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Garrett's Forever - Rose Valley Book 3: Small Town Romance, Best Friends Oldest Brother, Grumpy x Sunshine

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Emily-

I lost the last piece of my family when my grandmother passed away. Needing a fresh start, I knew just the place—Rose Valley. It was a quiet little town my grandparents visited, and one they talked about often.

When I arrived, I had one goal: open a bakery and make my gram’s dream—and mine—come true.

Soon, I felt like I finally had it all. Amazing friends, a found family who took me in as their own, my very own bakery, and a cute little house with a porch swing. I had finally found a place to call home.

Then I met Garrett. My best friend’s broody older brother.

I wasn’t looking for a hero, but damn, I wanted him. I wanted the kind of lasting love my grandparents shared. But just when everything seemed perfect, my new life fell apart. I wanted a forever with him—but at what sacrifice?

Garrett-

I’ve spent my life being the responsible one, putting everyone else first, and being the one my family depends on.

Then Emily arrived. For the first time in my life, she made me want to be selfish. I wanted the "happily-ever-after" my parents had and my siblings found. And I wanted it with her.

But just when I start to believe that future is possible, a curveball threatens to shatter everything. I feel forced to choose between doing what is expected of me or putting myself first and the woman who makes me want to be a better man.

I’m not certain of a lot of things, but I know this: I’ll fight like hell for our future.

Paperback

Published July 16, 2026

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About the author

Lindi Mae

4 books20 followers
Lindi Mae is a contemporary romance author dedicated to delivering unforgettable characters, a full range of emotional, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. She is the author of the small-town Rose Valley series, with a few dark thrillers and a mystery book in the works.

When she isn’t writing, Lindi lives in Arizona with her mom and son. She is a passionate animal lover and loves true crime shows and documentaries on haunted places. She enjoys all kinds of crafting and practically lives on iced-coffee. She reads all kinds romances- from the sweetest to the darkest-as long as there is a HEA!

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Jenna Lundberg.
305 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2026
🩷 Home Isn't Just a Place, It's the People Who Choose You 🩷
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Garrett's Forever was everything I hope for in a small-town romance and more. I expected a heartfelt love story, but what I found was an emotional journey filled with grief, healing, found family, and two people determined to build the forever they'd always dreamed of. By the final page, I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends instead of fictional characters.

Emily was such a joy to read. After losing the last member of her family, she takes a leap of faith and moves to Rose Valley to make both her dream and her grandmother's dream of owning a bakery come true. Watching her create a life surrounded by genuine friendships and people who welcomed her with open arms was one of my favorite parts of the story. The found family element was beautifully written and gave the entire book so much warmth and heart.

Garrett was such a fantastic hero. Beneath all of his grumpy, responsible exterior was a man who had spent so long putting everyone else first that he'd forgotten what it meant to choose himself. Seeing Emily slowly break down those walls and remind him that he deserved his own happily ever after made their relationship even more rewarding. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, and when the spice finally hit...let's just say Lindi Mae definitely delivered.

What stood out most to me was how honest Garrett and Emily's relationship felt. They fall for each other quickly, but life doesn't make loving each other easy. Family responsibilities, unexpected challenges, and heartbreaking moments continually test their relationship, creating an emotional roller coaster that kept me hoping they would find their way back to one another. It was a wonderful reminder that lasting relationships are built through commitment, communication, honesty, and choosing each other even when life becomes difficult.

As my first visit to Rose Valley, I never felt like I was missing anything by starting with Garrett and Emily's story. Lindi Mae did a wonderful job introducing the town and its residents, making it easy to connect with everyone while leaving me excited to go back and read the earlier books. By the end, I was especially looking forward to Owen and Abi's story because it's clear they have quite the journey ahead of them.

Garrett's Forever reminded me why I love small-town romance so much. It's heartfelt, emotional, hopeful, and filled with the kind of characters that make you wish Rose Valley was a real place you could visit.

Thank you to Lindi Mae for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kirsty.
775 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy
July 13, 2026
I absolutely loved Emily and Garrett’s story!! This book was everything I want in a small-town romance and more. I went in ready for a sweet love story and ended up completely attached to these characters and their journey.

