Library or Lattes?

Love in Oak Falls

by Lila Hazell

A cozy, swoony autumn romance with a Sliding Doors twist, perfect for readers of Jenny Han and Lynn Painter. Like Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice for this fall!

One season, two choices for love…

Willa’s small town is at its best in the fall. Think crisp air, golden leaves, bonfires, hayrides, and pumpkin spice. It’s cozy and comforting, pretty much perfect, but sometimes Willa wonders if she’s destined for more.

Then she’s left some money by a distant aunt, with one condition: It must be used to see the world. The rest of the book unfolds in alternating chapters where she makes one choice or another about this inheritance.

In one strand, Willa decides to study travel journalism, but she has to hit the books if she wants to be accepted into a program. That why she spends her weekends in the library, where Theo, a grumpy out-of-towner, also hangs out. He may think everything in this town is beneath him, but… there’s something irresistible about him when he smiles.

In the other strand, Willa begins planning a perfect round-the-world trip. Meanwhile, she’s working at her favorite coffee shop… where she suddenly gets a new boss, monosyllabic James, who’s back in his hometown to nurse a broken heart.

Each potential choice leads Willa to love, and the final chapter is classic happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 27, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah’s Literary World · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting that ending, and I found it very refreshing.

I really enjoyed Willa’s journey to finding herself. We follow two different choices that lead to two very different kinds of lives for her. It’s not your usual love triangle.. it’s two different paths, two different lives.

I have to admit, I loved one path more than the other. I feel like it made her personality shine. It felt like she was growing into an enhanced version of herself, and I really loved that for her.

I was Team James from the beginning. I mean, you know I’m a sucker for yearning, and that man did some PINING. Like… HE KEPT THE BASEBALL. Come on. 🥺

Theo brought out an interesting side of her, that’s for sure, but it felt like she was morphing into a different person, and at first, I didn’t really like where it was going. It definitely turned around, but I still wasn’t drawn into that storyline the same way I was with the ‘Lattes’ storyline.

I really loved the fall vibes, and trust me, after heatwave after heatwave, it was exactly what I needed. I could totally feel the Gilmore Girls touch here, and I loved every second of it.

If you love YA romance, love triangles, and fall vibes, this is definitely one for you!

Oh and I binged it in a few hours, definitely a page turner. Thank you so much Walker Books UK for the proof 🫶🏼

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Book Review✨

Best to know going into this book that each chapter is an alternate reality for Willa. It changes everything. At first, I thought Willa was two timing, but that wasn’t the case.

Once I understood the concept, I enjoyed the book much more.

Willa and Theo… Why do women fall for the grumpy man? I felt like I could understand his frustrations, and we can all be a little testy with people when we’re in a funk. That being said, I felt like Willa put up with more of that behavior than I personally would have in the beginning. After he started to warm up, he became the most endearing character to me. I loved that he supported her desire to travel, even though it meant she might leave him behind.

Willa and James… I had a hard time connecting with this pairing because Willa believed he was engaged for a large portion of their story. During that time, I kept thinking, what are you doing, sis?! He was also a bit of a grump, but I understood his reasons as well. His vulnerability towards the end of the book was more endearing to me. I also enjoyed his passion more as well.

It felt like Willa was determined to travel no matter what, and both men were falling for her. I enjoyed how each man handled the potential of her moving away. The tension was so real!

Willa is young, and some of her conflicts with her friends felt like normal growing pains. I thought Willa was in the wrong most of the time, but she did what she could to make things right. I’m glad everything worked out in the end. Making honest mistakes and trying to figure out life are part of growing up, and she deserved a little grace.

Overall, I liked the book. I enjoyed seeing the different realities and possibilities of what could have been. The fall setting was also so cozy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[RijaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for this ARC.
Publish Date: August 25, 2026

This book definitely put me in the fall mood. Oak Falls is the cutest little town, and I loved how much of the story centered around libraries, lattes, and that cozy small-town feeling.

That being said, the writing felt a little off for me. I don’t think the alternate realities were explained clearly enough early on, and by the end, they didn’t feel fully wrapped up. I also don’t think the alternate reality element was necessary. I would have loved to actually travel with Willa instead of her just talking about wanting to travel.

I also didn’t love either MMC. They both felt very hot and cold, and I never fully rooted for either of them. Lennie also frustrated me because she came across as really self-centered at times.

The main dilemma didn’t fully work for me either. Willa was given money to travel, and the writing program was only six weeks, or she could have just gone on vacation it’s not like she had to choose her home or traveling. The conflict felt like something that could have been solved pretty easily and was so not a factor.

Overall, I enjoyed the cozy aesthetic more than the actual plot. If you’re looking for a book that gives fall vibes, cute town energy, libraries, and lattes, I’d still recommend it. Even with my issues, I’m interested enough to pick up book two.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, @Netgalley, for this ARC copy.

0.5 🌶

Well, this was an entertaining read. I love these two possibilities, timeline A and timeline B, when our female lead (Willa) chooses one path or another. Timeline A is Willa who stays working at her part-time job at the local coffee shop, where her boss's son (and first kiss) starts working there as well. Second (timeline B) is where she quits her job to focus on the London writing program and uses her nights to stay in the local library where she meets a new guy, a brother of another local.

This book shows how decisions affect your future and relationships. Each timeline has a subplot and conflict. I did like the author didn't shy away from having Willa have consequences of her actions. Love her Bff, Lennie, as well. I love the ending.

But Willa is a senior in high school. And both men are around 21ish. So both male leads or interests are almost drinking age, whereas Willia is still a SENIOR in high school. Both men will have hot and cold moments with her, and it annoys the crap out of me. I will choose Theo (library hottie) as my perfer timeline as I like their relationship more, and they talked about their problems together better. I felt their relationship grew organically than forced proximity.

Overall, I love the concept of this book. I see potential in this author. Thank you for producing this book to read.

[Summer Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

.First of all the parts I enjoyed…. the friendship between Willa & Lennie and the relationship she had with her dad. Those parts were heartwarming. The concept of this book with the alternating paths for Willa isn’t for me. I would get into the story for one concept and then have to go directly to the next one. Back and forth it could get confusing. Out of the two love interests I think I’d pick James because I enjoy the grumpy/sunshine trope. I did have to dnf the book at 40% because I just couldn’t get into the alternate paths every other chapter. I know some will enjoy this and it is a cozy read with low spice. Grumpy/sunshine, small town romance, enemies to lovers, & forced proximity. I’d highly recommend this book to the younger generations. The cover of this book is adorable and what originally drew me in and I absolutely hate I was unable to finish it. Overall I give it 3 stars. Just because it wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean the writing or the banter wasn’t good. This author has great potential and I’d be interested in reading other books from her in the future.

Thank you to Pixel+Ink and NetGalley for the free digital review copy. As always, my reviews are honest and my own

[Cerberus Library]

A cute YA Autumn romance set in the US. Willa lives in the sleepy town of Oak falls where she gets an email saying her aunty has left her a small fortune to go travelling. This book jumps between the library and the coffee shop, two different locations with two different loves. One is her first kiss and she has history with and is now her boss the other is a boy who's from abroad who catches her eye in the library. Which is cool in theory but rather confusing to execute. I was constantly think if it was meant to be a love triangle?

I liked the small town and the slower burn but I was super confused for who Willa was going for like she's kissing 2 different people and is unsure about who she will choose. Oh and it's a fade to black which is nice.

But I found with jumping between the different locations with different people made me really disjointed from the story as one minute she's had a fight with her best friend and the next chapter she's made up only to go back and be fighting with her in the next chapter.

As this is a YA book, I'm probably not the ideal audience for this book but I can see a younger audience enjoying this book. Especially those who enjoy the summer I turned pretty but with the small town romance and Grumpy x Sunshine vibes.

[Laura B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Willa Taylor has been bequeathed $25,000 from her aunt with the stipulation that she must use the money to travel and see the world. She has until Thanksgiving to decide whether or not she will accept the money and where she will go if she does accept it. Cue the romance - Theo is visiting family and is not happy about it. That is, until he meets Willa and her sunny personality softens his hardened one. (Libraries) James, on the other hand, is returning to the town he grew up in after deciding to leave it for good. Will Willa be enough to make him change his mind and want to stay? (Lattes)

I’ll be honest, I couldn’t read this book cover to cover. It was too confusing to try and keep the stories straight, and, before I figured out that this was basically two short stories mixed together into one book, the story line kept contradicting itself. It wasn’t until I was about four or five chapters in that I figured out what was going on. From that point on, I read one story, skipping the chapters for the other, until it was finished, and I then went back and read the other story doing the same. It was only reading the book in this manner that I was finally able to follow each story. As such, basically, there are two short stories in this novel where all the characters are the same, except the male romantic lead. Both stories have the same premise, but Willa makes different choices in each to set her down the path of that particular story. Once I read the stories separately, I felt like I was reading a short story, or two, instead of a novel. Like a short story, the plot for each scenario felt thin and the characters felt like they needed more development. I also felt like a romance between a 20 - 21 year old male and a high school senior was unrealistic. Both MMCs were much more worldly and mature than Willa, and to be honest, both relationships felt wrong to me. If you put all of that aside, the stories themselves were fine as short stories. I just felt disappointed because it was not what I had gone in expecting.

2 Stars Ages 15+ One non-graphic sex scene in each “story”, underage drinking

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It actually took me a while to realize this book was playing with two different timelines — one where Willa spends her days in the library, and another where she chooses to keep working at the coffee shop.
Each choice leads her down a totally different path, with its own conflicts and love interest.

It’s a pretty unique way to tell a story, showing how small decisions can change the future. But honestly, I wish that had been explained upfront, because in the first few chapters I was so confused.
For a moment I thought Willa was two timing between two guys, which didn’t make sense at all until I figured out the timeline split.

If you read it focusing on just one thread (like sticking to the library chapters first), it’s actually a fun little story. I really enjoyed the small town setting and the cozy autumn vibes — perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cup of tea!

I received a review copy through netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the publisher!

[Mrs. Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa loves fall. Not only does she love the decorations … she loves the smells and activities. When she discovers that her aunt left her $25,000 to travel the world, she is faced with some unexpected choices. Each chapter alternates with a different choice. Library has Willa choosing to study for a chance to spend a year in London studying journalism. Lattes has Willa struggling with the choice and working in a coffee shop. Each strand comes with its own romance, too.

Library or Lattes? is a stand-alone realistic fiction story that is told with a twist. I wanted to love this story, but there are too many incongruities. I understand the chapters telling a different version of the story, but within a chapter, there were timing issues that added to the confusion. Library or Lattes? was fun to read, but it will not satisfy all readers.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa has lived all her life in her small town, but with her aunt leaves her a bequest that she must use for traveling, her life could take 2 different options. In one option, Willa prepares for a class in Londan and in the other, she plans to stay in Oak Falls. The stories alternate with the two different stories weaving around each bother both in parallel and different.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It wasn't my favorite since I felt like the plot was contrived. There's no stipulation that Willa has to use the money immediate, just that she has to have a plan. I cannot fathom why you would turn this down. It doesn't inherently mean she will be leaving her father behind for long. It just doesn't make sense to me. So, I think the beginning of the book was 2 stars and the end was 3. I'll round to 3.

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. It was great especially the part where there was a love triangle trope. It can always be hard for me to like these types of books because I always like the FMC being paired with the best MMC, but in this story it was hard to choose. I liked both James and Theo especially when each of the character's progressed in development. Then there was also a matter of whether Willa would leave the town and travel or if she would stay and let go of the inheritance from her Aunt. I liked how this story kept me reading until the end! I recommend this book to those who like small town romances, the classic love triangle trope, and those who like cozy young adult books.


Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy to review!

[Kelly Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book! I love anything cosy and autumnal and who doesn't love a lil love triangle! But this one didn't land for me.

I didn't realise it straight away, but the story splits into two. So, there is two chapters for each chapter (One in the Library and one in the Latte/Coffee Shop. (If that makes sense). It took me a moment for it to click!

Now, I am sure I am not the target audience for this as I am certainly not YA, but I really enjoy some YA stories. So, I thought this may be one of the ones I love.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNF'ing this one as it just all felt a bit disconnected. I really loved the idea of the two stories, but I am just not sure the execution worked.

Thank you to the author, Walker Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

[Haley’s haven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that one of these stars is just for the cover. Which I think is the only good thing about this book.
I requested this book based on cover alone and I totally regret it. The writing was horrible. I knew from gh first page I was going to hate this book. And the story was way too fast paced in some areas and then really slow in others. It was just really choppy storytelling. It read a lot like a first draft. The story wasn’t no where near as good as I thought it was going to be and it read like a thirteen year old wrote it. Suffice it to say I will never again read another book by this author. And I absolutely do not recommend it!
2 stars ⭐️

[MISS RACHEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 with an acknowledgment that I’m far from the target audience!

Willa lives in Oak Falls, a small town where everyone knows everyone… and their business.

There’s the coffee shop where she works, the library where she studies, her best friend Lennie and her dad.

Then she receives a letter to say her aunt has left her $25,000 that can only be used for travel away from Oak Falls.

As Willa grapples with what to do, two storylines unfold. Think Sliding Doors. Each with a ‘leading man’ and a lot of ‘will they, won’t they?’

A sweet, autumnal, small town, clean teen romance that will appeal to many of my pupils.

[Grace Rymer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book sounded really cute and cosy. To be honest I got a little confused because I didn’t realise the book split in two after the first chapter and was wondering why in one chapter Willa received a letter and then in the next chapter was saying she wished she’d received that letter. I didn’t mind either MMC and if I had to choose one I’d pick Theo but I did think it was a bit off that they were both 20-21 and Willa was still in high school. It was a fairly cosy autumnal read but I wouldn’t read again.

[Faiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time understanding this book. Specially Willa. She did some things which made me angry but later when she tried her best to amend what she did was good to see. Theo was my fav if I had to choose someone. James was a again a bit hard for me understand.

Overall I quite liked this book

[Caren Bertrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the DRC!

This was a very simple, quick, and cozy read. I could see the little, cute town it was set in and I did like going between where her life would end up with each decision. Both MMCs fit with her life, but I was not rooting for one over the other. The characterization was okay. I didn't feel much growth other than being able to leave the town and come home.

But, if you want a cozy fall-esque read that feels like a Lifetime movie, it works!

[Cátia Vieira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC .

I love coffee and i love books so i NEEDED to read this book!!

A romantic YA with the enfasis in self love and the importance to get to know yourself...we can live a happy live with remorse if we just listening to what your heart want .

Nice and addicting book . Congrats

[JJ.bennet_1813 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for granting me an e-arc of this book to read and review.

First of all, the cover of this book is so pretty, and the concept of this book was interesting, however, in execution, the constant switching to different plotlines but with the same characters kept giving me whiplash. It was easy to read, and short, and all the drama kept me reading, but the characters and the drama got quite annoying. The romance plotlines in both versions of the story went way too fast, especially in the lattes version, but then there was a lot of annoying drama between them. I didn't love either of the guys, though they both had some good traits and some bad traits. I also wish it was a little cleaner, it didn't quite feel like it was ya, more upper ya/new adult almost. The friendship drama was also annoying, and the main character was too. Also, after all that, the ending was also annoying. It was predictable, but it made the whole story feel kind of useless and pointless.

Overall, it was a quick read, and it kept my attention, but mostly for the wrong reasons. This book annoyed me a lot, and I mostly just kept reading because I needed to see the drama resolved.

[Jenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Walker Books for the arc!

Most of my favourite romance books are YA and I loved the sound of this so much particularly with the setting and it being based on my favourite season but unfortunately I had to DNF this super early on. I wasn’t a fan of the characters especially Lennie (the main characters best friend) I found her so immature and annoying and really didn’t like the whole scene with the tourists as in my opinion it was really off putting and rude. The characters just in general all annoyed me and I didn’t warm to anyone. It also felt more NA or at the very least upper YA, in the first chapter alone it was mentioned that a character reads ‘spicy books’ which just felt an unnecessary thing to include especially considering the audience could be young and therefore the reference didn’t feel necessary. As I DNF I can’t say for certain whether it gets more NA throughout. Overall this just wasn’t for me.