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Love Is for the Birds
Aspen won't put down roots, and Mia is afraid to fly.
By-the-book Mia has every moment of her life laid out in glittery color-coded ink. Her world is neat and tidy, and she knows exactly what she wants. The one thing she can’t seem to keep organized is her travel-happy lifelong friend. Aspen—restless and endlessly chasing the next adventure—is building his career as a nature photographer, and spends his days anywhere but home. Each goodbye is chipping away at something Mia can’t quite put her finger on.
When Aspen announces he’s leaving on his longest assignment yet, Mia realizes she’s tired of waiting for a someday that never seems to arrive; tired of post cards, phone calls with bad reception, and emails in the place of real connection. When she decides it’s time to call it quits, a desperate Aspen tells one small lie: one that lands him an invitation to Mia’s family lake cabin for the week.
The catch? Everyone thinks they’re dating.
Now, surrounded by family, cozy bonfires, and a lake cabin that holds memories around each corner, Aspen and Mia must pretend their love story is more than fiction. With Aspen’s departure looming and Mia’s patience stretched to its breaking point, they have one week to figure out the real reason hurts so deeply to let go.
Because pretending to be in love seems easy, until real feelings get involved.
By-the-book Mia has every moment of her life laid out in glittery color-coded ink. Her world is neat and tidy, and she knows exactly what she wants. The one thing she can’t seem to keep organized is her travel-happy lifelong friend. Aspen—restless and endlessly chasing the next adventure—is building his career as a nature photographer, and spends his days anywhere but home. Each goodbye is chipping away at something Mia can’t quite put her finger on.
When Aspen announces he’s leaving on his longest assignment yet, Mia realizes she’s tired of waiting for a someday that never seems to arrive; tired of post cards, phone calls with bad reception, and emails in the place of real connection. When she decides it’s time to call it quits, a desperate Aspen tells one small lie: one that lands him an invitation to Mia’s family lake cabin for the week.
The catch? Everyone thinks they’re dating.
Now, surrounded by family, cozy bonfires, and a lake cabin that holds memories around each corner, Aspen and Mia must pretend their love story is more than fiction. With Aspen’s departure looming and Mia’s patience stretched to its breaking point, they have one week to figure out the real reason hurts so deeply to let go.
Because pretending to be in love seems easy, until real feelings get involved.
348 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2026
About the author
Halli M. Castro
3 books23 followersHalli M. Castro is a contemporary romance author, known for titles "Ocean of Sun" and upcoming "Love Is for the Birds."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 3, 2026
“Weddings are my favorite event to plan, and they hurt, deep in my chest. And they make me picture Aspen Carter, late 90’s bowl cut blowing in the wind as he proposed to me with a Ring Pop and a dandelion chain all those years ago.”
🐦⬛🌼🌲🍊🛶🎷🌧️🏕️📸✈️🩷
Love is for the Birds felt like such a nostalgic story for me. I’m not sure what it was - just that it resonated with me in a sweet way.
Aspen and Mia are so clearly meant to be. I loved their childhood friends to lovers story. While there were times I wanted to see a bit more growth from Mia’s character instead of it being all on Aspen, I appreciated the character development and honesty shared between the two MCs. There was some miscommunication included in the story, which typically isn’t my cup of tea, but it was short-lived and made sense in this setting.
I enjoyed spending time with all of the characters. The Bennet family seem so sweet. I’d love to spend my summers with them at their Peregrine cabin! My favorite character, hands down, was sweet little Ethan. He absolutely stole the show!
I think at the end of the story, looking back, I would have appreciated some of the depth being a little more fleshed out and the ending a little less rushed. Something felt missing, though I can’t quite pin point what, which is why I’m landing on a 4-star rating instead of a 5.
But, don’t let that deter you! I really enjoyed my time spent with Mia, Aspen, and the family at Peregrine Lake. And I’ll definitely pick up more from this author.
If you like slow burn, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, sweet families, the great outdoors, birding, and laughing at kids who say the darndest things then I recommend checking out Halli’s book!
