What do you think?
Rate this book
Blue Willow #2
Mirabelle
Saving the orchard was always the plan. Falling for her fake husband was not.
When Isla Winslow takes over her family’s failing plum orchard, Mirabelle, she’s sure of only one thing: she’ll save it alone or lose it on her own terms. But grants come with strings, debt collectors don’t care about sentiment, and the land that raised her is running out of time.
To keep Mirabelle out of a developer’s hands, Isla agrees to the most ridiculous solution she can think of: a practical marriage to the man who’s been arguing with her since the day he moved to Blue Willow.
Jack Rhodes only meant to stay in town for a job. Years later, he has a renovation business, a life he loves, and one rule he keeps breaking: he can’t stop showing up when Isla calls. Their marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, nothing more than signatures and shared bills.
But as spring settles over the orchard and the fight for Mirabelle turns into a fight for their future, Isla and Jack have to decide what they’re really willing to risk for the land that holds their history and the love that might finally feel like home.
When Isla Winslow takes over her family’s failing plum orchard, Mirabelle, she’s sure of only one thing: she’ll save it alone or lose it on her own terms. But grants come with strings, debt collectors don’t care about sentiment, and the land that raised her is running out of time.
To keep Mirabelle out of a developer’s hands, Isla agrees to the most ridiculous solution she can think of: a practical marriage to the man who’s been arguing with her since the day he moved to Blue Willow.
Jack Rhodes only meant to stay in town for a job. Years later, he has a renovation business, a life he loves, and one rule he keeps breaking: he can’t stop showing up when Isla calls. Their marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, nothing more than signatures and shared bills.
But as spring settles over the orchard and the fight for Mirabelle turns into a fight for their future, Isla and Jack have to decide what they’re really willing to risk for the land that holds their history and the love that might finally feel like home.
Paperback
About the author
Ki Stephens
13 books1,534 followersKi Stephens is a romance enthusiast who finds comfort in the happily-ever-after . . . with just a little bit of angst along the way. She has a special interest in works that include neurodivergent characters like herself. When she’s not daydreaming about books, Ki enjoys working with kids, creating art in her backyard studio, and spending loads of time with her baby girl, her husband, and their three pets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
May 15, 2026
╰┈➤4 stars!
happy release day, my love, mirabelle 🩷🌟🏹
oh, blue willow, you will always have a special place in my heart 🥹💘 i’m truly enthralled by your magic and people. i cannot wait to read more of what you have to offer. we need the magic that you have in the real world ❤️🩹 not only you’re such a magical place, your people are also relatable to the point that it made a lot of us seen.
୨୧ isla. she is the type of person who rarely allows herself to truly have fun without overthinking everything first. she’s constantly careful, constantly guarded, and always trying to stay in control of both herself and her emotions. you can really feel how much she holds herself back at times, almost like she’s afraid of what could happen if she lets her walls down even for a second. and honestly, that made her feel very real to me because there are people who have spent so much of their lives protecting themselves that they no longer know how to simply exist without being cautious all the time.
୨୧ jack. goodness, this man is so unbelievably patient when it comes to isla. the way he handles her feelings with so much care genuinely made me melt. he never pushes too hard or makes her feel cornered—instead, he tries his best to simply be there for her in a way that feels safe and comforting. he’s literally the type of person i will trust with my life because of how reliable he is. he always offer a lending hand because he knows that isla is more than capable but still wanting to help her.
and yes, i know remembering something she said years ago is technically the bare minimum, but PLEASE 😭 the fact that he actually paid attention to something so small and kept it with him all that time says a lot about the kind of person he is. it’s always the little things that get me the most.
and the tension between them? goodness. it’s genuinely killing me. every interaction feels charged with so much longing and affection that i kept wanting to scream, “just kiss again already, damn it!” because there is absolutely no way these two are just friends. the chemistry is way too obvious for that. at some point, i just wanted them to stop pretending and finally ruin the friendship because everyone can clearly see they’re already more than that.
one of my many favorite things about this book, though, is how mature they are whenever they have disagreements—especially once they’re already married. it honestly felt like such a breath of fresh air to read about two adults who actually communicate like adults. no unnecessary drama, no ridiculous misunderstandings dragged out for chapters just for the sake of conflict. they talk, they listen, and they try to understand each other, and i absolutely love that.
i live for romances where the characters actually choose communication instead of making everything harder than it needs to be.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
eeeek thank you so much to love notes pr and ki for the e-arc of this book! also, i’m buddy reading this one with joni 💞🏹🌟 we read the first book together, and now this one! BIG YAY! i’m truly sooo excited for isla and jack because i loved the first book of the series so much! if you haven’t read blue willow yet, what are you waiting for?! wish us luck for this one 🥹💌🩷
pre-release:
can’t believe we’re getting teasers for the second book of the series already! 🥹💞✨ i’m so sat for this because it’s isla and jack fs 🤭
happy release day, my love, mirabelle 🩷🌟🏹
oh, blue willow, you will always have a special place in my heart 🥹💘 i’m truly enthralled by your magic and people. i cannot wait to read more of what you have to offer. we need the magic that you have in the real world ❤️🩹 not only you’re such a magical place, your people are also relatable to the point that it made a lot of us seen.
୨୧ isla. she is the type of person who rarely allows herself to truly have fun without overthinking everything first. she’s constantly careful, constantly guarded, and always trying to stay in control of both herself and her emotions. you can really feel how much she holds herself back at times, almost like she’s afraid of what could happen if she lets her walls down even for a second. and honestly, that made her feel very real to me because there are people who have spent so much of their lives protecting themselves that they no longer know how to simply exist without being cautious all the time.
୨୧ jack. goodness, this man is so unbelievably patient when it comes to isla. the way he handles her feelings with so much care genuinely made me melt. he never pushes too hard or makes her feel cornered—instead, he tries his best to simply be there for her in a way that feels safe and comforting. he’s literally the type of person i will trust with my life because of how reliable he is. he always offer a lending hand because he knows that isla is more than capable but still wanting to help her.
and yes, i know remembering something she said years ago is technically the bare minimum, but PLEASE 😭 the fact that he actually paid attention to something so small and kept it with him all that time says a lot about the kind of person he is. it’s always the little things that get me the most.
and the tension between them? goodness. it’s genuinely killing me. every interaction feels charged with so much longing and affection that i kept wanting to scream, “just kiss again already, damn it!” because there is absolutely no way these two are just friends. the chemistry is way too obvious for that. at some point, i just wanted them to stop pretending and finally ruin the friendship because everyone can clearly see they’re already more than that.
one of my many favorite things about this book, though, is how mature they are whenever they have disagreements—especially once they’re already married. it honestly felt like such a breath of fresh air to read about two adults who actually communicate like adults. no unnecessary drama, no ridiculous misunderstandings dragged out for chapters just for the sake of conflict. they talk, they listen, and they try to understand each other, and i absolutely love that.
i live for romances where the characters actually choose communication instead of making everything harder than it needs to be.
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
eeeek thank you so much to love notes pr and ki for the e-arc of this book! also, i’m buddy reading this one with joni 💞🏹🌟 we read the first book together, and now this one! BIG YAY! i’m truly sooo excited for isla and jack because i loved the first book of the series so much! if you haven’t read blue willow yet, what are you waiting for?! wish us luck for this one 🥹💌🩷
pre-release:
can’t believe we’re getting teasers for the second book of the series already! 🥹💞✨ i’m so sat for this because it’s isla and jack fs 🤭
May 17, 2026
thank you love notes pr for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: may 15, 2026
"YOU CAME?"
"YOU CALLED"
i am not okay right now (and in the best way possible). i just finished this book, and i've had the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face ever since. this made me giggle, scream, and occasionally cry happy tears, this is officially it.
i've to give a huge shoutout to my bestie morgan for putting this book on my radar. as soon as i saw ki stephens announced it, i knew i had to get my hands on it, and i'm so glad i did. i consider myself pretty picky when it comes to romance, but this book ticked every single one of my boxes. it’s easily one of the best books i've read in 2026.
talking about the writing style, it's perfect, it’s simple, breezy, and super easy to follow. it felt like ki was writing specifically for me because she knew exactly what i wanted from a story. i'm usually a bit wary of the marriage of convenience trope because it can be hit or miss, but this book served it up on a silver platter. the tension and the development were just endless.
the main characters—jack and isla—are officially my entire world. their chemistry is off the charts, and watching them interact had me kicking my feet and giggling like a teenager. jack is THE book boyfriend, his love language is acts of service, and he would do anything i mean ANYTHING for isla. even when she gets annoyed with him, he’s still right there, devoted and patient. and isla on the other hand, i adore her. watching her fight for her plum orchard and seeing how much she pours her heart into everything she does made her such a relatable and wonderful fmc.
if you want a cozy, heart-fluttering read that leaves you feeling like you’re floating on air, please pick this up. i’m already having withdrawal symptoms and I just finished, lol. i need everyone to read this so we can talk about it, because i AM officially obsessed.
