A Fall to Remember

Half Moon Bay #1

by Ellie Alexander

If you love cozy small-town settings, swoon-worthy autumn vibes, second-chance romance, and The Gilmore Girls, pour yourself a pumpkin spice latte, and curl up with A Fall to Remember.

Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation―a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that's been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.

Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.

As golden leaves fall and the scent of apple cider fills the air, Miranda finds that being yourself is harder than it looks―especially when she's falling for Jim. But when she learns his job depends on this campaign's success, she must decide: are his feelings real, or is she just part of his marketing plan?

A cozy, heartwarming romance that celebrates second chances and finding love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Julia Olivia and Misty Wilson.

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Audiobook, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Cozy

268 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...

Reviews

[Cara]

REVIEW TO COME💕🍂!!!!!!!!

🥧🧸🍂I know it's still summer, but I'm missing fall🥧🧸🍂!!!!!!!

[Phrynne]

I am more of a fan of the author's mystery books but this romance was also a pleasant read. The idea of Miranda's holiday pics going viral and in the very best way was a great opening to the story. I loved the small town setting and the whole atmosphere of all the Fall activities which is something we do not experience to that degree in Australia. It all sounded great fun.

Miranda and Jim are really lovely characters and I enjoyed watching their romance build. Not sure where the author will take this in the next book but a wedding would be nice. I guess we will also be able to follow Peter's progress with finding his father.

A nice, easy read with great possibilities for the future. Three stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Christina C]

A Fall to Remember was such a cute and cozy fall read! The story follows Miranda, who goes on vacation and ends up posting some pretty horrible pictures. Her son Pete and niece Elise share them on social media, unexpectedly catching the attention of a travel company. Miranda eventually agrees to work with the company alongside Jim and Shelby, leading to a fun and heartwarming story.

I really enjoyed the fall atmosphere and the lighthearted feel of the book. It was an adorable seasonal read that would be perfect to pick up on a cozy autumn day. My only complaint is that I really wish Elise had found love too! 🍂❤️

Overall, a fun, charming, and easy fall read that I really enjoyed!

[Christi]

I had high hopes for this one and it was just not it. This author’s cozy mysteries work for me so much better. This is a small town setting and we follow at least 4 different POVs as the story centers around social media accounts and going viral (particularly a 48-year old woman who goes viral after her son shares her recent trip fail pics). It just felt unbelievable and I didn’t care about any of the POVs we follow. The cover is so fall and so cute but sadly the story was just a big miss for me and I was just waiting to get to the end. Audiobook is on hoopla.

I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[Jenn]

DNF. I like this author's mysteries, but this one isn't working for me. There are too many POVs and the writing is meh.

[~Ria [Hiatus]]

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review <3

rtc

[cate]

i'm so disappointed.

i really wanted to enjoy this. i saw fall vibes, and you know how i am. i don't play about fall. one of the few things this book did right was nailing the fall vibes and the setting, even though it felt a bit too much like a caricature at times with how wholesome it was. but it was part of the charm and the suspension of disbelief, so i gave it a pass.

but everything else fell short. the relationships really weren't compelling enough to make me care. everything was too insta-love-y for me and, even though the book takes place in a weekend, the pacing is so off that it drags on and on to make the book reach a certain length, and i feel like we could've stretched the plot across the three months of fall. there was no realistic relationship development.

one thing about these characters is that they just don't! talk! to! each! other! i liked that miranda and jim sounded their age and down to earth instead of being all HELLO FELLOW KIDS, but they also didn't feel developed enough. miranda was my favorite to follow, then shelby, and i just didn't care that much about jim. pete is in the awkward middle.

the writing was fine for the most part, even though it was so repetitive at times (the expressions "i can see that" and "leisurely" were used far too much) and the paragraphs were so unnecessarily long. paragraph breaks, PLEASE. the dialogue also felt awkward, like people just forgot how to talk to each other.

i wanted to like this so much more. it wasn't bad, but the potential was there.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc

[Marcia]

While it had a lovely fall setting, I found the plot and characters a little flat. It was a sweet romance, but just wasn't for me. Still highly recommend this author's other works in the cozy mystery genre!

[Mary]

Thank you storm publishing for the gift of reading this book.

The premise was very intriguing which promised a cozy read for autumn vibes. Small town read. However when the chapter moved to the son’s POV, it left me confused. Then the next chapter was the other MMC, ok, I knew it was going to be that guy, but then the very next chapter was different female POV. It’s in 4 Pov and not just 2 POV.

It just seemed there was too much crammed in to the beginning 4 chapters and was not interesting enough to keep me reading.

Also, as someone who is in the exact age bracket of the mother, she is painted in such an older golden girls age vibe that I’m mildly offended.

Ok I saw in the amazon AI preview section it does state that the book is in 4 POV, so new readers will know ahead of time and not be confused.

[LORI CASWELL]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Miranda Brown finally took some time off from the family business, The Green Grocer, to take a nice, quiet vacation. She left her son and niece in charge of the market that has been part of the patchwork of Half Moon Bay for three generations. Miranda had a great time, but her photography skills leave much to be desired or do they? When some of her awful photos are posted on the internet, they go viral! Everybody loves her, and the comments keep rolling in.

Her video also lands on a marketing specialist’s desk at a major travel company. The company wants her to cover Half Moon Bay’s Fall Harvest Festival. When she agrees, the company sends Jim Cole and Shelby Bowerson to work out the logistics and to help Miranda through the process. Jim is absolutely delightful and appears to have Miranda’s best interests in mind. Shelby is more of a taskmaster with a completely different vision for the project.

Miranda enjoys showing Jim around the town and festival while he records her, but being her authentic self isn’t easy, especially when she is falling for Jim. But his job is to create a successful campaign that will drive tourists to Half Moon Bay. Does he have real feelings for her? Or is being affable just part of his job?

When I need a break from the mysteries I usually read, romance is my go-to genre. When the romance is written by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, I am all in!

Miranda Brown has always been a single mom. Her son Pete is now an adult with his own life, friends, and future plans. They are very close, and he works at the market regularly in addition to his full-time gig. Miranda’s niece, Elise, came to live with them after college to help run the Green Grocer. The kids easily pass for twins. They are the ones who made the montage video of Miranda’s photos and uploaded them for the world to see.

That montage brings Jim Cole and Shelby Bowerson to Half Moon Bay. Jim has been with the travel company for nearly 30 years, making him close to Miranda’s age. Pete trusts him and his pitch to help Miranda build “connection and community”. Shelby is the Senior Specialist for Partner Communications Content, and Jim’s boss. She is up for a much-needed promotion and feels the pressure to bring Miranda in as an influencer parner with the perfect campaign. I enjoyed that the story was told from multiple points of view. Seeing what everyone was thinking brought the characters to life and gave them depth.

I loved that Miranda could laugh at herself. It made her genuine and easy to identify with. I found her and Jim’s whirlwind romance heartwarming. Miranda wanted her son to be happy too. She was always on the lookout for a suitable match. Jim catches one of those moments, and it brings Pete into the limelight with the travel company. He reluctantly agreed to Shelby’s plan, but as we learn, the best-laid plans usually go awry.

Half Moon Bay puts on a beautiful and fun fall festival. When a forklift is needed to transport pumpkins for the biggest pumpkin contest, you know the event is one not to miss. The Harvest Farm to Table Dinner under the stars sounded amazing as well. Add to that a parade, hayrides, food vendors, music, costumes, and plenty to keep the kids busy too. I would love to visit there so I can understand why the travel company was so enthused.

A Fall to Remember is a clean, comfy, cozy romance with charming characters set in an idyllic town on California’s Gold Coast. As the weather gets chilly and the leaves start to turn, make yourself a cup of hot apple cider, and curl up in your favorite chair with this story filled with warmth, romance, humor, and all the fall feels. It has started this series off to an excellent start. I am intrigued to see what Ms. Alexander has planned as the series continues. Who will we meet next in Half Moon Bay?

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Jessica]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, A Fall to Remember. Miranda is taking a vacation, a break from running her grocery store in the small town of Half Moon Bay, and she ends up having her own little meet-cute with a guy named Jim in the airport. When she gets back home, she finds out from her adult son Pete that the vacation photos she posted have gone viral. And then a travel company reaches out wanting to feature her for a campaign and come to her small town during the Fall Harvest Festival. And the person who shows up from the travel company is none other than Jim, the man she met in the airport. Sparks fly between Miranda and Jim as they work on the campaign together, but she is hesitant to pursue anything when she finds out his job depends on this campaign going well. So she is unsure if his feelings are real or just an act because of his job. Sparks also fly between Miranda's son Pete and Jim's coworker Shelby, but he's afraid to tell her how he feels and time is running out as she is only in town until they're finished with the campaign.
This was such a cute fall romance! I loved the small town vibes! I could easily picture the town, the family grocery store, and the fall festival. This book had POV chapters from Miranda, Jim, Pete, and Shelby which was enjoyable getting each of their thoughts and perspective as the story progressed. This gave cozy Hallmark vibes and was a really sweet story about four people getting their second chances with love. ❤️📚

Thank you to Ellie Alexander, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for this ARC of A Fall to Remember, in exchange for an honest review.

[ashleey]

I'm sad to say I was a bit disappointed with this one. I absolutely adore cozy fall reads and this was one I was looking forward to picking up. When 48 year old Miranda goes viral for her ability to take terrible pictures, she is approached by a traveling company to become their next Influencer. A Fall to Remember was just missing the spark of a small town romance. I think the premise was great and interesting, but there was a bit too much going on and I couldn't connect with the characters on the level that as a reader we should. As much fun as multiple POVs can be in a story, I fear that in a romance it's unnecessary. I picked this up thinking this was Miranda and Jim's story, but with two other POVs it was taken away and the spotlight became more of a dual romance. As a heavy romance reader, I would have preferred Shelby and Pete's story to stand on it's own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC, this is my honest review 🖤

[Khadija]

2.50 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing that caught my attention was this beautiful cover and the title and when I read this (If you love cozy small-town settings, swoon-worthy autumn vibes, second-chance romance …I told myself it’s time to dive into a cozy romance novel with an autumn atmosphere. Unfortunately—and I am very sorry to say this. I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I had hoped🫣

everything felt very ordinary to me, and I didn't feel invested in the characters or their story at all. I won't hide the fact that I considered DNF this book when I reached 44%, but I pushed myself to finish it. I wished the emotions between the main characters were deeper; I wanted to truly feel them but I didn't feel any interest in anything; there was nothing to spark any excitement. Everything seemed superficial to me. 🥲 I’m sorry.

[Namo]

Thank you the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Miranda just wants to enjoy her trip after taking a break from running her business in the Half Moon Bay. However, the peaceful time does not stay that long. Her terrible travel photos go viral and now she is the target of a travel company. They want to do the scope about her hometown’s fall festival. They send Cole, a handsome guy, to do the photogenic project with her.

This is definitely a cozy read and very appropriate for fall season. I really enjoy the atmosphere described in the book. And all the food and desserts mentioned made my mouth watered. I kind of picked up the main idea of the story and got really into it when I was nearly at the end. The story is told in some kind of challenging method and very challenging to read. There are four POVs in the story, divided by chapters. And that made me confused and dizzy. Anyway, characters are very adorable.

[Jamie Clarkson]

I did not love this . There was no plot and the romance wasn’t for me . The hero and heroine were meh 😒 characters . This just really wasn’t for me . I will check out a couple of the authors cozy mysteries but no this was a miss .

[Cheryl Hanzidiakou]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Sadly I had to DNF this. The book did have a great vibe with its cozy coastal feel and vivid fall descriptions. I also liked that the main characters were “older”. However, I didn’t really like these characters which made it hard for me to get invested in their stories. The writing was very repetitive and the story was really slow moving. The multiple POV’s, which I normally like, felt clunky and awkward. I appreciate receiving the arc but A Fall To Remember wasn’t for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.

[Amy]

A Fall to Remember was exactly the kind of warm, cozy fall escape I needed. Most of the story takes place over one magical fall weekend, and honestly, it felt like I got to take my own little getaway without ever leaving home. Between the small town setting, fall festival, apple cider, food, and all those golden autumn vibes, this book completely transported me.

I especially loved the different storylines woven throughout the weekend. Miranda and Jim’s romance was sweet, tender, and wonderfully mature, which was such a refreshing change from the twenty something romances we see so often. There’s something especially lovely about watching two adults find connection and possibly a second chance at love while navigating very real life circumstances. I also enjoyed the storyline involving Miranda’s son Pete and Shelby, which added another layer of heart to the story.

If you’re already a fan of Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop series, you’ll recognize those same warm, foodie filled vibes here. In fact, I kept thinking that Jules from the Bakeshop series and Miranda would absolutely be friends. That familiar sense of community, comfort, food, and people you genuinely want to spend time with made this feel like a natural companion to that series while still standing completely on its own.

By the time I reached the end, I found myself hoping this might be the beginning of another series. There are definitely characters and relationships here that I’d happily spend more time with, and I’m not ready to leave this little corner of Half Moon Bay just yet.

If you’re looking for a sweet, tender romance that feels like a cozy fall weekend away, A Fall to Remember is a lovely choice. Come for the autumn atmosphere and foodie vibes, stay for the romance and the characters who feel like people you’d actually want to know.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Cozy small town fall settings
* Mature romance
* Fall festivals and autumn getaways
* Foodie filled stories
* Sweet and tender romances
* Family storylines alongside romance
* Warm, community centered reads

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader)]

Did you ever have an unexpected encounter at an airport? Miranda Brown's rare getaway to Catalina Island is over, and now it's time for her to return home and resume work at the family-owned boutique grocery store and deli in Half Moon Bay. The Green Grocer, a cherished family business for three generations, is now run by Miranda, her son Pete, and her niece. Instead of discussing her trip or catching up on store happenings, Pete and her niece can't wait to reveal that Miranda's travel photos have become a viral meme, making her an unexpected internet sensation. What unfolds next is a whirlwind of surprises that none of them could have predicted.

The story unfolds through the distinct perspectives of Miranda, Pete, Jim, and Shelby. Each chapter is clearly labeled by POV, allowing readers to experience the unfolding events and emotions through each character's unique lens. This approach creates seamless, immersive storytelling that draws you deeper into their world.

Ellie Alexander's writing shines with vibrant, evocative descriptions that effortlessly transport you to Half Moon Bay. The settings come alive in vivid color and detail, while the characters are crafted with remarkable depth—each shaped by their unique backgrounds, personal struggles, and hopes. As you turn the pages, it feels as if you're stepping into a cinematic autumn, surrounded by all the sights, scents, and emotions the season brings. The narrative invites you to reflect on your own connections to the characters' journeys and imagine what you might do in their place. Relationships—whether between mother and son, aunt and niece, cousins, coworkers, or project teammates—are explored in a way that feels both real and heartfelt, making the story's emotional core truly resonate.

This novel exceeded every expectation in the most delightful way. If I could give it more than five stars, I would—it's that magical. Don't hesitate to add this book to your tbr list; it's a story you won't want to miss.

I also highly recommend reading the author's Dedication, and if you want even more insight into the inspiration behind this charming story, don't miss A Letter From the Author. Both provide a wonderful glimpse into the heart and creativity that went into this novel.

Thank you to Ellie Alexander, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.

[Ella Goldmacher]

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
This book really didn’t work for me. With four points of view and two separate love stories, there was simply too much going on, and none of the characters felt believable.
Miranda is 48 but is written as though she’s 90. She can’t figure out how to take a selfie, seems generally clueless, and comes across as an oddly exaggerated character. She also video-calls her son every time a cute woman enters the store, which is both ridiculous and incredibly awkward. As someone in her age group, I was honestly offended by the way she was portrayed—as though a woman in her late forties would be completely out of touch, incapable of navigating everyday life, and bizarrely obsessed with finding her son a girlfriend.
Shelby, meanwhile, is deeply paranoid and convinced that everyone is out to get her. She also feels personally responsible for paying her sister’s college tuition and helping her mother keep a house she can’t afford. But student loans exist, and selling an unaffordable house is also an option. These problems felt manufactured rather than natural.
Overall, the characters’ behavior and circumstances felt contrived, unrealistic, and simply off.

[Lola]

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I DNF'd this one at 34%

This sounded like the perfect cozy fall romance read and I picked it up when I was in the right mood for such a read, but sadly I just couldn't get into this book despite the fact I kept trying. Then I hit a stressful period of my life and it seemed like the perfect cozy read to be reading at that time, but still I could not get into it. And then I just decided to set it aside.

A Fall to Remember is a cozy romance set in a small town during autumn. main character Miranda went viral with some quirky vacation pictures and now she's to become an influencer and there is this travel company who sent two people who will help her do that. I am not sure if I was missing something, but I was a bit confused by the whole influencer situation, why didn't she just take her own pictures and why the company sent two people to manage her instead of just one?

There was this whole conflict set up with the two people from the company having different visions for how to present Miranda and it just wasn't very interesting to me. And then the older guy from the company is having a romance with Miranda and the younger girl of the company then falls for Miranda's son. And we get all 4 their point of views. It was a bit much and I had trouble really feeling the characters come to life. I just didn't really feel like I got to know them besides their role in the story. And the romances didn't really work for me either. And then there was the small town, we kept being told how cozy and perfect it wa,s but I just couldn't visualize it and it didn't come to live for me. So sadly this turned into a DNF for me.

[Suzi Winter]

A definitive 4.5 stars!!
Thank you NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for the ARC and for bringing Fall into my life a little bit early🍁🍂.
Because Fall is my favorite season, this story brought a sweet, heartwarming, endearing, and cozy feeling to me. This book is a fun, happy, cozy, rom-com that takes place in a California beach side town. It is definitely worth taking a trip to enjoy every minute of its beauty and charm.
The characters are creative, funny, artsy, sensitive, interesting, and sentimental. They brought through an emotional connection to the story.
Ellie, you did a wonderful job creating a story that will live on in my heart and mind. Thank you for that🥰🥰. So…
Read and Enjoy😊😊!!

[Ashton Reads]

2.5⭐️ I absolutely adore Ellie Alexander’s bakeshop cozy mystery series, so I was really excited for this fall-themed romance. Unfortunately, I think not having a murder mystery as part of the plot doesn’t work in the author’s favor, as the romance in this didn’t capture my attention for either of the two main couples. Ellie excels at romance as more of a side plot but as the main genre it falls flat.

I also found some of the characters to be unrealistically stereotypical. While it was refreshing to see a couple in their late 40s, Miranda’s inability to handle the simplest of technology made her feel like she was more in her 70s.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Elle G. Reads]

This was a cute, cozy fall read, but I wanted a little more from the romance. I think that sometimes when it’s closed door, I don’t feel the connection as well. What I did enjoy was the small-town setting and the mature characters. I feel like I don’t read about them enough! On the other hand, some of their actions/reactions to things felt cringey at times. Still, this was an easy, feel-good book novel with all the fall vibes!

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘: Small Town Romance • Mature Characters • Single Mom • Found Family • Fall Festival

[Madison | booksthatwhisper]

2.5 rounded to 3! This is a perfect book to bring you into the fall atmosphere while keeping you entertained. It has a different plot than most fall vibe books and I can appreciate that! It is a great palette cleanser 🎃🥰 it does have various POVs so just know that going into it... It's not my fav fav but it was still okay! Also I kinda loved that Miranda was 48. Definitely was giving hopeful love with Jim boy!!!

[Chelsey]

Simple. Cute 🧡🍁

[Debra B]

I’m not a fan of the romance genre, but this was a fun quick read. I enjoy Ellie Alexander’s work and will definitely add this series to my list of must reads.

[Maci D]

This was so cute! I loved that it was set in Half Moon Bay, California. It makes it a good transition book for fall with coastal autumn vibes. We get 2 love stories and lots of Fall goodness. Very Hallmark like , no spice, cute romance!

[Sammlxlibrary]

What a cute cosy small town read! Perfect for the new autumn season. It really is an easy lovely read definitely worth checking out. 🍂🧡

The characters are well created but I actually really enjoyed Pete over the main FMC Miranda. However, that is personal preference.

💕Cosy small town romances
✨️Older main characters
💭Multi povs

Thank you NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for my copy to review.

[Lori Leaf]

Cute story & fall vibes. I didn’t like the 4 POV’s though and wish it just focused on 1 couple

[Susie]

The audiobook reading of male character’s voices is cringey, to the point it felt laughably absurd for me, so I can’t say I recommend that format.