Content:
This is a clean romance (just kissing) with lots of yearning, but no lusting. No language. There is also asthma representation featured in the FMC.
Thank you so much Halli M. Castro for providing with me an advanced e-arc of Love is for the Birds in exchange for my honest review. 🫶
🐦⬛🌼🌲🍊🛶🎷🌧️🏕️📸✈️🩷
Love is for the Birds felt like such a nostalgic story for me. I’m not sure what it was - just that it resonated with me in a sweet way.
Aspen and Mia are so clearly meant to be. I loved their childhood friends to lovers story. While there were times I wanted to see a bit more growth from Mia’s character instead of it being all on Aspen, I appreciated the character development and honesty shared between the two MCs. There was some miscommunication included in the story, which typically isn’t my cup of tea, but it was short-lived and made sense in this setting.
I enjoyed spending time with all of the characters. The Bennet family seem so sweet. I’d love to spend my summers with them at their Peregrine cabin! My favorite character, hands down, was sweet little Ethan. He absolutely stole the show!
I think at the end of the story, looking back, I would have appreciated some of the depth being a little more fleshed out and the ending a little less rushed. Something felt missing, though I can’t quite pin point what, which is why I’m landing on a 4-star rating instead of a 5.
But, don’t let that deter you! I really enjoyed my time spent with Mia, Aspen, and the family at Peregrine Lake. And I’ll definitely pick up more from this author.
If you like slow burn, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, sweet families, the great outdoors, birding, and laughing at kids who say the darndest things then I recommend checking out Halli’s book!
Content:
This is a clean romance (just kissing) with lots of yearning, but no lusting. No language. There is also asthma representation featured in the FMC.
Thank you so much Halli M. Castro for providing with me an advanced e-arc of Love is for the Birds in exchange for my honest review. 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Hey,” I stop her as she starts to swim around me. “I’m proud of you. That was amazing. You’re amazing.”
Her glowing smile warms, dimming into something smaller, fonder.
“Yeah, well, maybe you’re showing me how to fly,” she says, then sticks her tongue out at me and swims off toward the shore, leaving me with my toes stuck in the mud and my heart thudding wildly in my chest.
So…I read this book all in one day. Yesterday.
I absolutely freaking LOVED IT.
I first found Halli’s debut Ocean of Sun and devoured that in 2 flights - I instantly fell in love with her writing style, characters, story craft, and how she presents Truth (God’s Truth) and faith in her stories. It’s not super overt, but it’s there in such an encouraging and comforting way. Like God’s whispers.
Love Is For the Birds was INCREDIBLE. The way that Castro crafts her characters is the best I’ve seen in any books I’ve ever read. Their humanity is so real that you can see yourself in them, and that’s not just the case with her main characters - it’s true for every character she writes, including minor side characters. Every presence on the page - characters, motifs/symbols, movie/song references, locations, and more - means something significant and comes full-circle; it’s genuinely incredible craft!!! Specifically for LIFTB: I saw it contained the fake dating trope and I internally sighed. I generally do NOT like this trope and find it exhausting and eye roll-worthy, but I LOVED the way Castro went about it. Like genuinely laugh-out-loud LOVED. She implemented it in a very clever and hilarious manner, and the pay off was WORTH IT. She used this trope to highlight truths + lies and how they impact the people around us, but mostly us, especially when we lie to ourselves about what we truly want. I found myself tearing up in multiple places, and resonated with many of the truths and messages she was communicating through Mia and Aspen’s struggles - fear of falling and fear of flying. Fear of staying and fear of leaving. Fear of losing control and fear of truly living.
Halli is 100% one of my favorite authors - if she writes it, I WILL read it. I am SO thankful I jumped on the ARC team!!
Her glowing smile warms, dimming into something smaller, fonder.
“Yeah, well, maybe you’re showing me how to fly,” she says, then sticks her tongue out at me and swims off toward the shore, leaving me with my toes stuck in the mud and my heart thudding wildly in my chest.
So…I read this book all in one day. Yesterday.
I absolutely freaking LOVED IT.
I first found Halli’s debut Ocean of Sun and devoured that in 2 flights - I instantly fell in love with her writing style, characters, story craft, and how she presents Truth (God’s Truth) and faith in her stories. It’s not super overt, but it’s there in such an encouraging and comforting way. Like God’s whispers.
Love Is For the Birds was INCREDIBLE. The way that Castro crafts her characters is the best I’ve seen in any books I’ve ever read. Their humanity is so real that you can see yourself in them, and that’s not just the case with her main characters - it’s true for every character she writes, including minor side characters. Every presence on the page - characters, motifs/symbols, movie/song references, locations, and more - means something significant and comes full-circle; it’s genuinely incredible craft!!! Specifically for LIFTB: I saw it contained the fake dating trope and I internally sighed. I generally do NOT like this trope and find it exhausting and eye roll-worthy, but I LOVED the way Castro went about it. Like genuinely laugh-out-loud LOVED. She implemented it in a very clever and hilarious manner, and the pay off was WORTH IT. She used this trope to highlight truths + lies and how they impact the people around us, but mostly us, especially when we lie to ourselves about what we truly want. I found myself tearing up in multiple places, and resonated with many of the truths and messages she was communicating through Mia and Aspen’s struggles - fear of falling and fear of flying. Fear of staying and fear of leaving. Fear of losing control and fear of truly living.
Halli is 100% one of my favorite authors - if she writes it, I WILL read it. I am SO thankful I jumped on the ARC team!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hi! Yes, you! Hello! 👋
Now that I have your attention, allow me to introduce to you two characters that have been rolling around in the back of my head for days now. DAYS. Just when I closed the book and thought my fangirling had come to an end, that’s when the real fangirling started. Mia and Aspen have consumed so many of my waking thoughts, and I’m not even mad about it. 🔥
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where there was a squeal-worthy line on nearly every page, but Halli has more than pulled that off in Love Is for the Birds. 🐦⬛ The chemistry between Mia and Aspen is unreal, and you can literally feel it in the air from their first interaction. You think you know how the characters feel and how the story is headed, only to have it dawn on you over time that you don’t have the full picture just yet. This is one of the most realistic depictions of a friends to lovers relationship that I’ve read in recent memory—the whole plot is believable to me and the characters are entirely relatable, even though I’ve never found myself in either of their situations. Are there miscommunications? Yes, but they were done so WELL. Miscommunication is a part of life, and there was nothing silly or frivolous about it in this book. I completely understand how both Mia and Aspen reached the point I found them at in this book, and love how they overcame their challenges. ❤️
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book before this one where literal email exchanges made me swoon, but there’s a first time for everything. 👀
I’m so blessed to have been given the opportunity to ARC read this gem, and if Halli wasn’t already a “she writes it, I’ll read it” author for me (check out my review on Ocean of Sun as well 😉), Love Is for the Birds would seal the deal.
Tropes:
🐦⬛ Childhood friends to lovers
🫐 YEARNING
🐦⬛ Slow burn
🫐 Fake dating
🐦⬛ He takes care of her
🫐 Friendship in crisis
🐦⬛ Really cool birds
🫐 He falls first (sort of, you’ll have to read it to see)
🐦⬛ Camping trip
Now that I have your attention, allow me to introduce to you two characters that have been rolling around in the back of my head for days now. DAYS. Just when I closed the book and thought my fangirling had come to an end, that’s when the real fangirling started. Mia and Aspen have consumed so many of my waking thoughts, and I’m not even mad about it. 🔥
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where there was a squeal-worthy line on nearly every page, but Halli has more than pulled that off in Love Is for the Birds. 🐦⬛ The chemistry between Mia and Aspen is unreal, and you can literally feel it in the air from their first interaction. You think you know how the characters feel and how the story is headed, only to have it dawn on you over time that you don’t have the full picture just yet. This is one of the most realistic depictions of a friends to lovers relationship that I’ve read in recent memory—the whole plot is believable to me and the characters are entirely relatable, even though I’ve never found myself in either of their situations. Are there miscommunications? Yes, but they were done so WELL. Miscommunication is a part of life, and there was nothing silly or frivolous about it in this book. I completely understand how both Mia and Aspen reached the point I found them at in this book, and love how they overcame their challenges. ❤️
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book before this one where literal email exchanges made me swoon, but there’s a first time for everything. 👀
I’m so blessed to have been given the opportunity to ARC read this gem, and if Halli wasn’t already a “she writes it, I’ll read it” author for me (check out my review on Ocean of Sun as well 😉), Love Is for the Birds would seal the deal.
Tropes:
🐦⬛ Childhood friends to lovers
🫐 YEARNING
🐦⬛ Slow burn
🫐 Fake dating
🐦⬛ He takes care of her
🫐 Friendship in crisis
🐦⬛ Really cool birds
🫐 He falls first (sort of, you’ll have to read it to see)
🐦⬛ Camping trip
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me from page 1!
I couldn't put it down if I wanted to. (Which led me to stay up way later than I should've to keep reading, but it was SO worth it).
The characters, the storyline, the setting. It was PERFECT.
This book had me laughing, gasping, holding my breath, and wanting to yell at the characters (in a good way). It had everything I wanted, plus some.
The characters are so well written that they feel real. I loved the dynamic between the MCs as well as the family dynamic created with the FMC's family. They were all so real. I loved the "side characters" just as much as the MCs. I seriously hope this becomes a series because there are some other characters who deserve their stories told as well. (and I will be here for every single one of them).
The storyline was believable, sweet, and told a deeper story/message. I really hope we see more of Mia and Aspen, even if it is just as supporting characters, because even if their story is over, I am not done with them.
I could honestly talk about this book for several more paragraphs, but the bottome line is: This book is AWESOME!
If you're interested, or even a little curious, do not hesitate to get your hands on a copy. It is worth it.
Between the
Lifelong best friends to more
Fake dating
Lake cabin setting
Slow-burn clean romance
Adorable banter
I truly believe anyone could enjoy this book.
I want to thank the amazing author, Halli M Castro, for allowing me to be part of her ARC team. This book was an absolute pleasure. I will be stalking your account, waiting for your next book to drop so I can get my hands on it.
I couldn't put it down if I wanted to. (Which led me to stay up way later than I should've to keep reading, but it was SO worth it).
The characters, the storyline, the setting. It was PERFECT.
This book had me laughing, gasping, holding my breath, and wanting to yell at the characters (in a good way). It had everything I wanted, plus some.
The characters are so well written that they feel real. I loved the dynamic between the MCs as well as the family dynamic created with the FMC's family. They were all so real. I loved the "side characters" just as much as the MCs. I seriously hope this becomes a series because there are some other characters who deserve their stories told as well. (and I will be here for every single one of them).
The storyline was believable, sweet, and told a deeper story/message. I really hope we see more of Mia and Aspen, even if it is just as supporting characters, because even if their story is over, I am not done with them.
I could honestly talk about this book for several more paragraphs, but the bottome line is: This book is AWESOME!
If you're interested, or even a little curious, do not hesitate to get your hands on a copy. It is worth it.
Between the
Lifelong best friends to more
Fake dating
Lake cabin setting
Slow-burn clean romance
Adorable banter
I truly believe anyone could enjoy this book.
I want to thank the amazing author, Halli M Castro, for allowing me to be part of her ARC team. This book was an absolute pleasure. I will be stalking your account, waiting for your next book to drop so I can get my hands on it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm still blown away by how this book stormed my heart. I genuinely felt a range of emotions (Laughed so many times my stomach hurt and gasped so loud my family heard it from across the house) I felt the insane chemistry between Aspen and Mia from the very first pages. There's witty banter, nicknames, inside jokes, and past stories that makes it evident the two of them have always had intwined lives. There's something about Aspen's character arc of traveling and never putting down roots that was so, so well written. I've read books with similar character arc's but this one felt natural, real, humane. I felt Mia's yearning on a guttural level (Cough* cue the tears). I resonated with Mia being fed up with Aspen's wayward traveling, it takes a lot of emotional turmoil to love someone from a distance- especially when you have limited communication and very little knowledge as to where they're at. The Bennett's are a cozy little family with totally unique personalities; it's exactly the kind of family that you can't help but fall in love with. For those of you that love Found Family you need to drop everything, this is your story! Moving this one to the top of my list for Best friends & Found Family!
Also, a moment for the cover. It's absolutely stunning :)
Mood: Humorous
Clean Romance
Also, a moment for the cover. It's absolutely stunning :)
Mood: Humorous
Clean Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story completely captivated me from the very beginning. The opening had me smiling immediately, and I absolutely loved the little emails between Aspen and Mia. Aspen had an older phone, so their back-and-forth messages felt incredibly charming and added such a unique touch to their relationship. It was one of those details that made the story feel so genuine and really made me want to keep reading.
If you’re looking for a sweet, closed-door romance, this one is such a gem. The slow burn is worth every page, and the childhood friends-to-lovers romance completely won me over. I honestly didn’t realize how much I needed to read more stories with this trope until now.
The close-knit family dynamic, cozy camping moments, and the way Aspen takes care of Mia made my heart melt. Their relationship develops with so much warmth and tenderness that it’s impossible not to root for them.
If you enjoy:
🤍 Childhood friends to lovers
🏕️ Camping vibes
🐢 Slow burn romance
🤍 Protective, caring MMC
👨👩👧 Close-knit family
✨ Sweet, heartfelt love story
🌸🌸Kisses only
🔒no spice
✨no language
…then you’ll definitely want to add this one to your TBR.
If you’re looking for a sweet, closed-door romance, this one is such a gem. The slow burn is worth every page, and the childhood friends-to-lovers romance completely won me over. I honestly didn’t realize how much I needed to read more stories with this trope until now.
The close-knit family dynamic, cozy camping moments, and the way Aspen takes care of Mia made my heart melt. Their relationship develops with so much warmth and tenderness that it’s impossible not to root for them.
If you enjoy:
🤍 Childhood friends to lovers
🏕️ Camping vibes
🐢 Slow burn romance
🤍 Protective, caring MMC
👨👩👧 Close-knit family
✨ Sweet, heartfelt love story
🌸🌸Kisses only
🔒no spice
✨no language
…then you’ll definitely want to add this one to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for a sweet, faith filled romance with cozy cabin vibes and a friends to lovers romance, this one is worth adding to your TBR🤍
It took me a little while to settle into the story, but once I did, I found it to be such a heartwarming read with characters that were easy to care about.
Personally, I would have loved a little more detail in the ending. I felt like a few things wrapped up a bit quickly, but it didn’t take away from the heart of the story.
One thing to note is that commitment issues play a significant role in the plot, so if that’s a trope you tend to avoid, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Ethan completely stole my heart🥹 He was such a precious addition to the story, and every scene with him made me smile.
And all of the Princess Bride references? Absolutely loved them✨
Overall, this was a sweet, cozy romance with heartfelt moments and a message that lingered long after I finished reading.
Tropes
🤍 Best Friends to Lovers
✨ Fake Dating
🤍 Slow Burn
✨ Faith Themes
🤍 Lake Cabin Setting
✨ Wildlife Photographer MMC
🌶️: Kisses Only
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
It took me a little while to settle into the story, but once I did, I found it to be such a heartwarming read with characters that were easy to care about.
Personally, I would have loved a little more detail in the ending. I felt like a few things wrapped up a bit quickly, but it didn’t take away from the heart of the story.
One thing to note is that commitment issues play a significant role in the plot, so if that’s a trope you tend to avoid, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Ethan completely stole my heart🥹 He was such a precious addition to the story, and every scene with him made me smile.
And all of the Princess Bride references? Absolutely loved them✨
Overall, this was a sweet, cozy romance with heartfelt moments and a message that lingered long after I finished reading.
