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When In Doubt
After getting out of a relationship that almost left her in pieces, Freya Malcolm doesn’t ever want to need anyone again.
Finally able to live the life she wants, she returns to her hometown to open her dream yarn store, and begin to reclaim the parts of herself that were taken. She just didn’t expect that striking out on her own would be quite this lonely.
Oscar Murphy has been in love with Freya since they were children. The trouble is, she’s never even known his name.
Still reeling from the death of his father and struggling to handle his increasing responsibilities at the Cedar Creek Fire Department, the last thing he needs is romance. Even if it could be the chance he’s always hoped for.
But Oscar can’t ignore the shadows in her eyes, and Freya can’t bring herself to push him away. With every chance encounter and gentle word, their cautious friendship inches closer to something more. Can they untangle the strings holding them back? Or are some things better left as fantasies?
Finally able to live the life she wants, she returns to her hometown to open her dream yarn store, and begin to reclaim the parts of herself that were taken. She just didn’t expect that striking out on her own would be quite this lonely.
Oscar Murphy has been in love with Freya since they were children. The trouble is, she’s never even known his name.
Still reeling from the death of his father and struggling to handle his increasing responsibilities at the Cedar Creek Fire Department, the last thing he needs is romance. Even if it could be the chance he’s always hoped for.
But Oscar can’t ignore the shadows in her eyes, and Freya can’t bring herself to push him away. With every chance encounter and gentle word, their cautious friendship inches closer to something more. Can they untangle the strings holding them back? Or are some things better left as fantasies?
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2026
About the author
Anna Harrison
2 books87 followersAnna Harrison is a romance author living in the English countryside with her tortoise (who makes an excellent co-writer.)
As a neurodivergent and chronically ill person, she writes swoony stories that reflect her own experiences, in the hopes that everyone can find a safe space in her books.
When she isn’t writing she’s usually found knitting, watching Chappell Roan edits or adding garlic to recipes that absolutely didn’t call for it.
As a neurodivergent and chronically ill person, she writes swoony stories that reflect her own experiences, in the hopes that everyone can find a safe space in her books.
When she isn’t writing she’s usually found knitting, watching Chappell Roan edits or adding garlic to recipes that absolutely didn’t call for it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
August 25, 2026
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.5 stars
ANNA U ARE EVIL FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN LAST 25% STILL CRYING!!!! how could you 😭 i guess now i'll get to read story LOL i mean hopefully!!
rtc!!!
this was a very soft and tender story, our fmc has autism and has been in a toxic relationship in the past so she's very hesitant about letting men into her life romantically, freya lets oscar in and then puts walls up and everything. i found this story to be very realistic and raw, i love books where the couple has realistic issues and sometimes we aren't able to fully commit to a relationship even with the person most perfect for us right away. oscar never pushed her and just wanted her to be honest, it was beautiful.
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
after seeing hannah love this book sm and her gorgeous edits i knew i had to start it! the cover is beautiful and i love a childhood crush story 🥹🩵 i'm around halfway through and i love how soft and beautiful this story it <3
out now!!
thank you anna for the eARC
ANNA U ARE EVIL FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN LAST 25% STILL CRYING!!!! how could you 😭 i guess now i'll get to read story LOL i mean hopefully!!
rtc!!!
this was a very soft and tender story, our fmc has autism and has been in a toxic relationship in the past so she's very hesitant about letting men into her life romantically, freya lets oscar in and then puts walls up and everything. i found this story to be very realistic and raw, i love books where the couple has realistic issues and sometimes we aren't able to fully commit to a relationship even with the person most perfect for us right away. oscar never pushed her and just wanted her to be honest, it was beautiful.
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
after seeing hannah love this book sm and her gorgeous edits i knew i had to start it! the cover is beautiful and i love a childhood crush story 🥹🩵 i'm around halfway through and i love how soft and beautiful this story it <3
out now!!
thank you anna for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cute characters but lacked the chemistry and connection. I was promised angst and yearning, which i genuinely cannot find much.
It was so good at some point and also so awful at some other point. Totally confused
Things i liked↴
» The characters themselves very so good. Her being autistic and touch starved was so unique traits, loved it. And he being a firefighter with his own grief story was pretty interesting too. And he calls her honey, ugh so adorable. I especially loved the relationship he had with his mother, so beautiful. We truly need more of such good parental relation in romance books.
» Also the spicy scenes were so good, so tender and full of affection. Hot and soft at the same time. There was this pure joy in them. That part was so well written.
» Rabbit as a pet, is the cutest freaking idea.
Things that didn't work for me↴
» he is so caring but ok so he is being a little too much, grabbing keys from her purse? without her knowing After just one week of meeting each other & only a couple of times? And he did that snooping thing one more time in her cupboard and i lost my mind. It was kinda creep tbh
» I didn't feel very deeper connection between them and also her past was kind of vaguely explained, so didn't felt much connected to it. Making each other distant after saying I LOVE YOU? This clearly means their love is baseless right? Almost 90% into it and still doubted them both, there's no resolve between them. It's like anything bad happens and they keep pushing each other away.