⤿ marriage of convenience
⤿ black cat x golden retriever
⤿ small town spring
⤿ forced proximity
⤿ magical realism
౨ৎ ⋮ more by ki stephens
— blue willow
— coastal university series
— coastal rivals series
✦ publication date: may 15, 2026
"YOU CAME?"
"YOU CALLED"
i am not okay right now (and in the best way possible). i just finished this book, and i've had the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face ever since. this made me giggle, scream, and occasionally cry happy tears, this is officially it.
i've to give a huge shoutout to my bestie morgan for putting this book on my radar. as soon as i saw ki stephens announced it, i knew i had to get my hands on it, and i'm so glad i did. i consider myself pretty picky when it comes to romance, but this book ticked every single one of my boxes. it’s easily one of the best books i've read in 2026.
talking about the writing style, it's perfect, it’s simple, breezy, and super easy to follow. it felt like ki was writing specifically for me because she knew exactly what i wanted from a story. i'm usually a bit wary of the marriage of convenience trope because it can be hit or miss, but this book served it up on a silver platter. the tension and the development were just endless.
the main characters—jack and isla—are officially my entire world. their chemistry is off the charts, and watching them interact had me kicking my feet and giggling like a teenager. jack is THE book boyfriend, his love language is acts of service, and he would do anything i mean ANYTHING for isla. even when she gets annoyed with him, he’s still right there, devoted and patient. and isla on the other hand, i adore her. watching her fight for her plum orchard and seeing how much she pours her heart into everything she does made her such a relatable and wonderful fmc.
if you want a cozy, heart-fluttering read that leaves you feeling like you’re floating on air, please pick this up. i’m already having withdrawal symptoms and I just finished, lol. i need everyone to read this so we can talk about it, because i AM officially obsessed.
⤿ marriage of convenience
⤿ black cat x golden retriever
⤿ small town spring
⤿ forced proximity
⤿ magical realism
౨ৎ ⋮ more by ki stephens
— blue willow
— coastal university series
— coastal rivals series
Review of advance copy received from Author
mirabelle ꒱ 4.5 stars
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: may 4 ‘26⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: may 5 ‘26
review with some spoilers
i was really intrigued by the premise of this book from the moment i first found it. i absolutely loved the plot, the magical realism of the orchard was subtle but still present enough to keep the reader interested. it’s the story a girl just trying her best with what she got, and a man who wants to do anything in his power to help her and in the end it all worked out in a practically perfect manner.
isla winslow, she is an absolute fighter. she completely refused to give up but also denied herself the ability to truly hope and feel happy when things were going well. she truly cared about the land and preserving the magic. the big bad being so close to her without her noticing till the last second was honestly not totally unexpected but still suspenseful enough. i wish we got to see more of her relationship with her father, i feel like he was just kind of there. her character was absolutely lovely and i loved reading from her perspective.
jack rhodes, this man was so down bad for her, i loved it. i was a huge fan of how much respect he had for her, when it came to her no touching rule as well as her second job. his perspective of the orchard as a bit of an outsider was also really cool to see because he genuinely grew to care for the people in blue willow even when he wasn’t planning to stick around 6 years prior. i wish he got to see more of his personals side, outside of mirabelle, like his business but i also understand that his presence at the orchard was kind of important.
the relationship, the romance was pretty slowburn, they didn’t truly start contemplating themselves falling for each other till around 70%. i really loved their dynamic especially since they were friends before they agreed to get married. the progression was also perfect, they were truly just two people living together until they weren’t. their scenes together were so fun and i loved how she could just let go when she was with him. their banter was also super cute and sarcastic i had so much fun.
overall, i wish we got to explore more of the magic of the orchard. i would love to get even just -bonus chapter about elias’ and how the magic came to be. there was offhand comments but i can’t wait to see how else the magic will be explored in future books. i had a lot of fun with this book and i am so honored to have had the opportunity to read it earlier.
── preread
i haven’t read the first book of the series but i absolutely loved the premise of this book so i’m super excited !!
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: may 4 ‘26⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: may 5 ‘26
review with some spoilers
i was really intrigued by the premise of this book from the moment i first found it. i absolutely loved the plot, the magical realism of the orchard was subtle but still present enough to keep the reader interested. it’s the story a girl just trying her best with what she got, and a man who wants to do anything in his power to help her and in the end it all worked out in a practically perfect manner.
isla winslow, she is an absolute fighter. she completely refused to give up but also denied herself the ability to truly hope and feel happy when things were going well. she truly cared about the land and preserving the magic. the big bad being so close to her without her noticing till the last second was honestly not totally unexpected but still suspenseful enough. i wish we got to see more of her relationship with her father, i feel like he was just kind of there. her character was absolutely lovely and i loved reading from her perspective.
jack rhodes, this man was so down bad for her, i loved it. i was a huge fan of how much respect he had for her, when it came to her no touching rule as well as her second job. his perspective of the orchard as a bit of an outsider was also really cool to see because he genuinely grew to care for the people in blue willow even when he wasn’t planning to stick around 6 years prior. i wish he got to see more of his personals side, outside of mirabelle, like his business but i also understand that his presence at the orchard was kind of important.
the relationship, the romance was pretty slowburn, they didn’t truly start contemplating themselves falling for each other till around 70%. i really loved their dynamic especially since they were friends before they agreed to get married. the progression was also perfect, they were truly just two people living together until they weren’t. their scenes together were so fun and i loved how she could just let go when she was with him. their banter was also super cute and sarcastic i had so much fun.
overall, i wish we got to explore more of the magic of the orchard. i would love to get even just -bonus chapter about elias’ and how the magic came to be. there was offhand comments but i can’t wait to see how else the magic will be explored in future books. i had a lot of fun with this book and i am so honored to have had the opportunity to read it earlier.
── preread
i haven’t read the first book of the series but i absolutely loved the premise of this book so i’m super excited !!
May 15, 2026
a man who's overwhelmed he gets to call you his wife.
that's it. that's my review.
✧˖°💐 ⋆｡˚꩜ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ marriage of convenience
⤷ years of shared history
⤷ small towns
⤷ magical realism
⤷ forced proximity
⤷ 6 years of more than friends less than lovers
⤷ adhd rep
thank you love notes and ki for the arc
that's it. that's my review.
✧˖°💐 ⋆｡˚꩜ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ marriage of convenience
⤷ years of shared history
⤷ small towns
⤷ magical realism
⤷ forced proximity
⤷ 6 years of more than friends less than lovers
⤷ adhd rep
thank you love notes and ki for the arc
May 21, 2026
4.5/5 stars
Isla is a character who is like a love letter to the women who want to do everything alone but yearn for someone to come by and stay for good. I knew going into this book that I knew I would love her and yet I still ended up loving her even more than I anticipated (yeah, can you tell I also struggle letting people in??) Jack is someone who is unafraid to break down someones walls bit by bit, to wait as long as he needs and keep himself free for those he truly cares about.
Watching their character development as both individuals and together as a couple throughout this book had me stuck in with a permanent grin on my face (genuinely i couldnt read this in public because i was just smiling away like a fool). if theres something itll get me every damn time its when an mmc pines and genuinely yearns to be there for the fmc and thats exactly what we get in Mirabelle. Jack is also actually SOOO down bad its kind of pathetic in the best way - Isla say's 'jump' and Jack says 'how high?' with a stupid grin on his face... That man is exactly where he wants to be!
Isla is a character who is like a love letter to the women who want to do everything alone but yearn for someone to come by and stay for good. I knew going into this book that I knew I would love her and yet I still ended up loving her even more than I anticipated (yeah, can you tell I also struggle letting people in??) Jack is someone who is unafraid to break down someones walls bit by bit, to wait as long as he needs and keep himself free for those he truly cares about.
Watching their character development as both individuals and together as a couple throughout this book had me stuck in with a permanent grin on my face (genuinely i couldnt read this in public because i was just smiling away like a fool). if theres something itll get me every damn time its when an mmc pines and genuinely yearns to be there for the fmc and thats exactly what we get in Mirabelle. Jack is also actually SOOO down bad its kind of pathetic in the best way - Isla say's 'jump' and Jack says 'how high?' with a stupid grin on his face... That man is exactly where he wants to be!
May 19, 2026
My god I knew I was obsessed with Jack and Isla since reading Blue Willow, but man I was NOT READY.
Pining. Yearning. Mutual annoyance/ hatred, (but not really?). Jack is the epitome of what Isla is trying to avoid. She wants to prove that she can do things on her own, without anyone’s help. And she can. Flawlessly. She makes sure Mirabelle is running for as long as it can, but ultimately things aren’t looking too great. She won’t be considered for the grant unless she’s married. But.. who would marry her??