Tropes
🤍 Best Friends to Lovers
✨ Fake Dating
🤍 Slow Burn
✨ Faith Themes
🤍 Lake Cabin Setting
✨ Wildlife Photographer MMC
🌶️: Kisses Only
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
I finished this book in one evening because I couldn’t put it down…
Mia and Aspen have been best friends for over 20 years, but it’s not until Aspen is faced with losing her friendship that he decides to go for what he wants… “I’m not letting you walk out of my life without a fight, Mia.”
Stuck pretending to be in a relationship during a family vacation, both of them have to rediscover what they truly want, in life and from each other.
It’s a beautiful story about second chances, discovering love, and blueberry pancake protocols! IYKYK!
I loved this story so much that I was even inspired to create some stickers for it!
Some of my fav. Quotes:
“No regrets means you haven’t tried anything.”
“Why did both of you climb through the window when it only takes one person to unlock the door?”
P.S. Thank you so much to the author, Halli M. Castro for trusting me with an advance copy of your book, it was the perfect start to my Summer reading list!!!!! 💜
Mia and Aspen have been best friends for over 20 years, but it’s not until Aspen is faced with losing her friendship that he decides to go for what he wants… “I’m not letting you walk out of my life without a fight, Mia.”
Stuck pretending to be in a relationship during a family vacation, both of them have to rediscover what they truly want, in life and from each other.
It’s a beautiful story about second chances, discovering love, and blueberry pancake protocols! IYKYK!
I loved this story so much that I was even inspired to create some stickers for it!
Some of my fav. Quotes:
“No regrets means you haven’t tried anything.”
“Why did both of you climb through the window when it only takes one person to unlock the door?”
P.S. Thank you so much to the author, Halli M. Castro for trusting me with an advance copy of your book, it was the perfect start to my Summer reading list!!!!! 💜
July 12, 2026
The emails at the beginning of the book were a fun way to introduce the friendship between Mia and Aspen. Their relationship was sweet, real, and strained by years of intermittent communication.
One of my favorite scenes was when they’re eating together, having an argument, but sharing food without even thinking about it. It was a beautiful way to show that their friendship had deep roots.
I loved the familiarity Aspen had with Mia’s family, but how he navigated his insecurities about showing up after so long. How sweet it was so see Aspen figure out what was really going on in his heart.
This book made me want to go hiking and take a yearly lake trip. Love Is for the Birds is a cute story about figuring out what you really want, what’s worth fighting for, and learning that sometimes a change might be exactly what you need.
I was given a complimentary copy of Love Is for the Birds. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content: Past death of a loved one, kisses only
One of my favorite scenes was when they’re eating together, having an argument, but sharing food without even thinking about it. It was a beautiful way to show that their friendship had deep roots.
I loved the familiarity Aspen had with Mia’s family, but how he navigated his insecurities about showing up after so long. How sweet it was so see Aspen figure out what was really going on in his heart.
This book made me want to go hiking and take a yearly lake trip. Love Is for the Birds is a cute story about figuring out what you really want, what’s worth fighting for, and learning that sometimes a change might be exactly what you need.
I was given a complimentary copy of Love Is for the Birds. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content: Past death of a loved one, kisses only
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love is for the Birds by Halli M. Castro is a story about discovery, reconciliation, and second-chances.
What does it feel like to have a someone be with you throughout your whole life, someone so in tune with you and your own likes and disklies. Someone so involved with who you are, and who you will be? This whole book was a written experience of nostalgia and reconnecting on another level.
The main characters though connected to each other, there is a giant rift seperating them, running from feelings, running from emotions, and running from memories. The characters were scared, the characters were flawed, and the characters were human. The banter was beautiful, the relationship complex and with depth. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that feels like a balm to your soul.
Thank you Halli M. Castro for the free book.
What does it feel like to have a someone be with you throughout your whole life, someone so in tune with you and your own likes and disklies. Someone so involved with who you are, and who you will be? This whole book was a written experience of nostalgia and reconnecting on another level.
The main characters though connected to each other, there is a giant rift seperating them, running from feelings, running from emotions, and running from memories. The characters were scared, the characters were flawed, and the characters were human. The banter was beautiful, the relationship complex and with depth. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that feels like a balm to your soul.
Thank you Halli M. Castro for the free book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I requested an ARC copy of this book and I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed it! As a Texas girl and lover of the Hill Country, I love that this book is set there. Mia and Aspen were great, the epitome of best friends to lovers. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, especially when they're trying to convince those closest to them, and Mia and Aspen most certainly had to do that. A sweet, feel-good story with a great cast of main and side characters!
Read if you like:
~ Friends-to-lovers
~ Fake Dating
~ Birds
~ No-Spice Romance
~ Outdoorsy settings
~ Getting caught in the rain on a hike
~ MCs who learn to overcome their fears
🪶💜✨📖🍊🌿
Read if you like:
~ Friends-to-lovers
~ Fake Dating
~ Birds
~ No-Spice Romance
~ Outdoorsy settings
~ Getting caught in the rain on a hike
~ MCs who learn to overcome their fears
🪶💜✨📖🍊🌿
July 13, 2026
This was a beautiful story with all the right feels. From the first chapter of an exchange of emails, I was fully immersed into the lives of our main characters, Mia and Aspen, and their journey of finding each other in the quest to find themselves.
Mia is a rather gentle FMC who craves love and her biggest dream is to be swept off her feet. I adored her cute personality and how organized she was with her planner. However I do think Aspen carried the whole story here. He had such a charming personality and I never felt the need to blame him for any of his issues.
I loved all the bird references in this book and how nature/woodsy it was. Lakeside cabins are the perfect setting for any romance, and this was one done so well!
I recommend this story to anyone who loves to read sweet romances and a setting mostly in the scenic outdoors <3
Mia is a rather gentle FMC who craves love and her biggest dream is to be swept off her feet. I adored her cute personality and how organized she was with her planner. However I do think Aspen carried the whole story here. He had such a charming personality and I never felt the need to blame him for any of his issues.
I loved all the bird references in this book and how nature/woodsy it was. Lakeside cabins are the perfect setting for any romance, and this was one done so well!
I recommend this story to anyone who loves to read sweet romances and a setting mostly in the scenic outdoors <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a delightful book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It also contained some of the most adorable quotes.
For instance, there’s this quote: “I married Aspen Carter at recess in kindergarten, and it marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship.”
Another memorable quote is: “Nobody hates Princess Bride,” said by Aspen.
I particularly love the relationship between Aspen and Mia. I couldn’t put the book down, eager to discover what happens next.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a heartwarming and entertaining read.
Thank you Halli for my ARC copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 rounded up
This was a sweet and light story. I loved that most of it takes place in the forest during the family trip. Mia and Aspen have been friends since kindergarten, and whenever they have moments together, there’s chemistry.
I’m not a fan of miscommunication/misunderstandings but in this case I didn’t mind. They ended up being a key factor for the MCs to finally be more honest between them.
* This is a closed-door romance with faith elements
* Thanks the author for this E-ARC opportunity. All the opinions expressed are purely my own.
This was a sweet and light story. I loved that most of it takes place in the forest during the family trip. Mia and Aspen have been friends since kindergarten, and whenever they have moments together, there’s chemistry.
I’m not a fan of miscommunication/misunderstandings but in this case I didn’t mind. They ended up being a key factor for the MCs to finally be more honest between them.
* This is a closed-door romance with faith elements
* Thanks the author for this E-ARC opportunity. All the opinions expressed are purely my own.
July 12, 2026
Books like this are why I love romcoms! I laughed, I loved the vacation on the lake, I loved the main characters and the extended characters and I loved the story. It made me feel; a little frustrated too, but done where I understood and was rooting for them. This is fantastic summer read or anytime you want to escape to the beach!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great friends to lovers book by Halli M. Castro. Mia and Aspen's story was really amazing. I loved the fun and swoony moments in this book. This was truly an amazing book.😊
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