» Her repeated apologies and "you don't have to do that" kinda irritated me. I hate that everyone is treating her like a child😭
2.5 stars
So i was jumping between 2 star or 3 stars.
Finally went with 3 stars. For some of the beautiful conversations they had.
⇒It had potential but felt very clingy after some time.
▪ What to expect-
~ Firefigther x Yarn shop owner
~ Small town
~ Boy obsessed
~ Caring and protective MMC
~ She's autistic and touch starved
~ He calls her 'honey'
~ Forehead kisses
⁕⁙°◊—————————————————◊°⁙⁕
↪pre-read
I have been waiting for this ARC for so long! And now that i finally have it, i'm diving staright into it.
Firefigther x Yarn shop owner!? literally the cutest thing ever
It was so good at some point and also so awful at some other point. Totally confused
Things i liked↴
» The characters themselves very so good. Her being autistic and touch starved was so unique traits, loved it. And he being a firefighter with his own grief story was pretty interesting too. And he calls her honey, ugh so adorable. I especially loved the relationship he had with his mother, so beautiful. We truly need more of such good parental relation in romance books.
» Also the spicy scenes were so good, so tender and full of affection. Hot and soft at the same time. There was this pure joy in them. That part was so well written.
» Rabbit as a pet, is the cutest freaking idea.
Things that didn't work for me↴
» he is so caring but ok so he is being a little too much, grabbing keys from her purse? without her knowing After just one week of meeting each other & only a couple of times? And he did that snooping thing one more time in her cupboard and i lost my mind. It was kinda creep tbh
» I didn't feel very deeper connection between them and also her past was kind of vaguely explained, so didn't felt much connected to it. Making each other distant after saying I LOVE YOU? This clearly means their love is baseless right? Almost 90% into it and still doubted them both, there's no resolve between them. It's like anything bad happens and they keep pushing each other away.
» Her repeated apologies and "you don't have to do that" kinda irritated me. I hate that everyone is treating her like a child😭
2.5 stars
So i was jumping between 2 star or 3 stars.
Finally went with 3 stars. For some of the beautiful conversations they had.
⇒It had potential but felt very clingy after some time.
▪ What to expect-
~ Firefigther x Yarn shop owner
~ Small town
~ Boy obsessed
~ Caring and protective MMC
~ She's autistic and touch starved
~ He calls her 'honey'
~ Forehead kisses
⁕⁙°◊—————————————————◊°⁙⁕
↪pre-read
I have been waiting for this ARC for so long! And now that i finally have it, i'm diving staright into it.
Firefigther x Yarn shop owner!? literally the cutest thing ever
August 27, 2026
Sweet but infuriating. Communicate more effectively please. And go to therapy. Lots of it.
August 12, 2026
☆ 4 stars
When in Doubt by author Anna Harrison is the kind of love story that will leave an imprint into both your mind and heart in the way it makes you feel and reflect. This is a story about a soft, gentle love with just enough yearning to make you swoon. It’s primary focus is being character-driven as opposed to focusing on a specific plot whilst delving into several difficult themes with the upmost care including but not limited to; grief, emotional abuse, ableism and mental health struggles. I adored this premise so much in its simplicity with its emphasis on exploring emotional connection and independent character growth. Love is a constant in its many forms throughout life and I loved every moment in getting to see a romance that doesn’t reply on explosive chemistry to feel impactful. This isn’t a loud and assertive kind of love. It’s tender and slow building with the establishment of trust through communication and action being at the forefront. When in Doubt is a must-read (in my opinion) that I urge you all to pick up and find comfort within in the upcoming colder months.
Freya Malcolm is such a sweet and gentle soul who deserves nothing but everything good that life has to offer. I really connected with her character throughout her journey on starting over in the small town she grew up in as she fights to reclaim her independence after escaping an abusive relationship. Her quiet strength and resolve felt refreshing to experience as she learns how to live for herself regardless of other people’s feelings. Freya’s raw vulnerability in her experience being autistic felt compelling to read and understand as she struggles to vocalise her needs whilst struggling with feeling ‘different’ from her peers. I adored getting to witness her find a place within the community that makes her feel not only welcomed but also wanted. Freya’s biggest struggles throughout her story is her inability to trust her own intuition and the self-imposed responsibility she bares for being manipulated by a man she only wanted to love her. It broke my heart to recognise how lonely and touch-starved she has felt for such a long time and it felt so rewarding to see her slowly learn how to trust in herself and the intentions of others. Freya’s journey is deeply impactful from the very beginning and is something that I believe many readers’ will find themselves relating to in some manner. My one and only complaint is I do wish to have seen Freya be encouraged to seek therapy in the aftermath of her breakup due to how deeply traumatised she was without the right tools to work through her feelings better. Overall I couldn’t be more satisfied with the conclusion to her story and the wonderful community that she finds herself surrounded within by the end.
Oscar Murphy is a yearner and earner through and through who stole my heart with very little effort. This is a man who knows what he wants and refuses to waste any time in chasing after it whilst actively working to remain respectful. I adored how ‘all in’ Oscar was in his pursuit for Freya whilst also staying consciously aware of any boundaries she puts in place in order to feel safe after her difficult history. This man is a caretaker to his core in the way he possesses an innate ability to be a safe space for the people around him and the dedication to puts towards his career as a firefighter. His charm and empathy towards others just oozes authenticity and it became very clear to me that Oscar is not the kind of person who is interested in wasting his own time alongside the time of others. Everything Oscar does is approached with intent and is (mostly, we all have flaws) well thought out which felt refreshing to experience. His maturity and commitment towards healthy communication is a huge green flag and I just had the best time getting to see this sweet soul attain the love that he has spent so long patiently waiting for. Oscar is a bright light within his community for good reason and there’s no denying how cherished and respected he is by everybody around him. I really appreciated the depth provided into his backstory to help add more nuance to his character and there’s no denying that his relationship with his mother was a really sweet story highlight to witness. Honestly the only ‘unbelievable’ aspect to this story (I sat with nothing but intended humour) is the fact that we don’t get to see not one singular, age-appropriate and available local woman fling themselves in his direction for consideration. Oscar is a wonderful man who deserves a happy life getting to love and be loved, which is exactly the happy note that I was thrilled to see his story conclude upon.
When in Doubt is such a wonderfully tender and heartfelt love story that is bound to leave you experiencing a huge variety of emotions within a short period of time. I did suspect a big moment that happens within the book prior to its appearance due to contextual cues… however this in no way lessoned its emotional impact for me. I have found myself truly adoring the way that Harrison writes after reading her debut novel in 2025 and the way that she builds upon her love stories. This book was no different in my experience and I already cannot wait to see what we get to expect from her next in the future.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
When in Doubt by author Anna Harrison is the kind of love story that will leave an imprint into both your mind and heart in the way it makes you feel and reflect. This is a story about a soft, gentle love with just enough yearning to make you swoon. It’s primary focus is being character-driven as opposed to focusing on a specific plot whilst delving into several difficult themes with the upmost care including but not limited to; grief, emotional abuse, ableism and mental health struggles. I adored this premise so much in its simplicity with its emphasis on exploring emotional connection and independent character growth. Love is a constant in its many forms throughout life and I loved every moment in getting to see a romance that doesn’t reply on explosive chemistry to feel impactful. This isn’t a loud and assertive kind of love. It’s tender and slow building with the establishment of trust through communication and action being at the forefront. When in Doubt is a must-read (in my opinion) that I urge you all to pick up and find comfort within in the upcoming colder months.
Freya Malcolm is such a sweet and gentle soul who deserves nothing but everything good that life has to offer. I really connected with her character throughout her journey on starting over in the small town she grew up in as she fights to reclaim her independence after escaping an abusive relationship. Her quiet strength and resolve felt refreshing to experience as she learns how to live for herself regardless of other people’s feelings. Freya’s raw vulnerability in her experience being autistic felt compelling to read and understand as she struggles to vocalise her needs whilst struggling with feeling ‘different’ from her peers. I adored getting to witness her find a place within the community that makes her feel not only welcomed but also wanted. Freya’s biggest struggles throughout her story is her inability to trust her own intuition and the self-imposed responsibility she bares for being manipulated by a man she only wanted to love her. It broke my heart to recognise how lonely and touch-starved she has felt for such a long time and it felt so rewarding to see her slowly learn how to trust in herself and the intentions of others. Freya’s journey is deeply impactful from the very beginning and is something that I believe many readers’ will find themselves relating to in some manner. My one and only complaint is I do wish to have seen Freya be encouraged to seek therapy in the aftermath of her breakup due to how deeply traumatised she was without the right tools to work through her feelings better. Overall I couldn’t be more satisfied with the conclusion to her story and the wonderful community that she finds herself surrounded within by the end.
Oscar Murphy is a yearner and earner through and through who stole my heart with very little effort. This is a man who knows what he wants and refuses to waste any time in chasing after it whilst actively working to remain respectful. I adored how ‘all in’ Oscar was in his pursuit for Freya whilst also staying consciously aware of any boundaries she puts in place in order to feel safe after her difficult history. This man is a caretaker to his core in the way he possesses an innate ability to be a safe space for the people around him and the dedication to puts towards his career as a firefighter. His charm and empathy towards others just oozes authenticity and it became very clear to me that Oscar is not the kind of person who is interested in wasting his own time alongside the time of others. Everything Oscar does is approached with intent and is (mostly, we all have flaws) well thought out which felt refreshing to experience. His maturity and commitment towards healthy communication is a huge green flag and I just had the best time getting to see this sweet soul attain the love that he has spent so long patiently waiting for. Oscar is a bright light within his community for good reason and there’s no denying how cherished and respected he is by everybody around him. I really appreciated the depth provided into his backstory to help add more nuance to his character and there’s no denying that his relationship with his mother was a really sweet story highlight to witness. Honestly the only ‘unbelievable’ aspect to this story (I sat with nothing but intended humour) is the fact that we don’t get to see not one singular, age-appropriate and available local woman fling themselves in his direction for consideration. Oscar is a wonderful man who deserves a happy life getting to love and be loved, which is exactly the happy note that I was thrilled to see his story conclude upon.
