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Holly River #1
Fallin' Tides
Gilmore Girls meets The Notebook in this small town romance with heart, humor, and heat.
Colt Mitchell was a charity case, taken in by the prominent Sinclair family to keep their star quarterback son on track. After three years under their roof, Colt traded in his broken background for the Marines, dead set on leaving Holly River for good.
Alice Sinclair was a dreamer, growing up in a house that worshipped trophies. Colt, her brother’s best friend, was the only one who truly saw her. When he left, Alice flooded his mailbox with hope—letters he devoured, but rarely answered.
Until the last one arrived.
Now Colt Mitchell is back. And the kid sister he remembers is gone. In her place is a woman on a mission. Alice has three months to turn her childhood home into the bookshop of her dreams, or lose it forever. And Colt’s hellbent on ensuring that happens, because when Colt was deployed, Alice’s letters saved him. And now he’s come home to repay the favor.
But as the two race to finish renovations by the Fall Festival, and the heat between them rises, Colt realizes that the one woman who’s entirely off limits…is the exact one he wants.
Colt Mitchell was a charity case, taken in by the prominent Sinclair family to keep their star quarterback son on track. After three years under their roof, Colt traded in his broken background for the Marines, dead set on leaving Holly River for good.
Alice Sinclair was a dreamer, growing up in a house that worshipped trophies. Colt, her brother’s best friend, was the only one who truly saw her. When he left, Alice flooded his mailbox with hope—letters he devoured, but rarely answered.
Until the last one arrived.
Now Colt Mitchell is back. And the kid sister he remembers is gone. In her place is a woman on a mission. Alice has three months to turn her childhood home into the bookshop of her dreams, or lose it forever. And Colt’s hellbent on ensuring that happens, because when Colt was deployed, Alice’s letters saved him. And now he’s come home to repay the favor.
But as the two race to finish renovations by the Fall Festival, and the heat between them rises, Colt realizes that the one woman who’s entirely off limits…is the exact one he wants.
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Tori Ford
2 books217 followersTori Ford is the author of the Holly River series. She also authored nine young adult novels under the name Victoria Scott. Her books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus, and have been translated and sold in over a dozen countries. Tori's bestselling title, Fire & Flood, is currently an Amazon Teachers' Pick. Her work has been featured by USA Today, BuzzFeed, and Good Morning Texas. Tori live in Dallas and is represented by Eva Scalzo. Find her online at @heytoriford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fallin' Tides is the first book in the Holly River series written by Tori Ford. Fallin' Tides was emotional, beautiful, wholesome, inspiring, gut wrenching, raw, pure, and heart breaking. Tori, girl, I'm so proud of you, this was such a beautiful debut novel. Your powerful story telling made me drown in tears, your words sucker punched my heart, but please let me know where I should send my therapy bill because after reading this book I was emotionally drained to my core. I mainly wanted to read this book because of that gorgeous cover, but since I was in my cowboy era and I saw this was a cowboy romance, I knew I had to get my hands on it immediately. Tori, you definitely didn't disappoint with this beautiful book, you made me cry, you made me smile, you made me swoon, you made me laugh, and you made me angry, but most importantly please keep these books coming. I absolutely love characters that are imperfect because they seem more real and you find a deeper connection with them because they make you feel like you aren't alone. Fallin' Tides is perfect for people who loved The Notebook written by Nicholas Sparks. I absolutely love and adore Nicholas Sparks, so when I saw this book was compared to The Notebook, I gasped. If you love imperfect characters, heart touching moments, hilarious banter, and emotional moments, then y'all better mark your calendars for August 25th, 2026 because you won't want to miss out on such a beautiful book. And I might bully you if I don't see this on everyone's want to read shelves.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND WHITE ROCK BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
ᥫ᭡🍓ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womackᥫ᭡🍓
0:56 ───|──────4:55
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Alcoholism~
~Family Estrangement~
~Military Death~ (off page)
~Strong Language~
~Explicit Sex~
"❣️🍋Glimore Girls for life, my little lemon❣️🍋".
"💓🥀Dreams are the only things worth holding onto💓🥀".
"🖤🤞I love you. I will love you 'til the day I die🖤🤞".
"💝😭Everyone is struggling with things behind closed doors, even if it doesn't look that way on the outside💝😭".
"❤️Let's fucking go, kid❤️".
"☁️🦋Someplace where dreams come true☁️🦋".
"💘🔮Chasing a dream is messy, the progress nonlinear, and the self doubt merciless💘🔮".
Alice Sinclair is twenty-two years old and she works at The Buttermilk Cafe where she spends her morning's slinging hash browns, so she can make ends meet. Alice's family moved their family HVAC business to Louisiana, but Alice stayed behind in her childhood home in Holly River, Texas. Alice wants to turn her childhood home into a bookshop, it's been a dream of hers ever since she was a little girl, in order to meet her opening day date, Alice needs to meet building safe guidelines, so along the way Alice faces setbacks and frustrations which then turns into insurmountable challenges that she soon later overcomes. Alice is hopeful, resilient, and happy, but she's such an inspiring young woman. Alice's faithfulness to those she cares about was deeply touching and so beautiful. In Holly River, Texas, Alice has two best friends Maggie and June, and their friendship was truly the best, I love witnessing women supporting women and being a girls girl. Maggie is the proud owner of Pardon My Garden, and June is the proud owner of Humble Pie. Alice has three hens named Pickles, Mabel, and Dixie, I loved these cute little hens, I just wanted to hold them and coo to them when they made their special appearances. As a young girl, Alice was a very athletic and talented tennis player, she always wanted the approval from her strict parents, but Colt- her childhood best friend was the only person who actually listened to Alice and always gave her encouragement when her battles became tough. As a people pleaser, Alice was such a relatable character, there's nothing more you want to do than appease those around you because you don't want to disappoint them especially when they expect the best out of you. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Alice the biggest most comforting hug because this woman truly broke my heart when she talked about her childhood.
Colt Mitchell is twenty-seven years old and a hero who steps in when people are in trouble. Colt is back in Holly River, Texas and sharing some tender loving care for his childhood home after his mom died and his plans to sells his mom's house. Colt had a rough childhood, his dad took off in the middle of the night leaving behind his wife, his two sons, and a broken down truck without a note, just an unfinished bird house he had promised to build for Colt's birthday. Colt is also Alice's brother Grant's best friend and he was also Alice's parents honorary second son, Colt lived with the Sinclair's for three years before joining the military where he became a Marine. The military gave Colt a new perspective- people are shit and evil exists. Colt traded adolescent uncertainty for quiet confidence. Colt planned to leave Holly River behind for good, but now he's back as a soon to be carpenter. While living with the Sinclair's, Colt was the only person who could get Grant to care about school. After a devastating shoulder injury, Colt decided not to reenlist in the military- hence why he's back in Holly River, Texas. In the military, Colt saw things no one should have to carry, his men and friends were killed in friendly fire, but during his deployments birds became his safe haven. Colt is such a cinnamon roll hero, he makes Alice feel seen and protected when she has no one else in her corner. Colt also has a secret love for chilled watermelon. I couldn't help but root for Colt, he had a horrible childhood, but he never let them define him, instead he grew up and became an independent hero.
Alice and Colt first met when Colt was sixteen years old and Alice was eleven years old, their first time meeting was when Alice caught Colt eating her chicken nuggets for dinner after a tennis game earned her a third place ribbon. All Alice wanted was her chicken nuggets, but since that day these two have been the best of friends. When Colt was nineteen years old and Alice was fourteen years old, Colt left for the military. Alice wrote Colt letters for eight years while he was gone, but Colt only wrote a few back. Despite only hearing from Colt a few times, Alice's letters helped him over eight years and three deployments, but she hasn't heard from Colt in over three years when Colt shows up at the town bar in Holly River one night, Colt and Alice gave each other the biggest hug which left the biggest smile on my face. Alice's letters were designed to keep Colt's head above water even though Alice was struggling with her own shit and drowning in life, but secretly they helped Colt more than Alice ever knew. Colt always saw Alice as a little sister, there was never supposed to be any attraction between the two of them, but Alice is the woman who stayed when everyone else left and that made Colt grow feelings for her. Despite going through so much together, Colt is the type of man who wants to run and Alice is the type of girl who wants to plant roots. I absolutely loved watching Colt support and encourage Alice to build her very own bookshop, this man truly had me swooning, we love love love a supportive man. Now that they are reunited in Holly River, Colt and Alice are chasing dreams and laughing until they can't breathe. I absolutely love these two damaged souls, their comeback was truly so beautiful to witness. Colt and Alice were just two young kids with rough childhoods, and now they are the most inspiring adults chasing their dreams and being their best versions of themselves.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND WHITE ROCK BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
ᥫ᭡🍓ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womackᥫ᭡🍓
0:56 ───|──────4:55
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Alcoholism~
~Family Estrangement~
~Military Death~ (off page)
~Strong Language~
~Explicit Sex~
"❣️🍋Glimore Girls for life, my little lemon❣️🍋".
"💓🥀Dreams are the only things worth holding onto💓🥀".
"🖤🤞I love you. I will love you 'til the day I die🖤🤞".
"💝😭Everyone is struggling with things behind closed doors, even if it doesn't look that way on the outside💝😭".
"❤️Let's fucking go, kid❤️".
"☁️🦋Someplace where dreams come true☁️🦋".
"💘🔮Chasing a dream is messy, the progress nonlinear, and the self doubt merciless💘🔮".
Alice Sinclair is twenty-two years old and she works at The Buttermilk Cafe where she spends her morning's slinging hash browns, so she can make ends meet. Alice's family moved their family HVAC business to Louisiana, but Alice stayed behind in her childhood home in Holly River, Texas. Alice wants to turn her childhood home into a bookshop, it's been a dream of hers ever since she was a little girl, in order to meet her opening day date, Alice needs to meet building safe guidelines, so along the way Alice faces setbacks and frustrations which then turns into insurmountable challenges that she soon later overcomes. Alice is hopeful, resilient, and happy, but she's such an inspiring young woman. Alice's faithfulness to those she cares about was deeply touching and so beautiful. In Holly River, Texas, Alice has two best friends Maggie and June, and their friendship was truly the best, I love witnessing women supporting women and being a girls girl. Maggie is the proud owner of Pardon My Garden, and June is the proud owner of Humble Pie. Alice has three hens named Pickles, Mabel, and Dixie, I loved these cute little hens, I just wanted to hold them and coo to them when they made their special appearances. As a young girl, Alice was a very athletic and talented tennis player, she always wanted the approval from her strict parents, but Colt- her childhood best friend was the only person who actually listened to Alice and always gave her encouragement when her battles became tough. As a people pleaser, Alice was such a relatable character, there's nothing more you want to do than appease those around you because you don't want to disappoint them especially when they expect the best out of you. I just wanted to reach into my kindle and give Alice the biggest most comforting hug because this woman truly broke my heart when she talked about her childhood.
Colt Mitchell is twenty-seven years old and a hero who steps in when people are in trouble. Colt is back in Holly River, Texas and sharing some tender loving care for his childhood home after his mom died and his plans to sells his mom's house. Colt had a rough childhood, his dad took off in the middle of the night leaving behind his wife, his two sons, and a broken down truck without a note, just an unfinished bird house he had promised to build for Colt's birthday. Colt is also Alice's brother Grant's best friend and he was also Alice's parents honorary second son, Colt lived with the Sinclair's for three years before joining the military where he became a Marine. The military gave Colt a new perspective- people are shit and evil exists. Colt traded adolescent uncertainty for quiet confidence. Colt planned to leave Holly River behind for good, but now he's back as a soon to be carpenter. While living with the Sinclair's, Colt was the only person who could get Grant to care about school. After a devastating shoulder injury, Colt decided not to reenlist in the military- hence why he's back in Holly River, Texas. In the military, Colt saw things no one should have to carry, his men and friends were killed in friendly fire, but during his deployments birds became his safe haven. Colt is such a cinnamon roll hero, he makes Alice feel seen and protected when she has no one else in her corner. Colt also has a secret love for chilled watermelon. I couldn't help but root for Colt, he had a horrible childhood, but he never let them define him, instead he grew up and became an independent hero.
Alice and Colt first met when Colt was sixteen years old and Alice was eleven years old, their first time meeting was when Alice caught Colt eating her chicken nuggets for dinner after a tennis game earned her a third place ribbon. All Alice wanted was her chicken nuggets, but since that day these two have been the best of friends. When Colt was nineteen years old and Alice was fourteen years old, Colt left for the military. Alice wrote Colt letters for eight years while he was gone, but Colt only wrote a few back. Despite only hearing from Colt a few times, Alice's letters helped him over eight years and three deployments, but she hasn't heard from Colt in over three years when Colt shows up at the town bar in Holly River one night, Colt and Alice gave each other the biggest hug which left the biggest smile on my face. Alice's letters were designed to keep Colt's head above water even though Alice was struggling with her own shit and drowning in life, but secretly they helped Colt more than Alice ever knew. Colt always saw Alice as a little sister, there was never supposed to be any attraction between the two of them, but Alice is the woman who stayed when everyone else left and that made Colt grow feelings for her. Despite going through so much together, Colt is the type of man who wants to run and Alice is the type of girl who wants to plant roots. I absolutely loved watching Colt support and encourage Alice to build her very own bookshop, this man truly had me swooning, we love love love a supportive man. Now that they are reunited in Holly River, Colt and Alice are chasing dreams and laughing until they can't breathe. I absolutely love these two damaged souls, their comeback was truly so beautiful to witness. Colt and Alice were just two young kids with rough childhoods, and now they are the most inspiring adults chasing their dreams and being their best versions of themselves.
August 24, 2026
“I want our life. I want you. As you are now. And as you will be. That’s what I want. Just you, with me.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇs ᴏꜰ ᴜs” x ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ᴜʀʙᴀɴ
0:56 ──♥───────── 3:56
This is a sweet, emotional brother’s best friend romance about Alice and Colt, whose lives have been intertwined for years before they find their way back to each other. 🫶🏼
I love a good brother’s best friend story, and this one was genuinely so cute. Alice completely stole my heart with how loyal, loving, and encouraging she was toward everyone around her. I especially loved watching her slowly learn to believe in herself more, with Colt constantly reminding her that she is valued and worthy. And the fact that she sent him letters for EIGHT YEARS even when he stopped responding???😭 I LOVEDDD getting those little glimpses into their letters and seeing their connection grow through them
The dual timeline was another favorite for me. Getting to see pieces of their childhood alongside the present made their relationship feel more layered and gave me a better understanding of where everything started.
And Colt!!! My heart hurt for everything he endured while he was enlisted, especially because he genuinely didn’t think he had anything to offer Alice. Meanwhile, he immediately wanted to support her dream of opening a bookstore and was willing to help however he could, even when he didn’t want to stay in town 😭😭😭 PLEASEEEE. so sweet!!!
I also adored Alice’s friendships, especially Maggie. The support and bonds between the characters were such a warm part of the story, and I loved seeing them show up for each other. Minus Travis. i hate that man. moving on 😐
My one struggle was that the attraction between Alice and Colt felt very physical very quickly. I found myself wanting more of the softer, sweeter moments between them instead of constantly having their thoughts circle back to kissing or sex or attraction 😭😭 the second half definitely got better with the softer moments
Overall, this was such a sweet and emotional read with characters who genuinely cared about each other. The letters, friendships, emotional growth, and Colt being completely gone for Alice made this an easy four stars for me!! 💗
favorite quotes ↓
“If someone does come along and sees her half undressed, I’ll handle it calmly. By blinding them.”
“Alice Sinclair sticks to things when they’re important to her. I know, because I have eight years’ worth of her letters.”
“Bad things happen. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t good in the world.”
“You look at me like I’m something you don’t deserve. But you are worthy of me, Colt Mitchell.” She’s silent for a beat. “You are worthy of so much. Much more than you’ve been handed.”
“I would live in your backyard if it meant staying near you. I would sleep in the chicken coop.”
“But as long as Alice still wanted me? Well, the entire planet could drop out from beneath my feet and I’d still grin.”
things to know about the book ↓
🌊 brother’s best friend
🌊 ex-Marine
🌊 dual timeline
🌊 childhood connection
🌊 letters
🌊 smalltown romance
🌊 supportive friendships
🌊 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 18, 22, 26, 28, 37
Thank you BookSirens & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
august 24th- now that ive extended my submission date twice... i should probably actually start this 😭
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇs ᴏꜰ ᴜs” x ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ᴜʀʙᴀɴ
0:56 ──♥───────── 3:56
This is a sweet, emotional brother’s best friend romance about Alice and Colt, whose lives have been intertwined for years before they find their way back to each other. 🫶🏼
I love a good brother’s best friend story, and this one was genuinely so cute. Alice completely stole my heart with how loyal, loving, and encouraging she was toward everyone around her. I especially loved watching her slowly learn to believe in herself more, with Colt constantly reminding her that she is valued and worthy. And the fact that she sent him letters for EIGHT YEARS even when he stopped responding???😭 I LOVEDDD getting those little glimpses into their letters and seeing their connection grow through them
The dual timeline was another favorite for me. Getting to see pieces of their childhood alongside the present made their relationship feel more layered and gave me a better understanding of where everything started.
And Colt!!! My heart hurt for everything he endured while he was enlisted, especially because he genuinely didn’t think he had anything to offer Alice. Meanwhile, he immediately wanted to support her dream of opening a bookstore and was willing to help however he could, even when he didn’t want to stay in town 😭😭😭 PLEASEEEE. so sweet!!!
I also adored Alice’s friendships, especially Maggie. The support and bonds between the characters were such a warm part of the story, and I loved seeing them show up for each other. Minus Travis. i hate that man. moving on 😐
My one struggle was that the attraction between Alice and Colt felt very physical very quickly. I found myself wanting more of the softer, sweeter moments between them instead of constantly having their thoughts circle back to kissing or sex or attraction 😭😭 the second half definitely got better with the softer moments
Overall, this was such a sweet and emotional read with characters who genuinely cared about each other. The letters, friendships, emotional growth, and Colt being completely gone for Alice made this an easy four stars for me!! 💗
favorite quotes ↓
“If someone does come along and sees her half undressed, I’ll handle it calmly. By blinding them.”
“Alice Sinclair sticks to things when they’re important to her. I know, because I have eight years’ worth of her letters.”
“Bad things happen. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t good in the world.”
“You look at me like I’m something you don’t deserve. But you are worthy of me, Colt Mitchell.” She’s silent for a beat. “You are worthy of so much. Much more than you’ve been handed.”
“I would live in your backyard if it meant staying near you. I would sleep in the chicken coop.”
“But as long as Alice still wanted me? Well, the entire planet could drop out from beneath my feet and I’d still grin.”
things to know about the book ↓
🌊 brother’s best friend
🌊 ex-Marine
🌊 dual timeline
🌊 childhood connection
🌊 letters
🌊 smalltown romance
🌊 supportive friendships
🌊 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 18, 22, 26, 28, 37
Thank you BookSirens & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
august 24th- now that ive extended my submission date twice... i should probably actually start this 😭
Review of advance copy
I wrote her, so I better love her. ;)
July 31, 2026
Thank you to White Rock books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
“Anywhere you are, Alice Sinclair, that’s where I’ll be.”
The minute I saw this being marketed as Gilmore Girls/Nicholas Sparks coded story, I RANNNNN and I am so happy I did because this book was everything!!!
Colt & Alice loved each other so deeply, even though their love story wasn’t the easiest. It was raw, emotional, and gut wrenching at times but worth going through all of it with them, to see their happily ever after.
Them building the bookstore together was seriously what us romance book girlies dream about. The yearninggggg that Colt felt for Alice, even from afar was top tier! I also truly loved all the side characters in this book and cannot wait to see what book will come next because I loved this fictional town so much!!
If you’re looking for a Small Town Romance, with Grumpy/Sunshine, that’s full of raw emotions, and an epic love story you have to pick this one up! I am already counting down for book 2!
“Anywhere you are, Alice Sinclair, that’s where I’ll be.”
The minute I saw this being marketed as Gilmore Girls/Nicholas Sparks coded story, I RANNNNN and I am so happy I did because this book was everything!!!
Colt & Alice loved each other so deeply, even though their love story wasn’t the easiest. It was raw, emotional, and gut wrenching at times but worth going through all of it with them, to see their happily ever after.
Them building the bookstore together was seriously what us romance book girlies dream about. The yearninggggg that Colt felt for Alice, even from afar was top tier! I also truly loved all the side characters in this book and cannot wait to see what book will come next because I loved this fictional town so much!!
If you’re looking for a Small Town Romance, with Grumpy/Sunshine, that’s full of raw emotions, and an epic love story you have to pick this one up! I am already counting down for book 2!
Review of advance copy
Me gustaron mucho los capítulos del pasado, en ellos se puede ver como es que empezó su relación y no hablo de una relación amorosa, si no de como forjaron su amistad.
August 30, 2026
3.75⭐
During high school, Alice's family took in Colt both to help her brother stay on track with school and football and to get him out of his bad situation. Afterwards he immediately enlisted for eight years, now he's back and is helping Alice fulfill her dream of turning her childhood home into a bookstore. Being her brother's best friend, Colt tries to avoid acting on his attraction to grown up Alice which leads to intense yearning and eventual fireworks. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
During high school, Alice's family took in Colt both to help her brother stay on track with school and football and to get him out of his bad situation. Afterwards he immediately enlisted for eight years, now he's back and is helping Alice fulfill her dream of turning her childhood home into a bookstore. Being her brother's best friend, Colt tries to avoid acting on his attraction to grown up Alice which leads to intense yearning and eventual fireworks. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
July 14, 2026
I was unprepared for how much I was going to fall in love with the characters and town of Holly River! I love a book with a quirky small town and this one was perfect. The fall vibes and overall town aesthetic + small businesses gave me all the best cozy vibes.
Colt and Alice’s story was so special because they were both a little broken, a little sad, and so, so deserving of finding home and love. The mutual longing? SO WELL DONE!
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I burn for you, Alice. I dream about touching you every second of every day.”
Colt has spent years chasing the feeling of belonging and he knew in his heart that he would always find that not in place, but in a person.
“You are everything I never allowed myself to want.”
Alice has spent her life trying to live up to her family’s expectations while denying herself her dreams. It took Colt believing in her for her to finally reach for them.
This entire book felt like the epitome of going home. It was nostalgic, and hopeful and so WARM.
“Colt Mitchell kisses me like he’s starving, like he waited far too long to feed himself and now he’s insatiable.”
This slow burn had me ITCHING for them to give in, but when they did? It was straight FIRE.
“There are no words. Just the two of us, an empty house, and the truth settling into my bones—that I would burn the world to the ground for the woman at my feet. And that even when Alice Sinclair is on her knees, she f***ing owns me.”
This book set up a bunch of side characters that I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for them to get books! I definitely have a theory about book 2’s couple! 🤭❤️🔥
If small town romances are your JAM, you definitely need to pick up this new story by Tori Ford!
Tropes:
🤭 Brother’s Best Friend
🫶🏼 Friends to Lovers
🍷 Age Gap (5yrs)
👊🏼 Ex Marine
💖 Then & Now Timeline
❤️🩹 Broken Boy & Sad Girl
❤️🔥 He Recreates Her Books
🔥 Slow Burn + Spice
🍂 Small Town In Fall
Colt and Alice’s story was so special because they were both a little broken, a little sad, and so, so deserving of finding home and love. The mutual longing? SO WELL DONE!
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I burn for you, Alice. I dream about touching you every second of every day.”
Colt has spent years chasing the feeling of belonging and he knew in his heart that he would always find that not in place, but in a person.
“You are everything I never allowed myself to want.”
Alice has spent her life trying to live up to her family’s expectations while denying herself her dreams. It took Colt believing in her for her to finally reach for them.
This entire book felt like the epitome of going home. It was nostalgic, and hopeful and so WARM.
“Colt Mitchell kisses me like he’s starving, like he waited far too long to feed himself and now he’s insatiable.”
This slow burn had me ITCHING for them to give in, but when they did? It was straight FIRE.
“There are no words. Just the two of us, an empty house, and the truth settling into my bones—that I would burn the world to the ground for the woman at my feet. And that even when Alice Sinclair is on her knees, she f***ing owns me.”
This book set up a bunch of side characters that I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for them to get books! I definitely have a theory about book 2’s couple! 🤭❤️🔥
If small town romances are your JAM, you definitely need to pick up this new story by Tori Ford!
Tropes:
🤭 Brother’s Best Friend
🫶🏼 Friends to Lovers
🍷 Age Gap (5yrs)
👊🏼 Ex Marine
💖 Then & Now Timeline
❤️🩹 Broken Boy & Sad Girl
❤️🔥 He Recreates Her Books
🔥 Slow Burn + Spice
🍂 Small Town In Fall
August 17, 2026
Though this was a 3 star for me, it was a good intro to a new world and a new series. I could tell this was a debut novel. There was some inconsistencies in the story timeline for me, and I felt a little disconnected to the characters. I did like Colt & Alice and enjoyed watching them get out of their own way to be able to be together. I think what held this together for me was the fact that it was a brother's best friend which is a trope I do in fact LOVE. I liked the small town setting and the found family that Alice experienced considering her relationship with her family was on the rocks. I REALLY liked that when Colt was deployed, she wrote to him all the time. I liked how their relationship blossomed- it felt a little clunky at first. I didn't feel their chemistry right away but the more time they spent together, and the more she tried to hide her crush, the more I felt it. I loved how much Colt supported her and wanted her to succeed. I really liked him standing up for her in front of her family. I felt like the story got a little side tracked for me once they were together- the spice felt a little discombobulated. I also felt like the timeline got a little off track with some details but overall I enjoyed when they finally realized they could stop putting an end date on their romance and acknowledge they wanted more.
Alice has always been the type to cast a net with her dream and hope it works out. This is how she has ended up in the town she grew up with while her family has moved to the city. This is how she has convinced herself she can flip her childhood home into a bookstore. But that is just a dream. Then her real dream moves back home- Colt. Her brother's best friend growing up. The boy who was around all the time. Who made her feel things she didn't understand, and then enlisted and basically ghosted her. He is back and offering to help her accomplish her dream. She agrees but tells herself she won't fall back into her crush with him. She just won't. He is moving anyways once he sells his mom's home. But sometimes she catches him looking at her for longer than would be considered normal. And the longer she is around him, the harder it is to deny that there is something between them. And when he starts to open up to her more about his past, she feels herself falling. How can she not when he is supporting her as much as he is. When he is not making her feel dumb for chasing her dream. So she lays it on the line and is ecstatic when he shows interest too. They can just do whatever this is until he leaves. But the longer that goes on the more she realizes that she doesn't want him to leave. And after he stands up to her family for her, she knows he is her forever. She just hopes he sees it too.
Colt can't believe he is back home. Really the home he knows as home is not where his mom lived. Where his mom died. Where he left so he could regroup and join the military. His home was his best friend's. That family took him in. Treated him like family. All except Alice- his best friend's little sister. Colt and Alice ended up forming a friendship of sorts. She wrote to him all the time while he was deployed but could never send the letters. He never wanted to pop her bubble of happiness that he felt in her letters. And now he has to see her after not talking to her for years. He has to act like he doesn't realize how much she has grown into a beautiful woman. A woman who still has dreams. And Colt finds himself wanting to help Alice with those dreams. He offers to help her get the bookshop ready. He will still work on selling his mom's house and leaving but while he is here he will be at her service. It seems he didn't think this through because he has to be around her all the time. He has to try to ignore this spark between them. He has to remind himself that he is leaving, but really he has no plans to go anywhere. Maybe he could stay? Maybe he could make something of himself here. Maybe if he stopped lying to himself he could open the door for him and Alice. Which is what he finally does, and it's like everything clicks for him. He understands she is a little hesitant at first, but he knows from the beginning this means more than it should. So when her family comes to town and points fingers and questions the dream and them, Colt stands up for her. He realizes even more so how much he wants this, and now he has to prove it to everyone.
This was a good intro to a new world. I liked the side characters a lot. I feel like they added the perfect amount of quirkiness to the story itself, and I am looking forward to watching everyone pair up. Colt's brother was a bit of a hot mess but again I find myself intrigued. I wanted more from this one than I got which was why it was 3 stars for me. I do plan on trying the next book before calling it quits on the series though.
Thank you to Tori for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Alice has always been the type to cast a net with her dream and hope it works out. This is how she has ended up in the town she grew up with while her family has moved to the city. This is how she has convinced herself she can flip her childhood home into a bookstore. But that is just a dream. Then her real dream moves back home- Colt. Her brother's best friend growing up. The boy who was around all the time. Who made her feel things she didn't understand, and then enlisted and basically ghosted her. He is back and offering to help her accomplish her dream. She agrees but tells herself she won't fall back into her crush with him. She just won't. He is moving anyways once he sells his mom's home. But sometimes she catches him looking at her for longer than would be considered normal. And the longer she is around him, the harder it is to deny that there is something between them. And when he starts to open up to her more about his past, she feels herself falling. How can she not when he is supporting her as much as he is. When he is not making her feel dumb for chasing her dream. So she lays it on the line and is ecstatic when he shows interest too. They can just do whatever this is until he leaves. But the longer that goes on the more she realizes that she doesn't want him to leave. And after he stands up to her family for her, she knows he is her forever. She just hopes he sees it too.
Colt can't believe he is back home. Really the home he knows as home is not where his mom lived. Where his mom died. Where he left so he could regroup and join the military. His home was his best friend's. That family took him in. Treated him like family. All except Alice- his best friend's little sister. Colt and Alice ended up forming a friendship of sorts. She wrote to him all the time while he was deployed but could never send the letters. He never wanted to pop her bubble of happiness that he felt in her letters. And now he has to see her after not talking to her for years. He has to act like he doesn't realize how much she has grown into a beautiful woman. A woman who still has dreams. And Colt finds himself wanting to help Alice with those dreams. He offers to help her get the bookshop ready. He will still work on selling his mom's house and leaving but while he is here he will be at her service. It seems he didn't think this through because he has to be around her all the time. He has to try to ignore this spark between them. He has to remind himself that he is leaving, but really he has no plans to go anywhere. Maybe he could stay? Maybe he could make something of himself here. Maybe if he stopped lying to himself he could open the door for him and Alice. Which is what he finally does, and it's like everything clicks for him. He understands she is a little hesitant at first, but he knows from the beginning this means more than it should. So when her family comes to town and points fingers and questions the dream and them, Colt stands up for her. He realizes even more so how much he wants this, and now he has to prove it to everyone.
This was a good intro to a new world. I liked the side characters a lot. I feel like they added the perfect amount of quirkiness to the story itself, and I am looking forward to watching everyone pair up. Colt's brother was a bit of a hot mess but again I find myself intrigued. I wanted more from this one than I got which was why it was 3 stars for me. I do plan on trying the next book before calling it quits on the series though.
Thank you to Tori for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 7, 2026
The coziest small town vibes here, perfect to pick up anytime between now and November! This book has multiple POV, a good amount of (but not too many) flashback chapters, and past letters that make you fall in love with these characters. I very much look forward to continuing this series and diving back into the Holly River world! Lovers of romcoms will be happy to read this story.
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc
Thank you to the author for the gifted arc
September 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
*rounded up
The fact that this book is set in Texas had me ready to read it, but then you add childhood friends reconnecting years later and sparks flying? I was sold. The tension between Alice and Colt was THICK, and when it finally snapped, it was 🔥.
I adored Alice. She was living the dream so many book lovers have, turning her childhood home into a bookstore. Then Colt comes back to town carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder from his experiences growing up in a small town.
They were honestly perfect for each other. He was so grumpy, she was so sweet, and I loved watching them truly see each other for who they were while helping each other make their dreams come true.
This book felt like a warm hug. The small town setting, the found family, and the community were everything. I already cannot wait for the next book in this series!
*rounded up
The fact that this book is set in Texas had me ready to read it, but then you add childhood friends reconnecting years later and sparks flying? I was sold. The tension between Alice and Colt was THICK, and when it finally snapped, it was 🔥.
I adored Alice. She was living the dream so many book lovers have, turning her childhood home into a bookstore. Then Colt comes back to town carrying a bit of a chip on his shoulder from his experiences growing up in a small town.
They were honestly perfect for each other. He was so grumpy, she was so sweet, and I loved watching them truly see each other for who they were while helping each other make their dreams come true.
This book felt like a warm hug. The small town setting, the found family, and the community were everything. I already cannot wait for the next book in this series!
July 30, 2026
Fallin’ Tides Review
⭐️Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brb…currently packing my bags to move to Holly River 🧳
Wow, to say I was blown away by this beautiful story is an understatement!!!🥹 I read this book in under 24 hours because I could not put it down!
I absolutely love the genuine friendship that blossomed with Colt and Alice when they were young (although at first it wasn’t such an easy start).
One of my favorite parts were the letters 🥹😩 oh, my heart. Alice kept the line of communication open throughout his entire deployment! Alice was the one the held Colt together while he was away. I love how Tori Ford gave us a glimpse into those letters and into their past when they were young🥹
Her builds her a BOOKSHOP!!! Ahhh well he helps her bring her dreams to life and it’s so beautiful 🥹
It was so beautiful to see Alice grow into the woman she is and chase her dreams as equally as it was to see Colt feel worthy enough of not only her love but her family and friends love.
The side characters! OH, they have my heart! I can’t wait to see what the future brings for them!
If you love Gilmore Girls and The Notebook then you’ll definitely love Fallin’ Tides!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!
⭐️Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brb…currently packing my bags to move to Holly River 🧳
Wow, to say I was blown away by this beautiful story is an understatement!!!🥹 I read this book in under 24 hours because I could not put it down!
I absolutely love the genuine friendship that blossomed with Colt and Alice when they were young (although at first it wasn’t such an easy start).
One of my favorite parts were the letters 🥹😩 oh, my heart. Alice kept the line of communication open throughout his entire deployment! Alice was the one the held Colt together while he was away. I love how Tori Ford gave us a glimpse into those letters and into their past when they were young🥹
Her builds her a BOOKSHOP!!! Ahhh well he helps her bring her dreams to life and it’s so beautiful 🥹
It was so beautiful to see Alice grow into the woman she is and chase her dreams as equally as it was to see Colt feel worthy enough of not only her love but her family and friends love.
The side characters! OH, they have my heart! I can’t wait to see what the future brings for them!
If you love Gilmore Girls and The Notebook then you’ll definitely love Fallin’ Tides!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!
Read
June 26, 2026✦What to Expect✦
•Small town
•Brother’s best friend
•Friends to lovers
•Military MMC
•Grumpy x Sunshine
✦Characters✦
•Alice Sinclair
•Colt Mitchell
✦Fav Quotes✦
“Colt,”
“I’ve got you, baby,”
Colt Mitchell kisses me like he’s starving, like he waited far too long to feed himself and now he’s insatiable.
“You look at me like I’m something you don’t deserve. But you are worthy of me, Colt Mitchell.”
“Alice,”
“I could never leave you.”
“You are my home.”
“You are everything I never allowed myself to want.”
“Anywhere you are, Alice Sinclair, that’s where I’ll be.”
Colt is my forever.
✦Thoughts✦
So dang cute!!!! I will always eat up a small town romance and this one was so good! The cozy fall vibes?! I am so here for it!
Colt and Alice are so good together and I loved seeing their friendship turn into more over time. Alice is a girl after my own heart wanting to open a bookstore, also her friendship group. I loveeddd June and Maggie!
Colt!!! A down bad ex marine?! Yesssss please! He was just so perfect and protective, I loved it!
I am so excited for the next book!
June & Dalton 👀👀
•ARC Read•
✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable
August 11, 2026
A Gilmore Girls-esque small town in the fall time, a FMC with a dream to turn her childhood home into a bookstore and a down bad ex marine who is determined to make that dream come true. What more could you ask for??
Our two main characters are battling their own demons and when they find themselves suddenly back in each others presence after years apart the tension is palpable. Watching them help eachother navigate through their hardships and heal a part of themselves was so sweet and heartwarming. A quintessential swoony small town romance.
The perfect cozy romance to add to your fall TBR!
Our two main characters are battling their own demons and when they find themselves suddenly back in each others presence after years apart the tension is palpable. Watching them help eachother navigate through their hardships and heal a part of themselves was so sweet and heartwarming. A quintessential swoony small town romance.
The perfect cozy romance to add to your fall TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked this up mainly because of the tropes: small town, brother’s best friend, military MMC. What I didn’t know I was going to end up getting was a deeply rooted found family in this cozy town of Holly River. They thrive during seasonal festivities and help each other out when chaos ensues. Major Gilmore Girls coded and I adored that.
“Our whole lives, we go along thinking some things can’t be changed. The sky is always blue. A bird has two wings…And a river runs downhill. And then, one day…Here comes a tidal bore.”
& Fallin’ Tides taught me that you can fight against the current and become something more.
Alice is such a sweetheart, optimistic, just trying to see the good in everyone. Colt sees that, and despite coming from a very broken upbringing and she was his beacon of hope. His protective and patient nature was extremely attractive. He also empowered her so much to believe in herself.
The letters written to each other over a decade reminded me of The Notebook. That's what moved me most. These notes delivered emotional currents of love, sadness, and joy.
If you are looking for all the autumnal feels and heartfelt moments, this is for you.
3.5 ⭐️
I think it kept going back and forth between different plots, between Alice’s journey and their relationship developing after years of not seeing each other. The chemistry & interactions between the main characters as adults, didn’t fully solidify for me. That being said, it didn’t steer me completely away from the overall storyline. It’s definitely the foundation to set up a new series, and I’m looking forward to the next book! 🍁
Thank you to Tori Ford and White Rock Books for the e-galley♥️
“Our whole lives, we go along thinking some things can’t be changed. The sky is always blue. A bird has two wings…And a river runs downhill. And then, one day…Here comes a tidal bore.”
& Fallin’ Tides taught me that you can fight against the current and become something more.
Alice is such a sweetheart, optimistic, just trying to see the good in everyone. Colt sees that, and despite coming from a very broken upbringing and she was his beacon of hope. His protective and patient nature was extremely attractive. He also empowered her so much to believe in herself.
The letters written to each other over a decade reminded me of The Notebook. That's what moved me most. These notes delivered emotional currents of love, sadness, and joy.
If you are looking for all the autumnal feels and heartfelt moments, this is for you.
3.5 ⭐️
I think it kept going back and forth between different plots, between Alice’s journey and their relationship developing after years of not seeing each other. The chemistry & interactions between the main characters as adults, didn’t fully solidify for me. That being said, it didn’t steer me completely away from the overall storyline. It’s definitely the foundation to set up a new series, and I’m looking forward to the next book! 🍁
Thank you to Tori Ford and White Rock Books for the e-galley♥️
August 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good small town romance, and Fallin’ Tides gave me so much of what I love about them.
While this isn’t technically a second chance romance, Alice and Colt have so much history that it almost has that same feeling. They know and understand each other on such a deep level, and I loved watching a friendship that had lasted through the years grow into something more as they matured, found themselves, and eventually found their way back to each other. Their connection felt so genuine, and the yearning and Colt’s absolute devotion to Alice made it even better.
I also loved the found family and the whole Holly River community. Give me local business owners, quirky small town residents, everyone knowing everyone’s business, and one person we can all collectively despise. Looking at you, Travis.
My only real complaint was that Colt sometimes related things back to his military experience through metaphors and comparisons a little too often. As a military brat, I completely understand how that can happen when that world has been such a huge part of someone’s life, but as a reader it started to feel a little repetitive.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable start to the Holly River series. I’m already attached to this town and its people, and I can't wait for book 2!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good small town romance, and Fallin’ Tides gave me so much of what I love about them.
While this isn’t technically a second chance romance, Alice and Colt have so much history that it almost has that same feeling. They know and understand each other on such a deep level, and I loved watching a friendship that had lasted through the years grow into something more as they matured, found themselves, and eventually found their way back to each other. Their connection felt so genuine, and the yearning and Colt’s absolute devotion to Alice made it even better.
I also loved the found family and the whole Holly River community. Give me local business owners, quirky small town residents, everyone knowing everyone’s business, and one person we can all collectively despise. Looking at you, Travis.
My only real complaint was that Colt sometimes related things back to his military experience through metaphors and comparisons a little too often. As a military brat, I completely understand how that can happen when that world has been such a huge part of someone’s life, but as a reader it started to feel a little repetitive.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable start to the Holly River series. I’m already attached to this town and its people, and I can't wait for book 2!
October 10, 2026
When you tell me a book is *Gilmore Girls meets The Notebook*, my expectations are going to be HIGH. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't giving me either of those vibes.
I was already having a hard time getting through the story and couldn't really get invested. Then the FMC and her friends pulled out a Ouija board, and once that whole scene was described, I was officially out.
This is just a personal line I don't cross when it comes to reading. I know it might not bother other readers, and that's perfectly fine, but it's something I personally choose to stay away from in books.
I made it to 55%, so I definitely gave this one a fair shot. Even before that scene, I was struggling to connect with the story. I wanted the cozy small-town charm and emotional romance I was expecting, but it just wasn't there for me.
Unfortunately, this one wasn't my cup of tea.
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I was already having a hard time getting through the story and couldn't really get invested. Then the FMC and her friends pulled out a Ouija board, and once that whole scene was described, I was officially out.
This is just a personal line I don't cross when it comes to reading. I know it might not bother other readers, and that's perfectly fine, but it's something I personally choose to stay away from in books.
I made it to 55%, so I definitely gave this one a fair shot. Even before that scene, I was struggling to connect with the story. I wanted the cozy small-town charm and emotional romance I was expecting, but it just wasn't there for me.
Unfortunately, this one wasn't my cup of tea.
Connect With Me:
BLOG ⟫ INSTAGRAM ⟫ NEWSLETTER ⟫ PINTEREST ⟫
September 7, 2026
Thank you to Tori Ford and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to be honest with you, I definitely judged this book by the cover--it's 100% why I wanted to read it. I mean, look at it! How can that not pull you in?!
Luckily for me, the book was just as good on the inside as that gorgeous cover.
Alice and Colt have known each other for years. He's her older brother's best friend and basically lived at Alice's house when she was a kid after her parents took him in.
Fast forward eight years, and Colt has been off serving in the Marines while Alice recently moved back to their hometown of Holly River after graduating from college. She has big dreams of opening a bookstore in the home she grew up in, but her parents expect her to move to Shreveport to work in the family business. She manages to get them to agree to give her a chance, and reluctantly, they do.
It's then that Colt shows back up in Holly River, and as soon as he hears what Alice is doing, he agrees to help her convert her home into the bookstore of her dreams.
While the two start off as just friends, picking back up from where they left off years ago, there's an instant spark and connection that becomes difficult to ignore.
Both Colt and Alice struggled to fit in when they were younger, and I loved seeing how they found safety, love, and a sense of home in each other. They both have their own baggage they need to deal with, and it just warmed my heart that they now get to do that together.
I also loved the found family Alice creates with her two best friends, Maggie and June. Those two are the best wing women you could hope for, consistently showing up for Alice and for each other. There is nothing better than a healthy, supportive female friendship. Every romance needs a Maggie and June!
I also didn't realize that fall vibes would be in full effect in this book! I didn't carve out any room on my TBR for fall romances, so this was a happy surprise! In addition to a swoony romance, we get a cute small town that goes all out with its holiday decorations to drive tourism, so naturally, I pictured the Texas version of Stars Hollow the whole time.
I think there was room for the author to explore some of the plot points a little more. So was the execution perfect? No. But for a vibes read, you couldn't ask for a better sweet and spicy romance to kick off the fall season.
I would definitely recommend this to any contemporary romance lover, and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series!
I'm going to be honest with you, I definitely judged this book by the cover--it's 100% why I wanted to read it. I mean, look at it! How can that not pull you in?!
Luckily for me, the book was just as good on the inside as that gorgeous cover.
Alice and Colt have known each other for years. He's her older brother's best friend and basically lived at Alice's house when she was a kid after her parents took him in.
Fast forward eight years, and Colt has been off serving in the Marines while Alice recently moved back to their hometown of Holly River after graduating from college. She has big dreams of opening a bookstore in the home she grew up in, but her parents expect her to move to Shreveport to work in the family business. She manages to get them to agree to give her a chance, and reluctantly, they do.
It's then that Colt shows back up in Holly River, and as soon as he hears what Alice is doing, he agrees to help her convert her home into the bookstore of her dreams.
While the two start off as just friends, picking back up from where they left off years ago, there's an instant spark and connection that becomes difficult to ignore.
Both Colt and Alice struggled to fit in when they were younger, and I loved seeing how they found safety, love, and a sense of home in each other. They both have their own baggage they need to deal with, and it just warmed my heart that they now get to do that together.
I also loved the found family Alice creates with her two best friends, Maggie and June. Those two are the best wing women you could hope for, consistently showing up for Alice and for each other. There is nothing better than a healthy, supportive female friendship. Every romance needs a Maggie and June!
I also didn't realize that fall vibes would be in full effect in this book! I didn't carve out any room on my TBR for fall romances, so this was a happy surprise! In addition to a swoony romance, we get a cute small town that goes all out with its holiday decorations to drive tourism, so naturally, I pictured the Texas version of Stars Hollow the whole time.
I think there was room for the author to explore some of the plot points a little more. So was the execution perfect? No. But for a vibes read, you couldn't ask for a better sweet and spicy romance to kick off the fall season.
I would definitely recommend this to any contemporary romance lover, and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series!
August 23, 2026
Rating~ 4.5 rounded up
I was obsessed with Colt and Alice’s story. Colt is best friends with Alice’s brother. He’s back in town just to sell his old home and can’t wait to leave Holly River in the rearview mirror… until he sees Alice again. As their paths keep crossing, Colt begins to realize that leaving town might not be as easy as he thought.
I really liked Alice’s character. I could appreciate how hard it was for her to make her own path in life and the vulnerability that comes with starting a new business. I loved the flashbacks to her letters with Colt. You could see their bond change over the years in such a beautiful way. Alice was always consistent, and I loved that for Colt.
Colt was such an emotional character. He has a troubled family life and experienced traumatic events during his time in the military. I could empathize with his feelings of self doubt. I absolutely loved his POV chapters. I can understand why he was cautious about crossing the line with his best friend’s little sister, but seriously, this man yearned in the best way!
The moments of intimacy were so hot! I was literally glued to this book! Colt was a starved man, and I was living for it!
The ending was a wild ride! At times, I felt so bad for them while also championing their successes. The last quarter of this book was straight fire!
Thank you to NetGalley and White Rock Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was obsessed with Colt and Alice’s story. Colt is best friends with Alice’s brother. He’s back in town just to sell his old home and can’t wait to leave Holly River in the rearview mirror… until he sees Alice again. As their paths keep crossing, Colt begins to realize that leaving town might not be as easy as he thought.
I really liked Alice’s character. I could appreciate how hard it was for her to make her own path in life and the vulnerability that comes with starting a new business. I loved the flashbacks to her letters with Colt. You could see their bond change over the years in such a beautiful way. Alice was always consistent, and I loved that for Colt.
Colt was such an emotional character. He has a troubled family life and experienced traumatic events during his time in the military. I could empathize with his feelings of self doubt. I absolutely loved his POV chapters. I can understand why he was cautious about crossing the line with his best friend’s little sister, but seriously, this man yearned in the best way!
The moments of intimacy were so hot! I was literally glued to this book! Colt was a starved man, and I was living for it!
The ending was a wild ride! At times, I felt so bad for them while also championing their successes. The last quarter of this book was straight fire!
Thank you to NetGalley and White Rock Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 25, 2026
Cozy small-town vibes, a charming bookstore, brother’s best friend, and a romance that feels inevitable. 📚🌊 Alice was easily my favorite part of this book. I loved watching her grow into herself, chase her dream of opening a bookstore, and learn to trust herself and her community. The friendships were just as lovely as the romance, and I flew through this in a day.
That said… I wanted the book to treat Colt’s mental health with the same care it treated Alice’s journey. I would have loved to see his healing come from therapy and the people around him alongside the romance, rather than feeling like love alone was enough. That kept this at a 3.5-star read for me, rounded up to 4. 💙
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said… I wanted the book to treat Colt’s mental health with the same care it treated Alice’s journey. I would have loved to see his healing come from therapy and the people around him alongside the romance, rather than feeling like love alone was enough. That kept this at a 3.5-star read for me, rounded up to 4. 💙
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2026
Lawd wat een eersteklas yearner, yee fucking haw🤠
June 23, 2026
ARC Review
Fallin’ Tides
Small Town
Brother’s Best Friend
Grumpy x Sunshine
Friends to Lovers
Military MMC
Fall Vibes
Fallin’ Tides is Tori Ford’s first adult novel but her years of writing experience [YA] were evident from the first page. I instantly fell in love with her writing style. It was so easy to get lost in Colt and Alice’s story.
“You always look at the world in perfect lighting, Alice. I envy that.”
I truly enjoyed every page of this book. I cheered for Alice and Colt individually long before cheering for their HEA. The flashbacks to their childhood added so much to the story and I could not stop reading. Tori does a wonderful job balancing cute and cozy while tackling some tougher topics.
If you are in the mood for a cozy small town, second chance romance with lovable characters and a chicken named Pickles, you should grab Fallin’ Tides when it releases 08.25.26
Huge thanks to Tori for allowing me to read an ARC of Fallin’ Tides.
Fallin’ Tides
Small Town
Brother’s Best Friend
Grumpy x Sunshine
Friends to Lovers
Military MMC
Fall Vibes
Fallin’ Tides is Tori Ford’s first adult novel but her years of writing experience [YA] were evident from the first page. I instantly fell in love with her writing style. It was so easy to get lost in Colt and Alice’s story.
“You always look at the world in perfect lighting, Alice. I envy that.”
I truly enjoyed every page of this book. I cheered for Alice and Colt individually long before cheering for their HEA. The flashbacks to their childhood added so much to the story and I could not stop reading. Tori does a wonderful job balancing cute and cozy while tackling some tougher topics.
If you are in the mood for a cozy small town, second chance romance with lovable characters and a chicken named Pickles, you should grab Fallin’ Tides when it releases 08.25.26
Huge thanks to Tori for allowing me to read an ARC of Fallin’ Tides.
Did Not Finish
August 5, 2026C’est malheureusement un DNF pour moi 🥲
J’ai trouvé que la romance allait BEAUCOUP trop vite, je n’ai pas su m’intéresser aux personnages. Je préfère les slow burn donc forcément, ça n’a pas matché avec moi …
Merci à NetGalley pour ce sp numérique 🫶🏻
J’ai trouvé que la romance allait BEAUCOUP trop vite, je n’ai pas su m’intéresser aux personnages. Je préfère les slow burn donc forcément, ça n’a pas matché avec moi …
Merci à NetGalley pour ce sp numérique 🫶🏻
July 28, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Tori Ford for the opportunity to read this ARC 🥰
God where do I even start?! I absolutely LOVED this book and I couldn't stop reading.
I'd like to start with saying that Alice is one strong woman, constantly looking for support and reassurance that she never fully gets and she still keeps going. Following her dreams and starting her own bookshop and, not without obstacles ofcourse, making a great success out of it.
Then there is Colt, her support, her rock, the one who constantly supports her throughout it all and making her believe in herself. And vice versa because without Alice there would not be this strong version of Colt because his life has absolutely not been the easiest.
Yeah these two are absolutely made for each other and they deserved their happy ending 🥰
Also... June, Dalton.....? 😏🤭 and... Maggie, Grant? Warren? 🤔 looks like I need to come back to Holly River.
God where do I even start?! I absolutely LOVED this book and I couldn't stop reading.
I'd like to start with saying that Alice is one strong woman, constantly looking for support and reassurance that she never fully gets and she still keeps going. Following her dreams and starting her own bookshop and, not without obstacles ofcourse, making a great success out of it.
Then there is Colt, her support, her rock, the one who constantly supports her throughout it all and making her believe in herself. And vice versa because without Alice there would not be this strong version of Colt because his life has absolutely not been the easiest.
Yeah these two are absolutely made for each other and they deserved their happy ending 🥰
Also... June, Dalton.....? 😏🤭 and... Maggie, Grant? Warren? 🤔 looks like I need to come back to Holly River.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 stars
Fallin' Tides had so many elements that I love—small-town charm, books in books !!!, and the brother's best friend trope. Holly River was an easy place to picture, and I enjoyed seeing Alice chase her dream of opening her own bookstore. The flashback chapters and letters added nice context to Alice and Colt's history and helped build their connection over the years.
That said, it didn't fully work for me. While I liked both Alice and Colt individually, I struggled to connect to the romance because of what I found to be a lack of communication between Alice and Colt, both explicitly and inexplicitly. I also found the pacing a little uneven. There were moments that dragged, and I was hoping for a stronger narrative from either or both of the main characters, especially regarding Alice's relationship with her parents. It felt like that storyline was building toward a bigger confrontation than what it ultimately was.
Overall, though, this is a sweet and comforting romance with a cute small-town setting and plenty of love to go around. I can definitely see readers who enjoy comforting romances love this one!
Thank you very much to NetGalley, Tori Ford, and White Rock Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Fallin' Tides had so many elements that I love—small-town charm, books in books !!!, and the brother's best friend trope. Holly River was an easy place to picture, and I enjoyed seeing Alice chase her dream of opening her own bookstore. The flashback chapters and letters added nice context to Alice and Colt's history and helped build their connection over the years.