Jack does. He swoops in like he always does, but he actually wants to. Sometimes he’s in positions where he helps because he’s always ‘there’, but Jack Rhodes would do anything for Isla Winslow. He has been pining after her for years after all. Being her husband won’t complicate things right?
I love them so much. I love their quips and digs at each other. Isla at one point says: “I’ll revoke husband privileges.” and I cackled. They know what makes each other tick and pay attention to the little things. Jack calls out Isla when she’s scared of her feelings, and Isla makes Jack suffer for his humor.
This whole town is wholesome and cozy, I just want to live in it.
Pining. Yearning. Mutual annoyance/ hatred, (but not really?). Jack is the epitome of what Isla is trying to avoid. She wants to prove that she can do things on her own, without anyone’s help. And she can. Flawlessly. She makes sure Mirabelle is running for as long as it can, but ultimately things aren’t looking too great. She won’t be considered for the grant unless she’s married. But.. who would marry her??
Jack does. He swoops in like he always does, but he actually wants to. Sometimes he’s in positions where he helps because he’s always ‘there’, but Jack Rhodes would do anything for Isla Winslow. He has been pining after her for years after all. Being her husband won’t complicate things right?
I love them so much. I love their quips and digs at each other. Isla at one point says: “I’ll revoke husband privileges.” and I cackled. They know what makes each other tick and pay attention to the little things. Jack calls out Isla when she’s scared of her feelings, and Isla makes Jack suffer for his humor.
This whole town is wholesome and cozy, I just want to live in it.
May 17, 2026
4.25 stars.
I was so happy to get the chance to go back to Ki Stephens's Blue Willow universe! I love this town, and I love these characters! "Mirabelle" is honestly the perfect whimsical springtime read. I think it is such a visual treat... there's no doubt in my mind that readers will literally see Blue Willow vividly in their minds while reading this, the descriptions are *that* good! This story is all about Isla, the stubborn, hardworking but burnt-out owner of the magical Mirabelle orchard who moonlights as an exotic dancer at a club after hours, and Jack, a dedicated contractor with his own business who has been down bad for Isla for years. In order to help Isla keep the struggling Mirabelle orchard afloat while she applies for grants and loans to save it, Jack offers to marry (!!!!) her since he has a stable business and income. I am a goner for marriage of convenience, and the trope works so well here. I absolutely loved Jack and Isla's connection in this story. They are enemies at first because Jack stood Isla up on a date when he first got to town, which put her off ever since. Their banter is so freaking *good,* snarky, and laugh-out-loud funny and utterly incredible. Absolutely insane chemistry with one another. I also loved seeing Elsie and Wells again, as well as getting to know the other characters who I hope are going to get their own books soon! The scene where Jack changes his hair? The scene where Jack takes Wells to a specific shop? My goodness, I laughed so hard while reading this! There is also a ton of heat and heart between Jack and Isla to the point where it's swoon-worthy. The lengths he's willing to go for her.... agh, so delicious! I powered through this book *so* fast because I was loving it to the point where I could not put it down. It's a slow-burning romance, so be prepared for that. Ugh, I *love* the Blue Willow series so much! Can't wait for the next installment!!
Thank you to Ki Stephens and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I was so happy to get the chance to go back to Ki Stephens's Blue Willow universe! I love this town, and I love these characters! "Mirabelle" is honestly the perfect whimsical springtime read. I think it is such a visual treat... there's no doubt in my mind that readers will literally see Blue Willow vividly in their minds while reading this, the descriptions are *that* good! This story is all about Isla, the stubborn, hardworking but burnt-out owner of the magical Mirabelle orchard who moonlights as an exotic dancer at a club after hours, and Jack, a dedicated contractor with his own business who has been down bad for Isla for years. In order to help Isla keep the struggling Mirabelle orchard afloat while she applies for grants and loans to save it, Jack offers to marry (!!!!) her since he has a stable business and income. I am a goner for marriage of convenience, and the trope works so well here. I absolutely loved Jack and Isla's connection in this story. They are enemies at first because Jack stood Isla up on a date when he first got to town, which put her off ever since. Their banter is so freaking *good,* snarky, and laugh-out-loud funny and utterly incredible. Absolutely insane chemistry with one another. I also loved seeing Elsie and Wells again, as well as getting to know the other characters who I hope are going to get their own books soon! The scene where Jack changes his hair? The scene where Jack takes Wells to a specific shop? My goodness, I laughed so hard while reading this! There is also a ton of heat and heart between Jack and Isla to the point where it's swoon-worthy. The lengths he's willing to go for her.... agh, so delicious! I powered through this book *so* fast because I was loving it to the point where I could not put it down. It's a slow-burning romance, so be prepared for that. Ugh, I *love* the Blue Willow series so much! Can't wait for the next installment!!
Thank you to Ki Stephens and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 20, 2026
cozy, low stakes romcom set in a small town with unexplained magic
I’ve been loving “magic-lite” romances (magical realism). It’s an extra umph to contemporary romances that lights up my brain in ways that other romcoms don’t
This was a perfect mid-week read for me. Low stakes, low stress, romantic without too much drama. I can only take so much drama after sitting through work all day!!
things to know:
- dual pov
- small magical town
- orchard owner x town flirt
- they’ve been circling each other for years
- marriage of convenience
4.25 ⭐️
I’ve been loving “magic-lite” romances (magical realism). It’s an extra umph to contemporary romances that lights up my brain in ways that other romcoms don’t
This was a perfect mid-week read for me. Low stakes, low stress, romantic without too much drama. I can only take so much drama after sitting through work all day!!
things to know:
- dual pov
- small magical town
- orchard owner x town flirt
- they’ve been circling each other for years
- marriage of convenience
4.25 ⭐️
May 19, 2026
“I love you. Not because you’re in trouble, or because I get off on being needed. I love you because you’re fierce and funny and impossible, and because every version of my life that feels real has you standing in the middle of it.”
I feel terrible that it took me so long to finish this but it was honestly because school is getting out soon and there are like 100 events I have to go to, so my reading time was truly awful. But I buckled down and finished the last half of the book in one sitting, it was so good.
From the first page, I already knew I was gonna get attached to these characters. I did it while reading Blue Willow (shoutout to Elsie and Wells) and I did it with this one. I don’t know what Ki is putting in her books, but give me like 50 more of these and I will consume them like nobody’s business.
Isla, my sweet girl, I totally get her. She’s been let down so many times in life that she can’t trust anyone and it takes her forever to trust her “fake” husband even though he was there for her day after day after day. I love that she finally let herself relax and fall in love because Jack Rhodes worshipped the ground she walks on. But I also love how fiercely independent she is. She’s been taking care of herself, her dad and the orchard for years and she’s been doing it well. But she also eventually figured out that she didn’t need to shoulder all the burdens on her own.
Jack… flirty playboy turned domestic husband? Love to see it. I love that he would have dropped any and everything for Isla, that he was constantly reassuring her that he wasn’t going anywhere, despite the fact that their marriage was fake at the beginning. Men who show up for their women are my favourite.
The chemistry and tension between Jack and Isla had me smiling at my Kindle like an idiot and every tiny moment felt like I was collecting little crumbs and screaming, “OH MY GOD JUST KISS ALREADY.” I was out here kicking my feet over fictional people and I’m not even embarrassed about it… Okay maybe I am a little.
I just really love the world that Ki has been building within this little town and I am so excited to see if she decides to write another Mirabelle book!
I feel terrible that it took me so long to finish this but it was honestly because school is getting out soon and there are like 100 events I have to go to, so my reading time was truly awful. But I buckled down and finished the last half of the book in one sitting, it was so good.
From the first page, I already knew I was gonna get attached to these characters. I did it while reading Blue Willow (shoutout to Elsie and Wells) and I did it with this one. I don’t know what Ki is putting in her books, but give me like 50 more of these and I will consume them like nobody’s business.
Isla, my sweet girl, I totally get her. She’s been let down so many times in life that she can’t trust anyone and it takes her forever to trust her “fake” husband even though he was there for her day after day after day. I love that she finally let herself relax and fall in love because Jack Rhodes worshipped the ground she walks on. But I also love how fiercely independent she is. She’s been taking care of herself, her dad and the orchard for years and she’s been doing it well. But she also eventually figured out that she didn’t need to shoulder all the burdens on her own.
Jack… flirty playboy turned domestic husband? Love to see it. I love that he would have dropped any and everything for Isla, that he was constantly reassuring her that he wasn’t going anywhere, despite the fact that their marriage was fake at the beginning. Men who show up for their women are my favourite.
