Keeping it Local

Port St. Clair #1

by Christie Piper

Johnny has one don't date the locals.

Beth is only in town for the summer. Perfect, right?

He came to Port St. Clair to start over after his divorce, not to fall for anyone. She came to finally live for herself after years of putting everyone else first. She leaves before Labor Day.

A summer fling should be simple. No one gets hurt.

But the harder Johnny tries to keep it casual, the more Beth feels like home. And the more Beth falls for this town, the harder it gets to picture going back.

Then her past follows her here.

Johnny's been blindsided before. He knows exactly what it costs. Beth is done letting anyone else decide her life.

Summer is almost over. And one of them has to decide if this was ever just a fling.

Join your friends in Port St. Clair! Perfect for anyone who loves a spicy small-town beach romance with a lot of heart, a summer fling, forced proximity, found family, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2026

About the author

Christie Piper writes spicy small-town romance for women who read in stolen moments and deserve every one of them. Her Port St. Clair series is set in a fictional beach town on Lake Huron, inspired by beach towns all over Michigan, and every book delivers found family, big feelings, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

A lifelong reader, Christie writes around a full-time job and two young kids, often dictating chapters from the car. She lives in Michigan with her family and would rather be on a boat.

Find her books and a free Port St. Clair novella at christiepiper.com.

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟 | 3🌶️

This was such a cozy, feel-good summer romance and an incredibly easy book to settle into.

Port St. Clair felt so vivid and welcoming that I could easily picture myself spending a summer there. I also loved how much personality the town and its community had.

Beth and Johnny were such an enjoyable pair. Beth’s struggle between pursuing her own dreams and feeling responsible for her family felt especially relatable, while Johnny completely won me over with his softer, vulnerable side. Their chemistry and banter felt natural, and I loved watching their relationship slowly become something more.

Overall, this was a fun, comforting read with great chemistry, plenty of spice, and the kind of small-town atmosphere I was craving. A few moments felt a little familiar, but they still fit the cozy tone of the story.

I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time in Port St. Clair.

~~~~

A huge thank you to the author, Christie Piper, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Emma Thelen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. I loved this book so much. As someone who is from Michigan it was nice to read a book that takes place in a setting that I’m familiar with. It was cool to read about not only the relationship between the characters but also their business adventures. Beth and Johnny were both very like able characters and I felt really invested in their story as I was reading the book. Overall this book was a very easy read and I loved every part of the story. After I finished this book I immediately pre ordered the next one.

[Kayla Stoneburner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

As a Michigan girl, I knew I was going to appreciate the setting, but I didn’t expect the story to feel quite so relatable. Farm-raised kids are often expected to take over the family farm or at least play some part in it. I’ve also seen similar expectations in my own family, with my uncle following in my grandpa’s footsteps at GM. Beth and Johnny’s internal struggles with those expectations felt honest and will likely resonate with many readers, even outside of Michigan.

Their chemistry felt natural because neither of them was expecting it, and they were both so different from the people they had dated before. I also loved that we were given both perspectives equally. Seeing each character’s internal thoughts allowed me to understand and connect with both of them. The spice was amazing and intentionally spread throughout the story in a way that really worked.

There were a couple of moments that felt slightly predictable or a little corny, but honestly, I didn’t mind. As someone who is always ready for more drama, I probably could have handled a little extra—but I never felt like the story was actually missing anything. The concept was great, the pacing stayed strong throughout the entire book, and I hope the rest of the series keeps this same vibe.

This was such a refreshing palate cleanser from my usual fantasy, romantasy, and thriller reads. I’m also a sucker for a good romance, and this gave me exactly the kind of enjoyable escape I needed. I’m already anxiously waiting for book two!

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4/5 stars

[Erica Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read! I love a small town romance and Port St Clair sounds like a place I want to visit! Beth and Johnny were fun characters but they did seem a little immature at times and I wanted more from their connection. Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Line Schou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced readers copy

a really good and perfect summer romance. love the way that Beth develops and the found family element there is. If you like authors like Elsie Silver or Layla Sage, this is a book for you.❤️

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute small town romance book. Since I’m a Michigander, I love the small town Michigan setting. The characters, Johnny and Beth, have such great chemistry that makes you want to keep reading.
The book has its spicy moments but it doesn’t overtake the story.
I can’t believe this is Christie Pipers FIRST book! Im looking forward to reading more from books written by her.
Enjoy this easy to read small town romance.

[Jacquie Lingurovski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! 3.5 stars…this is a cute story of finding yourself in life and finding love in the process. Beth works for the family farm in one town but needs a break to find herself, leading her to Johnny - who had a bad divorce a few years prior.

I liked the idea, it was sweet. But for me, I think the novel tried too hard to be a “typical” romcom. It had stereotypical storylines, cringy spicy scene descriptions, and I just felt that it was like all the other books I’ve read. If you have not read a lot of romcoms, it’ll be a great read because you won’t have heard the same type of story over and over again.

[Taya Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

If you’re wanting a a cozy quick read this is it! Being from a small-ish town myself, the concept of ‘keeping it local’ resonated with me. You can’t go wrong with a little beach town.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️🫐 The Summer Fling That Broke All His Rules 🫐☀️
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Chili Peppers

Keeping It Local was exactly the kind of cozy, feel-good summer romance I was craving. This was such an easy book to settle into, and before long, I felt like I had packed my bags right alongside Beth and was spending the summer in Port St. Clair.

And honestly? I wouldn't mind staying awhile. ☀️🌊

Beth comes to Port St. Clair needing a little breathing room from her life back home. She's a small-town farm girl taking business classes and trying to figure out how she can help expand her parents' farm, but underneath that is a bigger question. How much of her future should be based on what her family needs, and how much should be about what Beth actually wants?

I really enjoyed that part of her journey. Beth loves her family and the farm, but she's also beginning to discover that wanting something for herself doesn't mean she's abandoning either one. Watching her grow throughout the summer and find a community of her own in Port St. Clair was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Then there's Johnny.

Divorced. Guarded. Starting over. And living by one very important rule:

Don't get involved with locals.

Enter Beth, who isn't technically a local because she's only staying for the summer.

Oh Johnny. You really thought you found yourself a loophole, didn't you? 😂

A casual summer fling sounds perfect. Beth eventually has to go home, Johnny doesn't have to risk his heart again, and nobody gets hurt.

We all know how well that plan usually works in a romance novel. 😂