That said, it didn't fully work for me. While I liked both Alice and Colt individually, I struggled to connect to the romance because of what I found to be a lack of communication between Alice and Colt, both explicitly and inexplicitly. I also found the pacing a little uneven. There were moments that dragged, and I was hoping for a stronger narrative from either or both of the main characters, especially regarding Alice's relationship with her parents. It felt like that storyline was building toward a bigger confrontation than what it ultimately was.
Overall, though, this is a sweet and comforting romance with a cute small-town setting and plenty of love to go around. I can definitely see readers who enjoy comforting romances love this one!
Thank you very much to NetGalley, Tori Ford, and White Rock Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've always loved a Forbidden Romance and Colt and Alice were a good time! The small town setting of Holly River was bringing all the vibes. I could not put this book down. Colt's "Eyes on me" and "Touch her and die" attitude had me in a choke hold. And you couldn't help but root for Alice to achieve her dreams. I can't wait for book 2. I'm hoping Maggie gets her man.
5 Stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
5 Stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 8, 2026
I was so looking forward to reading this book and it was a flop. Advertised as "Gilmore Girls meets The Notebook" yet didn't accomplish either of those. It accurately encompassed Small Town and Friends to Lovers. But so many others were missed:
Cowboy? Nope.
Western? Does going to a dive bar count? Nope.
Military fiction? It was just his job, not a part of the story.
Brother's best friend? The brother is there, but this is barely gone into.
Forced proximity? Where??
If this was marketed differently, i maybe would have gone in with different expectations. But to promote a book a certain way and then miss every single mark? Disappointing.
By the end of the book, I didn't feel strongly about any of the characters. There was no chemistry between the two main characters. I could see the set up for the next book, but also don't care too much about them. Warren, book 2's mmc, was a total jerk to Alice and to the next book's fmc, Maggie. It's one thing to portray a man with a chip on his shoulder, but he was just an ass.
It definitely should've been June and Dalton for book 2, so it's odd that Maggie and Warren are next.
There was a specific scene that drove me crazy:
I can't even remember the parts I did like because of just how much annoyed me. It was good enough not to DNF, but that's about the extent of my praise. Also a pretty cover! (note, the cowboy boots so it must be western right??)
Cowboy? Nope.
Western? Does going to a dive bar count? Nope.
Military fiction? It was just his job, not a part of the story.
Brother's best friend? The brother is there, but this is barely gone into.
Forced proximity? Where??
If this was marketed differently, i maybe would have gone in with different expectations. But to promote a book a certain way and then miss every single mark? Disappointing.
By the end of the book, I didn't feel strongly about any of the characters. There was no chemistry between the two main characters. I could see the set up for the next book, but also don't care too much about them. Warren, book 2's mmc, was a total jerk to Alice and to the next book's fmc, Maggie. It's one thing to portray a man with a chip on his shoulder, but he was just an ass.
It definitely should've been June and Dalton for book 2, so it's odd that Maggie and Warren are next.
There was a specific scene that drove me crazy:
I can't even remember the parts I did like because of just how much annoyed me. It was good enough not to DNF, but that's about the extent of my praise. Also a pretty cover! (note, the cowboy boots so it must be western right??)
August 23, 2026
Such a sweet and heartwarming read. And talk about the perfect fall vibes🧡
This one was dang cute!! A story of childhood friends turned lovers, with glorious tension and heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes.
The hand written letters between Colt and Alice were such a beautiful addition in this story. I loved that we got an extra glimpse into their minds while they were separated for & years. And the flashbacks? Tears… so many tears.
Alice’s character was a ray of sunshine and such an optimist. No matter the bad that might have happened in her life she only focused on the good. Her view of the world was a breath of fresh air. But she wasn’t without her flaws. She did a good job selling herself short and not believing in herself… until a grumpy soldier finally came home to remind her just how special she was.
Colt’s story broke my heart. He came from a messed up home that did a number on his self worth. He joined the military to find himself and create something that was his own. All the while he was gone he thought of HER. She was the light he needed to see through the dark days and her letters kept him going.
This was a slow burn but the journey to Colt & Alice finally giving into their chemistry was one of healing and big revelations. They kept choosing each other when others had continued to leave them behind.
If you’re looking for a sweet and cozy read as the weather starts to cool down this one would be PERFECT🧡
4⭐️1.5🌶️
This one was dang cute!! A story of childhood friends turned lovers, with glorious tension and heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes.
The hand written letters between Colt and Alice were such a beautiful addition in this story. I loved that we got an extra glimpse into their minds while they were separated for & years. And the flashbacks? Tears… so many tears.
Alice’s character was a ray of sunshine and such an optimist. No matter the bad that might have happened in her life she only focused on the good. Her view of the world was a breath of fresh air. But she wasn’t without her flaws. She did a good job selling herself short and not believing in herself… until a grumpy soldier finally came home to remind her just how special she was.
Colt’s story broke my heart. He came from a messed up home that did a number on his self worth. He joined the military to find himself and create something that was his own. All the while he was gone he thought of HER. She was the light he needed to see through the dark days and her letters kept him going.
This was a slow burn but the journey to Colt & Alice finally giving into their chemistry was one of healing and big revelations. They kept choosing each other when others had continued to leave them behind.
If you’re looking for a sweet and cozy read as the weather starts to cool down this one would be PERFECT🧡
4⭐️1.5🌶️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Tori Ford and White Rock Books for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🤍
Small-town fall vibes, a dream bookshop, brother’s best friend, years of history, AND letters sent while he was deployed??? Yeah, this had my name written all over it.
Fallin’ Tides was such a cute, cozy read, and there were definitely moments that made my heart hurt in the best way. I just wish it had gone a little deeper because there was SO much potential here to completely destroy me emotionally.
What I Loved
🌟 THE FALL VIBES. Holly River has that everyone-knows-everyone small-town energy, complete with festivals, local businesses, town gossip, and people showing up for each other when it matters. It gave me exactly the cozy autumn atmosphere I wanted.
🌟 Alice’s bookshop dream. Obviously I was going to eat this up. I loved watching Alice turn her childhood home into the bookshop she’d always dreamed about, but I loved even more what it represented. She was finally choosing her life instead of the one her parents wanted for her.
🌟 The letters between Alice and Colt. THESE GOT ME. Knowing Alice kept writing to him while he was away—even when he barely answered—and then finding out how much those letters actually meant to Colt??? My heart. They were such a simple but emotional way of showing that these two never completely disappeared from each other’s lives.
🌟 Colt being completely gone for Alice. This man came back to Holly River with enough emotional baggage to fill an airport and still immediately went, okay, but Alice is getting her bookstore. The way he believed in her dream and wanted to help make it happen was probably my favorite part of their romance.
🌟 Alice, Maggie, and June. I LOVED these girls together. Their banter, their loyalty, the way they showed up for Alice… honestly, their friendship was one of the strongest relationships in the entire book. And those little hints about possible future couples??? I see you. 👀
🌟 Their childhood history. I really appreciated that the flashbacks didn’t try to make Alice and Colt’s childhood relationship romantic. We got to understand why Colt mattered so much to her and why Alice became such a bright spot in his life without making their younger age gap uncomfortable.
Favorite Moments
🌟 Every single letter between Alice and Colt. 💌
🌟 Colt basically deciding that Alice WILL have her dream bookshop, end of discussion.
🌟 Alice finally standing up for the future she actually wants.
🌟 Maggie and June being exactly the kind of friends every girl deserves.
🌟 Colt paying Travis a little visit because… I supported his rights AND his wrongs in that moment. 🤭
🌟 The bookshelf ladder!!! Alice living out the book-girl dream for all of us.
🌟 All the little hints about the other Holly River characters because now I’m already trying to figure out everyone’s future books. 👀
Why It’s Not 5 Stars
This is where I struggled because Fallin’ Tides had all the ingredients for a romance that could have absolutely WRECKED me.
Alice and Colt have years of history. They grew up together. Then Colt left for the Marines and Alice kept sending him letters. Those letters became incredibly important to him while he was deployed, and years later he comes home carrying all this hurt and finds Alice grown up and fighting for her dream.
LIKE??? The material was RIGHT THERE. 😭
I just wanted more depth from it.
Especially with Colt. There are hints of so much pain surrounding his childhood, his time in the Marines, his mental health, and everything he experienced while he was away. I really wanted the story to spend more time with that side of him and show more of his healing outside of his relationship with Alice. There were moments where I could see how much he was struggling, but I never felt like we went quite deep enough for me to fully understand everything he was carrying.
I also wanted more letters!!!
For something that played such a huge role in keeping Alice and Colt connected, I expected them to be a much bigger part of the book. The ones we did get were some of my favorite moments because they showed who Alice and Colt were during all those missing years. More of them would have made their present-day romance hit SO much harder for me.
And that was probably my biggest issue with the romance overall. I liked Alice and Colt together, and I completely understood their history, but sometimes I felt like I was being asked to fall in love with them because of everything they used to mean to each other rather than because of what they were building now. I wanted a few more quiet, emotional moments between adult Alice and Colt that made me completely obsessed with them as a couple.
Also…
The “Kid” nickname.
Colt, I am begging you. 😭
When Alice was actually a kid? Totally fine. Once you are kissing her and doing very much NOT-kid-friendly activities with her???
Maybe we retire that one, sir.
It wasn’t enough to ruin the romance for me, but every time he said it after their relationship changed I was like PLEASE FIND ANOTHER PET NAME.
Basically, I wanted the emotional parts of this story to hurt more. The cozy side of the book was SO strong, but some of the heavier storylines stayed closer to the surface. With a little more depth, more letters, and more development of Alice and Colt’s present-day connection, this easily could have been a 4+ star read for me.
Final Thoughts
Fallin’ Tides was cute, cozy, a little cheesy, and completely covered in autumn vibes—and sometimes that is EXACTLY what I want. 🍂📚
You’ve got brother’s best friend, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, a military MMC who is completely gone for his girl, a book-loving FMC chasing her dream, years of yearning, amazing female friendships, and an entire town treating the Fall Festival like the event of the century.
Did I want more emotional depth? YES.
Did I still have a good time? Also yes.
And considering how many little crumbs we got about the rest of Holly River, I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.
Because Warren???
Yeah.
I already have my eye on you. 👀🤭
Small-town fall vibes, a dream bookshop, brother’s best friend, years of history, AND letters sent while he was deployed??? Yeah, this had my name written all over it.
Fallin’ Tides was such a cute, cozy read, and there were definitely moments that made my heart hurt in the best way. I just wish it had gone a little deeper because there was SO much potential here to completely destroy me emotionally.
What I Loved
🌟 THE FALL VIBES. Holly River has that everyone-knows-everyone small-town energy, complete with festivals, local businesses, town gossip, and people showing up for each other when it matters. It gave me exactly the cozy autumn atmosphere I wanted.
🌟 Alice’s bookshop dream. Obviously I was going to eat this up. I loved watching Alice turn her childhood home into the bookshop she’d always dreamed about, but I loved even more what it represented. She was finally choosing her life instead of the one her parents wanted for her.
🌟 The letters between Alice and Colt. THESE GOT ME. Knowing Alice kept writing to him while he was away—even when he barely answered—and then finding out how much those letters actually meant to Colt??? My heart. They were such a simple but emotional way of showing that these two never completely disappeared from each other’s lives.
🌟 Colt being completely gone for Alice. This man came back to Holly River with enough emotional baggage to fill an airport and still immediately went, okay, but Alice is getting her bookstore. The way he believed in her dream and wanted to help make it happen was probably my favorite part of their romance.
🌟 Alice, Maggie, and June. I LOVED these girls together. Their banter, their loyalty, the way they showed up for Alice… honestly, their friendship was one of the strongest relationships in the entire book. And those little hints about possible future couples??? I see you. 👀
🌟 Their childhood history. I really appreciated that the flashbacks didn’t try to make Alice and Colt’s childhood relationship romantic. We got to understand why Colt mattered so much to her and why Alice became such a bright spot in his life without making their younger age gap uncomfortable.
Favorite Moments
🌟 Every single letter between Alice and Colt. 💌
🌟 Colt basically deciding that Alice WILL have her dream bookshop, end of discussion.
🌟 Alice finally standing up for the future she actually wants.
🌟 Maggie and June being exactly the kind of friends every girl deserves.
🌟 Colt paying Travis a little visit because… I supported his rights AND his wrongs in that moment. 🤭
🌟 The bookshelf ladder!!! Alice living out the book-girl dream for all of us.
🌟 All the little hints about the other Holly River characters because now I’m already trying to figure out everyone’s future books. 👀
Why It’s Not 5 Stars
This is where I struggled because Fallin’ Tides had all the ingredients for a romance that could have absolutely WRECKED me.
Alice and Colt have years of history. They grew up together. Then Colt left for the Marines and Alice kept sending him letters. Those letters became incredibly important to him while he was deployed, and years later he comes home carrying all this hurt and finds Alice grown up and fighting for her dream.
LIKE??? The material was RIGHT THERE. 😭
I just wanted more depth from it.
Especially with Colt. There are hints of so much pain surrounding his childhood, his time in the Marines, his mental health, and everything he experienced while he was away. I really wanted the story to spend more time with that side of him and show more of his healing outside of his relationship with Alice. There were moments where I could see how much he was struggling, but I never felt like we went quite deep enough for me to fully understand everything he was carrying.
I also wanted more letters!!!
For something that played such a huge role in keeping Alice and Colt connected, I expected them to be a much bigger part of the book. The ones we did get were some of my favorite moments because they showed who Alice and Colt were during all those missing years. More of them would have made their present-day romance hit SO much harder for me.
And that was probably my biggest issue with the romance overall. I liked Alice and Colt together, and I completely understood their history, but sometimes I felt like I was being asked to fall in love with them because of everything they used to mean to each other rather than because of what they were building now. I wanted a few more quiet, emotional moments between adult Alice and Colt that made me completely obsessed with them as a couple.
Also…
The “Kid” nickname.
Colt, I am begging you. 😭
When Alice was actually a kid? Totally fine. Once you are kissing her and doing very much NOT-kid-friendly activities with her???
Maybe we retire that one, sir.
It wasn’t enough to ruin the romance for me, but every time he said it after their relationship changed I was like PLEASE FIND ANOTHER PET NAME.
Basically, I wanted the emotional parts of this story to hurt more. The cozy side of the book was SO strong, but some of the heavier storylines stayed closer to the surface. With a little more depth, more letters, and more development of Alice and Colt’s present-day connection, this easily could have been a 4+ star read for me.
Final Thoughts
Fallin’ Tides was cute, cozy, a little cheesy, and completely covered in autumn vibes—and sometimes that is EXACTLY what I want. 🍂📚
You’ve got brother’s best friend, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, a military MMC who is completely gone for his girl, a book-loving FMC chasing her dream, years of yearning, amazing female friendships, and an entire town treating the Fall Festival like the event of the century.
Did I want more emotional depth? YES.
Did I still have a good time? Also yes.
And considering how many little crumbs we got about the rest of Holly River, I’m definitely interested in continuing the series.
Because Warren???
Yeah.
I already have my eye on you. 👀🤭
July 25, 2026
Alice is back in Holly River with big hopes and dreams. She wants to turn her childhood home into a bookshop. Colt, her brother’s best friend whom she has known since she was 11 comes back into town after a stint in the marines. Both of them have changed, but their connection in adulthood is instant. Colt offers to help Alice get the bookshop up and running, and the rest is history.
Listen. I am not a small town lover. Books with small towns tend to be too cheesy for me or don’t hit the mark the way I’m hoping. I had resigned myself to think that that trope just was not for me.
Enter, Fallin’ Tides. I cannot put into words how much I loved this story. I am truly shocked that a small town finally won me over.
It was adorable and hot without being too much or cheesy. The characters, especially Alice and Colt were so lovable and loving and I rooted for them every step of the way. Their history and friendship was beautifully explored, and it made me even more invested in the two of them as adults.
The small town aspect was perfect. So many endearing side characters in Holly River, especially Frank who had me laughing out loud several times.
There’s humor, there’s heart, there’s sweet and sizzling romance. I loved every second.
Listen. I am not a small town lover. Books with small towns tend to be too cheesy for me or don’t hit the mark the way I’m hoping. I had resigned myself to think that that trope just was not for me.
Enter, Fallin’ Tides. I cannot put into words how much I loved this story. I am truly shocked that a small town finally won me over.
It was adorable and hot without being too much or cheesy. The characters, especially Alice and Colt were so lovable and loving and I rooted for them every step of the way. Their history and friendship was beautifully explored, and it made me even more invested in the two of them as adults.
The small town aspect was perfect. So many endearing side characters in Holly River, especially Frank who had me laughing out loud several times.
There’s humor, there’s heart, there’s sweet and sizzling romance. I loved every second.
July 23, 2026
Colt (27) returns to his small Texas hometown planning to sell his mom's house and leave again, while Alice (22) is determined to save her childhood home by turning it into the bookshop she's always dreamed of. Working side by side brings them closer than ever, and what starts as helping each other soon becomes something neither of them can ignore.
I really loved this one. The small town fall aesthetic was everything I wanted, and the bookshop storyline completely won me over. The characters felt real, and Colt's quiet yearning had my heart from start to finish. I also loved that this was about more than just the romance. It's about chasing a dream, finding the courage to build the life you want, and learning to believe you're worthy of it. The writing was beautiful, and there were so many lines I found myself rereading just because they were written so well. There's definitely spice, but it never overshadows the story, which I really appreciated.
Thank you Tori Ford and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Format: eBook 📖
I really loved this one. The small town fall aesthetic was everything I wanted, and the bookshop storyline completely won me over. The characters felt real, and Colt's quiet yearning had my heart from start to finish. I also loved that this was about more than just the romance. It's about chasing a dream, finding the courage to build the life you want, and learning to believe you're worthy of it. The writing was beautiful, and there were so many lines I found myself rereading just because they were written so well. There's definitely spice, but it never overshadows the story, which I really appreciated.
Thank you Tori Ford and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Format: eBook 📖
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