can they come together to save his restaurant? Find out in Neap & Spring.
Chef-turned-consultant Vivienne is about to start working with a new restaurant when she discovers who the owner is - her Cordon Bleu classmate and former lover, Callum.
Drowning in debt, Callum has no choice but to accept Vivi’s help - despite being ghosted five years earlier. But he’s determined to get to the bottom of what happened to Vivi. Can they start over and save Callum’s restaurant?
I really enjoyed this debut contemporary romance. I’ve never worked in a kitchen before, but this book brought the organised chaos of a dinner service to life. The characters were easy to like and I could easily see myself falling in love with Westerly Point. I particularly loved the story behind the name of the restaurant Neap & Spring.
This is a slow burn, second chance romance. Callum is patient either way Vivienne, allowing her to take the time she needs. The eventual spice is open door and *does* involve some “yes, chef” moments.
The book does deal with misogyny in professional kitchens, on-page panic attacks and anxiety. There is a major storm that creates life threatening situations.
If you want to go behind the scenes of a kitchen and are ready for a new slow burn, check out Neap & Spring.
It’s been five years. Can they come together to save his restaurant? Find out in Neap & Spring.
Chef-turned-consultant Vivienne is about to start working with a new restaurant when she discovers who the owner is - her Cordon Bleu classmate and former lover, Callum.
Drowning in debt, Callum has no choice but to accept Vivi’s help - despite being ghosted five years earlier. But he’s determined to get to the bottom of what happened to Vivi. Can they start over and save Callum’s restaurant?
I really enjoyed this debut contemporary romance. I’ve never worked in a kitchen before, but this book brought the organised chaos of a dinner service to life. The characters were easy to like and I could easily see myself falling in love with Westerly Point. I particularly loved the story behind the name of the restaurant Neap & Spring.
This is a slow burn, second chance romance. Callum is patient either way Vivienne, allowing her to take the time she needs. The eventual spice is open door and *does* involve some “yes, chef” moments.
The book does deal with misogyny in professional kitchens, on-page panic attacks and anxiety. There is a major storm that creates life threatening situations.
If you want to go behind the scenes of a kitchen and are ready for a new slow burn, check out Neap & Spring.
July 11, 2026
If a book makes me immediately start planning a trip, craving every meal, and wanting a cookbook inspired by it…it’s doing something right.
I’m still pinching myself that Neap & Spring was my very first ARC. Being trusted with an early copy was such an honor, and I’m so grateful I got to experience this story before release.
As a foodie, this book had me absolutely starving (seriously, don’t read it hungry). The coastal town of Westerly Point felt like somewhere I’d happily pack up and move tomorrow, and the atmosphere was pure comfort….like slipping into a perfectly worn sweater on a cool summer night.
If you love second chance romance, forced proximity, and stories where healing from trauma is handled with care and authenticity, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. The family dynamics, the restaurant’s backstory, and all of those beautifully messy dinner scenes made the characters feel incredibly real. And Cal and Vivi? Incredibly well written and they had this hopeless romantic feeling all the feels!
My only complaint is that I’m already desperate for the next book… but I’m not quite ready to leave Cal and Vivi behind.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m still pinching myself that Neap & Spring was my very first ARC. Being trusted with an early copy was such an honor, and I’m so grateful I got to experience this story before release.
As a foodie, this book had me absolutely starving (seriously, don’t read it hungry). The coastal town of Westerly Point felt like somewhere I’d happily pack up and move tomorrow, and the atmosphere was pure comfort….like slipping into a perfectly worn sweater on a cool summer night.
If you love second chance romance, forced proximity, and stories where healing from trauma is handled with care and authenticity, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. The family dynamics, the restaurant’s backstory, and all of those beautifully messy dinner scenes made the characters feel incredibly real. And Cal and Vivi? Incredibly well written and they had this hopeless romantic feeling all the feels!
My only complaint is that I’m already desperate for the next book… but I’m not quite ready to leave Cal and Vivi behind.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 6, 2026
This eArc was received in exchange for my honest review!
2.75 stars, bumped to 3!
Neap & Spring isn’t doing anything particularly new in the romance genre, but sometimes a classic trope-y book with a somewhat predictable plot and a guaranteed happy ending is what a girl wants? But not this girl. Sadly, this was a miss for me. However, If you’re looking for a romance with a hot chef, something to turn your brain off to, and you don’t mind a slow pace and plot, this might work for you.
There’s a few things this book does well:
The side characters are unique, they feel clearly defined and somewhat fleshed out.
I loved the setting of Westerly Point. Who doesn’t love a coastal seaside?
The chemistry between the MCs… it’s there. (I don’t care if it’s cheesy, a “yes chef” will do it for me.)
The food! The fooood. Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, because it will make you hungry.
There were some really touching moments in this book. I loved the family dinners at Patrick’s house, and I thought the meaning behind Neap & Spring’s name was cool. It ties into Callum and Vivi’s story so well.
NOW. All that behind said… the downfalls of this book really negated what the author did well.
The main issue is this needs more editing, and it so much needs to be trimmed. Every little thing is detailed. The kitchen tile, the decorative pillows, the sunshine, every piece of food, every single thing. It doesn’t feel immersive, it makes the whole story drag. It feels like we spend so much time in the characters heads, every thought and observation, and often repeated. Then the thoughts are reiterated in conversations later on. Often, the dialogue would go on far too long, characters said so much without actually saying anything new at all. For example,
“Is it done?
Yeah, it’s done.
Send it.
Just like that?
Just like that.
Okay, I’m doing it.
Do it.
It’s done.
It’s done.
We did it.
We did it.”
I ended up skimming so much because of this, and yet, didn’t feel like I missed a thing.
The pacing felt off and the story dragged at first, then crammed so much into a somewhat rushed ending.
Also, personal preference here, but there was a weirdly a lot of exclamation points in dialogue?
Overall, the weakness outweighed the strengths on this one. I could see myself picking up a book by this author in a few years, with a tighter plot and pace and better editing. For now, not for me!
2.75 stars, bumped to 3!
Neap & Spring isn’t doing anything particularly new in the romance genre, but sometimes a classic trope-y book with a somewhat predictable plot and a guaranteed happy ending is what a girl wants? But not this girl. Sadly, this was a miss for me. However, If you’re looking for a romance with a hot chef, something to turn your brain off to, and you don’t mind a slow pace and plot, this might work for you.
There’s a few things this book does well:
The side characters are unique, they feel clearly defined and somewhat fleshed out.
I loved the setting of Westerly Point. Who doesn’t love a coastal seaside?
The chemistry between the MCs… it’s there. (I don’t care if it’s cheesy, a “yes chef” will do it for me.)
The food! The fooood. Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, because it will make you hungry.
There were some really touching moments in this book. I loved the family dinners at Patrick’s house, and I thought the meaning behind Neap & Spring’s name was cool. It ties into Callum and Vivi’s story so well.
NOW. All that behind said… the downfalls of this book really negated what the author did well.
The main issue is this needs more editing, and it so much needs to be trimmed. Every little thing is detailed. The kitchen tile, the decorative pillows, the sunshine, every piece of food, every single thing. It doesn’t feel immersive, it makes the whole story drag. It feels like we spend so much time in the characters heads, every thought and observation, and often repeated. Then the thoughts are reiterated in conversations later on. Often, the dialogue would go on far too long, characters said so much without actually saying anything new at all. For example,
“Is it done?
Yeah, it’s done.
Send it.
Just like that?
Just like that.
Okay, I’m doing it.
Do it.
It’s done.
It’s done.
We did it.
We did it.”
I ended up skimming so much because of this, and yet, didn’t feel like I missed a thing.
The pacing felt off and the story dragged at first, then crammed so much into a somewhat rushed ending.
Also, personal preference here, but there was a weirdly a lot of exclamation points in dialogue?
Overall, the weakness outweighed the strengths on this one. I could see myself picking up a book by this author in a few years, with a tighter plot and pace and better editing. For now, not for me!
August 11, 2026
“𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓪𝓷 𝓽𝓸 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓱𝓲𝓶. 𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓱𝓲𝓶.“
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
IMPORTANT MEDICAL ADVISORY:
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK HUNGRY.
I started NEAP & SPRING as a normal person and ended it convinced I could run a professional kitchen despite having absolutely no qualifications beyond eating food enthusiastically.
K.H. Jones described the dishes, dinner services, and organized chaos of restaurant life so vividly that I was ready to put on a chef’s coat and start shouting instructions.
Would anyone receive edible food?
That isn’t relevant.
This is also a DEBUT NOVEL.
Excuse me?!
Because beneath all the food threatening to make me chew on my Kindle is a heartfelt second-chance romance about anxiety, healing, belonging, and finding the courage to return to the person—and the life—you once loved.
✨ Second-Chance Romance
✨ Restaurant Setting
✨ Chef MMC
✨ Consultant FMC
✨ Culinary-School History
✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ He Never Stopped Loving Her
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Coastal Small Town
✨ Found Family
✨ Grumpy Cinnamon Roll
✨ Secrets and Mutual Pining
Callum Reid has poured years of his life into Neap & Spring, but the restaurant is now six months away from foreclosure.
Six months.
I develop chest pain when a fictional man has one overdue bill. Callum is watching his entire dream slide toward financial ruin while being expected to plate dinner attractively.
Sir, I would already be lying inside the walk-in freezer.
His investors insist on hiring a consultant to save the restaurant, and Callum reluctantly agrees.
Then Vivienne Lane walks through the door.
The woman who disappeared from his life five years earlier without an explanation.
The one who got away.
The one he absolutely, definitely, completely does not still love.
Sure, Callum.
And I only read dark romance for the complex moral philosophy.
Vivienne never expected her new consulting assignment to bring her back to Westerly Point—or face-to-face with the man she has spent five years trying not to remember.
She once wore a chef’s coat herself, but painful experiences after culinary school destroyed so much of her confidence that she eventually left the kitchen behind. Now she is one of the best restaurant consultants in the business, and she refuses to fail simply because the restaurant she has been hired to save belongs to the man whose heart she broke.
Professionalism!
Repression!
Unresolved feelings standing beside the industrial stove!
WE ARE COOKING NOW.
Callum’s anger made complete sense. Vivienne vanished without giving him the truth, and now she has returned to tell him what needs to change inside the restaurant he is desperately trying to protect.
He is hurt. Defensive. Terrified of losing everything.
And beneath all that anger?
A giant mustached cinnamon roll who remembers her coffee order after FIVE YEARS.
FIVE.
YEARS.
Men I spoke to yesterday cannot remember basic information I gave them while maintaining direct eye contact, and this fictional chef has preserved a beverage order in his long-term memory through half a decade of heartbreak.
THE BAR IS IN HELL, BUT CALLUM ARRIVED WITH A LADDER AND COFFEE.
He is still furious with her. He doesn’t trust her not to leave again. But the small details reveal that some part of him has been waiting for Vivienne all along.
That man YEARNS.
He yearns beneath facial hair and professional resentment, which is the finest form of yearning available.
Vivienne immediately activated every protective instinct I possess.
We are officially a Protect Vivienne household.
She is talented, intelligent, and very good at her job, but the experiences that drove her away from the culinary world left wounds she has never fully confronted. Her anxiety, panic, and imperfect coping mechanisms felt painfully real.
She doesn’t always handle things well.
She runs. She avoids. She retreats into herself. She keeps truths buried until those secrets threaten the exact relationships she is desperate not to lose.
But her journey is not simply about returning to Callum.
It is about returning to herself.
Vivienne has to rediscover the woman she was before someone made her question her talent, confidence, and right to occupy space in the world she loved. Watching her slowly recognize that what happened to her did not define her abilities was one of the strongest parts of the book.
K.H. Jones did not portray healing as one brave conversation followed by a miraculous disappearance of every symptom. Vivienne’s progress is uneven because healing is uneven.
Sometimes courage looks like charging into battle.
Sometimes it looks like staying in the room when every part of you is screaming to run.
The emotional weight of her return made the restaurant setting feel even more meaningful. Neap & Spring is Callum’s dream, but the kitchen also represents everything Vivienne abandoned when she stopped believing she belonged there.
Together, they aren’t only trying to save a business.
They are confronting the versions of themselves they lost five years earlier.
OH, MY HEART.
The restaurant itself practically becomes another character. I could feel the heat, pressure, noise, and tightly choreographed panic of dinner service. Everyone has a role, one mistake can disrupt the entire rhythm, and Callum is attempting to maintain control while the woman responsible for his emotional instability stands in his kitchen making recommendations.
I would have burned every entrée.
The story behind the restaurant’s name made it feel even more personal, and watching the staff, family, and community rally around Callum and Vivienne gave the stakes warmth beyond the financial deadline.
I didn’t only want Callum to keep the restaurant because it was his dream.
I wanted this entire chaotic little family to keep their home.
And speaking of family—THE SIDE CHARACTERS.
Callum’s family brought so much humor and tenderness into the heavier moments. Patrick was a wonderful father, the family dinners were full of warmth, and Callum, Roman, and Wesley going fishing gave me exactly the kind of chaotic male bonding I love.
Men will avoid discussing their emotions with military precision and then stand beside a body of water together like the fish are licensed therapists.
Whatever works.
Westerly Point was also beautifully atmospheric. The coastal setting made me want to pack my belongings, move there immediately, and ask whether the restaurant was hiring someone whose only skill is sampling the menu.
I can contribute.
The romance had so much history behind it. Callum and Vivienne’s culinary-school rivalry, first love, separation, mutual pining, and lingering chemistry gave their reunion emotional depth before they ever began rebuilding trust.
These two were very clearly still in love.
Everyone could see it.
The kitchen equipment could see it.
A saucepan in storage probably whispered, “Just kiss already.”
My main issue was that I wanted MORE tension before Callum fully surrendered to those feelings again.
He goes from “You vanished and shattered my heart” to “Actually, I remain deeply in love with you” a little too quickly.
Was the love always there? Absolutely.
Did I believe he had never stopped wanting her? Yes.
But I wanted the anger, distrust, and culinary warfare to simmer longer.
Let them glare across the prep station.
Let one of them aggressively chop an onion.
Let the tension reduce into a thick emotional sauce before serving the reconciliation.
The man was furious, blinked twice, remembered her coffee order, and nearly became emotionally remarried.
CALLUM, MAKE HER WORK A LITTLE.
Not because Vivienne deserved punishment, but because five years of unanswered questions should require more than lingering eye contact to untangle. A slower transition from hurt to vulnerability would have made their second chance hit even harder.
There were also places where the writing became repetitive. The importance of Instagram marketing, for example, was explained enough times that I briefly wondered whether the app had received a supporting-character credit.
WE UNDERSTAND.
THE RESTAURANT NEEDS SOCIAL MEDIA.
POST THE RISOTTO AND RELEASE ME.
Some of the dialogue also leaned into repeated exchanges like:
“Okay?”
“Okay.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I did.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
After a while, I wanted someone to seize control of the conversation and deliver a complete declarative sentence.
Additionally, Callum and Vivienne sometimes spent so much time inside their own heads that I wanted more actual dialogue between them. Their internal struggles were important, but this relationship had five years of silence to address.
PLEASE SPEAK OUT LOUD.
My Kindle cannot schedule couples therapy on your behalf.
Those issues kept this from being a five-star read, but they did not stop me from becoming emotionally invested.
NEAP & SPRING gave me a talented woman reclaiming her confidence, a grumpy chef who never stopped loving her, a restaurant fighting for survival, a supportive family, and a coastal town I already want to revisit.
For a debut novel, K.H. Jones created an impressive world filled with characters who felt warm, flawed, and worth rooting for. The food made me ravenous. Vivienne made me fiercely protective. Callum’s coffee-order memory damaged my emotional stability.
And their story reminded me that sometimes home is not simply a place.
It is the person who makes you feel safe enough to stop running.
Four stars for second chances, culinary yearning, and a mustached chef who held onto one woman’s coffee order longer than most men hold onto basic communication skills.
I am ready for more from Westerly Point.
But first, somebody feed me.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
IMPORTANT MEDICAL ADVISORY:
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK HUNGRY.
I started NEAP & SPRING as a normal person and ended it convinced I could run a professional kitchen despite having absolutely no qualifications beyond eating food enthusiastically.
K.H. Jones described the dishes, dinner services, and organized chaos of restaurant life so vividly that I was ready to put on a chef’s coat and start shouting instructions.
Would anyone receive edible food?
That isn’t relevant.
This is also a DEBUT NOVEL.
Excuse me?!
Because beneath all the food threatening to make me chew on my Kindle is a heartfelt second-chance romance about anxiety, healing, belonging, and finding the courage to return to the person—and the life—you once loved.
✨ Second-Chance Romance
✨ Restaurant Setting
✨ Chef MMC
✨ Consultant FMC
✨ Culinary-School History
✨ Rivals to Lovers
✨ He Never Stopped Loving Her
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Coastal Small Town
✨ Found Family
✨ Grumpy Cinnamon Roll
✨ Secrets and Mutual Pining
Callum Reid has poured years of his life into Neap & Spring, but the restaurant is now six months away from foreclosure.
Six months.
I develop chest pain when a fictional man has one overdue bill. Callum is watching his entire dream slide toward financial ruin while being expected to plate dinner attractively.
Sir, I would already be lying inside the walk-in freezer.
His investors insist on hiring a consultant to save the restaurant, and Callum reluctantly agrees.
Then Vivienne Lane walks through the door.
The woman who disappeared from his life five years earlier without an explanation.
The one who got away.
The one he absolutely, definitely, completely does not still love.
Sure, Callum.
And I only read dark romance for the complex moral philosophy.
Vivienne never expected her new consulting assignment to bring her back to Westerly Point—or face-to-face with the man she has spent five years trying not to remember.
She once wore a chef’s coat herself, but painful experiences after culinary school destroyed so much of her confidence that she eventually left the kitchen behind. Now she is one of the best restaurant consultants in the business, and she refuses to fail simply because the restaurant she has been hired to save belongs to the man whose heart she broke.
Professionalism!
Repression!
Unresolved feelings standing beside the industrial stove!
WE ARE COOKING NOW.
Callum’s anger made complete sense. Vivienne vanished without giving him the truth, and now she has returned to tell him what needs to change inside the restaurant he is desperately trying to protect.
He is hurt. Defensive. Terrified of losing everything.
And beneath all that anger?
A giant mustached cinnamon roll who remembers her coffee order after FIVE YEARS.
FIVE.
YEARS.
Men I spoke to yesterday cannot remember basic information I gave them while maintaining direct eye contact, and this fictional chef has preserved a beverage order in his long-term memory through half a decade of heartbreak.
THE BAR IS IN HELL, BUT CALLUM ARRIVED WITH A LADDER AND COFFEE.
He is still furious with her. He doesn’t trust her not to leave again. But the small details reveal that some part of him has been waiting for Vivienne all along.
That man YEARNS.
He yearns beneath facial hair and professional resentment, which is the finest form of yearning available.
Vivienne immediately activated every protective instinct I possess.
We are officially a Protect Vivienne household.
She is talented, intelligent, and very good at her job, but the experiences that drove her away from the culinary world left wounds she has never fully confronted. Her anxiety, panic, and imperfect coping mechanisms felt painfully real.
She doesn’t always handle things well.
She runs. She avoids. She retreats into herself. She keeps truths buried until those secrets threaten the exact relationships she is desperate not to lose.
But her journey is not simply about returning to Callum.
It is about returning to herself.
Vivienne has to rediscover the woman she was before someone made her question her talent, confidence, and right to occupy space in the world she loved. Watching her slowly recognize that what happened to her did not define her abilities was one of the strongest parts of the book.
K.H. Jones did not portray healing as one brave conversation followed by a miraculous disappearance of every symptom. Vivienne’s progress is uneven because healing is uneven.
Sometimes courage looks like charging into battle.
Sometimes it looks like staying in the room when every part of you is screaming to run.
The emotional weight of her return made the restaurant setting feel even more meaningful. Neap & Spring is Callum’s dream, but the kitchen also represents everything Vivienne abandoned when she stopped believing she belonged there.
Together, they aren’t only trying to save a business.
They are confronting the versions of themselves they lost five years earlier.
OH, MY HEART.
The restaurant itself practically becomes another character. I could feel the heat, pressure, noise, and tightly choreographed panic of dinner service. Everyone has a role, one mistake can disrupt the entire rhythm, and Callum is attempting to maintain control while the woman responsible for his emotional instability stands in his kitchen making recommendations.
I would have burned every entrée.
The story behind the restaurant’s name made it feel even more personal, and watching the staff, family, and community rally around Callum and Vivienne gave the stakes warmth beyond the financial deadline.
I didn’t only want Callum to keep the restaurant because it was his dream.
I wanted this entire chaotic little family to keep their home.
And speaking of family—THE SIDE CHARACTERS.