The chemistry and tension between Jack and Isla had me smiling at my Kindle like an idiot and every tiny moment felt like I was collecting little crumbs and screaming, “OH MY GOD JUST KISS ALREADY.” I was out here kicking my feet over fictional people and I’m not even embarrassed about it… Okay maybe I am a little.
I just really love the world that Ki has been building within this little town and I am so excited to see if she decides to write another Mirabelle book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2026
5☆
ki stephens has done it yet again, ladies and gents. she has given us a new book that i will continue to think about for years to come.
——— ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ ———
jack rhodes, i was not immune to your charm because you were everything. i am so happy he finally planted roots and that he did it in blue willow because it just sounds like the most precious little town and a place that is genuinely calling my name and i am yearning to live in. jack rhodes was everything, he was quick with the remarks and always had a rebuttal. he was charming, he was loyal and so thoughtful.
and my girl, isla winslow, is the cutest soul. ever. she has so many multitudes to her. i mean, she was a midnight ballerina and that to me is just the coolest freakin' thing, ever! she genuinely always continued to surprise me, and to see her allow someone else inside her world, and allow them to take on some of her burden was everything because so works too dang hard. she needed to meet her match and she did just that.
the two of these together, they were fireworks and i was there for every minute of it. i was so mad that jack stood her up when they first me, but i understood, and i think he genuinely made up for it, tenfold. they were so perfect and it makes me so angry that they missed out on all those years, but when they did finally get together, it works perfect.
as someone who was on the brink of a possible reading slump, this came at just the perfect time and it saved me. thank you, ki and love notes pr, for the arc! it was so much fun!
ki stephens has done it yet again, ladies and gents. she has given us a new book that i will continue to think about for years to come.
——— ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ ———
jack rhodes, i was not immune to your charm because you were everything. i am so happy he finally planted roots and that he did it in blue willow because it just sounds like the most precious little town and a place that is genuinely calling my name and i am yearning to live in. jack rhodes was everything, he was quick with the remarks and always had a rebuttal. he was charming, he was loyal and so thoughtful.
and my girl, isla winslow, is the cutest soul. ever. she has so many multitudes to her. i mean, she was a midnight ballerina and that to me is just the coolest freakin' thing, ever! she genuinely always continued to surprise me, and to see her allow someone else inside her world, and allow them to take on some of her burden was everything because so works too dang hard. she needed to meet her match and she did just that.
the two of these together, they were fireworks and i was there for every minute of it. i was so mad that jack stood her up when they first me, but i understood, and i think he genuinely made up for it, tenfold. they were so perfect and it makes me so angry that they missed out on all those years, but when they did finally get together, it works perfect.
as someone who was on the brink of a possible reading slump, this came at just the perfect time and it saved me. thank you, ki and love notes pr, for the arc! it was so much fun!
May 18, 2026
2.5, I LOVED Blue Willow and was so excited for this, unfortunately Mirabelle did not have the same magical feeling Blue Willow did. The relationship between the characters was already established (which I hate) so we didn’t get to see them fall in love or get to know each other, they kept saying they love each other and I could not understand why. I also felt like I didn’t get to know the characters at all even though it’s dual POV. We also just kept jumping about between chapters without it being clear how much time had passed, sometimes it would be 3 days, a week or a month. It really took me out of the story and I just wanted to spent more time with the characters rather than on the other plots? The small town is gorgeous and I loved being back in it but I just did not care for the characters, the romance or the plot in this one.
May 22, 2026
4.5!
This book was so cute and is the perfect cozy spring romance! I thought Isla and Jack were the cutest couple! I love the setting being on a plum orchard! This is the perfect small town romance and I highly recommend it!
This book was so cute and is the perfect cozy spring romance! I thought Isla and Jack were the cutest couple! I love the setting being on a plum orchard! This is the perfect small town romance and I highly recommend it!
May 15, 2026
If there’s one thing Ki Stephens knows how to do it’s a write a cozy, romantic, whimsical book. This was such a great addition to the series and Isla and Jack were everything to me. The chemistry between them but also the softness, like I was puddle in their hands. I’m in awe of you Ki Stephens 🙏
Thank you for allowing me to be on your permanent arc team, 🩵🍄🟫🌟🧚♀️
Thank you for allowing me to be on your permanent arc team, 🩵🍄🟫🌟🧚♀️
May 16, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
“I want you to be messy and honest and bossy and whatever else you feel like being, and then I want you to let me stay anyway.”
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for sending me this in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to enter the world of Blue Willow again and Mirabelle did not disappoint! This series truly is magic with the way you can’t help by fall in love with the characters and the town itself.
Isla is such a fun and complex main character and I loved reading about her. She has her walls high because of things she’s gone through, but she didn’t let that dampen who she is as a person. She protects herself, her land, and her people all her whole heart and I really love that about her. She’s truly a black cat with a heart of gold. Being able to see her learn to open up and allow herself to simply enjoy life and Jack’s love was so special. She deserves all the happiness in the world!!
JACK RHODES. Golden retrievers are always loved by me, but I really do adore Jack. He’s so patient and kind when it comes to loving Isla. He was soooo obsessed with his wife and yearning constantly, but he was willing to put his feelings aside to make sure she was comfortable. All he wanted was to hold her, but when she put worth a “no touching” rule, he respected her boundaries. Men that obey her girl. 🙂↕️
Every person deserves their own Jack or Isla tbh. They were equally obsessed with each other and constantly yearning, even before they were (fake) married. THE TENSION! THE YEARNING! THE SLOW BURN!!! Every moment they spent together I wanted them to kiss but I also didn’t because the tension was just sooo good.
Something I loved in Blue Willow that was also a big part of Mirabelle was the friendships between everyone in town. Especially the girlhood between Isla, Winnie, and Elsie. They support each other without there being any judgement. Also the moments between Wells and Jack were so golden LMAO I found myself laughing so many times.
Until next time, Blue Willow! I’ll be missing you. 🥹
“I want you to be messy and honest and bossy and whatever else you feel like being, and then I want you to let me stay anyway.”
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for sending me this in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to enter the world of Blue Willow again and Mirabelle did not disappoint! This series truly is magic with the way you can’t help by fall in love with the characters and the town itself.
Isla is such a fun and complex main character and I loved reading about her. She has her walls high because of things she’s gone through, but she didn’t let that dampen who she is as a person. She protects herself, her land, and her people all her whole heart and I really love that about her. She’s truly a black cat with a heart of gold. Being able to see her learn to open up and allow herself to simply enjoy life and Jack’s love was so special. She deserves all the happiness in the world!!
JACK RHODES. Golden retrievers are always loved by me, but I really do adore Jack. He’s so patient and kind when it comes to loving Isla. He was soooo obsessed with his wife and yearning constantly, but he was willing to put his feelings aside to make sure she was comfortable. All he wanted was to hold her, but when she put worth a “no touching” rule, he respected her boundaries. Men that obey her girl. 🙂↕️
Every person deserves their own Jack or Isla tbh. They were equally obsessed with each other and constantly yearning, even before they were (fake) married. THE TENSION! THE YEARNING! THE SLOW BURN!!! Every moment they spent together I wanted them to kiss but I also didn’t because the tension was just sooo good.
Something I loved in Blue Willow that was also a big part of Mirabelle was the friendships between everyone in town. Especially the girlhood between Isla, Winnie, and Elsie. They support each other without there being any judgement. Also the moments between Wells and Jack were so golden LMAO I found myself laughing so many times.