When in Doubt is such a wonderfully tender and heartfelt love story that is bound to leave you experiencing a huge variety of emotions within a short period of time. I did suspect a big moment that happens within the book prior to its appearance due to contextual cues… however this in no way lessoned its emotional impact for me. I have found myself truly adoring the way that Harrison writes after reading her debut novel in 2025 and the way that she builds upon her love stories. This book was no different in my experience and I already cannot wait to see what we get to expect from her next in the future.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
August 21, 2026
When In Doubt is a story that's going to stick with me for a long time. The Autism representation, the yearning, the quietly charming small town - all of it spoke to me in just the way I needed it to. I absolutely adored Freya Malcolm. Her neurodivergence was clearly well researched and individual to her in a way I really appreciated. I loved the way her sensory needs were a part of her romantic relationship, and how Oscar was so attentive in moments she needed a reprieve or place of solace. As a fiber artist myself, the small moments when she was knitting or running her store came to life for me. No mismatched fiber art vocab here between knitting/crocheting! And sweet Oscar. My yearner. Childhood love is admittedly one of my favorite tropes to read, even when it's one sided, and his longing for her absolutely leapt off the page from the first chapter. He's protective and every bit the firefighter MMC I had hoped for. The way he waited for Freya from when they were kids to the present day stitched my heart together. Perhaps what I enjoyed about this most though is the 3rd act and how perfectly human and 'Freya + Oscar' it felt rather than a mixture of different conflicts I've read before. This is such an emotional read and I think it will resonate so well with the right audience the way it has for me! Fans of Catherine Cowles (minus the suspense) and Ronnie Mathews might really fall in love with When In Doubt. Make sure to read content warnings before jumping in. Thank you Anna Harrison for providing me with an advanced copy - all opinions expressed are honest and my own. 4.25 stars rounded to 4 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much @authorannaharrison for her trust and for sending me this ARC ! I’m so grateful because I have a soft spot for Fighting Spirit and I was so excited for this one.
This book feels like the coziest blanket on a rainy day. Or should I say the warmest sweater ?
This story was so sincere and beautiful and from someone like me who doesn’t have much contact with autism in their daily life, we can see that the author has put a lot of care and consideration into her characters. They were carefully written and you can’t help but become attached to them.
I wish I could find the words to express how much I love Oscar. How could anyone not fall in love with this firefighter who was nothing but patient with Freya and her fears ? Sometimes a little overprotective but it always comes from his good heart. I think what I like most about him is his loyalty and that he’s someone you can trust. A perfect gentleman from beginning to end. Freya is such a kind soul who’s been broken by a bad person. I just want to give her a big hug. I might have just wished she’d let her guard down a little sooner because Oscar has been absolutely perfect towards her but I can totally understand why she doesn’t express her feelings like others and that she is scared of love.
The connection between Oscar and Freya is so pure and sweet. Even though they sometimes push each other to move forward, stepping out of their comfort zones, honesty remains at the heart of their relationship. It was a quiet love story set in a cozy little town where you feel good. A little bonus because a character shares my name, even though she’s a creepy woman obsessed with cats (which is basically me).
Thank you so much @authorannaharrison for her trust and for sending me this ARC ! I’m so grateful because I have a soft spot for Fighting Spirit and I was so excited for this one.
This book feels like the coziest blanket on a rainy day. Or should I say the warmest sweater ?
This story was so sincere and beautiful and from someone like me who doesn’t have much contact with autism in their daily life, we can see that the author has put a lot of care and consideration into her characters. They were carefully written and you can’t help but become attached to them.
I wish I could find the words to express how much I love Oscar. How could anyone not fall in love with this firefighter who was nothing but patient with Freya and her fears ? Sometimes a little overprotective but it always comes from his good heart. I think what I like most about him is his loyalty and that he’s someone you can trust. A perfect gentleman from beginning to end. Freya is such a kind soul who’s been broken by a bad person. I just want to give her a big hug. I might have just wished she’d let her guard down a little sooner because Oscar has been absolutely perfect towards her but I can totally understand why she doesn’t express her feelings like others and that she is scared of love.
The connection between Oscar and Freya is so pure and sweet. Even though they sometimes push each other to move forward, stepping out of their comfort zones, honesty remains at the heart of their relationship. It was a quiet love story set in a cozy little town where you feel good. A little bonus because a character shares my name, even though she’s a creepy woman obsessed with cats (which is basically me).