Callum’s family brought so much humor and tenderness into the heavier moments. Patrick was a wonderful father, the family dinners were full of warmth, and Callum, Roman, and Wesley going fishing gave me exactly the kind of chaotic male bonding I love.
Men will avoid discussing their emotions with military precision and then stand beside a body of water together like the fish are licensed therapists.
Whatever works.
Westerly Point was also beautifully atmospheric. The coastal setting made me want to pack my belongings, move there immediately, and ask whether the restaurant was hiring someone whose only skill is sampling the menu.
I can contribute.
The romance had so much history behind it. Callum and Vivienne’s culinary-school rivalry, first love, separation, mutual pining, and lingering chemistry gave their reunion emotional depth before they ever began rebuilding trust.
These two were very clearly still in love.
Everyone could see it.
The kitchen equipment could see it.
A saucepan in storage probably whispered, “Just kiss already.”
My main issue was that I wanted MORE tension before Callum fully surrendered to those feelings again.
He goes from “You vanished and shattered my heart” to “Actually, I remain deeply in love with you” a little too quickly.
Was the love always there? Absolutely.
Did I believe he had never stopped wanting her? Yes.
But I wanted the anger, distrust, and culinary warfare to simmer longer.
Let them glare across the prep station.
Let one of them aggressively chop an onion.
Let the tension reduce into a thick emotional sauce before serving the reconciliation.
The man was furious, blinked twice, remembered her coffee order, and nearly became emotionally remarried.
CALLUM, MAKE HER WORK A LITTLE.
Not because Vivienne deserved punishment, but because five years of unanswered questions should require more than lingering eye contact to untangle. A slower transition from hurt to vulnerability would have made their second chance hit even harder.
There were also places where the writing became repetitive. The importance of Instagram marketing, for example, was explained enough times that I briefly wondered whether the app had received a supporting-character credit.
WE UNDERSTAND.
THE RESTAURANT NEEDS SOCIAL MEDIA.
POST THE RISOTTO AND RELEASE ME.
Some of the dialogue also leaned into repeated exchanges like:
“Okay?”
“Okay.”
“You did?”
“Yes, I did.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
After a while, I wanted someone to seize control of the conversation and deliver a complete declarative sentence.
Additionally, Callum and Vivienne sometimes spent so much time inside their own heads that I wanted more actual dialogue between them. Their internal struggles were important, but this relationship had five years of silence to address.
PLEASE SPEAK OUT LOUD.
My Kindle cannot schedule couples therapy on your behalf.
Those issues kept this from being a five-star read, but they did not stop me from becoming emotionally invested.
NEAP & SPRING gave me a talented woman reclaiming her confidence, a grumpy chef who never stopped loving her, a restaurant fighting for survival, a supportive family, and a coastal town I already want to revisit.
For a debut novel, K.H. Jones created an impressive world filled with characters who felt warm, flawed, and worth rooting for. The food made me ravenous. Vivienne made me fiercely protective. Callum’s coffee-order memory damaged my emotional stability.
And their story reminded me that sometimes home is not simply a place.
It is the person who makes you feel safe enough to stop running.
Four stars for second chances, culinary yearning, and a mustached chef who held onto one woman’s coffee order longer than most men hold onto basic communication skills.
I am ready for more from Westerly Point.
But first, somebody feed me.
August 12, 2026
👩🏼🍳 Second Chances, Found Family & a Restaurant Worth Saving 🌊❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
Whatever you do, do not read Neap & Spring hungry. 😂 K.H. Jones had me convinced I could become an anything master chef with the way she brought the food, kitchen, and restaurant world to life. But underneath all those mouthwatering descriptions is an incredibly heartfelt second-chance romance about healing, belonging, and finding the courage to return to something and someone you once loved.
Five years ago, Vivienne Lane walked away from Callum Reid and eventually hung up her chef’s coat altogether. Now a successful restaurant consultant, she arrives in Westerly Point for her newest assignment only to discover the struggling restaurant she has been hired to save belongs to Callum. Considering she disappeared from his life without an explanation, he's understandably less than thrilled to see her.
Vivienne was easily one of the reasons this story connected with me so much. We are officially a Protect Vivienne household over here. ❤️ She is incredibly talented, but her experiences after culinary school shattered so much of the confidence she once had. I thought the portrayal of her anxiety, panic, and imperfect coping mechanisms felt incredibly real. Her journey isn't simply about falling back in love with Callum. It's about slowly finding herself again and realizing she deserves to take up space in a world that once made her question whether she belonged there at all.
And Callum...our grumpy, mustached chef is actually one giant cinnamon roll underneath all that hurt. 🥹 His restaurant is six months from foreclosure, he's carrying the weight of past betrayals, and then the woman who broke his heart suddenly walks back into his kitchen. His anger made sense, but I loved slowly understanding everything beneath it. Most of all, I loved the patience and care he eventually showed Vivienne. Their history, mutual pining, culinary-school rivalry, and lingering chemistry made their second chance feel beautifully earned.
The restaurant itself almost became another character. I could practically feel the organized chaos of dinner service, and I loved watching everyone rally around Callum and Vivienne as they fought to save Neap & Spring. The story behind the restaurant's name made it even more special. Add in Westerly Point's gorgeous coastal atmosphere and an incredible cast of family and friends, and I was ready to move there myself.
The found family was one of my favorite parts. Callum's family brought so much warmth and humor to the heavier moments, and Patrick was such a wonderful father. And Callum, Roman, and Wesley going fishing? 😂 That scene alone reminded me how much I loved spending time with these characters.
Neap & Spring gave me so much more than a second-chance romance. It's about rebuilding confidence after someone has taken it from you, confronting the things you've been running from, allowing people to support you, and discovering that sometimes home isn't just a place. It's where you finally feel safe enough to stay.
For a debut novel, K.H. Jones absolutely impressed me. The food made me hungry, Westerly Point made me want to pack my bags, Vivienne made me fiercely protective, and Callum and Vivi's journey gave me all those wonderfully aching second-chance feelings. I already want more from this world. 🌊❤️
Thank you so much to K.H. Jones for trusting me with a gifted advanced copy of Neap & Spring. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
Whatever you do, do not read Neap & Spring hungry. 😂 K.H. Jones had me convinced I could become an anything master chef with the way she brought the food, kitchen, and restaurant world to life. But underneath all those mouthwatering descriptions is an incredibly heartfelt second-chance romance about healing, belonging, and finding the courage to return to something and someone you once loved.
Five years ago, Vivienne Lane walked away from Callum Reid and eventually hung up her chef’s coat altogether. Now a successful restaurant consultant, she arrives in Westerly Point for her newest assignment only to discover the struggling restaurant she has been hired to save belongs to Callum. Considering she disappeared from his life without an explanation, he's understandably less than thrilled to see her.
Vivienne was easily one of the reasons this story connected with me so much. We are officially a Protect Vivienne household over here. ❤️ She is incredibly talented, but her experiences after culinary school shattered so much of the confidence she once had. I thought the portrayal of her anxiety, panic, and imperfect coping mechanisms felt incredibly real. Her journey isn't simply about falling back in love with Callum. It's about slowly finding herself again and realizing she deserves to take up space in a world that once made her question whether she belonged there at all.
And Callum...our grumpy, mustached chef is actually one giant cinnamon roll underneath all that hurt. 🥹 His restaurant is six months from foreclosure, he's carrying the weight of past betrayals, and then the woman who broke his heart suddenly walks back into his kitchen. His anger made sense, but I loved slowly understanding everything beneath it. Most of all, I loved the patience and care he eventually showed Vivienne. Their history, mutual pining, culinary-school rivalry, and lingering chemistry made their second chance feel beautifully earned.
The restaurant itself almost became another character. I could practically feel the organized chaos of dinner service, and I loved watching everyone rally around Callum and Vivienne as they fought to save Neap & Spring. The story behind the restaurant's name made it even more special. Add in Westerly Point's gorgeous coastal atmosphere and an incredible cast of family and friends, and I was ready to move there myself.
The found family was one of my favorite parts. Callum's family brought so much warmth and humor to the heavier moments, and Patrick was such a wonderful father. And Callum, Roman, and Wesley going fishing? 😂 That scene alone reminded me how much I loved spending time with these characters.
Neap & Spring gave me so much more than a second-chance romance. It's about rebuilding confidence after someone has taken it from you, confronting the things you've been running from, allowing people to support you, and discovering that sometimes home isn't just a place. It's where you finally feel safe enough to stay.
For a debut novel, K.H. Jones absolutely impressed me. The food made me hungry, Westerly Point made me want to pack my bags, Vivienne made me fiercely protective, and Callum and Vivi's journey gave me all those wonderfully aching second-chance feelings. I already want more from this world. 🌊❤️
Thank you so much to K.H. Jones for trusting me with a gifted advanced copy of Neap & Spring. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***Thank you to K.H. Jones for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.***
“That’s the thing about Callum Reid. It’s so easy around him. The laugh that usually needs coaxing and has to work its way past whatever professional composure I’m maintaining comes out so easily. Like he’s found some locked door I didn’t even know was there and he’s the only one who has the key.”
What a real, raw story between two flawed people who learn to support one another despite their past traumas. Neap & Spring is a beautiful, believable love story. Set in a small town in California, we follow the story of Vivienne and Callum, two cooking school rivals who parted ways even though they were very much in love.
Jones creates the perfect balance of professionalism and personal life, at war with one another. The pacing was on point, providing enough backstory with current events to leave the reader craving more. Westerly Point provides a stunning backdrop to the realistic struggles of both Callum and Vivienne. As someone who spent time in California during her youth, the coastal life small town has been expertly crafted, from the powerful storms to the foggy winding roads.
Vivienne’s story is painful; her battle with anxiety and struggle in a male-dominated field is one that resonates with any woman who has faced the same hurdles she has. More than once I wanted to hug her, to help her through the panic attacks and ground her. You could feel the build-up to each one, making it palpable for the reader. I admired her determination. Becoming a restaurant consultant, even after everything she faced, was incredibly brave, and she proved why she deserved to be in that position time and time again.
To be honest, it took a little while for me to warm up to Callum. His anger was justified, but I also got frustrated with him. Why could he not see Vivienne was struggling? Why could he not open his eyes and look and realize she did not want to hurt him? But as his own past unfolded, I realized why. He was drowning. He had so much love and passion, even after Vivienne abandoned him, that he was blindsided by someone he should have been able to trust. And it made me realize he was not just angry at Vivienne, but he was also projecting some of the betrayal inflicted by others onto her.
The side characters in this were perfectly done as well. From Callum’s family to the employees of Neap & Spring, every single one of them contributed to the story, paving the way for Vivienne and Callum to come back together. I especially loved Callum’s dad, Patrick. His patience and understanding of each of his four boys is incredible, allowing them the room to come to their own decisions, but giving them the reassurance that they will be backed 100% by him and the rest of the family. It creates a supportive atmosphere for all family members and those who are being welcomed into the existing fold. Patrick is everything a parent should be, and his influence shines through in all of his sons, but especially Callum.
By the end of Neap & Spring, I had fallen in love with these two perfectly imperfect characters and was happy to see them make up and rekindle their romance. K.H. Jones’ incredible story inspires my genuine awe. Her talent for creating a beautiful setting with believable characters is unparalleled.
“That’s the thing about Callum Reid. It’s so easy around him. The laugh that usually needs coaxing and has to work its way past whatever professional composure I’m maintaining comes out so easily. Like he’s found some locked door I didn’t even know was there and he’s the only one who has the key.”
What a real, raw story between two flawed people who learn to support one another despite their past traumas. Neap & Spring is a beautiful, believable love story. Set in a small town in California, we follow the story of Vivienne and Callum, two cooking school rivals who parted ways even though they were very much in love.
Jones creates the perfect balance of professionalism and personal life, at war with one another. The pacing was on point, providing enough backstory with current events to leave the reader craving more. Westerly Point provides a stunning backdrop to the realistic struggles of both Callum and Vivienne. As someone who spent time in California during her youth, the coastal life small town has been expertly crafted, from the powerful storms to the foggy winding roads.
Vivienne’s story is painful; her battle with anxiety and struggle in a male-dominated field is one that resonates with any woman who has faced the same hurdles she has. More than once I wanted to hug her, to help her through the panic attacks and ground her. You could feel the build-up to each one, making it palpable for the reader. I admired her determination. Becoming a restaurant consultant, even after everything she faced, was incredibly brave, and she proved why she deserved to be in that position time and time again.
To be honest, it took a little while for me to warm up to Callum. His anger was justified, but I also got frustrated with him. Why could he not see Vivienne was struggling? Why could he not open his eyes and look and realize she did not want to hurt him? But as his own past unfolded, I realized why. He was drowning. He had so much love and passion, even after Vivienne abandoned him, that he was blindsided by someone he should have been able to trust. And it made me realize he was not just angry at Vivienne, but he was also projecting some of the betrayal inflicted by others onto her.
The side characters in this were perfectly done as well. From Callum’s family to the employees of Neap & Spring, every single one of them contributed to the story, paving the way for Vivienne and Callum to come back together. I especially loved Callum’s dad, Patrick. His patience and understanding of each of his four boys is incredible, allowing them the room to come to their own decisions, but giving them the reassurance that they will be backed 100% by him and the rest of the family. It creates a supportive atmosphere for all family members and those who are being welcomed into the existing fold. Patrick is everything a parent should be, and his influence shines through in all of his sons, but especially Callum.
By the end of Neap & Spring, I had fallen in love with these two perfectly imperfect characters and was happy to see them make up and rekindle their romance. K.H. Jones’ incredible story inspires my genuine awe. Her talent for creating a beautiful setting with believable characters is unparalleled.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, thank you to KH Jones for the opportunity to enjoy the first story in Westerly Point.
This story was absolutely precious and such an easy read, kept me engaged and wanting more.
This is really my first story that involves the interworkings of a kitchen and pairing it with a small town, it was so good. It put together my love of reading and love of shows like Chopped and others from the Food Network.
I loved the little hints of back to their days in culinary school. You really get the vibe of two of the best students competing for that top spot, but not in a petty way... they each make each other better and strive to continue to be the best. You can tell from the very beginning that Vivi is holding onto some trauma and is struggling to find a way to talk about it and work to move forward. It will always be a part of her story, but it's her turn to create a new path. Instead of cooking at high end restaurants, she is now a consultant, called in to help struggling restaurants turn themselves around.
As she arrives into town, she has a strong pull to the town as it somewhere she feels she knows. Once she reads her compiled report, she realizes it is the hometown of Callum and in fact, she's been called into save his restaurant.
Callum, a grumpy (and rightfully so once you understand his story) chef at Neap & Spring is not excited to find out that the love of his life has returned to save the day of his restaurant after she left him high and dry five years prior. With good friends by his side, he's encouraged to accept her help and quit being so angry about it. They both have trauma... but they're definitely still drawn to each other.
They slowly work on finding ways to trust each other again and work through their struggles, their road back to each other wasn't easy, but they really worked at it and in the end everything was welcomed and strongly earned.
If you enjoyed the family dynamic of Elsie Silver or Amy Daws, you will enjoy this story because Callum's family definitely gives the same vibes as these families in these stories.
If you enjoy an emotional second-chance romance in a small town, focused inside a restaurant with workplace tension, mutual pining and forced proximity, this is a story for you to enjoy.
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.5 (rounded up to 5)
💞 Second Chance Romance
🧑🍳 Workplace Romance (Restaurant Setting)
❤️🩹 Emotional trauma healing
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🏠 Forced Proximity
🌊 Small Coastal Town
💔 No 3rd Act Breakup
🌶️ 1.5/5
This story was absolutely precious and such an easy read, kept me engaged and wanting more.
This is really my first story that involves the interworkings of a kitchen and pairing it with a small town, it was so good. It put together my love of reading and love of shows like Chopped and others from the Food Network.
I loved the little hints of back to their days in culinary school. You really get the vibe of two of the best students competing for that top spot, but not in a petty way... they each make each other better and strive to continue to be the best. You can tell from the very beginning that Vivi is holding onto some trauma and is struggling to find a way to talk about it and work to move forward. It will always be a part of her story, but it's her turn to create a new path. Instead of cooking at high end restaurants, she is now a consultant, called in to help struggling restaurants turn themselves around.
As she arrives into town, she has a strong pull to the town as it somewhere she feels she knows. Once she reads her compiled report, she realizes it is the hometown of Callum and in fact, she's been called into save his restaurant.
Callum, a grumpy (and rightfully so once you understand his story) chef at Neap & Spring is not excited to find out that the love of his life has returned to save the day of his restaurant after she left him high and dry five years prior. With good friends by his side, he's encouraged to accept her help and quit being so angry about it. They both have trauma... but they're definitely still drawn to each other.
They slowly work on finding ways to trust each other again and work through their struggles, their road back to each other wasn't easy, but they really worked at it and in the end everything was welcomed and strongly earned.
If you enjoyed the family dynamic of Elsie Silver or Amy Daws, you will enjoy this story because Callum's family definitely gives the same vibes as these families in these stories.
If you enjoy an emotional second-chance romance in a small town, focused inside a restaurant with workplace tension, mutual pining and forced proximity, this is a story for you to enjoy.
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.5 (rounded up to 5)
💞 Second Chance Romance
🧑🍳 Workplace Romance (Restaurant Setting)
❤️🩹 Emotional trauma healing
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🏠 Forced Proximity
🌊 Small Coastal Town
💔 No 3rd Act Breakup
🌶️ 1.5/5
August 6, 2026
What an incredible debut book this is for KH Jones! Neap & Spring was the chef’s kiss of a read. I felt like I was reading a Nancy Meyers’ film script as it was THAT good. I could picture a movie playing out right before my eyes with how well she wrote, the details captured and the characters coming to life on the page!
Our FMC, Vivienne, is a chef turned consultant traveling cross county to take on her next account of failing restaurants. Having gone through a prestigious and rigorous culinary program, she understands the hard work and dedication of running a restaurant. She pivoted her career for reasons we don’t know at first, to share her expertise and guidance to get other chefs out of the red. Her trek takes her to the Pacific Coast to a quaint town where Neap & Spring resides.
Enter our MMC Callum, the owner of said restaurant and poor soul Vivienne is on her way to save. He doesn’t know who’s about to turn his world upside down. Cal an Vivi have a past from culinary school and it’s about to unleash a whole bunch of feels. His character is so loveable even with all the turmoil he’s facing as is his family of brothers and incredible heart strong father.
There were many magical moments throughout this whole book that I can’t pick just one to share. A highlight is a family dinner Viv attends at Cal’s house. Everyone has to share a high and a low of their week and it really pulls on your heartstrings. Yeah, some days are utter disasters but you can always find a bright side. Is Callum in debt way over his head? Yes! Does he have a lot at stake? Yes! But will he be able to avoid closing the doors and saving his restaurant? It’s going to take a lot of work, but with Vivienne’s help and your time to read this book, you’ll find out!
That brings me to the title of the book which has such a treasured meaning to the chef and staff. “The spring tide brought us together - violent and extreme and destructive. The neap tide let us build something last - gentle and steady and true!”
Please add this book to your end of summer reading list and you’ll be anxiously awaiting book 2 like I am!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Our FMC, Vivienne, is a chef turned consultant traveling cross county to take on her next account of failing restaurants. Having gone through a prestigious and rigorous culinary program, she understands the hard work and dedication of running a restaurant. She pivoted her career for reasons we don’t know at first, to share her expertise and guidance to get other chefs out of the red. Her trek takes her to the Pacific Coast to a quaint town where Neap & Spring resides.
Enter our MMC Callum, the owner of said restaurant and poor soul Vivienne is on her way to save. He doesn’t know who’s about to turn his world upside down. Cal an Vivi have a past from culinary school and it’s about to unleash a whole bunch of feels. His character is so loveable even with all the turmoil he’s facing as is his family of brothers and incredible heart strong father.
There were many magical moments throughout this whole book that I can’t pick just one to share. A highlight is a family dinner Viv attends at Cal’s house. Everyone has to share a high and a low of their week and it really pulls on your heartstrings. Yeah, some days are utter disasters but you can always find a bright side. Is Callum in debt way over his head? Yes! Does he have a lot at stake? Yes! But will he be able to avoid closing the doors and saving his restaurant? It’s going to take a lot of work, but with Vivienne’s help and your time to read this book, you’ll find out!
That brings me to the title of the book which has such a treasured meaning to the chef and staff. “The spring tide brought us together - violent and extreme and destructive. The neap tide let us build something last - gentle and steady and true!”
Please add this book to your end of summer reading list and you’ll be anxiously awaiting book 2 like I am!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
As soon as I saw that this book was a second chance romance and forced proximity between a chef and a consultant, I knew I had to read it. The fact that were was also no third act breakup sealed the deal for me and boy am I glad I put in for a ARC because it was so good. If I had a choice I would have read this all in one day, but life got in the way and so I had to read it over the course of a few days.
I loved watching them first meet after 5 years apart and I loved that their story took some time and wasn’t rushed. I loved watching them regain their friendship and trust before they came together again in the end. Callum was so sweet and patient with Vivienne. He didn’t push her to tell him why she ghosted him or why she stopped being a chef. He just waited and was there for her when she needed him. He trusted her and told her what she missed in his life and was still patient with her. He helped her through panic attacks and she helped him with his restaurant. I love that even after all that time apart and what they both went through, they still cared and loved each other.
To see her start to heal with him and his small town was so beautiful. To see her start to make friends and really put down some roots after constantly moving for 5 years was so nice because she deserved it. To see her finally be ready to tell him what happened and for them to get together in the end with no secrets was so satisfying. It was such a beautiful read and I love that there was some spice, but not too much because a beautiful story like this didn’t need a lot of spice. It was a beautiful plot that wasn’t overshadowed by any physical stuff because words were enough.
This was definitely a great book and I can’t wait to read the next one which I have a really good idea on whose book it is. (Hint: 🐟) If you’ve read this book then you know exactly what I’m talking about. I also have a feeling that I know another future couple in this series and I can’t wait to see that blossom as well. Thank you K.H. Jones for this ARC and I hope to receive more in the future.
I loved watching them first meet after 5 years apart and I loved that their story took some time and wasn’t rushed. I loved watching them regain their friendship and trust before they came together again in the end. Callum was so sweet and patient with Vivienne. He didn’t push her to tell him why she ghosted him or why she stopped being a chef. He just waited and was there for her when she needed him. He trusted her and told her what she missed in his life and was still patient with her. He helped her through panic attacks and she helped him with his restaurant. I love that even after all that time apart and what they both went through, they still cared and loved each other.
To see her start to heal with him and his small town was so beautiful. To see her start to make friends and really put down some roots after constantly moving for 5 years was so nice because she deserved it. To see her finally be ready to tell him what happened and for them to get together in the end with no secrets was so satisfying. It was such a beautiful read and I love that there was some spice, but not too much because a beautiful story like this didn’t need a lot of spice. It was a beautiful plot that wasn’t overshadowed by any physical stuff because words were enough.
This was definitely a great book and I can’t wait to read the next one which I have a really good idea on whose book it is. (Hint: 🐟) If you’ve read this book then you know exactly what I’m talking about. I also have a feeling that I know another future couple in this series and I can’t wait to see that blossom as well. Thank you K.H. Jones for this ARC and I hope to receive more in the future.
September 6, 2026
For some people cooking is a daily task but for Vivienne Lane and Callum Reid is a love language, an act of service, a demostration of adoration.
Throughout the whole book we see how food can bring family, friends and a great community together, how it can heal.
Callum Reid always had a sense of belonging, he had an immense capacity of love towards his dad, Patrick and brothers, Wesley, Hayes and Beckett, his support system including Margo’s influence and love for cooking, she was like a mom figure in their life.
His dream always was to built a place he loved with someone he loved in a town he loved surrounded with love. He always knew that he wanted to come back and dedicate his life to cook food that tasted like home, that was comforting.
Callum was in awe that one of his longtime dreams was becoming a reality, sadly his dream became a nightmare, he was hopeless, he needed help, and life circumstances and destiny reunited him with a ghost from his past,
Vivienne, former chef and current consultant, after a traumatic event she was utterly broken, she was constantly living in fear and sorrow, she sacrificed everything in order to protect the person she loved the most.
Neap and Spring, is a book that convey so many emotions, the hurt, the pain, the longing and the yearning are all present through the book.
Callum grieved a life that could’ve build with Vivienne, he was living off the memories of the past, imagining a life together. He was hopeless and miserable., Vivienne was deeply ingrained in his heart.
Their love was unforgettable, their connection was unbreakable, no matter the distance, and the years in between.
After losing all the faith in herself and being adrift for so long, Vivienne find her way home.
My high is that I absolutely loved this book and without a doubt I’m going to read every single book from K.H Jones
My low is that I’m extremely sad that is over and I’m going to miss all this characters.
K. H Jones the writer you are. I’m so happy that you brought Vivi and Call love story to life!
Throughout the whole book we see how food can bring family, friends and a great community together, how it can heal.
Callum Reid always had a sense of belonging, he had an immense capacity of love towards his dad, Patrick and brothers, Wesley, Hayes and Beckett, his support system including Margo’s influence and love for cooking, she was like a mom figure in their life.
His dream always was to built a place he loved with someone he loved in a town he loved surrounded with love. He always knew that he wanted to come back and dedicate his life to cook food that tasted like home, that was comforting.
Callum was in awe that one of his longtime dreams was becoming a reality, sadly his dream became a nightmare, he was hopeless, he needed help, and life circumstances and destiny reunited him with a ghost from his past,
Vivienne, former chef and current consultant, after a traumatic event she was utterly broken, she was constantly living in fear and sorrow, she sacrificed everything in order to protect the person she loved the most.
Neap and Spring, is a book that convey so many emotions, the hurt, the pain, the longing and the yearning are all present through the book.
Callum grieved a life that could’ve build with Vivienne, he was living off the memories of the past, imagining a life together. He was hopeless and miserable., Vivienne was deeply ingrained in his heart.
Their love was unforgettable, their connection was unbreakable, no matter the distance, and the years in between.
After losing all the faith in herself and being adrift for so long, Vivienne find her way home.
My high is that I absolutely loved this book and without a doubt I’m going to read every single book from K.H Jones
My low is that I’m extremely sad that is over and I’m going to miss all this characters.
K. H Jones the writer you are. I’m so happy that you brought Vivi and Call love story to life!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read 300 pages in one night. That should tell you everything 🥰 This cozy novel feels like Elsie Silver meets Katie Fforde with a side of ‘wait, why am I so hungry?’
From the very first page, food isn’t just background, it’s how these characters communicate, remember and love. The evocative writing pulled me in immediately. By page 30, Callum and Vivienne had reunited, and I was desperate to know what happened five years earlier! I really enjoyed the dual POV and I don’t think I’ve rooted for a romance hero quite as much as I did for Callum ☺️ I wanted them to find their way back to each other, but without knowing Vivienne’s side of the story, I genuinely wasn’t sure whether that was possible.
The small-town setting and its people are everything. Roman has me campaigning for his own book (I’m not getting chemistry or mystery from his love interest though, so I’m hoping her character develops further). Margo is a sweetheart, I think Beckett and Iris are definitely more than friends, and I have a feeling Wesley and Sloane won’t be able to avoid each other for long… 👀 Callum’s family give me Chestnut Springs vibes; brothers who bicker endlessly but would do anything for each other. For Vivienne, this small town shows her the importance of a found family.
The slow burn is delicious, with several moments seasoned with just a bit of spice. The business meeting had me begging for the spreadsheets to end (though the lack of underwear was slightly improbable 🤣) Then page 264?! Butter, which has been a recipe ingredient, a metaphor and a feeling, becomes the taste of their kiss. It’s a clever piece of symbolism that ties the entire story together.
With its comforting storyline, you know there’s a happy ending waiting somewhere, but the joy is in watching the characters earn it ☺️
Thank you to KH Jones for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
From the very first page, food isn’t just background, it’s how these characters communicate, remember and love. The evocative writing pulled me in immediately. By page 30, Callum and Vivienne had reunited, and I was desperate to know what happened five years earlier! I really enjoyed the dual POV and I don’t think I’ve rooted for a romance hero quite as much as I did for Callum ☺️ I wanted them to find their way back to each other, but without knowing Vivienne’s side of the story, I genuinely wasn’t sure whether that was possible.
The small-town setting and its people are everything. Roman has me campaigning for his own book (I’m not getting chemistry or mystery from his love interest though, so I’m hoping her character develops further). Margo is a sweetheart, I think Beckett and Iris are definitely more than friends, and I have a feeling Wesley and Sloane won’t be able to avoid each other for long… 👀 Callum’s family give me Chestnut Springs vibes; brothers who bicker endlessly but would do anything for each other. For Vivienne, this small town shows her the importance of a found family.
The slow burn is delicious, with several moments seasoned with just a bit of spice. The business meeting had me begging for the spreadsheets to end (though the lack of underwear was slightly improbable 🤣) Then page 264?! Butter, which has been a recipe ingredient, a metaphor and a feeling, becomes the taste of their kiss. It’s a clever piece of symbolism that ties the entire story together.
With its comforting storyline, you know there’s a happy ending waiting somewhere, but the joy is in watching the characters earn it ☺️
Thank you to KH Jones for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Can Callum (a chef) and Vivienne (a chef-turned-restaurant consultant) get past their complicated history to work together and save Neap & Spring, Callum’s restaurant in his beautiful coastal hometown of Westerly Point?
This forced-proximity, second-chance romance is the ideal summer read! The descriptions of beautiful Westerly Point made me want to jump in the car and drive up the coast, and the descriptions of the food made me hungry the whole time I was reading! (I don't eat seafood and by the end of the chapter, even I thought the crab dip sounded good...) In addition to Westerly Point, the book also takes the reader on a few flashbacks to Paris during Vivienne and Callum’s culinary school years.
Vivienne’s anxiety and trauma are sensitively portrayed. Additional serious topics are touched on (past abuse and past infidelity) and they are also handled thoughtfully as Vivienne and Callum get to know and trust each other again. I especially appreciated the little details Vivienne and Callum remembered about each other that showed the depth of their love, even early on. Each created a sense of safety for the other to open up so that their connection felt very natural.
Most of all, I loved the characters and can’t wait to return to Westerly Point for the rest of the series. I want to go to Sunday dinner at Callum's Dad's house. I want to know more of Margo’s story (and I want that cookie recipe!) And I want to be friends with Callum’s older brother who is so sweet he once grounded himself in solidarity with his brothers.
Thank you to K.H. Jones for the opportunity to be an ARC reader, and congratulations on a wonderful debut novel! I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read Neap & Spring on August 7th!
This forced-proximity, second-chance romance is the ideal summer read! The descriptions of beautiful Westerly Point made me want to jump in the car and drive up the coast, and the descriptions of the food made me hungry the whole time I was reading! (I don't eat seafood and by the end of the chapter, even I thought the crab dip sounded good...) In addition to Westerly Point, the book also takes the reader on a few flashbacks to Paris during Vivienne and Callum’s culinary school years.