Emily was such a beautiful character. Watching her leave behind her old life, chase her dreams, and build something of her own in Rose Valley was amazing. I loved her bakery dream, the connection she had to her grandmother, and the way she created a home surrounded by people who loved her. The found family vibes were perfection and honestly felt like a warm hug.

And Garrett… 🥹 I loved him. The broody, protective, responsible man who spends his whole life taking care of everyone else but forgets to choose himself. Seeing Emily bring out this softer side of him and make him realise he deserved his own happiness was everything. Their chemistry was so good, and I loved how much they both wanted that forever kind of love.

Their relationship had all the feels. The longing, the sweet moments, the struggles, and the fight to choose each other made me completely invested. I was cheering for them the whole way through because they deserved their happily ever after.

Lindi Mae gave us a gorgeous small-town romance filled with love, family, friendship, and second chances at finding where you truly belong. Rose Valley feels like the kind of place you never want to leave, and I cannot wait to spend more time with these characters.

Emily and Garrett stole my heart. Absolutely loved this one!! ❤️
Profile Image for Mel.
215 reviews12 followers
July 22, 2026
What an emotional and challenging journey this story was! Garrett and Emily really went through it all and while their road to a HEA was long and difficult at times, it was absolutely worth the ride. 🥹

These two fall for each other quickly, so don’t expect a slow burn in the beginning. But when life starts throwing obstacle after obstacle their way, their relationship begins to feel the strain, leading to an emotional on-again, off-again journey.

Garrett carries so much weight on his shoulders throughout the story. Between the pressure of taking over the family business, trying to hold onto his relationship with Emily and unexpected events that send his life spiralling, he has a lot to overcome.

Despite everything they face, Garrett and Emily are so adorable together. Their chemistry is incredible, and the spice is absolutely top tier. 🥵

What I loved most was how realistic their relationship felt. It shows that love isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Relationships take commitment, communication, honesty and choosing each other even when things get hard.

It was also so much fun catching up with the rest of the family and I loved getting little POVs from previous couples. I’m already so excited for Owen and Abi’s story because there is definitely a lot to unpack there!

✨ What to expect:

🏡 Small-Town Romance

☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine

🤠 Broody, Responsible MMC

🌼 Sweet, Bubbly FMC

👫 Best Friend’s Older Brother

🫶 Found Family

🐴 Soft Cowboy Vibes

💘 He Falls First (and Hard)

Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Blog.
5,649 reviews276 followers
July 24, 2026
This is the first book I have read in this series and although it's fine to read as a standalone I could tell that I also missed a lot from previous books that would explain certain past events and also the friendships.

I liked that Emily came to Rose Valley looking for a new start and was following her dreams of opening a bakery. She formed close friends quickly and that was both good and bad as she had a crush on one of her best friend's brothers. She was kind and saw the best in people and gave people chances.

Garrett on the other hand was broody and much less trusting of other people. He was protective of Emily but it also came on his terms and I found I didn't love his character even as he began to redeem himself.

I felt like the book should have a few trigger warnings for a couple of the scenes as they would definitely not be for everyone. I knew that Garrett made a few mistakes and I also got that people should be forgiven but I had a hard time with this one.

The book really explores other characters and foreshadows a lot with the next book that is in the series. I think if you read this series from the beginning you may understand some of the characters' actions more and be more willing to forgive.

3.5 Stars- Rebecca
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.9k reviews264 followers
July 17, 2026
This is the third book in this impressive series, and this is Garrett and Emily’s story.
Emily is grieving the loss of her grandma, and moved to Rose Valley, a place her grandparents spoke about, for a fresh start, and to make her dream of owning her own bakery come true. Emily soon makes some amazing friends, and Garrett, is the broody older brother of one of them. Garrett is hardworking, and responsible, putting everyone else before himself. Emily has a lot of helpers getting her bakery prepared for opening, and Garrett does the flooring. Garrett and Emily start seeing each other, but pressure from the farm begins to tear them apart.
This is a well written easy to read, slow burn, emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, loss, grief, tension, angst, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, romance, humour, witty banter, healing, palpable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.
Profile Image for ✨Zoraida✨.
328 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2026
ARC Review
Book: Garrett's Forever
Author: Lindi Mae
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Garrett's Forever is book three of the Rose Valley Series.