August 22, 2026
"you're my dream, you know that right?"
thank you so much anna harrison for arc!!!
3.75/5 ★
oscar and freya were the absolute cutest! truly just the softest couple ever (woah the tie scene...) i adored seeing them both build their trust in each other in different ways and seeing them grow together! also come on a rabbit as a pet and him being an acts-of-service lover!
i loved the autism rep and was so nice to be able to read a book that is more open about it; visibility matters! i wanted to go into the book and fight everyone who hurt her actually she was so sweet, and her whole knitting plotline was cute it was nice seeing her find herself again in this town! oscar eeek a man who yearns! i love how he's been in love with her since day one omg what more could i ask for! and he was so understanding and supportive and soft with her hehe i loved it! seeing his own struggles and growth was also beautiful to see!
the ending, y'all... yeah, that was so sad and the idea of connecting the knitting to grief made me want to cry 3 but overall, such a soft, sweet read!!!!
a tad bit insta-lovey, maybe, but he was obsessed with her since day one, so i get it, i just feel like i couldnt understand fully where she fell, but it was still cute! it was super quick and easy to read, so it makes up for it! sometimes i couldn't relate to or agree with her reactions or why it was taking so long for her to understand and heal from her past, but i think it's why the visibility matters!
thank you so much anna harrison for arc!!!
3.75/5 ★
oscar and freya were the absolute cutest! truly just the softest couple ever (woah the tie scene...) i adored seeing them both build their trust in each other in different ways and seeing them grow together! also come on a rabbit as a pet and him being an acts-of-service lover!
i loved the autism rep and was so nice to be able to read a book that is more open about it; visibility matters! i wanted to go into the book and fight everyone who hurt her actually she was so sweet, and her whole knitting plotline was cute it was nice seeing her find herself again in this town! oscar eeek a man who yearns! i love how he's been in love with her since day one omg what more could i ask for! and he was so understanding and supportive and soft with her hehe i loved it! seeing his own struggles and growth was also beautiful to see!
the ending, y'all... yeah, that was so sad and the idea of connecting the knitting to grief made me want to cry 3 but overall, such a soft, sweet read!!!!
a tad bit insta-lovey, maybe, but he was obsessed with her since day one, so i get it, i just feel like i couldnt understand fully where she fell, but it was still cute! it was super quick and easy to read, so it makes up for it! sometimes i couldn't relate to or agree with her reactions or why it was taking so long for her to understand and heal from her past, but i think it's why the visibility matters!
August 23, 2026
When in Doubt 🧶🩵🧯🐇
💌ARC REVIEW
This book felt like a band-aid on my heart. It was my first time reading this author, and the way she writes with such warmth and softness shines through the entire book!! The way she talks not only about mental health but also about the autism spectrum with so much care and love moved me so much!!
Freya has been through so much, and honestly, there wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t want to reach into the book and give her a hug. I admired her resilience and bravery so much—her strength to keep moving forward, to build a life she could be proud of and that was completely her own. Continuing to dream and taking chances is also an act of bravery, even when it doesn’t seem like it, and despite all the fear that comes with it.
OSCAR MURPHY!! This man is everything that is right in the world 😭. What a huge heart and how incredible he is!! I’m genuinely running out of words to express just how much I loved him!!
The way Oscar understands Freya, with so much patience, love, and care, was simply incredible. With a movement, a look, anything, he knew when she needed her space, when things were becoming too much for her, and if he didn’t understand, he asked, because all he wanted was to get to know her better, to understand her completely.
Reading how they both found a safe place in each other, someone they could trust their hearts with after so much fear and loss, was one of the most moving parts of the book. Because even when things got difficult, at the end of the day, they always had each other’s arms to fall into, and that was where they felt the most at peace.
Thank you so much to Anna Harrison for the advance reader copy! 💘
💌ARC REVIEW
This book felt like a band-aid on my heart. It was my first time reading this author, and the way she writes with such warmth and softness shines through the entire book!! The way she talks not only about mental health but also about the autism spectrum with so much care and love moved me so much!!
Freya has been through so much, and honestly, there wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t want to reach into the book and give her a hug. I admired her resilience and bravery so much—her strength to keep moving forward, to build a life she could be proud of and that was completely her own. Continuing to dream and taking chances is also an act of bravery, even when it doesn’t seem like it, and despite all the fear that comes with it.
OSCAR MURPHY!! This man is everything that is right in the world 😭. What a huge heart and how incredible he is!! I’m genuinely running out of words to express just how much I loved him!!
The way Oscar understands Freya, with so much patience, love, and care, was simply incredible. With a movement, a look, anything, he knew when she needed her space, when things were becoming too much for her, and if he didn’t understand, he asked, because all he wanted was to get to know her better, to understand her completely.
Reading how they both found a safe place in each other, someone they could trust their hearts with after so much fear and loss, was one of the most moving parts of the book. Because even when things got difficult, at the end of the day, they always had each other’s arms to fall into, and that was where they felt the most at peace.
Thank you so much to Anna Harrison for the advance reader copy! 💘
September 30, 2026
cute, but .. if the book had been half as long, i would have rated it higher. seriously, this plot would have been enough for 200 pages at most
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Anna Harrison for the early copy!
💗 Friends to Lovers
🥺 He has been in love with her since they were kids
🏘️ Small Town
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🧶 Yarn Store Owner FMC
🚒 Firefighter MMC
“Who’ll watch your rabbit?” “My mom. She’ll love it. She always wants more time with her grandson.” “Grandson?” “Oh yeah, I’m a very proud daddy.”
“You gonna miss me, Malcolm?” “Yes.” “Good. Because I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”
“You want to sleep holding hands?” “Uh-huh, like sea otters.”
There were many cute scenes between Oscar and Freya that showed just how genuine and cute their connection was. I had a pretty nice time following their friendship develop into a charming love story.
Oscar was very gentle and attentive to Freya’s needs. He was constantly checking for her, making ser she’s comfortable. A very kind and loving person. A man who does acts of service. It was a pleasure to meet his character.
Freya… oh how I wish that ex had never happened to her. It’s very understandable why she close herself off after that relationship. Throughout the book, I did relate to her on some things and it felt good to see myself in her character, and to understand her POV. She was strong and sweet. Oscar was her perfect match.
I absolutely have to highlight the star of this whole book, Harvey! Oscar has a pet rabbit. I was smiling whenever they mentioned him and seeing how Oscar acts as a proud rabbit daddy hahaha 💗🐇
Overall I had a good time and felt good while reading When In Doubt and I do recommend it to other readers who like the tropes mentioned above :)
I did finish the book feeling like something was missing, as it didn’t feel WOW life altering, and that made me reduce a star. But I also believe not every single book has to be mindblowing to be 5 stars, you just have to have a great time reading it. Also, a very sad event happens specifically with Oscar’s POV (grief trigger) and that did feel a bit “Why is this happening right now?” but well bad things happen. I just thought it wasn’t necessary to where the story was heading.
💗 Friends to Lovers
🥺 He has been in love with her since they were kids
🏘️ Small Town
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🧶 Yarn Store Owner FMC
🚒 Firefighter MMC
“Who’ll watch your rabbit?” “My mom. She’ll love it. She always wants more time with her grandson.” “Grandson?” “Oh yeah, I’m a very proud daddy.”
“You gonna miss me, Malcolm?” “Yes.” “Good. Because I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”
“You want to sleep holding hands?” “Uh-huh, like sea otters.”
There were many cute scenes between Oscar and Freya that showed just how genuine and cute their connection was. I had a pretty nice time following their friendship develop into a charming love story.
Oscar was very gentle and attentive to Freya’s needs. He was constantly checking for her, making ser she’s comfortable. A very kind and loving person. A man who does acts of service. It was a pleasure to meet his character.
Freya… oh how I wish that ex had never happened to her. It’s very understandable why she close herself off after that relationship. Throughout the book, I did relate to her on some things and it felt good to see myself in her character, and to understand her POV. She was strong and sweet. Oscar was her perfect match.
I absolutely have to highlight the star of this whole book, Harvey! Oscar has a pet rabbit. I was smiling whenever they mentioned him and seeing how Oscar acts as a proud rabbit daddy hahaha 💗🐇
Overall I had a good time and felt good while reading When In Doubt and I do recommend it to other readers who like the tropes mentioned above :)
I did finish the book feeling like something was missing, as it didn’t feel WOW life altering, and that made me reduce a star. But I also believe not every single book has to be mindblowing to be 5 stars, you just have to have a great time reading it. Also, a very sad event happens specifically with Oscar’s POV (grief trigger) and that did feel a bit “Why is this happening right now?” but well bad things happen. I just thought it wasn’t necessary to where the story was heading.
August 28, 2026
Well, this went downhill fast. The two main characters were great, intimacy on point. Learned more about knitting than I needed to, but I didn’t mind. Plot-holes aside, there didn’t need to be a death for shock value only, plus the typos were annoying.
August 30, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH if you need something sweet but emotional definitely give this a shot.
the sweetest fmc who is autistic and knits sweaters. she’s an absolute angel and you watch her face so many fears in her relationship and become someone she’s always dreamed of being
The mmc is definitely my favorite variant of man. a beautiful firefighter who has a childhood crush on the towns knitter and is very patient and emotionally intelligent and will do anything just for one shot with the fmc. he expressed exactly how he felt and if she wasn’t there yet, he’d wait til she met him there. I LOVE HIMMMMMMMMM
absolutely no complaints here this was exactly what I needed
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH if you need something sweet but emotional definitely give this a shot.
the sweetest fmc who is autistic and knits sweaters. she’s an absolute angel and you watch her face so many fears in her relationship and become someone she’s always dreamed of being
The mmc is definitely my favorite variant of man. a beautiful firefighter who has a childhood crush on the towns knitter and is very patient and emotionally intelligent and will do anything just for one shot with the fmc. he expressed exactly how he felt and if she wasn’t there yet, he’d wait til she met him there. I LOVE HIMMMMMMMMM
absolutely no complaints here this was exactly what I needed
September 2, 2026
I may or may not have read some spoilers and I do not approve of something that happens in the ending so for my sanity I will not finish this book
September 27, 2026
This author is obviously British and had these characters saying things no American would ever say. That’s a problem that always sticks out to me but in the grand scheme it’s really not an issue.
I was all for these characters individually and the journeys they were each on but truly I don’t think either of them were ready for a relationship.
This man needs a metric ton of therapy and this girl maybe needed to start off with someone who wasn’t instantly obsessed with her but that’s just me
I was all for these characters individually and the journeys they were each on but truly I don’t think either of them were ready for a relationship.
This man needs a metric ton of therapy and this girl maybe needed to start off with someone who wasn’t instantly obsessed with her but that’s just me
September 27, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because some bits were cute and I’m all for craft representation in my books 🧶
Overall I liked the characters, they were very sweet with each other, and had nice moments (also love Harvey, wish there was more of him 🐰)
However, the story did drag a bit, their struggles were repetitive and I got bored at parts. And then that bit at the end… I cried and honestly that was probably the only moment during my read where I felt emotional.
Still, a cute story but a bit lacking.
Overall I liked the characters, they were very sweet with each other, and had nice moments (also love Harvey, wish there was more of him 🐰)
However, the story did drag a bit, their struggles were repetitive and I got bored at parts. And then that bit at the end… I cried and honestly that was probably the only moment during my read where I felt emotional.
Still, a cute story but a bit lacking.
September 1, 2026
Wtf was that ending ? It wasn’t even finished. And Mack dying was so fucken stupid. The rest of the book was so good tho. 3.75
August 23, 2026
This book was so heartwarming, emotional and cute, yes I did cry!! I absolutely LOVED Oscar & Freya, they were perfect for each other! I loved seeing Freya grow into herself and gaining confidence with Oscar, her autism was portrayed so authentically! I’m obsessed with Oscar, the yearning for all those years! I love how patience he was and how uplifting he was with Freya! I was heartbroken for him with the losses he suffered! The epilogue was beautiful and I was so happy to see Joni & Birdie back!
August 24, 2026
A million out of 10!!!!! OBSESSED!!!! I loved both of these characters! The growth was amazing! The end really got me! I wasn’t even prepared or what to expect but this entire book was incredible!!! The MMC really was the cutest!!! He love and care and patience! Along with his maturity and growth was just perfection! The FMC as well! They both had their rough patches and hard moments and emotional moments but god this book was sooo good! Absolutely LOVED probably going to be my book of the year!
Read
August 15, 2026- small town
- yearning firefighter MMC
- autistic yarn shop owner FMC
- he falls first trope (one-sided childhood crush)
- emotional with angst!
- 🌶️🌶️/5
I work with Anna, so I'm excluding a rating and star review. But I've read When in Doubt twice, and Oscar is book boyfriend material. He's OBSESSED, acts of service is his love language, he's super protective, and oh, he has a way with words. I love HOW he loves Freya. Also the ending broke my heart. That is all.
- yearning firefighter MMC
- autistic yarn shop owner FMC
- he falls first trope (one-sided childhood crush)
- emotional with angst!
- 🌶️🌶️/5
I work with Anna, so I'm excluding a rating and star review. But I've read When in Doubt twice, and Oscar is book boyfriend material. He's OBSESSED, acts of service is his love language, he's super protective, and oh, he has a way with words. I love HOW he loves Freya. Also the ending broke my heart. That is all.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026DNF 18% in
I always appreciate getting an arc and I hate to dnf one, but I’m seriously not enjoying the writing style at all. Maybe I’ll give it another chance in the future but for now this one was not for me
I always appreciate getting an arc and I hate to dnf one, but I’m seriously not enjoying the writing style at all. Maybe I’ll give it another chance in the future but for now this one was not for me
September 10, 2026
i really enjoyed the characters and their arc but it didn't really swoom me.. some of their interactions felt a little rushed and weird, but i'm thankful for the amount of healthy communication there was in this
September 4, 2026
This was super sweet and heartfelt! I found Freya a super relatable character, and the way her autism was handled was certainly beautiful! I am also obsessed with Oscar as well!
September 10, 2026
Unfortunately this book was way too angsty for me and I fear both characters needed therapy not each other 🫶🏻
Did Not Finish
September 12, 2026I got really bored
September 17, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ first half was so good but the last half was sooooo weird
August 26, 2026
I liked this book overall, and there were some really great moments throughout.
