Always Be My Pumpkin

Oakwood Village Dreams #1

by Linda McEvoy

Sunny librarian Gracie isn’t looking for love. After dumping her cheating ex, she’s living the life she’s always dreamed of as a small-town librarian – surrounded by books, knitted pumpkins, and the cosy magic of Samhain.

Then Flynn Anderson walks back into her life.

Not only is Flynn her childhood best friend, he’s the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, disappearing to New York with no explanation. Now he's back, annoyingly handsome and somehow roped into helping her organise the village's Halloween festivities. Even worse? They’re forced to share his family's cottage. With only one bed.

Between sweet, funny notes, stolen glances, and far too many moments that make her pulse race, Gracie finds her feelings for Flynn are more complicated than she thought. And when a spicy fake kiss feels all too real, she faces an impossible choice.

Will Gracie be heartbroken again? Or will the magic of Samhain, and the support of their cosy small-town community, help Gracie and Flynn find their way home – this time, for good?

2026 by Linda McEvoy. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Halloween, Ebooks

Audible Audio

Published October 1, 2026

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

This could've been such a cute story, if it wasn't for the miscommunication.. The setting was beautiful, I love Ireland and the fall vibes were there, but I was so angry and screaming at them to just talk to each other to truly enjoy any of it...

Gracie is back in her hometown, after her boyfriend of ten years cheated on her.. But Flynn, her childhood best friend and the first boy she ever loved, is back too.. He left and never said a proper goodbye and she never truly got over him. She's ready to be his friend again, but living together, sharing a bed and fake kissing him is stirring up old feelings and maybe, just maybe they can have a second chance after all..

I feel like both of them were a little immature and I truly don't understand how two grown-ups can't have a proper conversation about how they left things off.. I never in my life experienced so much miscommunication in a book and it lasted until the very last chapter. I'm sorry, but that is simply unacceptable.. And even in the last chapter we still didn't see them have that conversation and I've never been as mad as I was in that moment. I was begging for them to have a conversation for the entirety of the book. Don't get me wrong, there were some really cute moments, the notes, them watching movies, sleeping in the same bed, the tension and how he was so protective of her, but it got overshadowed by the lack of communication and that's a shame. Having a miscommunication can sometimes work with the story, but here it just created drama and confusion that took from their love story and I, personally, didn't like that.. And, honestly, having the story drag so much, that even the last chapter was filled with it, was way too much.. I don't want to be stressed when I'm reading a cosy love story!!

I did really liked the town, the library and the festival. Some characters were entertaining and I did like most of them, but I hated Jamie and Olivia and Scott got on my nerves. Inviting Jamies was such an awful thing to do to Gracie, I don't care that they are friends, you don't do that to someone.. Pat was the only character I liked throughout the whole book..

Overall, it was still a good book if you really like the miscommunication trope!!

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Montlake for providing me with an ARC.*

[cakecoffeeandbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This cover is lovely and really drew me in. The blurb sounded good and I love a seasonal read, but unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.

Whilst it is set in autumn and based around a Halloween festival so does have some autumnal vibes, that was where my enjoyment ended. Both these characters are supposed to be in their mid 20s, yet they behave like teenagers at least 10 years younger than their actual ages. The entire plot is miscommunication after miscommunication that’s gone on for over a decade and continues right until the end of the story. Honestly, it gets boring and repetitive really early on. If they just had 1 proper conversation like adults at literally any point in time, the whole thing would be a non issue. Nothing else really happens except for this constant miscommunication over and over again. A disappointing read.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

[T.E. Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

I can’t stand the miscommunication trope. I don’t want to be stressed out when I pick up what should be a cozy read. The characters were likable, but they could’ve had a good conversation midway through and been done with it. It was stressful for no reason.

[tay ‪‪❤︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m always down for a good cozy rom com but this one didn’t really do it for me, the miscommunication trope just makes me frustrated, and it went on until the very last chapter😭 The characters also seemed like they were still 16 not in their 20s. very juvenile. 2.5 ⭐️’s for the cozy, small town fall vibes, but lacked descriptions. I didn’t even realize it was based in Ireland until mid book.

[Kiirsten McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book would have been 100 pages if anyone was willing to have a conversation

[C.G.Koens · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Heat Rating is Too High for This Reader

I got this for free through the First Reads program, and the write up made it sound a little more tame than the reality.

First: If sex in books doesn't bother you, then this won't be an issue for you.

However...I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this if you are looking for a cozy romance (along the lines of the Sarah M. Eden books, like the Lancaster family series). While those are romantic without the sex, this book offers more than a little in the closed-door bedroom department. I ended up skimming one whole section due to the more graphic details offered.

Sex aside, the writing was just okay, the character development was thin, and the premise of a cozy fall festival and pumpkin spice Irish town fell short of my expectations. Turns out, I'm more of a "Miss-Read-Village-Fete" kind of fall reader. So the one-star rating is as much for me (it not being my preferred genre) as it is for the book.

I'd also like to add that I've read clean books that frustrated me just as much with their characters' inability to communicate and propensity to jump to conclusions. (NOTE: It's one of the reasons I really enjoy Emma M. Lion, because of the caliber of the writing.)

[Meghan JaMonkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute romance. I love the Irish roots and the small-town feel where everyone knows each other (and their business). Unfortunately, this is heavy on the miscommunication trope, which really ages this story down to feel more like a New Adult rather than Adult. The HEA was satisfying, though, because I can always get behind people telling off a terrible ex.
When it comes to a fall read, this one revolves around the Samhain festival that our FMC is assisting with at the library.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.

[Kirja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good cozy read to kickstart fall 🎃 set in Ireland, friends to lovers, slow burn, Halloween celebrations.

Spice level 🌶️🌶️ / 5 there’s one intimate scene but it’s very “vanilla” in my opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Montlake, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. This book was cute, fun, and the perfect cozy fall read. I love a friends to lovers situation every single time.

[Meagan Nail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book to start my fall reads!

[Marilyn Coombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

This was such a CUTE fall romance!! 🍂🎃🤎

Besties to lovers will get me every single time, and this one was so sweet and cozy. I loved watching their friendship turn into something more, and the fall vibes made it even better. 🥹🍁

It was light, adorable, romantic, and basically everything I want when I’m craving a cozy seasonal read.

Cute fall romance + besties to lovers = immediate 5 stars. 🎃💕📚

[Emily]

This was a free download and now I see why

[Avianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The miscommunication trips is so dead. This was so insufferable.

[Kacy U · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Frustrating

This book took “miscommunication trope” to a whole new level in a very bad way. So unbelievably frustrated through this entire book and annoyed with Gracie as the female lead.

[Briana Resner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope and this one just went on and on and on until the very end of the book. If the main couple had just had one honest conversation, there would’ve been no book.

[Debra Hendrickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

Tedious, slow in some spots and I'm from America so I thought soft spice was just kissing more passionately, not a full bedroom scene so. Yeah. Anyway it just was not as interesting as I had hoped. Thank the Lord I got this on first reads and didn't spend a dime on it.

[Shelley L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfectly good cute fall read. A good pallet cleanser for in between series or just when you want that fall read.
A delightful tale of opposite and initially incompatible personalities

Hit all the cute soft romance book check marks

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The theme of this book is adults that lack emotional intelligence or basic communication skills. Not a self-aware thought in sight.

2
2

This book was so dumb. Almost every plot point was explained by a stupid, grasping reason that made zero sense. And I hate when the FMC is blind to the VERY OBVIOUS signs that the MMC loves her and instead of communicating, she makes a rash decision and ends it.

I was on board for a bit with the story and I did like Flynn at first but now… I honestly know nothing about him. Or anyone for that matter. What is his job? Why was she planning a Halloween festival? Did we even see said festival? Why wait 10 years of miscommunication before having a conversation? And they got together FAST?? Why is Jamie even there? Who all are related? We know nothing about Sarah except that she gives bad advice and is engaged to the guy defending her cheating ex? But they are the good guys rightttt.

And I was sooooo done when the ending was centered around…a twilight themed flash mob? And not only did it work to “win” him back (which again.. a simple conversation without involving the whole town would have worked fine) but he CRIED? Flynn?

So so dumb but also much better than the pumpkin pie spice latte whatever series from hell. Very mild spice too which was surprising. They just got together wayyyyy too fast and it deflated any tension or build that was going. Don’t even publish it—> go back and edit so the plot has a chance.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this ebook based solely on its cute Fall cover and was hoping for a cozy romance. It was light and had a small-town Samhain festival in it, but all that autumnal goodness was overshadowed by so ... much ... miscommunication.

The couple, Gracie and Flynn, were two immature 20-somethings who apparently couldn't have one conversation for over a decade to clear things up. Instead, the reader has to languish in their inability to communicate for 90% of the book. That's a frustratingly long time so grab a large pumpkin spice latte and a butter tart because it's gonna be a looooong ride and you'll need some sustenance.

While I love an Irish setting, for the most part, this story could be set in any small town since there were hardly any descriptions of culture, the beauty of Ireland or Irish expressions.

There were some sweet moments between the couple that showed their growing romantic tension and I loved that a public library is mentioned, but overall, this was a tedious read that I (thankfully) got for free through the Amazon First Reads program.

[BookishKB]

🎃 Always Be My Pumpkin 🎃

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

🍂 What to Expect
• Second Chance Romance
• Childhood Friends
• Forced Proximity
• Small Town Romance
• Librarian FMC

_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: October 1, 2026
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Angela Harless · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️. This is totally a vibes read. What a cute short read. I needed to read this to reset my brain. My days and reads have been dark and emotionally draining so this is exactly what I needed. The FMC & MMC were so adorable. My least favorite trope was in here - miscommunication trope but I’m so glad it came together in the end.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had potential, but fell short for me. This would've been so much better if these characters could communicate like adults. Even the 70 year old uncle couldn't be serious or straightforward. I spent more time irritated by the lack of clear communication and ridiculous amounts of interruptions than I did smiling while reading this story. Two tropes I cannot abide by are miscommunication and constant interruption of important conversations. Looking past the disaster that was our main couple, the setting was lovely and the lead-up to the Halloween festival was fun. It was hard to focus on that though, when the main character is a bit of a dumpster fire. Oh, and her ex is a straight up, mustache-twirling villain. I could rant more, but I will leave it at saying I don't recommend this book (unless you like infuriating characters).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy, but SO MUCH miscommunication

I liked the pacing of this book, but I felt like the miscommunication was to the point that this book would've been a quarter of the length without it. It felt drawn-out, and although it had cosy moments, it limited my enjoyment.

[Sarah Flaming · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This book was fine. I got it as an Amazon First Reads selection.

What I liked? The Irish setting and the seasonal vibes

What I didn’t like? The extremely frustrating miscommunication / lack of communication. Over. And over. And over. And over. And over…… And over. (And I don’t even mind a little miscommunication romance trope typically).

[Christine Eley]

A pleasant seasonal romance set in a small town. A cozy read.

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Cosy, cute Autumnal read.

Predictable. Lovely cover and likeable characters.

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my October First Reads pick. While the cozy fall Irish vibes were nice, I just don’t love the miscommunication trope. Especially when it goes on all the way to the very end.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the main character's cluelessness over the top.

[Keelia Brynn · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The fall vibes were definitely there and I’m always a sucker for childhood friends to lovers. The miscommunication got really annoying after awhile but overall the book was very cutesy and adorable

[Lexie Denis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, super cute book to start my cozy fall reading in October!