Vivienne’s anxiety and trauma are sensitively portrayed. Additional serious topics are touched on (past abuse and past infidelity) and they are also handled thoughtfully as Vivienne and Callum get to know and trust each other again. I especially appreciated the little details Vivienne and Callum remembered about each other that showed the depth of their love, even early on. Each created a sense of safety for the other to open up so that their connection felt very natural.
Most of all, I loved the characters and can’t wait to return to Westerly Point for the rest of the series. I want to go to Sunday dinner at Callum's Dad's house. I want to know more of Margo’s story (and I want that cookie recipe!) And I want to be friends with Callum’s older brother who is so sweet he once grounded himself in solidarity with his brothers.
Thank you to K.H. Jones for the opportunity to be an ARC reader, and congratulations on a wonderful debut novel! I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read Neap & Spring on August 7th!
August 24, 2026
3.5 - 4 ⭐️
Step into Westerly Point, a small town where Callum Reid is six months away from losing his restaurant, and Vivienne Lane, the culinary consultant who ghosted him 5 years prior, is sent to save his restaurant.
A great small town debut novel that does a wonderful job of setting the scene of Westerly Point and its inhabitants, laying the ground for more love stories. While I found this romance a bit unrealistic at times, there were some very cute moments and I’m gnawing at my enclosure for the second book with the little nuggets we were given. I also really loved Callum’s family, especially their family dinners and love for each other.
While I did enjoy this book there are some things that I would make note of:
• This romance is written very well, but *most* scenes feel a little overwritten and repetitive. I’m not sure why we need a 20 minute chapter about moving tables into the restaurant. i think this could really benefit from more editing or shortening. while enriching at times it can start to drag and feel chore-ish at others.
• it felt very unrealistic for callum to have been engaged and started a restaurant with a woman only for him to reveal he never slept with her. It felt like it was there for the “it’s always been you” moment and I do believe that for these characters it has always been each other, but i just didn’t buy that part. I think him sleeping with her wouldn’t have changed anything and it would have made it more realistic ? idk. maybe that’s picky.
• this one’s really picky but: having sex in a life threatening situation is crazy. but maybe i’m just an overly anxious person lol.
read if your enjoy
found family
anxiety representation
chef x chef/consultant
slow burn
it’s always been you
second chance
spice: 🌶️
Step into Westerly Point, a small town where Callum Reid is six months away from losing his restaurant, and Vivienne Lane, the culinary consultant who ghosted him 5 years prior, is sent to save his restaurant.
A great small town debut novel that does a wonderful job of setting the scene of Westerly Point and its inhabitants, laying the ground for more love stories. While I found this romance a bit unrealistic at times, there were some very cute moments and I’m gnawing at my enclosure for the second book with the little nuggets we were given. I also really loved Callum’s family, especially their family dinners and love for each other.
While I did enjoy this book there are some things that I would make note of:
• This romance is written very well, but *most* scenes feel a little overwritten and repetitive. I’m not sure why we need a 20 minute chapter about moving tables into the restaurant. i think this could really benefit from more editing or shortening. while enriching at times it can start to drag and feel chore-ish at others.
• it felt very unrealistic for callum to have been engaged and started a restaurant with a woman only for him to reveal he never slept with her. It felt like it was there for the “it’s always been you” moment and I do believe that for these characters it has always been each other, but i just didn’t buy that part. I think him sleeping with her wouldn’t have changed anything and it would have made it more realistic ? idk. maybe that’s picky.
• this one’s really picky but: having sex in a life threatening situation is crazy. but maybe i’m just an overly anxious person lol.
read if your enjoy
found family
anxiety representation
chef x chef/consultant
slow burn
it’s always been you
second chance
spice: 🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review.
I adore small town romances. Add in a coastal setting, especially in the summer, and you have me.
Vivi and Callum, my whole heart. We get a glimpse of them in culinary school, but almost the entirety of the book is present day, where they haven't spoken in five years. Vivi is the restaurant consultant sent to help save Callum's place.
I absolutely loved watching their relationship change and evolve over the course of the book. Vivi is clearly carrying some trauma and as much as Callum wants to know what is going on with her, he's so gentle and patient with her. Vivi was hard on herself in a way that was relatable and realistic, especially given what happened to her.
The restaurant setting was such a nice change of pace from what I usually get in small town romances and I enjoyed getting to read some of the intricacies of the kitchen. It felt natural and while it's sometimes easy to get lost in the weeds of a job (especially when they're trying to save a business), this was just enough to keep me interested without it feeling like it was too much.
I would've liked to have seen Vivi's journey just a little bit more at the end. The epilogue is a bit of a time jump, which I do appreciate, but for me, I would've liked just a little more on how she got from where she was at the end of the story to where she is at in the epilogue.
This is a series with four brothers and I will most definitely be coming back to Westerly Point for the next Reid brother to get his HEA.
I adore small town romances. Add in a coastal setting, especially in the summer, and you have me.
Vivi and Callum, my whole heart. We get a glimpse of them in culinary school, but almost the entirety of the book is present day, where they haven't spoken in five years. Vivi is the restaurant consultant sent to help save Callum's place.
I absolutely loved watching their relationship change and evolve over the course of the book. Vivi is clearly carrying some trauma and as much as Callum wants to know what is going on with her, he's so gentle and patient with her. Vivi was hard on herself in a way that was relatable and realistic, especially given what happened to her.
The restaurant setting was such a nice change of pace from what I usually get in small town romances and I enjoyed getting to read some of the intricacies of the kitchen. It felt natural and while it's sometimes easy to get lost in the weeds of a job (especially when they're trying to save a business), this was just enough to keep me interested without it feeling like it was too much.
I would've liked to have seen Vivi's journey just a little bit more at the end. The epilogue is a bit of a time jump, which I do appreciate, but for me, I would've liked just a little more on how she got from where she was at the end of the story to where she is at in the epilogue.
This is a series with four brothers and I will most definitely be coming back to Westerly Point for the next Reid brother to get his HEA.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this!
The setting was absolutely peak. Small costal town, restaurant on the beach, salt in the air.
The author did a great job at building tension between the main characters, Cal and Viv. The side characters also felt very fleshed out, and I look forward to reading future companion novels for said characters (looking at you, Wesley and Sloane 👀)
I did have a few gripes (maybe slight spoilers if you haven't read yet!):
But ultimately these things didn't majorly affect my enjoyment of the book. A very solid debut!
3.5, rounding up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The setting was absolutely peak. Small costal town, restaurant on the beach, salt in the air.
The author did a great job at building tension between the main characters, Cal and Viv. The side characters also felt very fleshed out, and I look forward to reading future companion novels for said characters (looking at you, Wesley and Sloane 👀)
I did have a few gripes (maybe slight spoilers if you haven't read yet!):
But ultimately these things didn't majorly affect my enjoyment of the book. A very solid debut!
3.5, rounding up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy
What a beautiful, beautiful book.
Everything about this was wonderful. The writing is beautiful - the world building felt natural and scenic, leaving a lot of it up to the reader’s interpretation.
There were a couple of moments where something was mentioned which had already been touched on earlier in the book, but nothing ever felt over-explained.
Vivienne’s experience with anxiety and panic attacks was so vividly captured, in a very realistic and palpable way. It was also so touching the way Callum immediately recognised the signs that something wasn’t normal with her mannerisms and reactions, and that after all the time that had passed since he last saw her, he still knew her to her core.
I’m really intrigued to see if this is going to be a series, and if so I’ve got my predictions already about future couples.
Wesley and the newly appointed fisherwoman?
Beckett and his bestie??
I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what was missing that could’ve made it a 5 star. Maybe it’s that we don’t really know what their lives were like prior to the cooking school?
About the book:
▫️Dual POV / Mostly single timeline with flashbacks
▫️Chef x restaurant consultant (also ex-chef)
▫️Lowkey second chance / one that got away
▫️Workplace romance
▫️Forced proximity
▫️Mental health rep
▫️Open door (chapters 5, 21 and 30)
Warnings:
▪️Verbal and emotional abuse
▪️Workplace bullying and misogyny
▪️Anxiety and panic attacks
▪️Depression
▪️Embezzlement
Everything about this was wonderful. The writing is beautiful - the world building felt natural and scenic, leaving a lot of it up to the reader’s interpretation.
There were a couple of moments where something was mentioned which had already been touched on earlier in the book, but nothing ever felt over-explained.
Vivienne’s experience with anxiety and panic attacks was so vividly captured, in a very realistic and palpable way. It was also so touching the way Callum immediately recognised the signs that something wasn’t normal with her mannerisms and reactions, and that after all the time that had passed since he last saw her, he still knew her to her core.
I’m really intrigued to see if this is going to be a series, and if so I’ve got my predictions already about future couples.
Wesley and the newly appointed fisherwoman?
Beckett and his bestie??
I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what was missing that could’ve made it a 5 star. Maybe it’s that we don’t really know what their lives were like prior to the cooking school?
About the book:
▫️Dual POV / Mostly single timeline with flashbacks
▫️Chef x restaurant consultant (also ex-chef)
▫️Lowkey second chance / one that got away
▫️Workplace romance
▫️Forced proximity
▫️Mental health rep
▫️Open door (chapters 5, 21 and 30)
Warnings:
▪️Verbal and emotional abuse
▪️Workplace bullying and misogyny
▪️Anxiety and panic attacks
▪️Depression
▪️Embezzlement
August 11, 2026
Callum Reid is about to lose everything he's built. Six months from foreclosure, the restaurant he's poured years into is slipping through his fingers.
So when his investors insist on bringing in a consultant, the last person he expects to walk through the door is the woman who disappeared on him five years ago. She hung up her own chef's coat for good, and now she's back to tell him how to run his kitchen.
He let her in once. He's not about to make that mistake again.
Vivienne Lane never expected to end up here. Not in Westerly Point, not at this restaurant, and definitely not face to face with the man she's spent five years trying not to think about. But she's the best in the business, and she's not about to start failing now. Even if staying means facing exactly what she ran from.
The clock is ticking on the restaurant, and the only way to save it means sharing a kitchen. And it doesn't take long for the pull between them to become impossible to ignore again. Except now everything is on the line, a secret is still buried, and there's so much more to lose.
When the truth about why Vivienne left finally surfaces, Callum has to decide if he can risk loving a woman who might walk away again. And Vivienne has to decide if she's finally brave enough to stay. Can they survive a second chance, or will old wounds sink them both?
Loved this from start to finish. Will recommend to others
So when his investors insist on bringing in a consultant, the last person he expects to walk through the door is the woman who disappeared on him five years ago. She hung up her own chef's coat for good, and now she's back to tell him how to run his kitchen.
He let her in once. He's not about to make that mistake again.
Vivienne Lane never expected to end up here. Not in Westerly Point, not at this restaurant, and definitely not face to face with the man she's spent five years trying not to think about. But she's the best in the business, and she's not about to start failing now. Even if staying means facing exactly what she ran from.
The clock is ticking on the restaurant, and the only way to save it means sharing a kitchen. And it doesn't take long for the pull between them to become impossible to ignore again. Except now everything is on the line, a secret is still buried, and there's so much more to lose.
When the truth about why Vivienne left finally surfaces, Callum has to decide if he can risk loving a woman who might walk away again. And Vivienne has to decide if she's finally brave enough to stay. Can they survive a second chance, or will old wounds sink them both?
Loved this from start to finish. Will recommend to others
August 16, 2026
True rating 4.5
Spice 1
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a second chance romance with yearning.
I love a second chance romance and this book delivered. The level of yearning our MMC Callum brings to the table was incredible. At the first intro of both MCs the tension was there.
The side characters were also good and gave a good sense of why Callum decided to settle in his little coastal hometown. I loved Patrick, Callum’s dad and his brothers. I liked how future book couples have been introduced already in a very organic way.
Both Callum and Vivian have well developed history, both together and while they were apart. Making it easy to root for them and believe their love connection. There are little details that added through the story that gave me heart eyes.
Since both MCs are graduates of one of the best culinary schools I was glad to see that the food mentioned and descriptions were on that level. Reading it made me hungry and I’m guilty of looking for recipes of foods mentioned.
The spice level is mild and well written. Did I find it unbelievable that Callum hadn’t had sex since Paris even though he had been engaged? No. Was it romantic, yes! Would I have chosen sex over bandaging my bloody foot? That’s debatable. Five years of celibacy is no joke.
Overall, this book was very good. It had everything I was looking for in a second chance romance. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Spice 1
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a second chance romance with yearning.
I love a second chance romance and this book delivered. The level of yearning our MMC Callum brings to the table was incredible. At the first intro of both MCs the tension was there.
The side characters were also good and gave a good sense of why Callum decided to settle in his little coastal hometown. I loved Patrick, Callum’s dad and his brothers. I liked how future book couples have been introduced already in a very organic way.
Both Callum and Vivian have well developed history, both together and while they were apart. Making it easy to root for them and believe their love connection. There are little details that added through the story that gave me heart eyes.
Since both MCs are graduates of one of the best culinary schools I was glad to see that the food mentioned and descriptions were on that level. Reading it made me hungry and I’m guilty of looking for recipes of foods mentioned.
The spice level is mild and well written. Did I find it unbelievable that Callum hadn’t had sex since Paris even though he had been engaged? No. Was it romantic, yes! Would I have chosen sex over bandaging my bloody foot? That’s debatable. Five years of celibacy is no joke.
Overall, this book was very good. It had everything I was looking for in a second chance romance. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Westerly Point is a lovely start to a heartwarming small-town romance series. The story follows Vivienne and Callum, who were once in love but went their separate ways after a painful misunderstanding. When they meet again years later, they must face the hurt they left behind and decide if they can give love another chance.
Watching Vivienne and Callum reconnect was one of the best parts of the story. Their feelings for each other never completely faded, and their journey of forgiveness, healing, and rebuilding trust felt genuine and emotional. Their chemistry made it easy to root for them from beginning to end.
The small-town setting is another highlight. Westerly Point feels cozy and welcoming. The book also introduces a few side characters whose stories are teased, making the rest of the series even more exciting.
Overall, this is a sweet and emotional romance about second chances, family, healing, and fresh beginnings. If you enjoy small-town romances with lovable characters and heartfelt relationships, this is a book worth adding to your reading list.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Watching Vivienne and Callum reconnect was one of the best parts of the story. Their feelings for each other never completely faded, and their journey of forgiveness, healing, and rebuilding trust felt genuine and emotional. Their chemistry made it easy to root for them from beginning to end.
The small-town setting is another highlight. Westerly Point feels cozy and welcoming. The book also introduces a few side characters whose stories are teased, making the rest of the series even more exciting.
Overall, this is a sweet and emotional romance about second chances, family, healing, and fresh beginnings. If you enjoy small-town romances with lovable characters and heartfelt relationships, this is a book worth adding to your reading list.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
❤️ Second Chance Romance
👨🍳 Chef Romance
🍽️ Restaurant Setting
💼 Workplace Romance
🤝 Forced Proximity
💔 Mutual Pining
🤐 Secrets & Past Betrayal
🔥 Slow-Burn Romance
❤️ Emotional Healing
🌊 Small-Town
This was such an emotional, beautifully written romance. The chemistry between the MC's ( Callum and Vivienne) never faded, even after five years apart, and every scene they shared was packed with unresolved feelings, longing, and heartbreak.
I loved the restaurant setting and the way saving the MC's (Callum) dream became intertwined with rebuilding their relationship. The slow unraveling of why the FMC left kept me invested, and when the truth finally came out, it added so much emotional weight to their journey.
Callum's hurt and reluctance to trust again felt completely understandable, while Vivienne's struggle with her past made her an easy character to empathize with. Their road back to each other wasn't easy, but it felt earned.
If you enjoy emotional second-chance romances with forced proximity, workplace tension, mutual pining, and plenty of heartfelt moments, this is one I definitely recommend.
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for my honest review.Thank you so much for the opportunity!
👨🍳 Chef Romance
🍽️ Restaurant Setting
💼 Workplace Romance
🤝 Forced Proximity
💔 Mutual Pining
🤐 Secrets & Past Betrayal
🔥 Slow-Burn Romance
❤️ Emotional Healing
🌊 Small-Town
This was such an emotional, beautifully written romance. The chemistry between the MC's ( Callum and Vivienne) never faded, even after five years apart, and every scene they shared was packed with unresolved feelings, longing, and heartbreak.
I loved the restaurant setting and the way saving the MC's (Callum) dream became intertwined with rebuilding their relationship. The slow unraveling of why the FMC left kept me invested, and when the truth finally came out, it added so much emotional weight to their journey.
Callum's hurt and reluctance to trust again felt completely understandable, while Vivienne's struggle with her past made her an easy character to empathize with. Their road back to each other wasn't easy, but it felt earned.
If you enjoy emotional second-chance romances with forced proximity, workplace tension, mutual pining, and plenty of heartfelt moments, this is one I definitely recommend.
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for my honest review.Thank you so much for the opportunity!
August 1, 2026
First of all, I would like to send the biggest shoutout to the author for letting me read an ARC of the book!!
Next, this book was good. On every level, it was good. It was a second chance romance and I understood why they broke up the first time as well as supporting them getting back together. I could really see the growth in both of them and the struggle it took to get them there and be able to build a relationship.
I loved the small town, how interconnected everyone was and how much support the MMC got from his family as well as being able to giggle and notice who else in the town would get a book later.
The FMC had some trauma to work through but it was written in a way that was accurate without making me feel like it was overwhelming for me as a reader. I felt the pain without being triggered by it, which was really nice.
It was also entertaining to see that Vivi accidentally made a ton of connections. She made friends and put down roots totally on accident in the town just by being herself, and seemed shocked by this (very relatable).
I really had no issues with the book, I think a lot of people would really enjoy it, I just didn’t think it had that specific spark that would make it five stars. It wasn’t a stay up until 2 am good, but still a delightful read!
Next, this book was good. On every level, it was good. It was a second chance romance and I understood why they broke up the first time as well as supporting them getting back together. I could really see the growth in both of them and the struggle it took to get them there and be able to build a relationship.
I loved the small town, how interconnected everyone was and how much support the MMC got from his family as well as being able to giggle and notice who else in the town would get a book later.
The FMC had some trauma to work through but it was written in a way that was accurate without making me feel like it was overwhelming for me as a reader. I felt the pain without being triggered by it, which was really nice.
It was also entertaining to see that Vivi accidentally made a ton of connections. She made friends and put down roots totally on accident in the town just by being herself, and seemed shocked by this (very relatable).
I really had no issues with the book, I think a lot of people would really enjoy it, I just didn’t think it had that specific spark that would make it five stars. It wasn’t a stay up until 2 am good, but still a delightful read!
August 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fantastic debut novel ! This small town Oceanside Romance was a fast paced read with a food centric focus and fun characters . We meet Vivienne ( a chef turned restaurant consultant and callum ( owner of Neap and Spring restaurant ) . Vivienne is sent to get Neap and Spring restaurant but when she arrives the town is sooo familiar to her she’s sort of having a Déjà vu moment. … Westerly point ! She remembers that name ! She remembers the descriptions of the Oceanside and then remembers the man she met in Paris in culinary school who used to talk about his brothers and friends who lived by the ocean . Callum ! Callum Reid! She hasn’t spoken to him In 5 years ! What will she say ? Will he remember her ?
The story unfolds so neatly. The characters are so well developed and this isn’t only a second chance for romance it is also a second chance for Vivienne to overcome some significant trauma and I love a book without a 3rd act breakup !
I am looking forward to the next book in the Westerly Point series ! Bring on the brothers !!! I Loved the family dinners and the game the family plays . I won’t spoil it for you !
Thank you to the author KH Jones for the ARC . I loved this book, the character art, the title and the meaning of the tides. The brothers , the highs and lows .. Congratulations ! The dedication gets 5 stars too.
@shes.novel
A fantastic debut novel ! This small town Oceanside Romance was a fast paced read with a food centric focus and fun characters . We meet Vivienne ( a chef turned restaurant consultant and callum ( owner of Neap and Spring restaurant ) . Vivienne is sent to get Neap and Spring restaurant but when she arrives the town is sooo familiar to her she’s sort of having a Déjà vu moment. … Westerly point ! She remembers that name ! She remembers the descriptions of the Oceanside and then remembers the man she met in Paris in culinary school who used to talk about his brothers and friends who lived by the ocean . Callum ! Callum Reid! She hasn’t spoken to him In 5 years ! What will she say ? Will he remember her ?
The story unfolds so neatly. The characters are so well developed and this isn’t only a second chance for romance it is also a second chance for Vivienne to overcome some significant trauma and I love a book without a 3rd act breakup !
I am looking forward to the next book in the Westerly Point series ! Bring on the brothers !!! I Loved the family dinners and the game the family plays . I won’t spoil it for you !
Thank you to the author KH Jones for the ARC . I loved this book, the character art, the title and the meaning of the tides. The brothers , the highs and lows .. Congratulations ! The dedication gets 5 stars too.
@shes.novel
August 9, 2026
📕BOOK REVIEW📕
Oh my goodness what a beautiful book!!
I am in love with Westerly Point; the setting, the characters and the entire vibe. I’m so excited for book 2 already 🥺
Callum and Vivienne trained in Paris together-they were partners, they were each other’s cheerleaders and they pushed each other. Before they went their separate ways, they shared one night together, both wanting more. 5 years later, we learn that Viv is now a consultant, saving troubled restaurants and her next job is Neap and Spring: Callum’s restaurant. He cannot believe the woman who left him without a word is standing in his restaurant.
I honestly loved this. I cannot express how much I adored Callum and Viv. Their story is emotional 😭 I cried so much. I felt so sad for Viv and the reason why she gave it all up-it makes you so blooming angry. Her reasons for ghosting Callum makes sense, and you don’t dislike her for it. If anything, you completely understand and would do the same thing.
Callum at first was really angry and the way he treated Viv was pure emotional. However, I loved how the other characters: his family and employees made Viv feel welcome and I really enjoyed seeing Viv open up and build new friendships.
This did give me The Bear vibes: absolute organised chaos’s and the descriptions really made you feel as if you were there in the kitchen.
I cannot wait to read more in this series.
Oh my goodness what a beautiful book!!
I am in love with Westerly Point; the setting, the characters and the entire vibe. I’m so excited for book 2 already 🥺
Callum and Vivienne trained in Paris together-they were partners, they were each other’s cheerleaders and they pushed each other. Before they went their separate ways, they shared one night together, both wanting more. 5 years later, we learn that Viv is now a consultant, saving troubled restaurants and her next job is Neap and Spring: Callum’s restaurant. He cannot believe the woman who left him without a word is standing in his restaurant.
I honestly loved this. I cannot express how much I adored Callum and Viv. Their story is emotional 😭 I cried so much. I felt so sad for Viv and the reason why she gave it all up-it makes you so blooming angry. Her reasons for ghosting Callum makes sense, and you don’t dislike her for it. If anything, you completely understand and would do the same thing.
Callum at first was really angry and the way he treated Viv was pure emotional. However, I loved how the other characters: his family and employees made Viv feel welcome and I really enjoyed seeing Viv open up and build new friendships.
This did give me The Bear vibes: absolute organised chaos’s and the descriptions really made you feel as if you were there in the kitchen.
I cannot wait to read more in this series.
August 24, 2026
Somehow I was lucky enough to receive this as an arc.
A workaholic named Vivienne takes a job in a small town to help turn around a failing restaurant, only to realize the owner and chef, Callum, is her once-upon-a-time love interest. 👀
Dual POV with a strong second-chance romance.
Vivienne is intelligent, career-driven, and running from her past, while Callum is patient but struggling under the restaurant’s debt.
The chemistry is 🔥—especially the business meeting that somehow turns into foreplay and had me giggling and covering my eyes.
Callum remembering exactly how Vivienne takes her coffee? 🥺
Family dinners and a beautiful found-family dynamic.
A major theme of trust and rebuilding what was lost.
The side characters have meaningful relationships that add depth without distracting from the main romance.
Overall, a warm small-town second-chance romance with strong chemistry, emotional depth, and a well-developed supporting cast. Also how is this a debut novel? I can easily see this becoming a rom-com on Netflix someday. Also Wesley book 2? Bennet book 3? Haynes book 4? GIMME MORE REID BROTHERS.
A workaholic named Vivienne takes a job in a small town to help turn around a failing restaurant, only to realize the owner and chef, Callum, is her once-upon-a-time love interest. 👀
Dual POV with a strong second-chance romance.
Vivienne is intelligent, career-driven, and running from her past, while Callum is patient but struggling under the restaurant’s debt.
The chemistry is 🔥—especially the business meeting that somehow turns into foreplay and had me giggling and covering my eyes.
Callum remembering exactly how Vivienne takes her coffee? 🥺
Family dinners and a beautiful found-family dynamic.
A major theme of trust and rebuilding what was lost.
The side characters have meaningful relationships that add depth without distracting from the main romance.
Overall, a warm small-town second-chance romance with strong chemistry, emotional depth, and a well-developed supporting cast. Also how is this a debut novel? I can easily see this becoming a rom-com on Netflix someday. Also Wesley book 2? Bennet book 3? Haynes book 4? GIMME MORE REID BROTHERS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2026
✨This is a review of the eARC, provided to me by the author in exchange for my review✨
For a debut novel, this really captured my attention and kept me engaged. It’s a really, really strong start!
Both MCs are very like-able characters and their back story feels fleshed out and then completed. I enjoyed the side characters a lot too, though I feel like we could’ve seen a little bit more of these relationships as they bloomed. The pacing is very good through the first 85% of the book.
However, I felt like the FMCs solo arc really took a dive in the last 15% when it was what we worked the entire book to get. While I understand what happened to the FMC, the twist just… didn’t feel like enough for all that it caused, including her reasoning for ghosting the MMC.
Also I feel as if the dialogue became very repetitive in the last 15%, just regurgitating the MCs thoughts in a conversation that happens pretty much right after they have the thoughts.
Overall, I would absolutely read this book again and will keep an eye out for more from this author! Hoping to see more of Wesley soon 👀
For a debut novel, this really captured my attention and kept me engaged. It’s a really, really strong start!
Both MCs are very like-able characters and their back story feels fleshed out and then completed. I enjoyed the side characters a lot too, though I feel like we could’ve seen a little bit more of these relationships as they bloomed. The pacing is very good through the first 85% of the book.
However, I felt like the FMCs solo arc really took a dive in the last 15% when it was what we worked the entire book to get. While I understand what happened to the FMC, the twist just… didn’t feel like enough for all that it caused, including her reasoning for ghosting the MMC.
Also I feel as if the dialogue became very repetitive in the last 15%, just regurgitating the MCs thoughts in a conversation that happens pretty much right after they have the thoughts.
Overall, I would absolutely read this book again and will keep an eye out for more from this author! Hoping to see more of Wesley soon 👀
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m a simple person: put a struggling restaurant, a woman who left five years ago, and a man who has every reason to be angry—and I am immediately invested.
Callum is fighting to keep his restaurant alive, while Vivienne walks back into his life as the consultant sent to tell him how to save it. Which is already a wildly inconvenient setup before you add the old feelings, the buried secret, and the fact that they have to share a kitchen. The tension practically sets the stove alarm off by itself.
I love a second-chance romance where getting back together feels risky rather than inevitable, and this has exactly that energy. There is pride, history, a ticking clock, and the deliciously terrible decision to put two people with unresolved feelings in close quarters. I am already expecting their chemistry to be more volatile than a reduction left unattended.
If you like romance with sharp edges, restaurant settings, forced proximity, and a little emotional hunger mixed in with the food, *Neap & Spring* is doing a very good job of getting on my TBR.
Callum is fighting to keep his restaurant alive, while Vivienne walks back into his life as the consultant sent to tell him how to save it. Which is already a wildly inconvenient setup before you add the old feelings, the buried secret, and the fact that they have to share a kitchen. The tension practically sets the stove alarm off by itself.
I love a second-chance romance where getting back together feels risky rather than inevitable, and this has exactly that energy. There is pride, history, a ticking clock, and the deliciously terrible decision to put two people with unresolved feelings in close quarters. I am already expecting their chemistry to be more volatile than a reduction left unattended.
If you like romance with sharp edges, restaurant settings, forced proximity, and a little emotional hunger mixed in with the food, *Neap & Spring* is doing a very good job of getting on my TBR.
July 22, 2026
I am so in love with this debut! This gave all the Bar Rescue vibes but make it a restaurant romance 🤭 After reading this I might need to put my husband in some chef whites for research purposes of course 🧐 I was hooked from the start, KH's writing style is very immersive and really helps you understand the characters emotions! The it's always been you trope strikes again 💗
The spicy scenes definitely were so well written and I love me a of praise! This story had duel timelines during portions of the book and helped give insight to what exactly happened to Cal and Vivienne during their years apart. I was so glad to see Vivienne get her spark back after years barely fanning the flame. I can't wait to see how the series progresses!
If you want a hot chef covered in tattoos who yearns like no other for his love of his life and a woman who is finding herself again and what she truly loves all while set in a cute Costal town... then this is the book for you my pretties 😈
Thank you KH Jones for the Arc and trusting me to read your book baby early!
booksta- _bookishbri_
The spicy scenes definitely were so well written and I love me a of praise! This story had duel timelines during portions of the book and helped give insight to what exactly happened to Cal and Vivienne during their years apart. I was so glad to see Vivienne get her spark back after years barely fanning the flame. I can't wait to see how the series progresses!
If you want a hot chef covered in tattoos who yearns like no other for his love of his life and a woman who is finding herself again and what she truly loves all while set in a cute Costal town... then this is the book for you my pretties 😈
Thank you KH Jones for the Arc and trusting me to read your book baby early!
booksta- _bookishbri_
August 6, 2026
I’m a huge fan of second chance romance books with a slow burn that keeps me hooked until the very end. This book is no exception. I “ate” this up! 😋
One of the biggest highlights for me is the journey of Vivi and Cal as they find their way back to each other. Even though they’ve lost time, they manage to remember tiny bits of each other. And in just six months, they come to the realization that they’re it for each other. and nothing will separate them.
This book offers a fresh perspective on romance that goes beyond the typical tropes. It brings out a range of emotions, from happiness and tears to laughter and everything in between. I love dual POV’s and I was hoping there was more of a past/present timeline too, but I think K.H. handled the past timeline chapters perfectly to make sense for the book and flow.
Thank you Net Galley & Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op for providing me with the arc!!! i’m so glad i was able to read it before pub day!!!!!
I CANT WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES!!!!
One of the biggest highlights for me is the journey of Vivi and Cal as they find their way back to each other. Even though they’ve lost time, they manage to remember tiny bits of each other. And in just six months, they come to the realization that they’re it for each other. and nothing will separate them.
This book offers a fresh perspective on romance that goes beyond the typical tropes. It brings out a range of emotions, from happiness and tears to laughter and everything in between. I love dual POV’s and I was hoping there was more of a past/present timeline too, but I think K.H. handled the past timeline chapters perfectly to make sense for the book and flow.
Thank you Net Galley & Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op for providing me with the arc!!! i’m so glad i was able to read it before pub day!!!!!
I CANT WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES!!!!
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