Until next time, Blue Willow! I’ll be missing you. 🥹
May 13, 2026
Sitting down with this book felt like sitting down with a glass of Winslow plum wine: innately magical, healing, and warming from the inside out. Mirabelle is a love letter to independent women holding the weight of the world on their shoulders, while simultaneously hoping someone out there might be worthwhile enough to share that responsibility with, and it struck me deeply— especially seeing Isla from Jack’s perspective, who’s whole nature is to ‘fix.’ Watching him learn to do so for Isla (whom he has loved for years, quietly) within a marriage had me kicking my feet and giggling as much as I was sighing over the beauty of it all. This has some of my new favorite ever marriage of convenience moments, and not just for the forced proximity and ‘my wife’ scenes, but for the quality of these two main characters individually AND together. They’re fully fleshed out and each markedly their own person, but something different and better as husband and wife. Blue Willow as a town retains its immersive, hug-like qualities from the first book! And I’d be remiss not to note, as always, how absolutely stunning Ki’s writing voice is. It’s prosaic and yet still approachable. There’s something musical and soft about this writing that makes me feel like I’m home. I think I’ll be forever wishing I could go visit and try the plums, honey, and cranberries for myself. I cannot recommend this enough! If you are a fan of Ashley Poston, Alicia Thompson, or Jessica Joyce, Mirabelle needs to be on your tbr. Thank you to Ki Stephens for providing me with an advanced copy! All opinions expressed are honest and my own. 5 stars ⭐️
May 22, 2026
Thank you author ki Stephans and love notes PR for sending me the e-ARc
3.5⭐️
💕 magical realism
🌲 marriage of convenience
💕 reverse grumpy sunshine
🌲 adorable golden retriever MMC
💕 over thinker FMC
🌲 small town
💕 frenmies to lovers
The book was a cute fluffy read. It is a second book in a series unfortunately I haven’t read the first book but it can be read as a standalone like what I did. Honestly, at first I was confused of what is happening because I think the main characters were supposed to be introduced in the first book maybe but hey it only lasted like one chapter or so. From the second chapter from the jack’sPOV things started to make sense.The MMC ,jack, was so precious and patient with the FMC. He reminded me of cute golden retriever full of energy and love and the FMC appeared to be hard but she was a total softie on inside. The dynamic and the banter between them was amazing!! Anyway if you need some flufffy smalll romance books that is your sign to pick that book
3.5⭐️
💕 magical realism
🌲 marriage of convenience
💕 reverse grumpy sunshine
🌲 adorable golden retriever MMC
💕 over thinker FMC
🌲 small town
💕 frenmies to lovers
The book was a cute fluffy read. It is a second book in a series unfortunately I haven’t read the first book but it can be read as a standalone like what I did. Honestly, at first I was confused of what is happening because I think the main characters were supposed to be introduced in the first book maybe but hey it only lasted like one chapter or so. From the second chapter from the jack’sPOV things started to make sense.The MMC ,jack, was so precious and patient with the FMC. He reminded me of cute golden retriever full of energy and love and the FMC appeared to be hard but she was a total softie on inside. The dynamic and the banter between them was amazing!! Anyway if you need some flufffy smalll romance books that is your sign to pick that book
May 15, 2026
This book had me ready to buy an orchard, fake-marry a grumpy contractor and emotionally spiral about plum trees. Mirabelle was cozy, tender and completely addictive in a quiet way that snuck up on me chapter by chapter. Isla and Jack’s chemistry simmered beautifully beneath all the bickering and long-held feelings and the small-town atmosphere felt so warm that I wanted to climb inside. The romance delivered all the yearning, but it was the love for the orchard, community, and home that really made this story bloom.
![Profile Image for adri [semi reading slump].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1773639549i/142721120._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
May 20, 2026
ARC Review
First, I want to thank Ki and LoveNotesPR for allowing me to read the ARC.
I was waiting for this book more than anything else. I fell in love with Blue Willow and every character since the last book, and I love them even more. Reading Jack's POV was one of my favorite things. By this point, I have read more of Ki's books, and I think this series will be forever my favorite. I have so many favorite quotes, and I annotated the living out of it just like I did with Blue Willow.
✧| Writing style
It was great, it felt a little faster than Blue Willow, and it made sense because there was a sense of urgency from Isla that was well portrayed. Also, the whimsicalness and magic aspect were mentioned even more, and I loved that we got to see how it's handled in other parts of town.
I had a blast reading this, and I laughed a lot of times. I felt like the comedic part and the stress part were well balanced in the reading, and I could feel the tone change depending on the situation, and I really liked that. Jack was my favorite to read. His narration was great. I like that you can feel the change in characters between books, and when you get glimpses of the other characters, you can feel the growth they have made.
✧| Plot and tropes
I love a good marriage of convenience and annoyance to love. I love love when the girl is constantly annoyed at the guy, and then they end up together. They had known each other longer than I thought, so seeing them read and understand each other so well made sense. I feel they didn't have a major problem that shook them a lot or a big fight. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and now that I'm thinking about it, that's how Isla felt most of the time. I don't know if it was intentional or not to make us feel like Isla was feeling all the time, but if it was 10/10, and if not, then that's how I perceived it. The plot was steady, and I was very shocked at how much can go into a grant; that's insane paperwork.
I do think it was a bit rushed at the end, and some characters never showed up again, not even in a short mention, and they were not that big of a deal, but it made me wonder.
✧| Characters
I already loved Jack and Isla, and I keep loving them. I loved that I got to see everyone else, too. I would've liked more scenes between Wells and Jack, or with Jack and anyone else, because I felt like Isla got most of the scenes out of the dynamic with Jack.
Isla, my fierce, independent girl, is amazing. The number of things she had on her shoulders and still pushed through. I feel Isla is for the resilient girls who don't want to give up and will do just about anything to make things possible and keep what they love safe. I loved seeing her break through her walls and allow herself to be cared for and receive the help she so much needed.
Jack, yearner and lover boy of the year, this man is everything to me. Apparently, I have a thing for Jacks, and Jack Rhodes will not be the exception. He is so easygoing, willing to help, and restless in the best way possible. He is down bad for Isla and has always been; he never tried to hide, and I like that. He was very consistent and steady throughout the book, and I liked that I got to see that because it was exactly what Isla needed.
One thing that surprised me is how much I liked Beau, and I'm so intrigued about his story and his side of things. I know it's not his turn yet, but I am so intrigued and invested already. I loved seeing Winnie and Goldie; she truly is my favorite book kid I've read so far. She feels so real, and I think that's because Ki is a mom and she knows how kids behave.
✧| Overall
I can't wait for people to keep getting to know about this town and the people. It holds such a special place in my heart. I enjoyed it so much, even if I did feel the ending a bit rushed. I expected more drama for some reason, maybe it was just Isla's stress that got me stressed. In general, I love the whimsy of these books, and I can't wait to get to see more of all of them in the future.
First, I want to thank Ki and LoveNotesPR for allowing me to read the ARC.
I was waiting for this book more than anything else. I fell in love with Blue Willow and every character since the last book, and I love them even more. Reading Jack's POV was one of my favorite things. By this point, I have read more of Ki's books, and I think this series will be forever my favorite. I have so many favorite quotes, and I annotated the living out of it just like I did with Blue Willow.
✧| Writing style
It was great, it felt a little faster than Blue Willow, and it made sense because there was a sense of urgency from Isla that was well portrayed. Also, the whimsicalness and magic aspect were mentioned even more, and I loved that we got to see how it's handled in other parts of town.
I had a blast reading this, and I laughed a lot of times. I felt like the comedic part and the stress part were well balanced in the reading, and I could feel the tone change depending on the situation, and I really liked that. Jack was my favorite to read. His narration was great. I like that you can feel the change in characters between books, and when you get glimpses of the other characters, you can feel the growth they have made.
✧| Plot and tropes
I love a good marriage of convenience and annoyance to love. I love love when the girl is constantly annoyed at the guy, and then they end up together. They had known each other longer than I thought, so seeing them read and understand each other so well made sense. I feel they didn't have a major problem that shook them a lot or a big fight. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, and now that I'm thinking about it, that's how Isla felt most of the time. I don't know if it was intentional or not to make us feel like Isla was feeling all the time, but if it was 10/10, and if not, then that's how I perceived it. The plot was steady, and I was very shocked at how much can go into a grant; that's insane paperwork.
I do think it was a bit rushed at the end, and some characters never showed up again, not even in a short mention, and they were not that big of a deal, but it made me wonder.
✧| Characters
I already loved Jack and Isla, and I keep loving them. I loved that I got to see everyone else, too. I would've liked more scenes between Wells and Jack, or with Jack and anyone else, because I felt like Isla got most of the scenes out of the dynamic with Jack.
Isla, my fierce, independent girl, is amazing. The number of things she had on her shoulders and still pushed through. I feel Isla is for the resilient girls who don't want to give up and will do just about anything to make things possible and keep what they love safe. I loved seeing her break through her walls and allow herself to be cared for and receive the help she so much needed.
Jack, yearner and lover boy of the year, this man is everything to me. Apparently, I have a thing for Jacks, and Jack Rhodes will not be the exception. He is so easygoing, willing to help, and restless in the best way possible. He is down bad for Isla and has always been; he never tried to hide, and I like that. He was very consistent and steady throughout the book, and I liked that I got to see that because it was exactly what Isla needed.
One thing that surprised me is how much I liked Beau, and I'm so intrigued about his story and his side of things. I know it's not his turn yet, but I am so intrigued and invested already. I loved seeing Winnie and Goldie; she truly is my favorite book kid I've read so far. She feels so real, and I think that's because Ki is a mom and she knows how kids behave.
✧| Overall
I can't wait for people to keep getting to know about this town and the people. It holds such a special place in my heart. I enjoyed it so much, even if I did feel the ending a bit rushed. I expected more drama for some reason, maybe it was just Isla's stress that got me stressed. In general, I love the whimsy of these books, and I can't wait to get to see more of all of them in the future.
May 16, 2026
I fear this might be one of my favorite Ki Stephens books now because WOW I loved Isla and Jack so so much!! I was fully invested in the plot itself, the marriage of convenience tied so perfectly into everything and the progression of their relationship - I'm still swooning days later
Themes and tropes to expect:
- forced proximity (he moves in with her)
- marriage of convenience (in which everyone ships them too lmao)
- golden retriever MMC x black cat FMC
- magical realism
- small town spring romance
- adhd rep
- years of shared history (slow burn vibes)
The story starts with a focus on Isla, our FMC, needing help to continue running her family's plum orchard she manages but having difficulty with the financial means to do so. This leads to her living a double life essentially as all of her time gets devoted towards managing the orchard and a second job as a midnight ballerina. In an attempt to secure a grant and keep the orchard out of the hands of developers, it leads her to an unexpected marriage arrangement with Jack, our MMC, someone she's always vocalized finding annoying.
"Why are you so unnaturally quiet?"
He swallows thickly. "I'm thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself."
He doesn't crack a smile at my poorly timed jab.
"What if I marry you?"
When I tell you this man was doing everything for her (he literally says he has a usefulness kink helppp), I need me a Jack Rhodes in my life because everything this man said and did just kept me on the edge of my seat. You could feel the tension and chemistry in all their interactions with their history in the town together. Both Isla and Jack as characters also had their own vices. Isla's gripes stemmed from a history of mistrust, both from her mother's abandonment and relationship history. This leads to the self-doubt she feels once she comes to the realization of how she feels about Jack and the fear of growing close to him, in constant worry of him leaving her too. What made this relationship interesting for me was how Jack's struggles are a contrast to Isla's in which he struggles with permanent fixtures and commitment, in which he learns through their marriage to commit to living in Blue Willow and to their relationship by gaining Isla's trust overtime after a poor experience when he first came to town.
"I look back at the wildflowers by the window. They're not charming or neat. Their colors don't match. But something about the way they tilt toward the light despite looking half-sleepy, half-wrecked-- it reminds me of Isla. Of how she keeps getting up and doing the work anyway."
The interactions between them is genuinely the cutest, I knew I would love them from the moment Jack's hair dyeing dilemma happened. The story also ties in well with their marriage progression with how Isla's situation works in bringing them even closer together as they have their reservations once moving together after their wedding. The dual POV aspect of the book definitely helped me to connect and appreciate them in this sense, both in sympathizing with the obstacles they faced and finding humor in what they thought of each other. They're both so incredibly resilient in what they do independently that seeing them learn to work together to save the orchard and navigate their relationship makes it all the more special.
The story itself concerning Isla saving the orchard underlies their relationship and becomes a prominent focus in the latter half of the book, overall ending their story perfectly and making me all the more excited for the next book (which I PRAY is Winnie and Reid pls because those crumbs were soso cute). I would definitely recommend reading the first book before reading this one. It works as a standalone but I loved seeing recurrent characters like Wells, Elsie, and even Beau (unexpectedly) and it made it all the more enjoyable (bc tell me why I'm still cackling when Wells and Jack went shopping together iykyk).
"I look up at Jack. This is the man who married me in a panic and then stayed long enough to make it feel like a choice. He's rearranged everything-- the rows, the cottage, the shape of my entire life."
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for the eARC!
Themes and tropes to expect:
- forced proximity (he moves in with her)
- marriage of convenience (in which everyone ships them too lmao)
- golden retriever MMC x black cat FMC
- magical realism
- small town spring romance
- adhd rep
- years of shared history (slow burn vibes)
The story starts with a focus on Isla, our FMC, needing help to continue running her family's plum orchard she manages but having difficulty with the financial means to do so. This leads to her living a double life essentially as all of her time gets devoted towards managing the orchard and a second job as a midnight ballerina. In an attempt to secure a grant and keep the orchard out of the hands of developers, it leads her to an unexpected marriage arrangement with Jack, our MMC, someone she's always vocalized finding annoying.
"Why are you so unnaturally quiet?"
He swallows thickly. "I'm thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself."
He doesn't crack a smile at my poorly timed jab.
"What if I marry you?"
When I tell you this man was doing everything for her (he literally says he has a usefulness kink helppp), I need me a Jack Rhodes in my life because everything this man said and did just kept me on the edge of my seat. You could feel the tension and chemistry in all their interactions with their history in the town together. Both Isla and Jack as characters also had their own vices. Isla's gripes stemmed from a history of mistrust, both from her mother's abandonment and relationship history. This leads to the self-doubt she feels once she comes to the realization of how she feels about Jack and the fear of growing close to him, in constant worry of him leaving her too. What made this relationship interesting for me was how Jack's struggles are a contrast to Isla's in which he struggles with permanent fixtures and commitment, in which he learns through their marriage to commit to living in Blue Willow and to their relationship by gaining Isla's trust overtime after a poor experience when he first came to town.
"I look back at the wildflowers by the window. They're not charming or neat. Their colors don't match. But something about the way they tilt toward the light despite looking half-sleepy, half-wrecked-- it reminds me of Isla. Of how she keeps getting up and doing the work anyway."
The interactions between them is genuinely the cutest, I knew I would love them from the moment Jack's hair dyeing dilemma happened. The story also ties in well with their marriage progression with how Isla's situation works in bringing them even closer together as they have their reservations once moving together after their wedding. The dual POV aspect of the book definitely helped me to connect and appreciate them in this sense, both in sympathizing with the obstacles they faced and finding humor in what they thought of each other. They're both so incredibly resilient in what they do independently that seeing them learn to work together to save the orchard and navigate their relationship makes it all the more special.
The story itself concerning Isla saving the orchard underlies their relationship and becomes a prominent focus in the latter half of the book, overall ending their story perfectly and making me all the more excited for the next book (which I PRAY is Winnie and Reid pls because those crumbs were soso cute). I would definitely recommend reading the first book before reading this one. It works as a standalone but I loved seeing recurrent characters like Wells, Elsie, and even Beau (unexpectedly) and it made it all the more enjoyable (bc tell me why I'm still cackling when Wells and Jack went shopping together iykyk).
"I look up at Jack. This is the man who married me in a panic and then stayed long enough to make it feel like a choice. He's rearranged everything-- the rows, the cottage, the shape of my entire life."
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for the eARC!
May 21, 2026
“I want you to be messy and honest and bossy and whatever else you feel like being, and then I want you to let me stay anyway.”
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for sending me this in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to enter the world of Blue Willow again and Mirabelle did not disappoint! This series truly is magic with the way you can’t help by fall in love with the characters and the town itself.
Isla is such a fun and complex main character and I loved reading about her. She has her walls high because of things she’s gone through, but she didn’t let that dampen who she is as a person. She protects herself, her land, and her people all her whole heart and I really love that about her. She’s truly a black cat with a heart of gold. Being able to see her learn to open up and allow herself to simply enjoy life and Jack’s love was so special. She deserves all the happiness in the world!!
JACK RHODES. Golden retrievers are always loved by me, but I really do adore Jack. He’s so patient and kind when it comes to loving Isla. He was soooo obsessed with his wife and yearning constantly, but he was willing to put his feelings aside to make sure she was comfortable. All he wanted was to hold her, but when she put worth a “no touching” rule, he respected her boundaries. Men that obey her girl. 🙂↕️
Every person deserves their own Jack or Isla tbh. They were equally obsessed with each other and constantly yearning, even before they were (fake) married. THE TENSION! THE YEARNING! THE SLOW BURN!!! Every moment they spent together I wanted them to kiss but I also didn’t because the tension was just sooo good.
Something I loved in Blue Willow that was also a big part of Mirabelle was the friendships between everyone in town. Especially the girlhood between Isla, Winnie, and Elsie. They support each other without there being any judgement. Also the moments between Wells and Jack were so golden LMAO I found myself laughing so many times.
Until next time, Blue Willow! I’ll be missing you. 🥹
Thank you Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for sending me this in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited to enter the world of Blue Willow again and Mirabelle did not disappoint! This series truly is magic with the way you can’t help by fall in love with the characters and the town itself.
Isla is such a fun and complex main character and I loved reading about her. She has her walls high because of things she’s gone through, but she didn’t let that dampen who she is as a person. She protects herself, her land, and her people all her whole heart and I really love that about her. She’s truly a black cat with a heart of gold. Being able to see her learn to open up and allow herself to simply enjoy life and Jack’s love was so special. She deserves all the happiness in the world!!
JACK RHODES. Golden retrievers are always loved by me, but I really do adore Jack. He’s so patient and kind when it comes to loving Isla. He was soooo obsessed with his wife and yearning constantly, but he was willing to put his feelings aside to make sure she was comfortable. All he wanted was to hold her, but when she put worth a “no touching” rule, he respected her boundaries. Men that obey her girl. 🙂↕️
Every person deserves their own Jack or Isla tbh. They were equally obsessed with each other and constantly yearning, even before they were (fake) married. THE TENSION! THE YEARNING! THE SLOW BURN!!! Every moment they spent together I wanted them to kiss but I also didn’t because the tension was just sooo good.
Something I loved in Blue Willow that was also a big part of Mirabelle was the friendships between everyone in town. Especially the girlhood between Isla, Winnie, and Elsie. They support each other without there being any judgement. Also the moments between Wells and Jack were so golden LMAO I found myself laughing so many times.
Until next time, Blue Willow! I’ll be missing you. 🥹
May 18, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ (arc)
🌸🧺🧚🏻✨
were they lovers? worse. if you haven’t visited a whimsical town of Blue Willow yet, let me introduce you to Jack’s & Isla’s story… frenemies to lovers, who simp over each other in a (not so) secret way for six years & end up in a marriage of convenience to save Isla’s family’s business. but is it really just that – a convenience?
if you know me, you know i absolutely loved Wells & Elsie’s book. so… are we even surprised that Mirabelle was no exception? 🤷🏼♀️
there’s something special about the way Ki writes her books. the words on paper suddenly start having a deeper meaning & the way she describes people & places? it makes you long for something & somewhere you’ve never been to before. she makes it so easy to fall in love with her characters. in this case, it’s Jack & Isla.
they had my attention since book 1 & finally having them as the main characters was everything i hoped it would be! the banter, the teasing, the chemistry? OFF. THE. CHARTS. but what i loved most about both of them was their vulnerability & trust in each other.
both Jack & Isla are people who care deeply about the ones they love & seeing them finally open up to each other had me kicking my feet but also tearing up at the same time. it’s been a whole week since i finished their book & i’m still thinking about them, so here’s your not so subtle hint to read Mirabelle if you haven’t yet!
i’ll never get bored of visiting the town of Blue Willow, so it’s only fair that i’m already eager to come back for the next couple & their love story. 🤭👀
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🌸 small town romance
🧺 black cat x golden retriever
🌸 marriage of convenience
🧺 slow burn
🌸 magical realism
my instagram post
thank you to the author & Love Notes PR for providing me with an arc!
🌸🧺🧚🏻✨
were they lovers? worse. if you haven’t visited a whimsical town of Blue Willow yet, let me introduce you to Jack’s & Isla’s story… frenemies to lovers, who simp over each other in a (not so) secret way for six years & end up in a marriage of convenience to save Isla’s family’s business. but is it really just that – a convenience?
if you know me, you know i absolutely loved Wells & Elsie’s book. so… are we even surprised that Mirabelle was no exception? 🤷🏼♀️
there’s something special about the way Ki writes her books. the words on paper suddenly start having a deeper meaning & the way she describes people & places? it makes you long for something & somewhere you’ve never been to before. she makes it so easy to fall in love with her characters. in this case, it’s Jack & Isla.
they had my attention since book 1 & finally having them as the main characters was everything i hoped it would be! the banter, the teasing, the chemistry? OFF. THE. CHARTS. but what i loved most about both of them was their vulnerability & trust in each other.
both Jack & Isla are people who care deeply about the ones they love & seeing them finally open up to each other had me kicking my feet but also tearing up at the same time. it’s been a whole week since i finished their book & i’m still thinking about them, so here’s your not so subtle hint to read Mirabelle if you haven’t yet!
i’ll never get bored of visiting the town of Blue Willow, so it’s only fair that i’m already eager to come back for the next couple & their love story. 🤭👀
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
🌸 small town romance
🧺 black cat x golden retriever
🌸 marriage of convenience
🧺 slow burn
🌸 magical realism
my instagram post
thank you to the author & Love Notes PR for providing me with an arc!
May 14, 2026
3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5
I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:
Isla is the owner of the Mirabelle plum orchard, which was a family legacy. She was a very hardworking and overworked woman, who had a hard time accepting help. Even though Isla worked extremely hard, the orchard was not making enough money to be sustainable and so, to buy her a some time until she could find a more permanent solution, Isla had to work a second (unexpected) job.
Jack was the town’s favourite flirty, bachelor contractor, always ready to help the community. On a whim, he proposes to Isla as a way to help her out financially. What was supposed to be a business arrangement with an expiry date, turned out to be exactly what they each needed to finally feel settled.
This book was cute and whimsical.
Isla and Jack’s “love-hate” energy made for lots of tension and witty banter.
Isla had a hard time trusting people - both with the orchard and her heart. Desperate times called for desperate measures and that’s how she finds herself marrying a man she supposedly can’t stand. The forced proximity and the need to find a way to keep the orchard and its magic safe, brings these two very different people together. Jack walked around Isla like a puppy dog. He was a hard worker but he found that the hardest task at hand was to prove to Isla that she could trust him, and work hard for this he did!
I really appreciated that there was no third-act break up and that instead, they talked through their feelings and found a solution to the problem at hand.
From the beginning, there was a spark between them, but they took their sweet time getting together. When they did, it was clear that their arrangement and fake marriage was no longer temporarily or fake.
This is a series I’d like to continue.
[Spice: 2/5]
I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:
Isla is the owner of the Mirabelle plum orchard, which was a family legacy. She was a very hardworking and overworked woman, who had a hard time accepting help. Even though Isla worked extremely hard, the orchard was not making enough money to be sustainable and so, to buy her a some time until she could find a more permanent solution, Isla had to work a second (unexpected) job.
Jack was the town’s favourite flirty, bachelor contractor, always ready to help the community. On a whim, he proposes to Isla as a way to help her out financially. What was supposed to be a business arrangement with an expiry date, turned out to be exactly what they each needed to finally feel settled.
This book was cute and whimsical.
Isla and Jack’s “love-hate” energy made for lots of tension and witty banter.
Isla had a hard time trusting people - both with the orchard and her heart. Desperate times called for desperate measures and that’s how she finds herself marrying a man she supposedly can’t stand. The forced proximity and the need to find a way to keep the orchard and its magic safe, brings these two very different people together. Jack walked around Isla like a puppy dog. He was a hard worker but he found that the hardest task at hand was to prove to Isla that she could trust him, and work hard for this he did!
I really appreciated that there was no third-act break up and that instead, they talked through their feelings and found a solution to the problem at hand.
From the beginning, there was a spark between them, but they took their sweet time getting together. When they did, it was clear that their arrangement and fake marriage was no longer temporarily or fake.
This is a series I’d like to continue.
[Spice: 2/5]
May 15, 2026
[ arc review ]
i LOVED this one. i've been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint. i have found another new fav!! this one is for the girlies who love spring and whimsy and some magical realism with some marriage of convenience and mixed with the best banter.
isla and jack have some history but when the mirabelle orchard is in financial trouble, a marriage of convenience is needed to get the grant that will save the orchard.
isla is an independent girlboss and jack is a fixer of things. oh and btw hes down bad for isla. so this duo is perfect for a fake marriage. jack is in love with her and he just wants to help her and make her happy and see her succeed. isla thinks she needs to do it all alone so opening herself up and accepting help was a bit of a challenge for her.
i literally loved every single interaction they had. the overall dynamic, their banter, the soft moments, the intimate moments, the shared and secret moments. even the arguments, none of the conflicts were blown out of proportion and overly drawn out. it was perfect.
i love the overall vibes of this story, perfect for this time of year. also loved seeing elsie and wells being in love and teaser for future couples??? and of course i loved isla and jack!!
i LOVED this one. i've been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint. i have found another new fav!! this one is for the girlies who love spring and whimsy and some magical realism with some marriage of convenience and mixed with the best banter.
isla and jack have some history but when the mirabelle orchard is in financial trouble, a marriage of convenience is needed to get the grant that will save the orchard.
isla is an independent girlboss and jack is a fixer of things. oh and btw hes down bad for isla. so this duo is perfect for a fake marriage. jack is in love with her and he just wants to help her and make her happy and see her succeed. isla thinks she needs to do it all alone so opening herself up and accepting help was a bit of a challenge for her.
i literally loved every single interaction they had. the overall dynamic, their banter, the soft moments, the intimate moments, the shared and secret moments. even the arguments, none of the conflicts were blown out of proportion and overly drawn out. it was perfect.
i love the overall vibes of this story, perfect for this time of year. also loved seeing elsie and wells being in love and teaser for future couples??? and of course i loved isla and jack!!
May 3, 2026
“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐱 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥.”
It feels so good to be back in Blue Willow. Mirabelle is such a perfect, whimsical spring read. The vibes were immaculate and the cover is honestly stunning (and reminds me a bit of Studio Ghibli). I love Ki’s immersive storytelling and the way she brings both characters and scenery to life. The portrayal of neurodivergence here was absolutely incredible.
Jack and Isla were honestly perfect for each other, even if it took them a while to find their way. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how reluctant Isla was to trust Jack, but considering her hyper independence (hello twin), it felt true to her character. The epilogue was so wholesome too, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Blue Willow.
the vibes ™:
- whimsical spring read
- marriage of convenience
- midnight ballerina
- learning to lean on others
- adhd rep
- coziest small town
💌 Special thanks to LoveNotesPR for allowing me to read this as an e-arc, super grateful <3
🧚🏻♀️✨🍇
It feels so good to be back in Blue Willow. Mirabelle is such a perfect, whimsical spring read. The vibes were immaculate and the cover is honestly stunning (and reminds me a bit of Studio Ghibli). I love Ki’s immersive storytelling and the way she brings both characters and scenery to life. The portrayal of neurodivergence here was absolutely incredible.
Jack and Isla were honestly perfect for each other, even if it took them a while to find their way. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how reluctant Isla was to trust Jack, but considering her hyper independence (hello twin), it felt true to her character. The epilogue was so wholesome too, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Blue Willow.
the vibes ™:
- whimsical spring read
- marriage of convenience
- midnight ballerina
- learning to lean on others
- adhd rep
- coziest small town
💌 Special thanks to LoveNotesPR for allowing me to read this as an e-arc, super grateful <3
🧚🏻♀️✨🍇
May 10, 2026
Thank you to Ki Stephens and LoveNotes PR for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!
This is the second book in a series but you don’t have to read the first in order to enjoy!
Isla owns a magical plum orchard (not a farm!) which despite its magic, is struggling. Isla is too and despite a second job as an exotic dancer, she needs major help. Enter Jack! He’s not a native to the mystical town of Blue Willow but he’s proven his worth and decides to marry Isla so she can qualify for a grant to save her orchard. They’ve been frenemies for years since Jack stood her up but Isla recognizes his stability as a business owner can only help her cause.
I really enjoyed the extremely slow burn of their romance! I also loved how both were so honest about their feelings and what they both needed from their marriage. Jack was so funny! I loved the chapter about his hair crisis! I wish there were more of the magical elements of the orchard but I’m excited to read about the other magical properties!
This is the second book in a series but you don’t have to read the first in order to enjoy!
Isla owns a magical plum orchard (not a farm!) which despite its magic, is struggling. Isla is too and despite a second job as an exotic dancer, she needs major help. Enter Jack! He’s not a native to the mystical town of Blue Willow but he’s proven his worth and decides to marry Isla so she can qualify for a grant to save her orchard. They’ve been frenemies for years since Jack stood her up but Isla recognizes his stability as a business owner can only help her cause.
I really enjoyed the extremely slow burn of their romance! I also loved how both were so honest about their feelings and what they both needed from their marriage. Jack was so funny! I loved the chapter about his hair crisis! I wish there were more of the magical elements of the orchard but I’m excited to read about the other magical properties!
May 19, 2026
Your new favorite spring/summer comfort read 🤍
The whimsical coziness of Blue Willow is unmatched, and I was so happy to be back here again. This small town is so picturesque and atmospheric that it makes me feel like I’ve been transported there myself. And the setting couldn’t be more perfect to set the stage for Jack & Isla’s story.
I already knew I would love Jack & Isla, but I fell even harder for them as I experienced this book! Their story was full of banter and tension built up from years of history. Jack was such a steady and dependable force to be reckoned with when it came to Isla and her states of turmoil, and it was my favorite thing ever. Their shared love for Blue Willow and Mirabelle orchard also just made them such a good team. The care they show towards one another and the way they become each other’s safe spaces, slowly but surely as they navigate their marriage of convenience under the same roof, was simply everything.
All in all, this was another beautiful love story from Ki! If you know me, you already know I’ll be a forever fan of hers, and that fact is solidified with every new book she releases. I can’t wait to be back in Blue Willow when book 3 comes out 🫶🏼
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book! 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
another beautiful story from ki, this book & the town of blue willow is so special :,)
The whimsical coziness of Blue Willow is unmatched, and I was so happy to be back here again. This small town is so picturesque and atmospheric that it makes me feel like I’ve been transported there myself. And the setting couldn’t be more perfect to set the stage for Jack & Isla’s story.
I already knew I would love Jack & Isla, but I fell even harder for them as I experienced this book! Their story was full of banter and tension built up from years of history. Jack was such a steady and dependable force to be reckoned with when it came to Isla and her states of turmoil, and it was my favorite thing ever. Their shared love for Blue Willow and Mirabelle orchard also just made them such a good team. The care they show towards one another and the way they become each other’s safe spaces, slowly but surely as they navigate their marriage of convenience under the same roof, was simply everything.
All in all, this was another beautiful love story from Ki! If you know me, you already know I’ll be a forever fan of hers, and that fact is solidified with every new book she releases. I can’t wait to be back in Blue Willow when book 3 comes out 🫶🏼
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book! 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
another beautiful story from ki, this book & the town of blue willow is so special :,)
May 22, 2026
Mirabelle was a cute, fun read, with the main trope being marriage of convenience. While I enjoyed the overall concept of the book, the main character wasn’t my favorite which took me out of some of my enjoyment of the tropes. Isla not telling her closest friends about her struggles with the orchard was weird. I understood she didn’t wanting sympathy but her constant pushback against anybody trying to be there for her was repetitive and annoying, especially because she genuinely needed the help and nobody would’ve made fun of her for it. She even said that she knew the town would rally behind her because they cared. Her stubbornness helped drive the plot, but it got old quickly which made the middle of the book drag. The back and forth banter between Jack and Isla was also more annoying than cute considering their history. Jack did show growth and maturity, and showed up when it mattered though, and it was nice to see their relationship progress from their initial bad first impression to the ending of the book.
May 18, 2026
you know it’s always gonna be a 5 ⭐️ with ki
mirabelle arc 🌳💍🌸🍊
Marriage of convenience, slow burn, and a man hopelessly gone for his wife?….HELL YEAH
From the very beginning, it’s obvious how deeply Jack cares for Isla, and that ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole story. He was patient, compassionate, and so incredibly respectful of her boundaries. I loved how he cared for her in all the quiet, specific ways she didn’t even realize she needed. His love never felt loud—it felt steady, kind, and deeply attentive
Isla was such a compelling heroine. She’s prickly, guarded, stubborn, and an absolute fighter, but underneath all of that is someone with such a huge heart. Her love for Mirabelle and the orchard came through in every scene. She poured everything into protecting that land, and I really loved how much that shaped her character. She refused to give up, even when it meant denying herself the chance to truly hope
The relationship build up of Jack and Isla was so worth it because they were already friends before agreeing to marry, their relationship had such an easy intimacy from the start. The progression felt natural—two people simply learning how to live together until suddenly it became so much more
I live for the magic of the orchard, the cozy heartfelt feeling this romance gives. i love ki stephens that’s all.
mirabelle arc 🌳💍🌸🍊
Marriage of convenience, slow burn, and a man hopelessly gone for his wife?….HELL YEAH
From the very beginning, it’s obvious how deeply Jack cares for Isla, and that ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole story. He was patient, compassionate, and so incredibly respectful of her boundaries. I loved how he cared for her in all the quiet, specific ways she didn’t even realize she needed. His love never felt loud—it felt steady, kind, and deeply attentive
Isla was such a compelling heroine. She’s prickly, guarded, stubborn, and an absolute fighter, but underneath all of that is someone with such a huge heart. Her love for Mirabelle and the orchard came through in every scene. She poured everything into protecting that land, and I really loved how much that shaped her character. She refused to give up, even when it meant denying herself the chance to truly hope
The relationship build up of Jack and Isla was so worth it because they were already friends before agreeing to marry, their relationship had such an easy intimacy from the start. The progression felt natural—two people simply learning how to live together until suddenly it became so much more
I live for the magic of the orchard, the cozy heartfelt feeling this romance gives. i love ki stephens that’s all.
May 22, 2026
Adorable, moving, and with so much emotional depth. Stephen’s will have you falling for Isla and Jack and their little haven of a world, complete with a sprinkling of magical realism. Highly recommend!
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review
May 2, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Thank you the author for the advance copy .
Mirabelle was a beautiful and lovely story.
Jack and Isla’s story was so cute and I enjoyed it very much.
I started yesterday and finish today because the book was very good to read and I was captured by this magical small town.
I loved the characters, very interesting.
Jack and his yearning make me falls in love with him and Isla was so a strong character.
I loved her so much truthfully.
You have to add it to the tbr .
The book will be released on the 15th May!
Thank you the author for the advance copy .
Mirabelle was a beautiful and lovely story.
Jack and Isla’s story was so cute and I enjoyed it very much.
I started yesterday and finish today because the book was very good to read and I was captured by this magical small town.
I loved the characters, very interesting.
Jack and his yearning make me falls in love with him and Isla was so a strong character.
I loved her so much truthfully.
You have to add it to the tbr .
The book will be released on the 15th May!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews