Harvest Heat

Frostwick Harbor #1

by Silvia Violet

Rhys likes his life controlled, quiet, and predictable. At Frost + Foam, every espresso shot is measured to perfection and every routine carefully maintained. The last thing Rhys wants is a distraction, especially not the annoyingly cheerful owner of the new coffee shop down the block.

Caleb arrives in Frostwick Harbor determined to make Cloud Nine Coffee a success. His café is full of seasonal drinks, mismatched tables, and chatty customers. Caleb gets along with everyone, and he can’t understand why the gorgeous, sharp-tongued man at Frost + Foam refuses to speak to him.

When the Harvest Festival committee pressures them into collaborating on a signature fall drink, Rhys reluctantly agrees. He knows working side by side with Caleb will be torture. Not because they disagree on everything about coffee, but because Rhys finds Caleb far too hot and intriguing. Caleb’s warmth slips past Rhys’s defenses, and Rhys gives up control of more than just lattes.

But Caleb wants a relationship lived openly, while Rhys has spent his whole life avoiding scrutiny and small-town gossip. Falling for Caleb means embracing attention, vulnerability, and the terrifying possibility of being truly seen.

As autumn settles over Frostwick Harbor, Rhys must choose between protecting the ordered life he's always known and taking a chance on the man who makes him want more

Harvest Heat is a cozy MM romance with plenty of spice featuring grumpy/sunshine dynamics, opposites attract, small-town charm, a neurodivergent hero, and plenty of fall vibes.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Romance, Small Town Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2026

About the author

Silvia Violet writes spicy, character-driven romance that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, curling up with her favorite books, and hanging out with her family. She also writes paranormal romance as Silvia Onyx. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

Reviews

[⋆⁺₊⋆꒰ ͜͡ ➸cait⋆⁺₊⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍁☕️Sweet Small Town Fall Romance☕️🍁

Good for when you're craving a sweet light-hearted read with MCs that are simultaneously too stubborn (scared) for their own good, but absolutely meant to be. Stop Running!

Characters(Very brief):
・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・
Rhys - Owns Frost + Foam. Creates coffee based on science, perfectly measured ingredients. He's a perfectionist who holds very tightly to control, nothing more-so than coffee.
(personal side note I really want to include: I don't know if Silvia Violet intended for him to be autistic, but he is. I saw a lot of myself in his insecurities, habits or "embarrassing moments" etc.)

Caleb - New to town. Sunshiney personality, gets along with everyone he meets. Opens a brand new competing coffee shop, Cloud Nine, down the street from Rhys'.
Creates, mostly very sweet, coffee based on inspiration in the moment; creativity in everything he does.

(Brief) Summary
─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─
Cloud Nine opens up right down the street from Rhys's Coffee shop, Frost + Foam.
With it comes a man, thathesdefinitelynotattractedto, Caleb.
It's just not fair, Caleb is so much better at talking to people. It took Rhys way too long to get customers comfortable with him when he opened his shop, and even longer for him to get comfortable talking to them. It all just came naturally to Caleb.
Plus, all his drinks are sweet, Rhys would never.
Rhys's plans to avoid Caleb forever go out the window when they're asked to partner up to make a drink for a massive festival contest. He tried to say no... really...
But Rhys could never risk having the town meddle in his business. Nothing could or would ever be worth that. Right?

Memorable Quote
─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─
I can't really post any quotes like I've been doing yet. But there's one I have highlighted that I don't think reveals anything about the plot of the book, but is relatable to us all as readers and just a cute one to share.

"His mouth dropped open when, not twenty pages in, the main characters were ripping each other’s clothes off,
and then… oh my God…
he wasn’t even sure bodies could contort that way.
It wasn’t just the sex, though he might need to turn the fan on if he was going to keep reading.
The characters felt so real, and he needed them to figure out how to be together." - p.58

I feel this way about basically every book I read, so very relatable.

Personal Thoughts :
─ ・ ┈ ─ ・ ┈ ─
This really is a sweet story.
I preferred Rhys's pov, and I also loved that Caleb's character just got him. It was an active choice to do so, and he did. Something that is so rare and special to find in someone when you have the level of need he does.
It's not over the top, but I just... get it.

Their time spent together were my favorite moments in the book, very good.

My only complaint is that it does drag a little bit, but once it picked up I raced to the end.

Finn's book is next, I'll definitely be reading it when it comes out.

─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ・─
Thank you to BookSirens for this free advanced reader copy. Rating and review are voluntary - opinions given are always my own.

[Rozarka · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was exactly what I expected it to be: a low stakes small town fall romance. What I did not expect was that I was not in the mood for it (I thought I was! damn). The stakes were not low, they were non existent. Everything happen really quickly, almost instantly. And it felt a bit over the top with the fall tropes; this might not be a bad thing, though, it made me crave sweet spicy coffee (which I almost never drink). Will I read the next one in the series? Probably yes.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It became clear to me within a few pages of the book that one of the MCs was autistic. I went back and read the blurb and it stated that one of the MCs is neurodivergent but doesn’t specify. But he’s definitely autistic. (I hadn’t originally read the blurb because Silvia Violet is an auto-buy author of mine.) Not only did Rhys have the obvious traits that most people know about, socially awkward, hates loud noises, but Silvia had given Rhys a lot of lesser known traits such as being gullible, doesn’t understand flirting or innuendo, trouble making friends and instead being claimed by an extrovert, a hatred of being perceived, and he hated the happy birthday song. This makes me think that Silvia either did some very extensive research, or she knows someone with autism in real life.

I enjoyed the setting and vibes of this book. I had never read a fall themed book before but I’ve read a lot of Christmas romances and it very similar. Lots of holiday decor, festivals and events, small town vibes, hot drinks, and nosy neighbours. And of course the cute low-angst romance.

My only complaint is that it was never stated in the book that Rhys was autistic or even hinted at that there was a reason for the way he was. I appreciate the representation but I would prefer if it had been made more clear for people who read this who don’t know anything about autism. It would have helped them understand autistic people more if they knew what the representation was. And also, there was a little bit too much of a perfect ending. Almost as if love cured him. Not quite, since he still had lots of traits left, but some things got easier for him once he got together with Caleb. This can happen to an extent. I definitely feel better about being in public when I am with one of my safe people, but there was 3 separate situations when Rhys did something out of character. 1. He agreed to go to the bonfire after the festival even though he was tired. 2. He said he wanted everyone to know that he loved Caleb. 3. He said what he was thankful for when they went around the table at Thanksgiving. These types of group share activities are almost universally hated among autistic people, and for me it’s due to being perceived. And for Rhys being perceived was one of, if not his number one area of struggle. It was literally the cause of all the conflict in the book. So I especially have trouble believing he would have shared. I don’t think I could share in a situation like that even among my closest friends, and for me being perceived is not one of my biggest areas of struggle. But maybe I’m nitpicking, I dunno. I enjoyed everything else. Definitely excited to read Finn’s story. I hope there is some sort of rep in the next book as well.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Perfectionist Rhys is the owner and operator of Frost and Foam. Caleb is a newcomer in town and has opened up Cloud Nine coffee just down the street from Rhys. Their styles are totally opposite. Rhys is all minimalist
0perfection anxiety precision and Caleb is sunshiny charm and creativity.

Rhys is a bit frustrating at times and not easy for me to like. I'm suprised Caleb put up with it.

I enjoyed the low angst, small town, fall vibes and charm of this book. The supportive friends and neighbours added a layer that I appreciated.

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect listen just in time for autumn! This book will definitely get you feeling all warm and fuzzy and craving everything pumpkin and cinnamon related treats😋

I love me some friendly competition that turns into something more. Rhys was worried that having Caleb’s cafe so close to his would hurt his business. He was convinced people would prefer Caleb’s coffee instead of his and that he’d go out of business.

To make matters worse, Caleb wasn’t just friendly and sweet, he was also the hottest man Rhys had ever seen. Whenever he was around Caleb, Rhys couldn’t think straight and became a complete babbling mess.

Caleb was completely smitten with the shy Rhys and found him absolutely adorable, especially whenever he got all frazzled. Caleb wanted to get to know him but Rhys made it nearly impossible. Every time things got a little too intense, his instinct was to retreat.

Rhys didn’t know why being close to Caleb made him feel so weak in the knees but it did. Falling for his competitor was not part of the plan. He wouldn’t survive the town gossiping and meddling in his life, so he decided that keeping Caleb at arm’s length was the best course of action.

With the fall festival competition approaching, the suggestion that they combine their talents should have been exciting, but Rhys was convinced working so close to Caleb would be a disaster. There was no way he could work next to Caleb and not make a fool of himself.

Caleb couldn’t understand why Rhys kept pushing him away. He knew that if they combined their talents, they could definitely win, but Rhys’s reluctance had him wondering if he did something wrong.

When Rhys realizes that working alone won’t help the town win, he finally breaks and seeks Caleb’s help. And just as he knew, being close to him just breaks down all his defenses.

Working so close together makes it harder and harder for them both and eventually they can’t deny their attraction. Caleb knows things can get complicated and after what his ex did to him he knows he should be more careful. But when he’s with Rhys, everything just feels right.

Rhys’s fear of what others might think almost costs him a chance to be happy. Running away because things were getting too serious was Rhys’s default reaction. But not being with Caleb was not an option. He had to man up and prioritize what really mattered most, and all he cared about was Caleb.

“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐. 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆.”
“𝑺𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝑰, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒖𝒑.”
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆.”

Loved this book so much. I’m super excited about the next one. I absolutely loved Michael Dean narrating this one. Once again he embodied the characters perfectly.

[Alecia Only1leesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, give me two coffee shop owners, grumpy/sunshine energy, small-town fall vibes AND some spice and you already have my attention! ☕🍁🔥
Rhys likes things a certain way controlled, precise, and predictable. Then Caleb comes rolling into Frostwick Harbor with his cheerful personality, seasonal drinks, and a brand-new coffee shop right down the street. Basically, he is everything Rhys is NOT. 😂

Rhys was not trying to be bothered! But when these two are forced to work together on a signature drink for the Harvest Festival, that irritation starts looking a whole lot like attraction. 👀
What I really enjoyed was that underneath the coffee-shop rivalry and banter, there was more going on with Rhys. Caleb challenges him without trying to change who he is. Their relationship pushes Rhys outside of the carefully controlled little world he has created and forces him to decide whether being comfortable is more important than allowing himself to be fully seen and loved.
I also loved the neurodivergent representation and how Rhys’s need for routine and control was woven into his character. Add Caleb’s warmth and sunshine personality, and these two really gave me that opposites-attract balance I love.

And Michael Dean on narration?! 🎧🙌🏾 If you know, you KNOW. He brought these characters to life and made the banter, emotion, and steam hit just right.
Harvest Heat was cozy, spicy, sweet, and packed with those fall romance vibes. If you like your MM romance with coffee shop rivals, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, opposites attract, small-town charm, and a whole lot of autumn atmosphere, add this one to your fall TBR! 🍂☕🧡

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.5 stars

Harvest Heat is the first book in Silvia Violet’s Frostwick Harbor series and it’s a nice, cozy, small town romance. It has a lot of the hallmarks of a small town story, complete with a local festival, charming businesses, and a lot of gossip and busybodies. As we meet Rhys, he is full of anxiety that Caleb has come to town and opened his own coffee shop. It is not just fear that Cloud Nine will take business away from Rhys’ own shop, though that is a concern. But also he finds Caleb hot and keeps getting flustered and being awkward and basically just running away or avoiding all situations where they may come in contact. I think this portion sets things up well to give us a sense of Rhys and some of his anxieties and insecurities, as well as the differences between the men in terms of their shops and how they do business.

I am not sure why this book didn’t hit better for me, but I just had a hard time engaging with this story and characters. That said, many readers who enjoy the small town trope will likely enjoy this story and there is a cozy charm to the book. We do get a glimpse of the next MC toward the end of the story, so if you like small town stories, this could be a good series to consider.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Shelley L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
This is the first book in the Frostwick Harbor series. The story is about Rhys and Caleb.
Rhys has live there is entire life, he owns a coffee shop named Frost & Foam, he has routines that he follows that allow him to keep his life predictable and steady.
Caleb moves to town and opens up a coffee shop named Cloud Nine Coffee
The coffee shops are two different styles, but Rhys sees Caleb as a threat.
Good thing the town has an idea on how to correct that. The harvest festival committee pressures them into collaborating on a signature fall drink.

This book is written well and is easy to read. It is a sweet light-hearted, small town romance.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much. It was exactly what I wanted at this time of year - a small town gay romance set during the fall. Unfortunately, it did not hold my attention. The plot was simple with no real tension. The characters were not interesting — actually I found one of the main characters, Rhys, especially boring.

I did finish the book, but it took me a few weeks to— and I usually read at least 2-3 books per week

I’ll give the author another shot, but Harvest Heat was excruciatingly dull.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvest Heat by Silvia Violet is the first book in her Frostwick Harbor series. It is the story of two coffee shop owners in the same town, how they are asked to work together for a festival, and along the way they fall in love. Rhys owns the Frost and Foam coffee shop, grew up in Frostwick Harbor, and knows everyone. He is very quirky and needs things to be exact while he overanalyzes and worries about everything and his mind is rarely quiet. He is also very awkward around others often saying the first thing that comes to his head that may not be appropriate. His best friend Tessa and her twin brother Finn own Driftwood Doughs in town and she is there for him. He tries to be very careful with his activities because the townspeople are very nosy, try to give advice, and want to be involved which drives him crazy. Caleb has recently come to town after a breakup with his very manipulative ex who owned a coffee shop in Boston. He has opened Cloud Nine Coffee and serves fancy, frothy, and sugary coffee while Rhys’s shop serves more conventional kinds. Caleb wants both shops to thrive and since there are lots of residents as well as tourists that should not be a problem. Agnes, the town’s head busybody and Edna, head of the small business association, wants the town to win the most contests during the Driftwood Harvest Festival that is coming up and suggests to Caleb that he work with Rhys to make a drink for the Best Fall Beverage. But being awkward and worried, Rhys hasn’t even met Caleb because he’s sure he wants to run him out of business. Tessa takes him in hand and they go to Caleb’s shop where he promptly says something embarrassing that makes him run away but Caleb thinks he’s cute. Rhys thinks he’s too much and is worried about all that could go wrong if he worked with Caleb so he tells him no so he thinks that’s it. They both work on their own drinks but nothing seems to be working and Rhys finally realizes they need to work together so he goes with a coffee at night to Caleb’s and they decide to do it, but not tell anyone they were because Rhys was afraid of the attention. After a trip to the apple orchard they start planning and come up with 3 ideas that they will work on. Caleb’s sister Kate calls and he tells her they are working together and that he likes Rhys. Rhys also has feelings for Caleb and soon they act on them in a hot love scene which continues almost every time they work together. They think they are keeping everything a secret but some people are catching on and wondering what is happening between them. This finally explodes when they are caught together and once again Rhys runs away because he can’t stand being the center of attention and gossip. Caleb is heartbroken because he has fallen in love with him, and it hurts even more when Rhys says he can’t work with him on the drink any more. But Kate talks to Caleb and tells him to give Rhys some time, and Tessa talks to Rhys and he realizes he loves Caleb and wants to take the risk to be with him. So with the help of his friends he comes up with a plan which leads to them having their relationship out in the open with everyone knowing they are together. Plus they go back to working on the drink for the festival which has great results. Rhys has learned that he is safe and can relax with Caleb and Caleb has found what he always wanted with Rhys. I really enjoyed this book. My guess is that Rhys is on the spectrum from his actions but people in town love him the way he is. He is a huge worrier and over analyzer and awkward around others, but he also makes great coffee. Caleb was coming off a bad relationship and discovered that Frostwick Harbor was a wonderful place where he and his shop were accepted. He found Rhys intriguing and adorable but had to be very patient with him, especially when he kept running away. But Rhys knew he could have something special with Caleb so he found the courage to be brave and face everything that came their way together. Tessa, Finn, Kate, and their other friends played a big part in the story helping to counsel them and be with them when they were needed. Plus there is a very cute kitten, Mallow, that Caleb adopts. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories about a quirky man who finds love with another coffee shop owner, a festival contest that brings them together, and a little angst as they figure out what they need from each other and go after it.

[Mark F · Rating 3 out of 5]

My latest read was Harvest Heat, the first book in the Frostwick Harbor series, by Silvia Violet. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book, but this review is given voluntarily. The main characters in this story are Rhys and Caleb. Rhys is the owner of the coffee shop Frost & Foam, and despite being a small business owner, he’s an introvert who likes his life controlled, quiet, and predictable, and who avoids people whenever possible. He takes coffee very seriously, and crafts his coffees to perfection. Caleb, on the other hand, is new to town and just opened a coffee shop called Cloud Nine Coffee. He’s got more of a laid back, sunshiny personality, likes dressing up his drinks with various flavors and toppings, and can easily talk to just about anyone. An immediate attraction is felt between the two of them, with Rhys denying it every which way he can, until they’re paired up to compete for the best fall beverage for Frostwick Harbor’s Harvest Festival. And then the fun begins.

I was really looking forward to reading this story, as it seemed to be just the type of MM romance I like to read. But honestly, I felt this book fell a bit short, occasionally having trouble staying in the story. Sometimes I felt it was interesting enough to keep reading, and other times I felt it was a struggle. I think the angst that Rhys was creating was the cause. Perhaps less of that would have been better for holding my attention. I also found that writing in the third person was a little confusing for me, not sure of who was supposed to be speaking, or whose thoughts I was reading.

I was not a fan of Rhys and Caleb feeling that they had to hide their “situationship”, not to mention also hiding the fact that they were working together on a drink for the harvest festival. To me, it was a bit much, and rather silly, actually. And two third-act breakups? Nope, that was two too many for me. Because of these things, their feelings for each other weren’t believable to me. It seemed to be all about sex, more like an extended hookup than anything substantial. And any bit of romance that was felt was quickly discarded by Rhys’s “I want this”/“I don’t want this” personality. His constant flip-flopping got on my nerves.

Things I liked: the Fall vibes, the small-town atmosphere, the way Caleb really cared about Rhys, the way Rhys finally figured out what he wanted, and Mallow. I also liked the supporting characters who were true friends to Rhys, and who cared and supported him for years. Shout outs to Tessa, Finn, Jonah, and Marianne.

The spice level was quite steamy, about a 3 out of 5, which is more than enough for me. I’m still not sure how I felt about Caleb liking to be in such control in the bedroom. It seemed out of character for him. Though, I have to admit, he was caring enough to make sure it was okay with Rhys each step of the way. He’s a lot more adventurous in the bedroom than his personality would lead you to believe. A lot more.

Everything taken into account, I gave this book a 7 out of 10, rounded down to a 3, on a 1 to 5 scale. This was because I felt that the ending didn’t have a satisfying enough HEA. I found it to be a bit lacking. To me, it was more like a lighter version of a HEA and could have greatly benefited from an Epilogue set further into the future – moving in together, a proposal, marriage, etc.

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harvest heat

Rhys likes his life controlled, quiet, and predictable. At Frost + Foam, every espresso shot is measured to perfection and every routine carefully maintained. The last thing Rhys wants is a distraction, especially not the annoyingly cheerful owner of the new coffee shop down the block. Caleb arrives in Frostwick Harbor determined to make Cloud Nine Coffee a success. His café is full of seasonal drinks, mismatched tables, and chatty customers. Caleb gets along with everyone, and he can’t understand why the gorgeous, sharp-tongued man at Frost + Foam refuses to speak to him.
When the Harvest Festival committee pressures them into collaborating on a signature fall drink, Rhys reluctantly agrees. He knows working side by side with Caleb will be torture. Not because they disagree on everything about coffee, but because Rhys finds Caleb far too hot and intriguing. Caleb’s warmth slips past Rhys’s defenses, and Rhys gives up control of more than just lattes.

Een herfst boek in augustus het kan gewoon. Even heerlijk in een herfstverhaal duiken, vol lattes, een competitie en een vleugje liefde. Ik kreeg dit boek als recensieexpemplaar! Het was een fijn boek om te lezen, het verhaal heeft een fijne schrijfstijl. Het verhaal begint al snel, ik dacht eerst dat ik midden in het boek begon, maar er kwam toch nog uitleg. Het speelt zich af in een small town en gaat over twee jongens die beide een passie hebben voor koffie. De een met smaakjes en de ander gewoon lekkere koffie. De personages waten leuk, soms vond ik Rhys iets te onsociaal en te bot🤷‍♀️ Verder had het begin een goeie opbouw, maar soms zat er voor mijn gevoel iets te weinig tempo in. Het verhaal zelf was wel een heerlijk herfstverhaal!

An autumn book in August? It’s totally possible. Just dive into a lovely autumn story, full of lattes, a competition, and a touch of love. I received this book as a review copy! It was a nice book to read; the story has a pleasant writing style. The story gets going quickly; at first, I thought I was starting in the middle of the book, but there was an explanation after all. It takes place in a small town and is about two boys who both have a passion for coffee. One for flavored coffee, and the other just for good, tasty coffee. The characters were fun, though sometimes I found Rhys a bit too unsociable and blunt🤷‍♀️. Furthermore, the beginning had a good build-up, but sometimes, in my opinion, it lacked a bit of pace. The story itself, however, was a delightful autumn tale!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsaugust

[Ramsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25stars

-Small town
- coffee shops
- fall festival
- neurodivergent representation
- opposites attract

I am a bit sad that this book wasn't as big a hit with me as I'd expected.

The funny thing is I liked Rhys right from the beginning very much. He reads as neurodivergent, perhaps even as someone being on the autistic spectrum. He was very particular with a lot of things, right up to being rude. And yet I totally understood it. It's just how he is because of his neurodivergence.

And that's one of the points. I think Silvia did herself a disadvantage in not claiming this in the book. It was never mentioned that Rhys is neurodivergent. And I think it would have made Caleb even more understanding and perhaps even readers who missed the short mentioning in the description and then potentially found Rhys just rude and unsocial and couldn't therefore not connect with him.

Honestly with all his anxieties and somewhat strange behaviours (running away instead of dealing with some things f.e.) I was so glad that he had friends who accepted him just the way he was and included him in activities, even knowing he may react in rude or 'wrong' ways.

Caleb was...a sunshiny marshmallow. The complete opposite of Rhys. And he always was patient with him and very understanding. Sometimes I honestly wondered why.
I liked him as far as I got to know him.

Alongside comes the fact that I sometimes didn't know who's POV I was reading and that is never the best thing for me.

There is a lot of spice in the book but honestly not much more regarding a developing relationship. Another point that made it not quite the perfect read for me.
Plus it felt like not much happens in the book, we mostly see Rhys and Caleb have sex & make coffees. Near the end Caleb said they (Rhys and him) don't really know each other. And that is exactly the impression I got too.
So it was hard for me to believe in their HEA.

Still there were those quirky (and nosy) townsfolk, a definitely cosy setting and fall vibes. I liked a lot of the supporting characters and found it nevertheless an entertaining read.

I will definitely give book two a try too. Somehow I'm invested in this small town and its occupants.



Even having read a readers copy this review is my opinion willingly given.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small towns, I've lived in a few throughout my life and it's probably why I adore reading this trope. It's home, it's sweetness, it's charm, it's nosy neighbors and everything that goes with it. Harvest Heat reminded me of everything that is good about living in one.

Harvert Heat brings us to Frostwick Harbor a small town that can sustain two completely different coffee shops run by two different men. They are basically right down the street from one another, but they offer completely different options.

Rhys' shop doesn't offer, what I'd call fufu drinks. Drinks that contain a lot of sugar and supplements and not a lot of coffee. Rhys is all about enhancing the quality of the coffee bean. His shop is the one you want to visit if you actually enjoy the flavor of coffee.

Caleb's shop, on the other hand, loves combining flavors and syrups to make coffee creations. What I imagined more of a Starbucks especially since he also offered baked goods. Both are very different styles that can exist within one town, but within Rhys' anxiety-riddled mind he panics and panics hard over the thought of Caleb opening his shop.

Rhys is super shy, horribly awkward, and it takes numerous times to even gain the courage to introduce himself. While I love sweet awkwardness, it went on a little long and I started to feel bad for Caleb when all he wanted was to put Rhys at ease.

As for Caleb, he'd just opened a new business and aside from prepping to open, that's always when an owner is busiest. At least in any small town I've lived in. We love new businesses and love going out to support them, is what I'm saying. Anyway...Caleb kept leaving work to go to committee meetings, to see Rhys, to work on the festival stuff...it just kept taking me out of that fictional world because it wasn't close to realistic. If that makes sense. It bugged me, but that is my personal opinion. 😉

The rest of the book was a typical small town cozy romance with nosy town gossips, a neurotic coffee shop owner, and a patient man who was surrounded by it all. 😊

[Tara Baja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Silvia Violet but I've mostly read her Marchesi Universe books, so I'm used to her dark romances. However, Harvest Heat introduced me to her latest small town series of Frostwick Harbor. While it might have less action, it had the same conflict and spice that I've grown to love. And believe me y'all, the spice was spicing! Cinnamon spicing!

There's Rhys, who's the neurodivergent owner of his own coffee shop Frost + Foam. He's lived in Frostwick Harbor his whole life with his besties. But then he notices a rival coffee shop opening pretty much right across the street from his. Cloud Nine Coffee, which is owned by the new and popular resident, Caleb. This totally stresses Rhys out. Understandably.

Right now it's the Fall season and there's a festival that is being held that has Best Drink category. Rhys has participated before but certain people want him to collaborate with Caleb, who he reluctantly meets, but then runs away. That's Rhys' main thing, running away. To the people who know him, it's his normal. He's not a fan of crowds. Yet, at one point, Caleb takes it kind of personally.

Needless to say, there's the usual amount of small town interferences, new friendships, secret crushes, and lots of coffee! To be honest, Rhys and Caleb probably wouldn't work on paper, but as they say, opposites attract. I started to get annoyed at Rhys always running away, but at the same time I understood why. Fear, of what may or may not happen if he were to pursue Caleb.

Other then that, this was a really sweet story that has gotten me in the mood for Fall, my favorite time of year! I'm so grateful that Silvia, Gay Romance Reviews, and Forward PR and Marketing provided me with an advanced readers copy in reciprocity of my honest review. I'm already looking forward to her next book, which was kind of implied in the epilogue. We'll just have to wait for Winter. 4.5⭐

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

HARVEST HEAT is the first book in the Frostwick Harbor series, featuring two coffee shop owners - Rhys and Caleb.

Rhys has lived in Frostwick all his life and is well-known by most people, but he still has panic attacks and is introverted. Caleb has just moved to town and opened his shop, much to Rhys' dismay. There doesn't appear to be a problem, as Caleb's shop is more about sweet and sugary concoctions, whereas Rhys' is all about the perfect pour. These two are instantly attracted to each other, but can they work together (let alone anything else) when the town gossips won't leave them alone?

I love small-town living romances, but the one thing that puts me off is the constant curtain-twitching and gossipy people that are always portrayed. I always hope that there is a circle of friends to help protect against such things, but most of the friends here were more than happy to join in.

There was also a definite friendship imbalance. They took Caleb in, but their first priority would always be Rhys. I understand how allowances can be made for people who have panic attacks, but it felt as though there were a little too many allowances made for Rhys, when sometimes it just felt as though he was being rude, and not enough concern for Caleb. He seemed to put everyone and everything first before himself, which is not healthy in the long term.

I am interested in continuing this series, if only to see how Finn and Jonah get on. 3.5 very good stars, rounded up to 4 where necessary.

** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Aug 20, 2026

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Frostwick Harbor series. This is the story of Rhys and Caleb. Rhys has lived his whole life in small town Frostwick Harbor. He has routines that he follows that allow him to keep his life predictable and steady. He owns Frost + Foam coffee shop. Rhys used high quality beans and is all about no-nonsense coffee. If you are looking for syrups and fancy concoctions, keep right on looking. Rhys knows he is quirky. His mind is ever active and he tends to overanalyze everything. As well, people are something that he tolerates. Grumpy is his persona when dealing with the public. Awkward seems to be his default setting. His focus is on the coffee. Everything is good until Caleb moves to town. Not only is he friendly and approachable, he has opened his own coffee shop Cloud Nine Coffee on the same street as Rhys's shop. Though Caleb's focus is more on fancy, frothy, and sugary coffees. He is not trying to eliminate Rhys' shop. Caleb believes that both shops can survive and prosper in the town. Of course with Rhys's instinctive over analyzing, he assumes Caleb is a threat. Good thing the town has an idea on how to correct that. The the Harvest Festival committee pressures them into collaborating on a signature fall drink. Usually Rhys entered on his own. This is their story. The book is written well and is easy to read. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked watching their relationship grow once they both agreed to work on a signature drink together. Caleb even caters to Rhys's need to remain in the background and doesn't tell anyone what they are doing. This is a good small town romance. A sweet light-hearted book.

[Marian. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro fue ligero, con su toque de drama pero que cumplio su propósito de entretenerme mientras leía.

Toda la historia alrededor de preparar el mejor café/bebida para el festival del pueblo me gusto y más que nuestros dos protagonistas se unieran, aunque debían estar en secreto, pero vamos, tenemos un pueblo pequeño donde todos están pendiente de todos así que tan secreto no es. Rhys me pareció un personaje encantador, aunque debo admitir que su preocupación (aunque re valida) de que los descubrieran me quitó mucho de disfrutar el romance entre los dos, y creo que por eso no sentí una gran química entre los personajes principales.

Quería que esta historia me gustara porque amo un buen libro ambientado en otoño y más, amo que tenga representación neurodivergente pero no sé, no fue para mí.

*******

This book was a light read, with just a touch of drama, but it served its purpose of keeping me entertained while I read.

I liked the whole story about preparing the best coffee/drink for the town festival, and even more so that our two main characters got together—even though they were supposed to keep it a secret but come on, it’s a small town where everyone keeps an eye on everyone else, so it’s not really that secret. I found Rhys to be a lovely character, though I have to admit that his (very valid) worry that they’d be found out really took away from my enjoyment of the romance between the two of them, and I think that’s why I didn’t feel much chemistry between the main characters.

I wanted to like this story because I love a good book set in the fall, and even more so, I love that it features neurodivergent representation, but I don’t know—it just wasn’t for me.

📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Harvest Heat by Silvia Violet

MM Romance
Spicy
Grumpy/Sunshine
Small town
Opposites attract
Neurodivergent Character

4 1/2 stars

I fell in love with Silvia Violet years ago when I found the first book of hers I read. The way she writes her stories/characters just blew me away. I am always sucked into her stories from the start. So when I saw this one, I had to read it yesterday lol. You have Rhys, who is used to being quiet and controlled in his life. Most would call him predictable, but he was ok with that. I loved the Coffee Place Cloud Nine coffee. Who wouldn't want a place like that around them? When Rhys meets the owner of the coffee shop, his life is about to change whether he wants it to or not. We all need someone in our lives to make life more exciting and to feel alive. He went to Frostwick Harbor to make sure he makes the cafe succeed, period. He is happy and cheerful, which is so much different from Rhys. Caleb's coffee shop is quite different from a lot of places like his. He wants personality so his tables are not the same; he has drinks that are only for certain times of the year. Caleb also loves people; he gets along with everyone. Caleb can't understand why Rhys doesn't want anything to do with him. Maybe things will change when the Harvest Festival committee makes them come up with a new drink. Things start going fast after that. I loved the way these two men meet and how their relationship/personalities melt together, which some would think wouldn't work. I couldn't put this story down. I need to know what will be next for Silvia Violet.

Nicole Harvey

[Antonella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhys and Caleb are two café owners, who have their shop in the same street. Rhys has lived in Frostwick Harbor his whole life, while Caleb has just arrived in town from Boston, opening his brand-new shop, Cloud Nine Coffee, not far away from Rhys’s Frost + Foam.
They struggle to get to know each other at first, mostly because Rhys is reluctant to talk to Caleb, because he thinks he will ruin his business. But then, thanks to Tessa, Rhys’s best friend, they manage to get in contact, and between a coffee and a doughnut to fall in love too.
I really liked this book. I love the small-town as well as the grumpy/sunshine tropes, so I practically dived into this story.
Rhys is the grumpy one, the one who needs to be in control, always overthinking about every little thing, except every time he meets Caleb he always manages to be clumsy and shy, and that’s what attracts Caleb the most, and what attracted me to him as well.
On the opposite, Caleb gives out totally golden retriever vibes, he’s the creative and easy-going man who manages to make a breach, and then win, Rhys’s heart.
I really loved both Caleb and Rhys, but also all the friends they had around, especially Tessa and Kate, Caleb’s sister, who were the first to notice the attraction between the two men, pushing them to give each other a chance.
The autumn vibes of Frostwick Harbor gave the perfect set to this story, and I really look forward to reading the second book of the series. On a more personal note: I love the name Rhys, so this was a kind of must read for me. And it was worth it!

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This latest tale from Silvia Violet turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag for me, with elements that I liked but others that didn't quite work for me.

It seemed that the author was going for something a bit unusual in this book, attempting to meld elements of "cozy" romances with occasional bits of high heat. This was the element that turned out not to work the most, in my opinion. The story of Rhys and Caleb starts very much as a slow-burn romance (with a bit of healthy fantasy) with the "cozy" feel of the small town in a sense the star of the story. Only when did the two men actually get together did the story begin to take off, I felt. It seemed to me that the tale would have been a bit more effective if they'd actually gotten together a bit sooner.

I did enjoy the characters quite a bit and felt that the sex scenes did advance the relationship, particularly Caleb's budding dominant side, with Rhys reluctant to give up control. Violet is one of the best in the business at writing spicy scenes and this book is no exception - the chemistry between the two is quite entertaining. I did, however, feel that there was a missed opportunity here with Rhys' neurodivergence, which is hinted at strongly, but never dealt with in a straightforward manner. It seemed to be more of a plot device to slow the two men down, including the dreaded third act break-up.

Still, I enjoyed the two men, and enjoyed the small town setting of Frostwick Harbor. It's an entertaining tale and I'll be curious to read the next entry.

[Stacey T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an MM romance set in a small town, where two rival coffee shop owners find themselves competing not just in business, but also in love. Rhys is a perfectionist about his coffee and his shop, but things get complicated when a new owner, Caleb, arrives with charm and sweet drinks. Caleb has moved to town for a fresh start after a breakup and opens his own store. At first, Rhys keeps his distance and isn't interested in teaming up for the Fall festival drink competition. But when they secretly start working together, sparks start to fly, and they decide to keep their new relationship quiet. As their feelings grow, one wants to go public, while the other is worried about what people will think. Rumors start to spread, leading to misunderstandings and doubts. With the help of their friends, will they find their way back to each other, or will fear keep them apart?
This was my first time reading this author, and I really enjoyed the book. It’s a feel-good small-town story with a bit of gossip and heart, showing how different opinions can lead to something better when people talk things out and compromise. The main characters had great chemistry, and their friends were a strong support for both of them. I do wish the epilogue had shared a bit more about their future, but I’m glad their story will continue in the next books. Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read that made me wish these towns and characters were real. I’m excited to read the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SMALL TOWN BUSINESS RIVALS TO LOVERS COZY READ!🍂🫚🍏☕️🧋📚

The first book of the series starts off in a small town called Frostwick Harbour where everyone knows everyone’s business and festivals keep the town alive!
🍁
Two rival coffe shop owners who differ in their taste and coffee style- Rhys and Caleb are goaded into working together to create a special winning coffee for the Fall Festival which leads them to getting to know each other on another level which leads to a sweet, secretive situationship that they try to keep away from the nosy, interfering resident of their close knit community…
🍁
For a short read that takes place 27 days before the festival, it was a bit drawn out for a slow burn that evolved around the push and pull of two coffee shop owners- Frost + Foam owned by a neurotic shy perfectionist- Rhys who showed signs of being neurodivergent and the other - Cloud Nine Coffee a sweet, flirtatious, sunshiny guy- Caleb who loves animals ( his stray fluffy, lovable cat Mallow) and is surprisingly dominant in the bedroom…
🍁
Their dynamic was surprising but fitting to their personalities, their friends were very nosy but supportive with a hint to the next book’s characters in the epilogue six weeks later…
🍂
This was a sweet, cozy. steamy read with elements of angst regarding anxiety and fears that are overcome with patience, understanding and love!

I voluntarily received an ARC from the author and Forward PR & Marketing for an honest, non biased review.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhys lives his life in a quiet, controlled and predictable way. He runs his coffee shop, Frost + Foam, the same way. His coffee is perfectly measured and prepared. One thing he does need is a distraction in the form of Caleb who has opened a coffee shop called Cloud Nine Coffee right up the street from his. Caleb is determined to make his shop a success by bringing decorations and unusual coffee combinations to his shop. He finds himself confused by Rhys’s reaction to him. Caleb gets along with everyone but for some reason, Rhys cannot talk to Caleb. With the Harvest Festival coming, everyone urging them to work together. Rhys reluctantly agrees and together they create so much more.

Rhys was someone I could relate to. He wants to have more with Caleb but wants it to be secret. When questioned as to what he wants, he finds he cannot lie and confesses all his feelings to Caleb. Caleb is a happy person and knows he wants more with Rhys but wants to be open with the relationship and express his feelings in public. Rhys cannot handle that yet and runs when things get uncomfortable. Caleb is hurt by this but knows that Rhy is struggling. Watching these two work everything out made for delightful reading. These two will touch your emotions and take up residence in your heart. Looking for a feel0good story? Look no further, this is the one!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harvest Heat was a lovely fall story... Rhys and Caleb were great characters and I loved watching them tiptoe into a relationship together. Rhys is an intensly private man who struggles with social cues, resists change and hates/fears being gossiped about in his small town full of busybodies. Underneath it all, I found him to be a sweetheart who is just deeply uncertain about his place in the world and trying to control what he can. Caleb, being a new business owner in town, was also hesitant to give the gossips anything to work with and concerned about risking the new friendships he was building on a potential relationship. The result was a fair bit of back and forth (with some running away from problems) between the two as they figured things out. Luckily Caleb was very patient and understanding. Normally this kind of thing would frustrate me however I found that it really worked in this case, was very true to the established personalities and made them finally getting together (and staying together) that much sweeter.

The epilogue felt like it was more focused on setting up the next book in the series rather than showing a strong happily ever after, which I found took away somewhat from the ending. I would have rather seen more about Caleb and Rhys settling in together to continue the feel-good vibes.

I recieved a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super cute! It has the best if both worlds we have quirky guys falling in love and coffee shops! Rhys owns a simple coffee shop in a small town when Caleb moves into town and opens his own shop but a flashy coffee shop! There is almost an instant attraction from both sides but Rhys is a shy guy who can’t speak very well when he’s around Caleb! The town is hosting a harvest festival and people suggest they work together at first Rhys is very very against it but eventually agrees thinking he can keep his crush in check because he thinks it’s one sided
What made me laugh was how Rhys basically attacked Caleb with a kiss LOL he definitely liked Caleb taking charge in all aspects
Rhys has a particular way about things and he does not want the town knowing they are working together or fooling around because it’s a small town and they gossip
Poor Rhys panics so bad when people start to notice and he runs multiple times but Caleb calms him whenever he can but when he ran the last time it was very hurtful to the both of them
With some time Rhys realized how much he felt for Caleb and didn’t care what anyone thought and the fact that he wrote down what he wanted to say to he got it right!
I loved how their relationship developed slowly but they brought out the best in each other; Caleb was able to help Rhys not be so anxious and be himself!

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your basic 'characters fall in love while working the fall festival' book. Rhys and Caleb both run coffee shops (for some reason the town is able to support 2 competing coffee shops a block apart, Rhy's shop doesn't lose any business after the first week Caleb's opens, and everything is fine...).

Rhys and Caleb team up to try to win the coffee competition at the fall festival. They work late nights together, fall in love, and there is much spice. Rhys, however, is a shy introvert, prone to panic attacks. He does NOT like to be the center of attention. This town is absolutely FILLED with loud-mouthed, single women who do nothing but gossip, give advice, and push him into a relationship with Caleb. Of course things go sideways with the romance because all the pushing is more than Rhys can take. Eventually they get back together and fix things between them with the 'help' of all these pushy friends.

Honestly, I really disliked almost every one of the characters that weren't the 2 mains. The angst and relationship issues that cropped up were due entirely to the pushy friends in the first place. I found it hard to finish the book (but I did!) - I was just so darned annoyed with the townfolk. Having said that, if this kind of thing doesn't bother you, than this is easily a 4-star read.

[Emilyrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cosy, small-town romance with two sweet main characters and lots of extremely nosy and meddling neighbours. I found myself really cheering on Caleb who was nothing but polite, caring, helpful and friendly throughout. He always seemed to be putting Rhys and others first and it did seem as if he was often left as the odd man out of the group when Rhys needed support and everyone rallied round him. Some of the pushier neighbours and friends annoyed me because clear boundaries would have stopped so many problems but other secondary characters like Jonah and Finn did make me smile. Caleb and Rhys had brilliant chemistry and this was a really positive to the story and really seemed to strengthen their connection more than their occasionally awkward chats. I felt for Rhys with what seemed to be strong anxiety but I did become very frustrated with how he repeatedly treated Caleb. For me, his apologies were too quickly accepted, he wasn't properly challenged on this by his friends and it was another example of where Caleb seemed to be too lovely and not looking after his own heart. I loved the introduction of Mallow and how that was portrayed though.
Overall, it's a sweet story with no real angst (other than Rhys' fear of town gossip) and it gives a HEA with a good clue about who might get their story next.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Plaguedoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhys and Caleb are so adorable together.

Frostwick Harbor is a small, close-knit (read: NOSY) town, where Rhys, the owner of the town’s coffee shop, tries to avoid any kind of drama. He’s serious about his coffee: This is no “pumpkin pomegranate iced latte with matcha whipped cream and bubbles in the bottom” type shop, but a shop that sells carefully curated drinks that are rather…precise. Traditional. “Coffee doesn’t need a bunch of flavors if it’s good coffee” type of situation.

Then, a new guy comes to town. Caleb is smoking hot, extremely friendly and….opening another coffee shop down the street, which has Rhys in a tizzy. Unlike Rhys, Caleb sells the fun stuff, with flavorings and whipped creams and everything…well…fun, much to Rhys’s disdain.

The MC’s are super cute together, a true grumpy/sunshine, one-sided enemies (dislike?) to lovers relationship. Caleb is so patient with Rhys while Rhys tries hard to loosen up and go with the flow, for once. The side characters were great as well. The storyline itself….well, feels like many other small-town romances: a bit generic. You’ve got the two MC’s, one reluctant, one all in….the overprotective but pushy close friends, and of course, there’s always the old lady who is up in everyone’s business.

Cute read, but very simple plot, without a whole lot going on.

*ARC review, my opinions are my own

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from the author and GRR

Harvest Heat by Silvia Violet

Tropes
MM romance
Grumpy/Sunshine
Opposite attract
Neurodivergent rep
Fall vibes
Small town romance


I loved this book so much. Rhys had my heart from the beginning. He owns a coffee shop and loves it. He comes off as someone who is so grumpy when he really isn’t. He is neurodivergent, has to have everything in order going the correct way or his anxiety cranks up to a thousand. He is not good with change or not having a plan of what to do. He has a close grip of friends that know how to ease things for him and they are is squad through and through. When another coffee shop opens on the same street as his he is so out of sorts.
Caleb just moved to this small piece of heaven, that is perfect for a small town. He is the one that is opening up the other coffee shop. He has sunny attitude that puts everyone at ease around him until he meets Rhys.
The town is hosting a harvest festival and the meddling little ladies decide that Caleb and Rhys should combine their coffee knowledge and serve one coffee drink to be judged.
Rhys just wants to hide from everybody and forget about the festival. Can Caleb convince Rhys that they can work wand maybe so much more? Pick up the story to get lost in this small town with such a strong friend group to find out.