After losing her grandmother, the last piece of family she had left, Emily moved to Rose Valley to fulfill both her and her grandma's dream to open a bakery. She is building this new life with friends who are always there for her. She has had a crush on Garrett since she moved into town, but has thought that he does not like her because every time she's around him, he leaves.

Garrett is the responsible one in the family that everyone relies on. However, lately he feels that he deserves more. He's had a crush on Emily since she moved into town, but has always been scared to talk to her. But when Emily needs help fixing the bakery on time for opening day, he steps in to help her.

I loved seeing their relationship bloom and how Emily made Garrett see that he deserved happiness. This was an emotional, slow-burn, small-town story and I enjoyed every single second of it.
Profile Image for Jessica Rand.
27 reviews
August 2, 2026
Emily and Garrett the cute small town, in your face to everyone but them until it nips them type of love. They almost lose each other to misunderstanding, pride and the unwillingness to forgive until life decides to through one of them, literally and metaphorically, into the ditch that brings them back together.

By taking things slow like Emily needs and Garrett giving up the power he thought he needed to cling to because who was he without being needed by the family? They learn to fall in love with themselves, each other again and the places that almost broke them.

This love is one most wish for, some lose before they know what they have lost and for others they find their way back stronger than ever. Life always has a way of bring you to the places that need you but more importantly the places you need that feel like home with the people who will love and accept you through the good, bad and the ugly.

This story is a sweet down home feel, like sweet home Alabama. You will not regret this read.
Profile Image for Maria Parker-Harris .
42 reviews
July 29, 2026
A small town romance, with found family, grief, emotional growth and one hell of a redemption arc.

I loved how the HEA really wasn't plain sailing for Garrett and Emily. At times, he really was an arse! But his moody and grumpy way of coping with pressure was so relatable and something we are all guilty of. Besides, his moments of dumbassery, made the HEA so much sweeter. The writing was just perfection and not at all predictable or saccharine.

As for Emily, what a total Queen she is! Brave, resilient and hopefull. A total boss babe. Just loved her! Her found family were everything and I loved watching her thrive with their love.

Now the spice was pretty steamy and I loved how dominance went both ways. The spice was a partnership, full of consent not control. Super hot!

A brilliant book full of character and perfectly messy love.
Profile Image for Nichole Loza.
401 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 16, 2026
Emily was grieving the loss of her grandmother passed away. She knew she needed a fresh start and that fresh start with in Rose Valley. Emily knew that she wanted to open a bakery and make her grandmother proud. Just when she thought she had everything she ever wanted, friends, a cute little house, her own bakery. Then she met Garrett, her best friend’s older brother. Emily was always someone who was independent, and she didn’t want a white knight, but she did want Garrett. Garrett was always the responsible one, always putting everyone before himself. Then Emily arrived in town and for the first time in his life he wanted to put Emily before his family and he wanted happily ever after. I loved this book, and the spice the Lindi Mae wrote is magnificent, sit next to a fan!!!!!
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
6,241 reviews156 followers
July 19, 2026
Emily. Lost her last family lever and has set out for a new life in Rose Valley. Shortly after getting there she comes across Garrett. A very hot guy. She knows she wants him. But she’s unsure. Enter Garrett. He sees her and he can set a future with her. But both have obligations. And his are to his family. But for once in his life he wants happiness. He sees it with everyone around him Am and he wants it too. I loved the way they two slowly got to know one another. Took a chance. And when that spice hit. Hold on to your panties ladies cuz y’all gonna be throwing them at him like he’s that last man on earth. He may as well be with how hot this man is. But this was such a great read. I was completely invested, loved these two, and didn’t want this story to end.
Profile Image for Bee.
109 reviews
July 17, 2026
my first book by Lindi Mae, you dont have to read the others before this one i didn't and i still got the book.
Grumpy x sunshine with a lot of anger, angst, longing, support, and love.

Even the most independent and in charge people have to ask for help every once in awhile.
I love a good heart brake but at times i found that it did go a little to long and some parts weren't necessary.


I wish we got to end the book with them having the baby and getting married but it was already so long just for them to make up and move on.
Profile Image for Virginia Danyow.
326 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2026
Make sure the air conditioner is on high when you read this one! Holy smokes!! I have read Ember's story, but missed Cade's so I will be going back to that one soon. But Garrett and Emily's story is my favorite. I loved the emotional tone of the story, all the things they had to work through individually and as a couple. The character development over the course of the book was strong and drew me deeper into the story. I could not put it down!

I received a copy of this book and I am leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Michele.
886 reviews11 followers
July 19, 2026
A nice slow burn, small town romance in Rose Valley.

Emily wants a fresh start to help heal from her grandmother's passing. She comes to Rose Valley and works to open a bakery. Besides realizing her dream, she finds wonderful people that help her make that happen, one of them being Garrett. There is chemistry but Garrett is not one to put himself first. They slowly navigate the relationship with angst, spice, and sweetness.

A good story you can just spend the day with from beginning to end with a smile on your face.
Profile Image for Stacey Hupperich.
87 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2026
Wow where do I begin (in the best way). This small town, found family romance was everything I wished it would be. It will take you through every emotion possible. Grief, heartbreak, healing, love and so many more emotions. Garrett and Emily's story feels so real and there was so much detail in this book it felt like you were right there living it with them. This book also had plenty of spice for the girlies like me who love a good spicy book. I highly recommend reading this book. I ran so fast to purchase the first 2 books in this series and cannot wait for Owens story next.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Nguyen.
216 reviews
July 9, 2026
Thank you Lindi Mae for allowing me to ARC read Garrett’s Forever!

This story follows Garrett and Emily. It’s a grumpy x sunshine with lots of angst, tension, and spice!

I enjoyed this story, the family and friendship dynamic was really beautiful between the Carter family and those around them. There were some parts of this story that felt a bit repetitive and had some unnecessary moments? Or moments that didn’t serve too much of a purpose in the story.
Profile Image for Cope Durfee.
165 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 15, 2026
Thanks to Lindi Mae and team for the ARC of Garrett's Forever. I was incredibly moved by the emotional journey this book took me on. Garrett and Emily tugged at every heart string I have. I liked how Emily made Garrett really try amd prove that he was worth a second chance but also didnt string him along for 3771617363 years to get that second chance. The spicy scenes didnt seem to flow as well for me in this book as in they do in other books and thats probably a me problem. Over all 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Emily Arriola.
441 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 15, 2026
Garrett’s Forever:
♥️best friends brother
♥️grumpy x sunshine
♥️slow burn
♥️he falls first and hard

I loved Garrett and Emily’s story! They went through so much together and were able to change and grow to be the best they could for each other! They both had such real and relatable feelings, and related to them so much!

I am so excited to see what comes next in the Rose Valley series!

Thank you to Lindi Mae for this ARC! All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
5,110 reviews123 followers
July 16, 2026
This book was an amazing read that from the moment that I started reading I was hooked. I could not put it down until the last page was read. This book has everything that is needed to make a great read, an interesting story that grabs you and characters that you cant help but love. This book moves along at a pace that makes for an easy and enjoyable read. This is a must read book that needs to be at the top of your TBR list, there is no doubt about it.
Profile Image for Lacy Phillips.
80 reviews
July 22, 2026
A long journey to get to a beautiful end. What a roll-coaster of emotions and page gripping turns that made ended in a cliff hanger. I can’t wait to dive into the final book with Owen, when it releases. My first Lindi Mae book but it was great! It took me a minute to get going. But once I did I had to make it to the end to see what happens. Garrett and Emily are a wild ride!!

Annndddd let’s just say…you wont look at a rope the same again (insert hiding eyes emoji)!!!!!
32 reviews
July 18, 2026
ARC review

I love a good small town romance especially one that is in a series of a small knit family. I loved the strength of the FMC. She went through so much and came out stronger in the end. The MMC had me wanting to smack him throughout the book but was glad to see he got his crap together. I cried, I laughed, and I had to fan myself from some of the spice. All around good book.
Profile Image for Cindy Fong.
2,126 reviews
July 23, 2026
Buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster of a story. This was my first book by this author and I didn't feel at a disadvantage from not reading the first two books in the series. Garrett the stoic, grumpy older brother falls hard for Emily but doesn't know how to balance the obligations and a relationship. Emily, has been abandoned by all that have loved her and is starting over in Rose Valley by opening a bakery. My sense is that these two have been dancing around each other in the first 2 books and Garrett finally "mans up" and asks for a date. The spark is there and these two are spicy and not shy behind closed doors.