I thought both characters were pretty great. Oscar was such a clear sweetheart, and I really enjoyed his moments with Birdie. He was also so good with how Freya handled things, and I loved seeing how patient and understanding he was with her. Freya was great too. She was so much stronger than she really knew, especially after everything her ex put her through. Moving away and starting over takes a lot of courage, and I really loved seeing her find a safe space with Oscar.
Also, firefighter bunny-rabbit dad? Perfect. 🥹 There were some genuinely lovely moments in this book, and I thought Freya's autism was handled beautifully.
That said, I did have a few issues. Oscar comes on quite strong early on and is very committed very quickly. Normally, I'm fine with that, but Freya's issues ran pretty deep, and I didn't always feel like she was ready for that level of commitment, even though they were kind of already there. The constant pushing each other away and then apologising didn't really work for me. I'm not a huge fan of couples who spend a lot of the book apologising to each other, and I think Freya could have benefited from actually talking to someone and getting some support while working through everything she'd been dealing with.
I also really disliked the scene with Justin where he seemed to view Freya as being almost childish. I didn't really understand where that perspective came from. She was autistic and wearing her headphones at the bar, but at no point did I feel like Freya came across as kiddish or immature. Neither POV had made me question her in that way, so Justin's reaction felt a little out of nowhere. It almost felt like that conflict was added because another issue was needed between Oscar and Freya.
Despite those things, I still enjoyed the book. The characters were easy to root for, there were some really sweet moments, and I think this is going to be a great series. I'll definitely be continuing.
3⭐️
I thought both characters were pretty great. Oscar was such a clear sweetheart, and I really enjoyed his moments with Birdie. He was also so good with how Freya handled things, and I loved seeing how patient and understanding he was with her. Freya was great too. She was so much stronger than she really knew, especially after everything her ex put her through. Moving away and starting over takes a lot of courage, and I really loved seeing her find a safe space with Oscar.
Also, firefighter bunny-rabbit dad? Perfect. 🥹 There were some genuinely lovely moments in this book, and I thought Freya's autism was handled beautifully.
That said, I did have a few issues. Oscar comes on quite strong early on and is very committed very quickly. Normally, I'm fine with that, but Freya's issues ran pretty deep, and I didn't always feel like she was ready for that level of commitment, even though they were kind of already there. The constant pushing each other away and then apologising didn't really work for me. I'm not a huge fan of couples who spend a lot of the book apologising to each other, and I think Freya could have benefited from actually talking to someone and getting some support while working through everything she'd been dealing with.
I also really disliked the scene with Justin where he seemed to view Freya as being almost childish. I didn't really understand where that perspective came from. She was autistic and wearing her headphones at the bar, but at no point did I feel like Freya came across as kiddish or immature. Neither POV had made me question her in that way, so Justin's reaction felt a little out of nowhere. It almost felt like that conflict was added because another issue was needed between Oscar and Freya.
Despite those things, I still enjoyed the book. The characters were easy to root for, there were some really sweet moments, and I think this is going to be a great series. I'll definitely be continuing.
3⭐️
August 8, 2026
ARC Review
This is a very soft love story , definitely more character-focused, which is usually very up my street but sadly in this case I didn’t really connect with the MCs enough for their story to have an impact on me.
I enjoyed reading about Freya growing and moving on from her trauma; but I wished there was more to her character than just learning to trust Oscar. There was a lot that could have happened during her character arc - dealing with the shop, meeting new people, integrating herself in the small town community - and I feel like we barely saw any of that.
Instead the book, and the characters, are deeply focused on their growing romance. To the point that at times it felt like there was nothing else going on in their lives besides the other person.
I also felt like their relationship fell into the insta-love trope, which I personally do not enjoy.
Oscar was in my opinion particularly bad for that. His obsession with Freya was borderline creepy at times and I felt like he was terrible with certain boundaries. I understand that it was part of his personality to want to help and be of assistance but he ended up coming across as pushy.
I wish we could have seen both Freya and Oscar more outside of their relationship; and gotten to know more about the side characters and the town they lived in.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
This is a very soft love story , definitely more character-focused, which is usually very up my street but sadly in this case I didn’t really connect with the MCs enough for their story to have an impact on me.
I enjoyed reading about Freya growing and moving on from her trauma; but I wished there was more to her character than just learning to trust Oscar. There was a lot that could have happened during her character arc - dealing with the shop, meeting new people, integrating herself in the small town community - and I feel like we barely saw any of that.
Instead the book, and the characters, are deeply focused on their growing romance. To the point that at times it felt like there was nothing else going on in their lives besides the other person.
I also felt like their relationship fell into the insta-love trope, which I personally do not enjoy.
Oscar was in my opinion particularly bad for that. His obsession with Freya was borderline creepy at times and I felt like he was terrible with certain boundaries. I understand that it was part of his personality to want to help and be of assistance but he ended up coming across as pushy.
I wish we could have seen both Freya and Oscar more outside of their relationship; and gotten to know more about the side characters and the town they lived in.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
September 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️3,25!!
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