I really enjoyed Beth and Johnny together. Their banter was playful and flirty, their chemistry felt natural from the beginning, and I loved watching their supposedly temporary relationship gradually become something neither one was prepared for.

Johnny especially won me over as we got underneath his guarded exterior. At first he has a bit of that grumpy, emotionally unavailable energy, but there's such a soft and vulnerable man hiding underneath it. He might have convinced himself he's finished risking his heart after his divorce, but his actions around Beth tell an entirely different story.

And when this man falls? That softer side starts showing itself everywhere. ❤️

Pairing Beth and Johnny together for the Blueberry Festival was such a fun addition because it gave them even more reasons to be around each other. Between working on the festival, Johnny showing Beth around town, and the two of them constantly crossing paths, their casual arrangement starts feeling less and less casual.

And let's just say the chemistry doesn't stay at the flirting stage. 👀🌶️

The heat builds right along with their relationship, and there are plenty of steamy moments as these two get closer. I liked that the physical attraction was obvious from the beginning, but the emotional connection developed underneath it until their summer fling became something neither of them could easily walk away from.

I also absolutely loved the atmosphere Christie Piper created around Port St. Clair. The town has so much personality, and the friendships and found-family moments gave the story that comforting small-town feeling I love. It felt less like a backdrop and more like a community I was actually getting to know alongside Beth.

There were a few moments where the conflict felt familiar, particularly with Johnny's fear of trusting another relationship and the constant reminder that Beth's time in Port St. Clair has an expiration date. But honestly, it still worked with the cozy, comforting tone of the story and didn't stop me from enjoying their journey.

This isn't a romance I needed to emotionally recover from when I finished it. It's the kind I wanted to curl up with, relax, and simply enjoy.

Keeping It Local gave me a sweet summer fling that became something more, a heroine figuring out what she wants from her future, a guarded divorced hero with a surprisingly soft center, great banter, plenty of spice, found family, and a small beach town I already want to visit again.

Basically, give me a beach chair, something cold to drink, and another ticket to Port St. Clair. ☀️🌊📚

And after meeting this group, I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time with them. I'm especially curious to see what Megan's story brings next!

Thank you to Christie Piper and BookSirens for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping It Local has a really sweet premise and, at its core, a genuinely cozy story. It has that comforting small-town romance feeling, almost like a slightly more grown-up Hallmark story, with a summer fling that isn't supposed to become anything more, family ties, new beginnings and two people trying to figure out what they actually want from their lives.

I especially liked that Johnny was allowed to have some emotional depth. His past relationship has genuinely affected him, and underneath the attraction and flirting there is a softer and more vulnerable side to him. I enjoyed seeing a male main character who actually feels things deeply and isn't afraid of wanting something meaningful. Beth's struggle between the life she has always assumed she would return to and the possibility of choosing something for herself also gave the story a lovely foundation.

My biggest issue was the pacing, particularly in the first half. Beth and Johnny's relationship develops very quickly, but I didn't feel like I got enough time with them to fully understand why their feelings became so strong. We are often told that they talked for hours, spent time together, or grew closer, rather than actually getting to experience those conversations and smaller moments with them. Because of that, I understood that they were falling for each other, but I never quite got the chance to fall for them alongside them.

That was probably my biggest frustration because I genuinely wanted more of them. Both characters had enough going on beneath the surface that I would happily have spent more time getting to know them, especially Johnny's more vulnerable side and Beth's thoughts about her family, future and the life she thought she wanted.

Interestingly, the intimate scenes are some of the most detailed scenes in the book. They are well written and do a good job of showing the chemistry and communication between Beth and Johnny. I just wish some of that same space and detail had been given to their emotional connection outside of the bedroom.

The second half felt noticeably stronger to me. The writing became clearer, the emotional conversations had more room to breathe, and I finally started to feel like I was getting to know the characters rather than simply being told about their relationship. There are some genuinely sweet moments between them toward the end, and I really enjoyed seeing Johnny's feelings and vulnerability come through more clearly. I would have loved to have more of that from the beginning.

There were also several moments where I had trouble visualizing the characters physically within a scene. Their positions or movements would sometimes change without enough description, leaving me trying to work out whether they were sitting, standing or lying down and how they were positioned in relation to each other. It happened often enough that it occasionally pulled me out of the story.

Overall, Keeping It Local is a sweet, cozy and steamy romance with a lovely core story and two characters I genuinely wanted to spend more time with. For me, it simply needed more room to breathe. By the time Beth and Johnny's relationship started to feel fully developed, the book was almost over, and I was left wishing I had been given more time to fall in love with them too.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was pure joy to read it and be a part of the journey!

[Cassie Kamphuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: Keeping It Local (Port St. Clair #1)
Author: Christie Piper
Tropes: Small Town, Summer Romance, Golden Retriever MMC, Fish Out of Water FMC, He Falls First, Forbidden Rules, Found Family, Second Chance at Love
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Gifted copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

🤩 The Vibe: Sun-soaked, charming, and warmer than a Michigan summer on the water.

Port St. Clair is the kind of small beach town that immediately makes you want to pack a bag and find a rental. A local bar, a blueberry festival, a close-knit community that takes care of its own — and two people with very good reasons to keep things casual who absolutely cannot pull it off. This is a feel-good summer romance with more depth than it lets on, and the town itself feels like its own character from the very first page.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Main Characters:

Beth A farm girl from a small Michigan town who comes to Port St. Clair for business classes and a fresh start — and ends up finding a whole lot more. What I loved most about Beth is watching her work through the tension between who she's expected to be and who she actually wants to become. That internal battle felt so real, and her growth throughout this book was genuinely satisfying to watch.

Johnny A golden retriever in a grumpy disguise. He moved to Port St. Clair after his divorce with one rule: no getting involved with locals. He absolutely breaks it. Watching him slowly let his walls down, become the person Beth needed, and grow into someone who could trust love again was such a good arc. He's the kind of MMC who makes you root for him even when he's getting in his own way.

💕 What I Loved:

The emotional depth — this one had so much more beneath the surface than I expected going in
Beth's growth arc — watching her choose herself without abandoning the people she loves was really well done
Johnny's journey from closed-off to fully all-in — and how earned that shift felt
The found family energy of Port St. Clair — this town wraps around its people and you feel it
Both characters growing separately AND together — their individual arcs didn't disappear just because they fell in love
The side characters being so well set up — I am already invested in the next books
The spice being woven throughout naturally rather than dropped in all at once
As a Michigan girl — the setting hit extra different 🖤

🩵 What Didn't Work For Me:

The central conflict (Johnny's walls + Beth's temporary timeline) does get repeated a fair amount in the middle stretch — I was ready for them to just talk it out a little sooner
The third act conflict resolution wasn't my favorite, I felt like Johnny need to be more forward about it initially

Minor things that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.

🤔 Final Thoughts:

A debut that seriously delivered — and set up a series I am fully here for.

Keeping It Local surprised me with how much heart it had. Christie Piper built a world that feels lived-in and real, with characters who grow in ways that actually matter, and a love story that earns its happy ending. Beth and Johnny aren't perfect — they're stubborn and scared and sometimes frustrating — and that's exactly what made me invested. The fact that this is a debut makes it even more impressive. Port St. Clair is a place I'll be coming back to.

If you love:

Small town beach romances with real emotional depth
Golden retriever heroes with hidden layers
Heroines learning to choose themselves
Found family series with a community that feels like home

🎧 Swift Song Pairing: Mine — two people who kept their hearts guarded until one summer changed everything.

[Julie Fortner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me a small-town romance set in **MICHIGAN**, and you already have my attention. Add in a summer fling, found family, amazing chemistry, some spice, and two people who definitely weren’t planning on falling in love… and I’m SOLD. 💙🌊

I absolutely loved Beth and Johnny!

Beth’s story really hit home for me. She loves her family deeply and feels this enormous responsibility to help keep the family farm going, but at the same time, she’s starting to realize that it’s okay to want something for herself too. I loved watching her figure out the difference between living the life everyone expects from you and choosing the life that actually makes you happy.

And JOHNNY. 😍 A man who has been hurt, has walls firmly in place, and has absolutely no intention of getting into another serious relationship. Sure, Johnny. We believe you. 😂

The chemistry between these two was there from the beginning, and I loved their banter, their friendship, and watching their “this is only temporary” arrangement become a whole lot less temporary. And yes—the spice was SPICING. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

But one of my favorite parts was Port St. Clair itself. Being a Michigan girl, I loved all the Michigan touches throughout the story. Christie Piper captured that small Michigan lake-town feeling so well that I wanted to pack a bag and spend the rest of summer there.

This was such a fun, easy, feel-good romance with family expectations, second chances, friendship, finding where you belong, and choosing your own happiness.

And knowing this is only **Book 1** makes me even happier because I am NOT ready to leave Port St. Clair!

If you love:
🌊 Small-town Michigan romance
☀️ Summer romance
💙 He falls first
🌶️ Spice
🏡 Found family
💔 Starting over after heartbreak
✨ Finding yourself
💕 “It’s only supposed to be casual” (famous last words)

…put **Keeping It Local** on your TBR!

**5/5 ⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️**

Christie Piper, you officially have me ready for my next trip to Port St. Clair. 💙

[Jo Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

KEEPING IT LOCAL by CHRISTIE PIPER ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Keeping It Local is book one (#1) of two (#2) in the Port St. Clair series.

After a disastrous marriage Johnny moved to Port St. Clair for a new start, vowing to avoid relationships and concentrate on growing his business.

Beth’s family farm is struggling to survive, so she’s staying with her friend in Port St. Clair for a couple of months to do some courses and work a little in hopes of finding ways to improve her family business.

When the pair meet the attraction is immediate, but with Johnny’s suspicion of a new relationship and Beth’s intension to return home, a relationship is off the cards.

That doesn’t mean that they can’t have a short term mutual fling though right?As the pair spend time together, feelings start to grow but can they survive the many obstacles to find a happy future?….

——————————
This is a sweet, spicy romance. It has the bones of a really good story but alas it is a bit annoyingly repetitive. After the third time we’re told that Johnny doesn’t trust a relationship and Beth is going home I think we got it.

There was one particular line just over half way through that has to be the most cringey line I have ever read in a book. I literally groaned out loud.

Overall though it is an enjoyable, easy read with an interesting story. Perfect as a beach read.

As the MCs relationship develops so does the spice level increase, ergo there are plenty of open door spicy scenes.

I read an ebook version of this book, with just under 300 pages (print edition) and an attractive illustrated cover. This book releases on August 24th.

With thanks to Christie Piper and BookSirens for an early copy of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

🚤 Small Town Romance
🚤 Beach Romance
🚤 Second Chance
🚤 Found Family
🚤 Open Door Spice 🔥🔥🔥

[Victoria Readman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Christie Piper & BookSirens for an advanced readers copy! I am voluntarily leaving this review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

🛟 Small Town Romance
🛟 He Fall First
🛟 Contemporary Beach Read
🛟 Found Family
🛟 Spicy Second Chance at Love

'Keeping It Local' is the ideal summer romance, you need to add to your TBR. Beth is a small-town farm girl who decides to travel to Port St. Clair for a break to discover how she can expend her parent's farm ... and get away from her ex-boyfriend. Signing up for business classes and getting a local job, she has no interest in dating until she bumps into Johnny down at the local bar --

Johnny is everyone's favourite local realtor, after his divorce he moves t0 a new t0wn for a fresh start. Port St. Clair is supposed to be simple, keep to himself and do not break his one rule; don't get involved with the locals. Blindsided, he agrees with Beth to keep things casual over the summer and can be her tour guide around town. The Blueberry Festival is coming soon, Johnny & Beth get paired together to work on the project and this is where sparks fly -- is Beth worth the risk?

The story has a meet-cute vibe, the witty banter is flirty and our Beth & Johnny have instant chemistry. You cannot help but fall in love with Johnny, he appears grumpy but we soon learn that he has golden-retriever energy, and really fancies Beth. The level of spiciness is not over-the-top and very steamy, I think this is going to be a brilliant series from Christie Piper and I am looking forward to Megan's story next.

It really is a breathe of fresh air to pick a romance which makes you feel all giggly and swoon over their love story. I am in my Summer romance era, and need to emmerse myself in this genre.

[Destiny_Monique25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Keeping it Local follows Beth, who temporarily moves to Port St. Clair, Michigan, from her hometown of Randall, to learn ways to bring new life into her family's farming business. She plans to take over the business when returning home because of health concerns for her father, so she works at a local boat and bicycle rental while staying with her friend, Megan.

During her summer in Port St. Clair, Beth meets Johnny, who has become a local to the town after moving there three years before, following a divorce. Johnny is a house flipper of sorts, and he's got his eye on a cabin resort on the edge of town to buy and fix up.

Beth and Johnny date throughout the summer, trying to keep it casual, while working together to secure donations for the town's annual festival silent auction, but unexpected feelings grow between them.

At the end of the summer, will Beth stay in Port St. Clair and live her life the way she wants to live it - with Johnny? Or will she move back home to Randall, and take over the family farm?

I think this book is very good! It's not often you find a book set in your home state, so that immediately drew me in. The story itself is centered around family, and found family, I think. It's got the cozy, small town vibes, it's got a little bit of drama, it's got some spice. Overall, I think it's a very well-rounded story, and I'm excited to see what happens in the next installment of Port St. Clair!

Thank you to the author, Christie Piper, for the ARC!

[Lacey Martin]

⭐⭐⭐½ 3.5 Stars ARC copy received

Keeping It Local was a sweet, easygoing small-town romance with a strong focus on family, second chances, and figuring out what you truly want from life. I really enjoyed the coastal setting and the way Christie Piper created a cozy community that made Port St. Clair feel like a place I’d want to visit. The romance had a nice balance of tenderness and emotional conflict, although I occasionally wanted a little more depth and development between the characters.

Johnny is the ultimate green flag boyfriend who is hesitant to love again. I loved how supportive and caring he was toward Beth while still having his own fears and reservations. Beth has put her life on pause for too long to help her parents and has come to a breaking point…her happiness or continuing the family business? Her struggle felt relatable, especially as she tried to reconcile her own dreams with the expectations and responsibilities she had carried for so long.

Overall, this was a cute, heartwarming read with likable characters, a charming setting, and plenty of feel-good moments. While I didn’t completely fall in love with the romance or feel as emotionally invested as I would have liked, I still enjoyed watching Johnny and Beth navigate their relationship and their individual crossroads. 3.5 stars for a cozy, low-stress romance that is perfect when you’re looking for something sweet, comforting, and easy to settle into.

[Kate Szafranski · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AN ADVANCED READERS COPY FROM AUTHOR.
*all opinions are my own; I am leaving this review voluntarily*

🩷 If you’re from Michigan this is the small town, cozy, romance for you!! 🩷

I had such a fun time reading Keeping It Local! It was exactly the kind of sweet, small-town summer romance I was in the mood for, especially being a small-town Michigan local myself!

Beth heads to Port St. Clair for the summer to take some business classes and figure out ways to help grow her family’s farm. She’s also hoping a change of scenery will help her move on from her ex. Romance is the last thing she’s looking for…until she meets Johnny.

Johnny is a realtor who’s trying to start over after his divorce. He moved to town for a fresh start and has one rule: don’t get involved with the locals! Of course, that plan doesn’t last long once Beth comes into the picture. They agree to keep things casual, but between Johnny showing her around town and working together on the local end of summer Blueberry Festival, it becomes obvious this “something” them more than just a summer fling!

I loved the chemistry between Beth and Johnny from the very beginning. Their banter felt so natural.

The romance had a nice amount of spice without taking over the story, and I thought it balanced the emotional moments really well. Overall, this was a cozy, feel-good, small-town romance that left me smiling by the end.

If you’re looking for a charming summer romance with lovable characters, small-town vibes (especially if you’re from Michigan!), and plenty of chemistry, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. I’m already looking forward to reading the next book by this author. I have a huge feeling she’s going to be one of my go-tos for small town cozy romances! 😏

[Charlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, Christie Piper for allowing me to read this ARC! I was super excited for this story because I grew up in Michigan, so it was really fun reading about the area… unfortunately it was very repetitive and kind of boring. Johnny doesn’t trust relationships. Beth is going back home at the end of the summer. But at the same time, he’s head over heels for Beth and Beth wants to stay. But because they can’t use their words, it just leads to repetition.
The character development just wasn’t there.
Johnny fell in love with her on essentially their first date. There was no build up. No explanations as to why he felt that way, as the book barely discussed any interactions prior besides a day at the beach together with friends. It felt rushed and unbelievable.
Then when they’re both finally ready to reveal their feelings, Johnny turns into a huge dick because he saw her talking to her ex. It was childish and annoying. After acting like a complete child, he didn’t even deserve a second chance. Beth forgave him way too easily.
Towards the end, Beth’s parents keep guilting her into coming home, which ultimately leads to her going home. But as soon as she gets there, they tell her to go back and live her life. Then she presents the option to sell her half of the farm, and they act blindsided and sad that she wants to leave. It just seems silly at that point.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a cozy, lighthearted read! I loved recognizing, and knowing, all the references to Michigan; it brought a realism to the book that I haven’t felt with many other books. I truly made me feel like this couple could live next door!

I loved Beth’s character. I really related to her inner turmoil trying to find the balance between loving her family deeply, not wanting to disappoint them, and yet desperately seeking to forge her own path. Her character’s personality had a fierce edge that I found myself envious of; she spoke her mind without hesitation and approached every situation with confidence (even if she had to fake that confidence at the time). I appreciated all the banter, the spice level was definitely on point for me 🌶️🌶️🌶️, and the supporting characters were all pretty well developed (Mary being my personal favorite). I felt a connection to them all, and they felt genuine.

I will say I’m not typically an insta-love girly (not trying to yuck anyone’s yum—it’s just not for me), so that was was hard at first, but I’m glad I pushed through because it ended up being super cute!

I received an advanced reader copy from the author. Thank you Christie Piper! I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kassi Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much, Christie, for choosing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Keeping It Local! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


Reading Keeping It Local was truly an experience like no other. I’m not usually a huge summer romance reader, but y’all… when I tell you this is a summer romance for the ages!

I absolutely fell in love with Beth from chapter one. She felt so genuine, and her story came from a place that I think so many people can relate to.

Now Johnny… at first glance, he seems like your average hot guy who’s only here for a good summer, but there are so many more layers to him. I fell head over boots for Johnny. He was hot, sexy, sweet, and everything I could want in an MMC.

I laughed, kicked my feet, swooned, and cried, all of which, to me, are the hallmark of great writing.

For me, Keeping It Local was an easy five star read. If you’re looking for a book to curl up with that will make you swoon, laugh, and fall in love with a fictional small town and the people who call it home, this is the one for you.

This story has me begging Christie for more. I need more of Port St. Claire and all the wonderful people who call it home!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, thanks to Author Christie Piper for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release and to be able to share a review on it!

There are no spoilers in this review.

This book is a definite must read for those that love the small town vibe! Bonus if you are from the Midwest or have the appreciation of Midwest towns too. If I could, this would be a town that I would love to spend a few weeks in; during the spring or summer! Kudos to Christie for the lovely setting and for giving the desire to want to be on vacation!

Mary is one of my favorite characters (outside of the main female and male characters) in this book!

In one of the early chapters, I felt all of the emotions (happy, surprised, sad, content) throughout the entire chapter. This particular chapter made the story feel relatable overall!

I enjoyed every aspect of this book from seeing various relationships develop and advice given as well. I was cheering so hard for the main female character that I caught myself saying out loud "Go Beth!!!" later on in the book and being so proud of her!!

Chapter 21 had incredible storytelling and Chapter 32 was one of my favorite chapters overall!

Overall, this was a fun and easy read overall. It could easily be read over the course of a weekend or long weekend.

Definitely recommend; 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you again to Author Christie Piper for this opportunity and I look forward to reading more from the Port St. Clair series!

[JaleesaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off the bat, I loved the vibe of the story, the set up of Johnny and Beth meeting was so sweet and intimate and a promise for more of course. I was rooting for them immediately. I identify so much with Beth and her struggle, her journey to focus on herself first instead of others even though they needed it, there comes a point where the situation needs to change, where it's no longer serving either party no matter the amount of love, respect and duty you may feel like Beth felt about her family and their farm. I loved Johnny, he definitely became a book boyfriend. They fit each other well and made me smile at the fact they were honest about struggles and supported each other, saying the quiet parts out loud sometimes. Great spice scenes, communication, lovely banter and jokes between everyone, supportive family and friends, bad timing, ex-boyfriend, a cute dog, and found family/residence/home. I love the small-town vibe of people supporting one another and giving people the space to be. I cheered, teard up, laughed, groaned in frustration and simly enjoyed this story. Yay to Johnny and Beth. I will be reading everything else Christie Piper writes. 5 stars from the beginning!

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Babayogenesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, steamy, and heartfelt small-town romance! 💕🌊

I absolutely loved being swept into Port St. Clair and getting to know Beth and the brooding, guarded hero who was determined to keep his heart out of the equation. Their chemistry was undeniable, and what started as something that was supposed to be casual quickly became so much more.

I especially loved the small-town atmosphere, the found-family vibes, and the way the story balanced spice, humor, emotional depth, and second chances. Beth was such a wonderful character, and watching the hero slowly let down his walls and realize that love might be worth the risk was incredibly satisfying.

There were plenty of emotional moments, unexpected complications, and romantic tension to keep me turning the pages. The past coming back to threaten their relationship added just the right amount of drama without taking away from the warmth of the story.

If you love spicy small-town beach romances, protective heroes, strong heroines, found family, second chances, and happily-ever-afters, this is definitely one to add to your reading list!

A sweet, steamy, emotional escape to Port St. Clair that left me smiling. I can't wait to see which couple gets their story next! ❤️🌴

[Brandi Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

4.5 stars. For her debut novel, this was a great read! I really liked both Beth and Johnny as individuals with their own lives, and together as a couple. The spicy scenes were realistic and sexy and the friendships boosted the story. I really enjoyed the setting of the Michigan tourist town, being from Michigan myself. Very spot on and familiar.

Downsides: The book could have used more thorough editing, though it wasn't as bad as other books I've seen. Ten pages in and already have a line like: "I met him a few years back when I got my associate’s a few years ago." And then page 11: “What’s not like?" instead of to like. I didn't notice anything for a while, but then on page 58, "where I was still pretending to still wipe them down." Then the next page, "I feel like I owe to it them," and a few pages later, "I hadn’t had a real date a long time."  Plus some others. Also, as per the running joke of book groups everywhere, the "I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding" line was used a couple times. lol

All in all though, I liked the book and was kept entertained throughout, and will definitely be reading the next one.

[Karle Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review | Keeping It Local

Keeping It Local is exactly the kind of feel-good, small-town story that makes you want to jump right into the pages and fall in love right alongside the characters.

From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in. The characters feel relatable and genuine, and I loved how the story doesn’t just focus on the main characters—the side characters are just as entertaining and add so much personality to the story. Before long, it felt like I was part of their little community.

There’s humor, spice, romance, and plenty of emotions that just hit home. I found myself smiling throughout the entire book, laughing at the funny moments, rooting for the characters, and feeling all the feels right along with them.

This was such an easy, enjoyable read—the kind of book you pick up when you want something that will make you happy. If you love small-town romance, lovable characters, humor, spice, and a story that leaves you with a big smile when you reach the end, definitely add Keeping It Local to your TBR!

💕 A fun, relatable, feel-good read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Martina May Trower · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute small town romance with a feel good summer vibe that is all cozy and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. This book is definitely similar to the vibes of elsie silver so if that is your thing then this book is something you are most likely to enjoy.
I loved Beth and Johnnys love story but did feel it was a little bit rushed to start with. I loved the depth of Johnny as a character and how it shows his feelings and how his past has genuinely affected him and had an impact on him, I like to see this side of the male character in a story with explanation to why they feel the things they do. Beth also has a lot going on underneath what others can't see but she is dealing with it herself and the story helps you to get know the characters in this way and takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions for them both. This is a lovely summer read or a book you could definitely binge to make you feel good :) I mean a casual summer fling, what could possibly go wrong, right ? When you have finished reading this it will give you all the feels in a good way of course.

[Monique Tinline · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Keeping It Local** by Christine Piper is the first book in a promising new series set in the charming small town of Port St Clair.

The story follows Beth and Johnny as they navigate love, past heartbreak, and the uncertainty of opening themselves up to someone new. After being hurt in a previous relationship, Johnny never expected to fall so quickly for the new girl in town. Beth, meanwhile, has left her own close-knit hometown and family business to gain experience, believing her time in Port St Clair is only temporary. Of course, love has other plans.

This was an easy, enjoyable read with likeable characters and plenty of potential for the series. I did find the first part of the book a little slow, and at times the story felt repetitive. However, once the pace picked up, I became much more invested in Beth and Johnny's journey and was eager to see how their story unfolded.

Overall, this is a solid start to the series, and I'm looking forward to returning to Port St Clair to see where Christine Piper takes the new characters next.

[Tracey Albee · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

This was an easy read. I am from Michigan so I enjoyed that the setting was here. The writing style wasn't my favorite. There were some jumps that happened in the plot that weren't fluid.
Also there were inconsistencies in descriptions that caused the flow to be interrupted. For example in chapter one, "Megan lites her glass at me, and I clinked her beer bottle with mine as I took a big sip." So which was it a glass of beer or a beer bottle? Little details like this make my neurodivergent brain tick. Another example in the same chapter, "You seem to like living in a touristy college town," I joked to her. "What's not like?" I think it was supposed to say what's not to like? This errors make reading harder for me. There were other times details like this were inconsistent.

Overall, It was a cute story but I didn't find it a stand out from a lot of other stories I have read. I think the writing flow could be improved as well as editing errors. I know I got an ARC so I hope these are fixed before it is released.

[Carrie Dewyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Christie Piper book! I am a Michigan girl so I love reading stories that take place in Michigan and trying to figure out where they are writing about!! Johnny and Beth find their home in each other in a tourist town in Michigan. Johnny moved here a couple years ago and has sworn off any relationship because of his heartbreak. Beth is just here for the summer to "find herself" and to learn more about business for her family so when she returns, she can take over the family business. Beth works for Mary (who's daughter lives in the UP which is my home!) and when Mary wants to sell her the business, she wants to finally do what is right for her but is torn by guilt in leaving her family's business. Johnny falls in love with Beth but can't seem to break down his walls in fear of getting hurt again. This was a finding each other story that I really enjoyed. Thank you Christie Piper for this ARC. I am looking forward to Lane and Megan's story! Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope!

[Crystal K · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC copy

Overall, it was a cute book! I love small town romances, and for it to take place in the state I live in made it even better! Johnny and Beth are adorable together. They’re strong as individuals and together. While we saw a lot of their relationship, I wish we could’ve been able to see more into their relationships with their friends and families. We got glimpses, but nothing super deep.

I also wish we could’ve gotten more details from the MCs themselves. There was a lot of repetition about their main internal conflicts - Johnny’s trust issues because of his ex wife, and Beth’s involvement with her family’s business and ex boyfriend back home - but there wasn’t much else about what made them tick. I also felt like everyone talked the same, and the POV when switching characters didn’t feel like it was switching characters. Mannerisms and the way they talked/thought was just too similar.

Otherwise, like I said before, it was a very cute book and I did enjoy it! Thank you for the ARC!