This story has high angst tempered by sweet.happy moments. The characters are well developed and it is easy to be invested in the story.
Profile Image for Yelitza Washkevich.
9 reviews
July 29, 2026
Garrett (grumpy, best friends brother) and Emily (sunshine) are everything you could want in a small town romance. The plot, characters, and drama feel so relatable that they make the reading experience even more enjoyable. The tension keeps you turning the pages because you simply have to know what happens next. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Gayla Storz.
220 reviews6 followers
July 20, 2026
Garrett’s Forever is the third book in series and such a great story! This is
a small town, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn romance full of love and found family.
I loved Garrett and Emily’s story so much and it’s so emotional on both ends. I loved their chemistry they have.
Profile Image for Brianne Hersey.
135 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 16, 2026
Another well written book by Lindi Mae. Grumpy x sunshine with a lot of anger, angst, longing, support, and love.

Even the most independent and in charge people have to ask for help every once in awhile.
Profile Image for Brittney  W.
71 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The journey for Garrett and Emily was such a heartfelt and emotional one. There was so much healing that happened. They each had their own issues, concerns and challenges to overcome. Their story was not straight forward, it showed the messy bits of healing. Love comes early but is not simple and easy. It is full of challenges but is also beautiful in how they work through things and come out the other side.

✨ I enjoyed the development of their relationship, despite it being heartbreaking at times.
✨ Small town romance with protective MMC
✨ Second chance romance
d
Spice Level 3.5
Profile Image for Melanie Walker.
616 reviews21 followers
July 23, 2026
BETA/ARC Review: 5⭐️
Garrett’s Forever is book 3 in the Rose Valley series featuring Garrett Carter & Emily Taylor.

Garrett is the eldest (and grumpiest) Carter sibling and since their father has taken a step back at the family farm, hes had to step up and keep things running smoothly.

Emily moved to Rose Valley to start over after loosing her grandparents and has worked hard to open a bakery in her grandmothers honour. She made fast friends with Garrett’s sister Ember and the rest of the Carter family, with the exception of Garett who she believes doesn’t like her very much.

Garrett is shocked when he finds out what Emily thinks, because that is the farthest thing from the truth. Garrett gets verhwlemed whenever she’s around because of how beautiful he thinks she is and wants the opportunity to show her he doesn’t hate her.

Things take a turn for the better between Garett & Emily but as the pressure of keeping things afloat continues to rise for him, his relation ship with Emily will be the thing to suffer.

Eventually Emily gets tired of being forgotten about and breaks things off with Garrett. Will he realize what a mistake hes made before its to late and will Emily be willing to give him another shot?

This story was everything I wanted for these two and so much more! i loved Garrett & Emily so much and just wanted the best for both of them! There were a few times that my heart was in my throat but in the end it was totally worth it!

Thank you so much Lindi for continuing to allow me to be on this journey with you and I can’t wait for Owen & Abi!
Profile Image for SherrecePQ Tanner.
436 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 16, 2026
Garrett is perfect. That mix of grump, responsibility and best friend's older brother that I love in a MMC. Oh and as for bringing the heat and spice, hold on to your panties because they will melt clean off!! He is defriggenlicious. Oh and mine, I claimed him long ago.

Emily has left behind everything she knows after the death of her Grandmother. It is time to start again in Rose Valley, and her dreams of opening and owning her own bakery are strong. With what she has been left she finds the perfect place. She is fiercely independent, in fact this is important to her, so she doesn't need any help. But Garrett hasn't received that memo, as it is deep in his DNA to help out others, putting what he wants aside.

Garrett is torn between responsibility and chasing something special with Emily, and Emily knows she wants him. There is angst, spice and emotions felt on both sides and this was absolutely perfect. It would be remiss of me not to say this, but the Carter Family I absolutely adore. The way they are there for each other and the members that come into their fold, if you are lost, within their embrace, you are found.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews