Fall is Brewing

by Katana Collins

In Orchard Falls, autumn means three things:
changing leaves, strong cider… and grudges that refuse to die.

I run one of the town’s rival apple orchards—legacy trees, time-honored recipes, and a cider the locals swear by.

He runs the other—modern techniques, experimental brews, and a smile that makes me want to throw an apple at his head.

So when a heated argument at the Harvest Festival turns into a very public bet, the rules are simple:

Whoever loses has to work at the winner’s orchard.

No sabotaging.
No backing out.
And absolutely no falling in love.

But as late-night tastings turn into stolen glances, and crisp autumn mornings blur into something warmer, I start to wonder if the real danger isn’t losing the competition…

…it’s losing my heart to the one person I never saw coming.

Because fall isn’t just in the air.

Fall is brewing.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2026

About the author

Katana Collins is a USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels, novellas, and comic books in a variety of genres. She is most known for her sensual contemporary romances and her wildly popular comic book— Batman White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn with DC Comics.

When she was younger and stole her mother’s Harlequins to read beneath the covers with a flashlight, she wanted to read about the tough as nails heroine. The perfectly imperfect girl with quirks and attitude and sass. And the anti-heroes who were anything but “Prince Charming.” Forget the knight on a white horse … she wanted the bad boy on a motorcycle.

An avid animal lover, she lives in Portland, Maine with her kind of mean cat, derpy lab-pitt mix, mellow chihuahua, and very not mellow cairn terrier puppy. Oh, yeah… there’s a husband somewhere in that mix, too.

She can usually be found in a coffee shop with her nose buried in a laptop wearing fabulous (albeit sometimes impractical) shoes.


She loves connecting with book lovers like herself, and fellow sassy storytellers, so feel free to drop her an email, visit her on her website. She also loves connecting on Instagram, Facebook or in her reader group, Kat’s Kittens!

Reviews

[morgan ۶ৎ]

this was such a sweet and fun fall read. super cozy and cutesy !!!! 🍂

the push and pull between willa and brooks was so good, not messy or frustrating! you could feel the tension and love brewing between them heheh i loove the grumpy x sunshine trope (the fmc is the grumpy one btw 🤭)

i was hooked from the first chapter! i felt immersed in the small town of orchard falls, i wish i was there right now 😩 i’m craving apple cider and donuts..

the side characters were super fun as well, i really loved evan and jace (brooks brothers) and her relationship with her grandfather was the sweetest 🥹🥹

if you are looking for a short fall read, i highly recommend this 🍁🤎

thank you to hambright pr and katana collins for the eArc

⸺ 𑣲⋆˚࿔ preread
in the mood for a short fall romance this long weekend 🍎🍂

[Carol [Goodreads Addict]]

Fall is Brewing by Katana Collins is a stand alone, autumn themed romance. I love reading autumn themed romances. All the beautiful colors, the crisp air and the seasonal tummy warming delights. This is a story about two rival apple orchard owners who may eventually figure out they’re not as big of rivals as they thought.



Willa Hartley grew up on her family’s apple orchard. It’s her life, her legacy. Her grandfather and her father are both ready to step down, leaving Willa in charge. She constantly feels the weight of that responsibility. Especially now with the upcoming festival and cider judging contest just around the corner. If she fails, she’ll be letting her family down. And this year, with the new orchard owner in town with his own contest entry, she feels the stress more than ever.

Brooks Calder and his two brothers have only been in Orchard Falls a little over a year. They are fulfilling a dream of their late parents by owning an orchard of their own. Brooks also feels the weight of his responsibility. He doesn’t want to let the dream of his parents fail. His brothers count on him. But being the newcomer in town, competing with another orchard that has been there for generations, he has quite the uphill battle.



When Brooks and Willa agree to a competition between them, with the loser having to work at the winner’s orchard, little did they realize that the time together would forever shift their perception of each other. That they aren’t rivals at all. And that not only is the town plenty big enough for both their orchards, that maybe the future they thought they wanted, that they were working for, would be so much better with the other in it.



These two had so much weight on their shoulders. I loved watching them get to know each other better and the way that they so seamlessly fit together. The descriptions were all so beautiful. I could just smell the apple cider and taste those delicious sounding donuts. It was a bit more emotional than I thought it would be and had such a sweet, wonderful ending. If you enjoy fall themed romance, this would be a great addition to your reading list.

[Sim-fully Ever After]

4🌟 | 3🌶️

This was such a cute, cozy fall romance!

The setting had me craving apple cider, pumpkin treats, and a blanket, and I loved how easily the story pulled me into the little world of Orchard Falls.

Brooks and Willa had such fun chemistry, and their banter was easily one of my favorite parts. Their slow burn definitely tested my patience at times, but watching them gradually get closer made it worth the wait. I also really appreciated that the romance didn’t need an over-the-top breakup or unnecessary drama to keep things interesting. The adorable raccoons and lovable supporting cast were such a fun bonus too.

Overall, this was a sweet, easy autumn read with great small-town vibes, a charming romance, and plenty of cozy moments.

It gave me exactly the kind of warm fall reading experience I was hoping for, and I’d happily recommend it for a seasonal TBR.

~~~~

A huge thank you to Katana Collins and Hambright PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[The Morbid Mama ☠︎︎]

𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙸 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆

This book felt like I was snuggled up with a warm mug of cider 😍 This was the perfect cozy fall romance to read! I am such a sucker for a fall themed, small town romance. Enemies to lovers always holds a special place in my heart! I loved getting to see Willa and Brooks’ romance blossom as they compete against each other in the Orchard Fall Cider Competition. But the book also had the sweetest little twist that I was not expecting! This one was the perfect palette cleanser in between my crazy books and one that I didn’t realize I needed in my life atm! After finishing Fall is Brewing, I’ve officially decided that I’ll soon need to catch up on Katana’s back log of sweet stories!

Thank you so much Hambright for my gifted copy of Fall is Brewing! I’m so grateful to be apart of such a wonderful program! 🥰

[Kaitlyn Pruitt]

Fall Is Brewing is such a cute, feel good romance with all the perfect fall vibes! One of my favorite things about this book was that it didn’t have the super messy, dramatic breakup scene that you find in so many romances, and I honestly LOVED that. It was so refreshing! The characters were so well written, and the tension and banter between Brooks and Willa were TOO GOOD. I seriously could not get enough of them! The slow burn was absolutely agonizing at times, but in the best possible way. I was just waiting for these two to finally figure it out! And can we talk about Scrumpy and her adorable little family?! They were such a cute addition to the story. Even the cover is adorable, but once you know the backstory behind it, it makes it that much better. Overall, Fall Is Brewing is the perfect cozy autumn romance. If you’re looking for a sweet, feel good love story filled with fall vibes, great banter, and a slow burn that will have you begging for more, definitely add this one to your fall TBR!

Thank you so much to Hambright and Katana Collins for this ARC!

[Melanie Dubois]

Thankyou to Hambright PR and the author for this E-Arc!!

I love a good cozy, small town romance! Especially when they have side characters like Evan and Jace! I think they might have even been my favorites.

This read was simple and cozy, perfect for your fall TBR.

Brooks and Willa had such great Chemistry and banter. The push and pull from them kept me hooked on this book!

This bokk is the perfect palette cleanser between complicated reads and I will be going back through some of Satan's other books!

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek]

🍎 Fall is Brewing 🍎
((Spoiler-Free ARC Review))

Title- Fall is Brewing
Author- Katana Collins
Genre- Contemporary Romance

Trope City-
🍎 Workplace Romance
🍎 Grumpy x Sunshine
🍎 Heartwarming
🍎 Rivals to Lovers
🍎 Cozy Autumn Romance

What a cutie read. It’s the perfect book to read as this cozy, autumn weather slowly starts creeping in! Willa (FMC) is all tradition. She’s loyal to a fault, hard working, stubborn and puts family first. Brooks (MMC) is your sunshine character. He’s optimistic, so hardworking, patient and innovative. Willa is under the impression that she’s never met Brooks. Her family has run the Apple Orchard in their small town for generations. Her grandpa shares the same stubborn hyper fixation on business. It seems to have skipped a generation in her dad, who ends up being her voice of reason throughout the book. Brooks and his brothers runs a rival apple orchard in town. I’m deeply obsessed with all the fair style events in this small town. These two compete to see who knows apples best. The loser has to go work at the competition’s orchard. The banter is cute, the back and forth on feelings is fun. The competitions are clever. I love the softening of the FMC. Her vulnerability only makes her stronger. Can rivals fall in love?

Thank you Hambright PR for sharing this arc with me! 🫶🏻🍎

[Brooke ✌︎㋡]

Fall is Brewing by Katana Collins

Tropes ✨

🍂Cozy Autumn Romance
🍎 Rivals to Lovers
🤝 Forced Proximity
🌾 Small-Town Romance
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🍏 Workplace Romance

Katana Collins has a talent that makes you feel like you are there in the book and Fall is Brewing definitely made me feel like I was there in that town, tasting ciders and pumpkin pies. I always sign up for her ARCs and have ordered a few of the physical books because, I mean, look how cute all her covers always are!

Brooks and Willa have the best banter and chemistry while Brooks is trying to wedge a cozy spot for himself in this cozy little town that his family fell in love with during his childhood years. Meanwhile, Willa is making sure to not be wedged out. And then you have the town raccoon, 🦝 Scrumpy 🦝, who always is around to keep an eye on things and make sure everyone stays on their toes 😆.

Fall is Brewing is a short and sweet, cozy Fall read that I highly recommend. Just grab a blanket and some apple cider and read this book!

Thank you HambrightPR and Katana Collins for the amazing opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Humor: 4/5
Coziness: 5/5
(Spice is 🌶️🌶️/5)

[Brittany Harville]

ARC copy from publisher


Well being a HUGE fall girlie, this was a fantastic read! The setting out you right into the most festive cozy town I felt like I could smell all the fall scents! Two rival orchard owners, one who has a town legacy to uphold and one who’s tryin to make a name for himself are at odds to be the best in this small town. When they are forced to work together to judge fall competitions together is the rival strong enough to hold up against the warm feelings they start to have towards each other? Does he have a past secret that she can get passed? Omg this was so sweet! All the perfect fall time vibes! Like grabbing a cozy blanket and snuggling up with a PSL.

All our favorite tropes including enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden romance, rivals. This should definitely be your first fall read!

[Kris (I.prefer.the.villain)]

Thank you to Hambright PR and Katana Collins for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Willa and Brooks are small town, rival cider makers. Their orchards sit side by side, and Willa (who comes from a long line of cider makers) is growing increasingly irritated that Brooks (the new cider maker in town) seems to be poaching her family's patrons. This little feud comes to a head when they are set to face off in a blind apple tasting contest, where the loser will have to work at the winner's orchard.

This book seemed like such a cute fall read from the cover and description. It was short and sweet, but the conflict didn't really make much sense to me. It shouldn't have been a big enough reveal to actually have caused separation between the two MCs. Also, with the racoon getting pride of place on the cover, I expected her to be in the book more. Perhaps she will be more prominently featured in the sequel.

[Christina]

If you need a cozy fall romance, read Fall is Brewing by Katana Collins ASAP. 🍎🍂 It’s a rivals-to-lovers story about two competing apple orchards, a high-stakes bet, and tons of forced proximity. It reads like a top-tier Hallmark movie with amazing small-town vibes, low spice, and great character growth. Perfect to read under a warm blanket with a hot drink! Plus, there is a chaotic family of raccoons that completely stole the show. Definitely grab this if you want a perfect sweater-weather read!

Available now!!

#HPRFallisBrewing
#KatanaCollins
#HambrightPR

[Kasee]

4 ⭐️

This was a cute fall read and as someone who used to run a brewery and taproom this was fun.

I hope we get books of the other Calder brothers in the future.

What I liked:
Rivals to lovers
All the fall vibes
Women in a male dominated field
New vs old
They met before and she didn’t remember but he does

I definitely need to read more books by Katana Collins

[Ashly]

Cute little fall read. Loved the rivals to lovers and her having to go work at his cider business after losing a competition. There was alot of business talk though and I really could’ve cared less about all that!

[Cherie (Sassy Gigi) Wheatley]

RTC

[Jacklyn B]

This was a fun read that had me all in my fall feels. I loved the idea of rival apple orchards owners with a grudge. Willa and Brooks had great chemistry and banter. They were forced to work together after she lost a bet and I couldn’t help but root for them! I also loved the Calder Brothers - they had me laughing out loud.

This book is sweet and cozy and will have you reaching for an apple cider!

✨ What To Expect:
🍂 Cozy Autumn Romance
🍎 Rivals to Lovers
🤝 Forced Proximity
🦝 Scrumpy
🌾 Small Town Romance
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🍏 Workplace Romance
👀 Grudges & Small Town Shenanigans

[Marisa Suarez]

Katana Collins is becoming one of my go-to authors for a nice, not-too-long, cute and cozy read. I think she has just the right amount of spice, solid character development, the most vivid descriptions, and the CUTEST furry friends in her books. THIS IS YOUR FALL VIBES BOOK. 🍂

Reading this was just allllll of the Autumn vibes. I want to now sit in a book nook with a cup of apple cider, eat some apple pie, and just taste test all the apples. Literally thinking of planning a trip to Apple Hill because of this book. 🍁

Willa Hartley is taking over Hartley & Sons, the family apple orchard, and the main Cider brewer in Orchard Falls - with decades of generational experience. However - the Calder brothers have moved into town, and Brooks - the infuriatingly good-looking, kind, thoughtful, sensitive man is her new competition after establishing Calder Ciders. With a series of small-town competitions, a bet involving the loser working at the other's business, and familial pressures, these two suddenly are spending a LOT of time together. Do they need to compete? Or can they find a way to coexist?

I loved the entire cast in this book - Willa's family was the sweetest, and Brooks and his brothers were all the best. I can't wait for Brooks' golden retriever brother, Jace, to get his book. Also STUMPY!!! Did you know my favorite animal is a raccoon? Well it is - and this book has tons of them. Just take my heart already! 🦝

I am TELLING YOU. Great book club book -and, for the book club, I suggest a blind apple tasting (different apples and you have to guess which one is which varietal). Apple themed pastries, apple cider, apple....PJs? And my goodness -- what an ambience. 🍎🍏☕🥐

Thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS:
1) What do you think about Brooks keeping his secret throughout the book? Why did he not disclose this to Willa? Why was she so hurt?

2) What is your favorite type of apple and why? Be as descriptive as possible: what are your tasting notes?

3) What are your thoughts on tradition vs innovation - how does this theme play out throughout the book?

4) Given all the descriptions of the town of Orchard Falls, how did you envision it? What exactly do you see in your mind's eye? (More fun: draw it!)

5) Discuss the different competitions in the book - how did they play a role in the evolution of Willa and Brooks' relationship?

6) Just talk about Stumpy for the hell of it. Are you a raccoon lover or do you think they're trash pandas?

[Marian.]

⭐ 4.5

Oh, este libro es todo lo que quiero leer en la época de otoño, fue hermoso, me enamoró y me hizo sonreír mientras leía.

Brooks y Willa son rivales porque los dos manejan una huerta de manzanas en el pueblo de Orchard Falls, Willa siendo la “heredera” de uno de los huertos más longevos del pueblo y Brooks siendo el dueño del huerto mas nuevo ¿un par que dará mucho de qué hablar no? pues si, la verdad es que me divertí leyéndolos, pensé que habría mucho drama entre todos pero me equivoque y eso me gusto, todos los personajes HABLARON, dios no saben como me gusto eso, fue lo mejor de todo porque si, hay uno que otro malentendido pero HABLARON, HABLARON DE TODO, nunca hubo segundas intenciones y eso me gustó de toda esta rivalidad a amantes.

El romance fue hermoso, fue lento pero lindo, todo el pueblo de Orchard Falls me encantó y el festival de otoño me gustó tanto que me lo imagine completo.

Es el primer libro que leo de esta autora y puedo decir que no será el último!

********

Oh, this book is exactly what I want to read in the fall, it was beautiful, I fell in love with it, and it made me smile as I read.

Brooks and Willa are rivals because they both run apple orchards in the town of Orchard Falls: Willa is the “heiress” to one of the town’s oldest orchards, and Brooks owns the newest one. A pair that’s sure to be the talk of the town, right? Well, yes, the truth is, I had a great time reading about them. I thought there’d be a lot of drama between everyone, but I was wrong, and I liked that. All the characters TALKED and oh my gosh, you have no idea how much I loved that. It was the best part of the whole thing because, sure, there were a few misunderstandings here and there, but they TALKED—they TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING. There were never any hidden agendas, and that’s what I loved about this whole rivalry-turned-romance.

The romance was beautiful, slow-burning but sweet. I absolutely loved the whole town of Orchard Falls, and I enjoyed the fall festival so much that I pictured the whole thing in my mind.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I can say it won’t be the last!

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

[Page Escapes by J]

If you’re looking for a book that feels like fall in book form, Fall Is Brewing absolutely delivers. Give me apple orchards, cider, changing leaves, a small town, a Harvest Festival and two people who would rather throw apples at each other than admit they’re attracted to each other… and I’m in.

I really enjoyed the whole rival-orchard setup. Willa and her love interest come from two very different approaches to the family business, which makes their rivalry feel like more than just “we annoy each other because we secretly want to kiss.” There’s the old-school, traditional way versus the newer, experimental approach, and I liked seeing that play into their personalities and the way they approach each other.

Willa did take me a little while to warm up to. She could be frustrating in the beginning, but I actually ended up appreciating that because her character has room to grow. Her development felt believable, especially considering how short the book is. Watching some of those hard edges soften as the relationship develops was one of my favourite parts.

And the romance? Cute, fun and definitely steamy enough without completely taking over the story. The late-night cider tastings and stolen glances were exactly the kind of scenes I wanted from this book. There’s a nice enemies/rivals-to-lovers tension, but underneath all the bickering, you can see these two slowly beginning to understand each other.

The pacing is probably one of the book’s biggest strengths. At around 260 pages, this is a quick and easy read, and the story doesn’t drag. Things move along fairly quickly, although there were moments where I would’ve loved a little more time with the characters and their emotional development. Some of the transitions felt a bit rushed simply because there was so much story packed into a relatively short book.

The prose is light, conversational and easy to fly through. It isn’t trying to be an incredibly complicated or literary romance—and honestly, it doesn’t need to be. It knows exactly what it wants to be: a fun, cosy, spicy autumn romance.

Overall, Fall Is Brewing was such a cute seasonal read. Orchards + cider + rivalry + romance + small-town autumn vibes = yes please.

[Jo Cooper]

FALL IS BREWING by KATANA COLLINS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fall Is Brewing is a standalone novel.

Willa Hartley has taken over running one of Orchard Falls apple Orchards, following in the footsteps of several generations of her family. Their orchard is full of legacy trees, making traditional cider and staying in their lane.

Brooks Calder family runs another apple orchard in Orchard Falls with his brothers but they use modern techniques, innovative ideas and likes to introduce unique cider.

When a heated argument leads to a bet that Willa loses, she finds herself working at Brooks orchard. Determined to use her time to gain invaluable tips, Willa reluctantly acknowledges that Calder Orchard is offering things that her orchard could only dream of, the most interesting thing being Brooks himself.

As the pair spend time working together the chemistry between them is undeniable but Brooks’ reluctance to open up puts their new found truce on wobbly ground….


————————————

Well what a delightful, easy read this is! With a delightful Fall (Autumn) theme running throughout the story, this whole read has serious harvest festival vibes. There are apples everywhere you turn and a wonderful raccoon character that brings a joyous, funny air to the read.

Even when there is animosity between Willa and Brook there is underlying attraction and mutual respect. Their relationship grows slowly and steadily. Brooks two brothers add an interesting, humorous twist to the story

Fall Is Brewing is an easy, cosy, hug - a quick read perfect for a day at the beach. There is only one open door scene in the book and even that does not go into explicit detail.


I read an ebook version of this book, with around 260 pages, a colourful, Fall themed cover and good editing. This book releases on August 26th.

With thanks to Katana Collins and Hambright PR for an early chance to read this delightful book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

🍎 Rivals To Lovers
🍎 Slow Burn
🍎 Small Town Romance
🍎 Cheeky Racoon Character

[spillingtheteabr]

Thank you so much to Katana Collins and the publisher for the opportunity to receive an ARC of Fall is Brewing! 💗

This was a super cosy and autumnal read from start to finish and honestly had me craving crisp autumn mornings, cosy jumpers and a warm cup of something delicious🥧🍂🧣

I found Willa so relatable! She simply wants the best for her family’s orchard and will truly stop at nothing to make that happen. I adored watching her grow throughout the story, especially seeing her become more confident in what she knew was right for both the business and herself🙂‍↔️ I loved seeing her blossom, own her feelings and finally allow herself to want something for her, rather than constantly putting everything down to her family’s legacy✨

Brooks was the sweetest from the word go!🥹 His quiet confidence paired with his natural charm was everything. He puts himself on the line every day trying to build something for himself and his brothers through their cider business, Calder Cider and I was SO invested in seeing them succeed and finally feel welcomed by the town. Especially once I learned their backstory💗

This book gives you everything you need from an autumn read; cosy vibes, small-town warmth, lovable characters and that comforting feeling of being completely pulled into the world around you. It genuinely felt like I was right there alongside Willa and Brooks🍎🍂

This was my first book by Katana Collins, but it definitely won’t be my last! It was beautifully written and I enjoyed every second of it💖🤗

If this sounds like your kind of read, Fall is Brewing is published on 26th August 2026, just in time to throw yourself into the season ahead!🥧🍂🧣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
🍂 Cozy Autumn Romance
🍎 Rivals to Lovers
🤝 Forced Proximity
🌾 Small-Town Romance
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🍏 Workplace Romance

#HPRFallisBrewing
#KatanaCollins
#HambrightPR

[Smutty Professor]

Fall Is Brewing was such a cute fall romance, and I loved all the cozy Orchard Falls vibes! Willa and Brooks are rival orchard owners, so there’s definitely some competition between them, but I liked that neither one was really the bad guy. Willa is trying to protect the Hartley family legacy while Brooks and his brothers are trying to build something of their own with Calder Cider.

I really liked Willa and understood why she felt so much pressure to prove herself after taking over Hartley & Sons. I also liked seeing her realize that Brooks wasn’t trying to come into town and take everything away from her family. They just had very different ideas about their businesses. Willa was all about tradition and nostalgia, while Brooks was much more willing to experiment and try new things. I loved how they learned from each other without either of them having to give up what made their own orchard special.

The competition between these two was fabulous with them judging pumpkin pies, the blind apple tasting, and Willa losing their bet and having to work at Calder Cider, they were constantly thrown together. Their banter was fun, but I really liked how the rivalry eventually turned into respect and then something more. I also loved the family relationships. Willa’s dad, Patty, and especially her grandpa added so much love to the story, while Brooks’s brothers brought a lot of the humor. Jace was probably one of my favorite side characters. And I absolutely loved the whole Pippin/Scrumpy situation and the fact that this ridiculous raccoon had apparently switched orchard allegiances.

Overall, this was a fun, sweet small-town romance with plenty of laughs, family, competition, and fall vibes. The apples, cider, festivals, donuts, changing leaves, and small-town meddling made Orchard Falls such a fun setting, and Willa and Brooks were great!

[Emmy Wong]

Fall is my favourite season so obviously I have to read a fall romance before summer is even over, and now I’m so on the mood for apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes and warm coloured leaves falling from trees. This book is fall romance perfection with those Gilmore girl kind of small town vibes that make it even better. There’s also nothing better than a small town rivalry, but it’s not really a rivalry when the mmc is hopelessly pining after the fmc and wants to prove he’s not actually her rival. There’s a sort of slowish burn that leads up to one perfect kiss which was adorable and I really love how it was written. Willa is such a relatable character in being this girl kind of shackled by her family legacy and wanting to make them proud. I loved how in the end she found a way to combine both her family legacy and forging her own path, with the endless support of her whipped bf Brooks of course. Brooks was also such a cutie and I imagine him as always lovingly staring and longing for Willa from the side until she sees him as more than just a rival. The plot was great and I really do like the ending, and how even though Grandpa was kind of against Willa being with Brooks at the start he plays a major part in them getting back together. This ending was pure cozy fall vibes and family togetherness (so kind of thanksgiving vibey?) which I loved and was perfect for Willa and Brooks. Somewhere along this wild ride I fell in love with these cute cider brewers and was tearing up as I read their happy ending. I enjoyed this so much, it’s the perfect cozy fall romance and give it a 4.5/5

[Kylie]

This was such a cute fall read!
We follow our 2 main characters Willa and Brooks. Willa's family has owned an apple orchard in Orchard Falls for generations. Brooks and his brothers have built a new orchard right down the street. Willa feels like the Calders have come to take over the apple business in Orchard Falls and wants to prove that she has the better orchard and cider by winning the town's cider tasting competition. But when a bet makes Willa work at the Calder's orchard, Willa starts to think she might have feelings for the competition.
I actually don't think there was a character I didn't like in this book. I really liked both Willa and Brooks. I liked both of their families - Willa's dad, stepmom and grandfather and Brook's 2 brothers Jace and Evan. There was also Scrumpy the raccoon who kind of stole the show. Willa and Brooks both had a deep love for their businesses and their families. They know so much about their craft.
The plot was fun. It was mostly about Willa losing this bet and working in the Calder business and getting ready for the festival and cider competition. There was a lot of banter and the chemistry between Willa and Brooks was pretty good. The pacing was great - I never had trouble wanting to pick the book back up and continue reading. The writing style was great as well. I was able to clearly visualize every scene like I was there.
This is the perfect book for the upcoming autumn and I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a cozy apple orchard romance!
Thank you to Hambright PR for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Kimberly]

No cliffhanger
Standalone
Told from both POVs

Tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Small-Town Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Workplace Romance

Summary:
Willa is a fourth generation Orchard farmer who is trying to make her mark on the family business. Having lived in Orchard Falls her entire life she refuses to let the new Orchard in town, owned by Brooks Calder to win anything. Not the towns biggest Cider awards or a blind Apple taste test.

So after losing the apple taste test because she didn’t trust her instincts she sets out to learn everything she can about her rivals business with the plans to use the information to her advantage. But the more time they spend together the more the lines blur, and the more she realizes what she thought was a rivalry just might be her forever.


My thoughts:
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. I’m really hoping the other Calder brothers have books to come.

This book was super sweet and on the tamer side with anything physical not taking place until about 60-75% through the book. I didn’t mind that though because the growth of their connections flowed really well.

I thought their relationship was great and loved the surrounding characters as well. The only thing that stood out as a negative and this is just a personal thing, is some of the scenery/location setting was just so in depth I found myself skipping some paragraphs to get back to the main story. But honestly this is me being super nit-picky.

Overall it was a great book!

#HPRFallisBrewing
#KatanaCollins
#HambrightPR

[Tara]

Thank you to Hambright PR and Katana Collins for the eARC for my review. All opinions are my own.

Willa Hartley is part of a multigenerational apple orchard in the town of Orchard Falls and is set to take it over. Newcomer Brooks Calder has founded a new orchard with his brothers and is going head to head against Willa in the Harvest Festival cider contest. While Willa is precise, her ideas are steeped in tradition because she wants to please her family. Brooks is taking a different approach and modernizing his methods. After losing an early blindfold apple tasting event in the tie-breaker round, Willa needs to work at Brooks’ orchard. The later cider competition means so much in the small town, but who will come out on top and what will it do to them?

When I saw this description, I knew I needed to read this one. My town used to have five apple orchards and has an annual festival, so it hit close to home for me. Collins’ novel did not disappoint. Through her main characters, she explores the conflict that stems from tradition and innovation and following your own path. Willa’s grandfather, who is a sage, and Brooks’ brothers flesh out the novel and support their relatives as they navigate this new journey. Sometimes family really knows the right things to say. Parts had me laughing, parts held on to my heart, and others honestly had me in tears, happy ones for the characters and nostalgic ones for me. If you’re in the mood for a cozy, small-town romance (think Hallmark with a little bit more), check this one out.

[Sula]

if you're looking for something to put you in the fall mood, look no further! thank you to Hambright PR for the ARC- this was a 4 star read for me.

this book was everything I expected it to be- super cozy, lighthearted, and cute. I loved the rivals to lovers aspect between Willa & Brooks. their slow burn was done so well; I loved watching them fall for each other, even if they refused to admit it at times. and there were no over-the-top dramatics or breakups in their story, which I appreciate. their connection felt genuine because we got to watch it build. they had real chemistry.

and the setting?! so cute... I really loved the small-town vibes. I felt so immersed in Orchard Falls due to the cider tasting events and pie eating contests... it kind of gave me Gilmore Girls vibes with the Fall Festival. especially with all of the side characters and the family dynamics... special shoutout to Scrumpy, the cutest little thieving raccoon and her babies! they might have been my favorite side-characters lol. this book was really heartwarming. maybe even Hallmark-like? but with a hint of spice hehe.

overall, I had the biggest urge to grab a warm cider, apple donut, and a cozy blanket while reading this (which was problematic, considering I read this entire book in the Las Vegas airport after Southwest canceled my flight home and left me stranded for 12 hours lol) but... ANYWAYS. it really did put me in the fall mood- I was absolutely craving my favorite pumpkin spice-scented candle.

[Andrea]

Apple picking anyone?!! This book had me yearning to stroll through rows of apple trees and explore all the small town shops! The details made Orchard Falls come alive for me. And can we talk about the apple cider? The way both orchards incorporated their cider and Brooks walking Willa through the tasting brought such a warm, cozy, homey feeling to the pages. I could feel that warmth seeping through the story and straight into my heart! These lighter romance stories usually don’t sucker me in, but Brooks and Willa planted their tree and the roots took hold of me.

Now, to the main characters… Brooks and Willa felt like two people I had known for ages. Willa’s determination to be the best and win was something I could easily connect with, and I found myself holding my breath during certain scenes competing right alongside her. Her tenacity paired beautifully as she began questioning what she believed to be true. I loved how Brooks entered her life during a crucial turning point for her. He challenged her without becoming irritating. His tenderness beneath the teasing made their dynamic so enjoyable to experience. As the reader, I wanted to like him as equally as I did Willa.

This was the kind of story I could come back to whenever I’m craving a warm, comforting romance. But, if you’re like me, be prepared to be angry because I walked away desperately wanting an apple cider donut and couldn’t find one!!

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks]

A 3.4 rather than a 3.0 read.

If divide the book by thirds, the first third and last third are strongly written. It's the middle half that sags.

Here's what elevates the book:

-the generational ties of the Hartleys, the brotherhood of the Calders. Mention 'brotherhood' as Calder sister is off page (understandable, since she does not reside in the town) but when Brooks introduces his brothers to Willa found it odd that she didn't get a mention. You next see her in a family pic that Willa spies in the cabin.

-the antics of Pippin a.k.a Scrumpy at the first and last part of the book. Given the prominent display on the cover, this Reader anticipated more appearances.

-the use of the 'taste test challenge' and the comeuppance that results

-the details of the smells and tastes from the autumn air to the crispness of an apples' crunch

Here's what brought this from a four to a three star read:

-not much development as to the land 'grab' conflict other than an initial reference, Willa's ideas and then seemingly quick resolution

-development of secondary characters seemed surface level; Jace, the brother seemed more annoying then mischievous; Evan, other than a name not much by way of characteristics and Willa's friends June and already forgot the other name

-plot seemed to skip from hate to insta-love for Willa

Thank you to both Hambright P.R. and the Author for providing this ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shanley McGinnis]

This was exactly the kind of fall read I was hoping for. 🍎🍂
Fall is Brewing is such a quick, cozy, fall-coded romance. I wanted to climb right into Orchard Falls, grab an apple cider coffee and a donut, and just hang out with everyone.
I really loved how much detail went into the apple orchards and the cider-making. It wasn’t just a backdrop for the romance, it felt like a real part of the story and gave the whole book such a warm, seasonal atmosphere. I could practically smell the apples and taste the cider while I was reading.
And the romance was beautiful. I really enjoyed the pacing and the way the relationship developed. It didn’t feel rushed, and there was enough build-up to make the little moments between them feel meaningful.
One of my favorite things, though, was how mature these characters were. They know themselves, they know what they want, and they aren’t spending the entire book making decisions based on ridiculous misunderstandings. There’s something so refreshing about watching two adults navigate attraction and relationships while actually communicating and being honest about what matters to them.
This was such a warm, charming fall read, and exactly the kind of book that makes me want to curl up somewhere cozy with a hot drink and pretend I live in a small town surrounded by apple orchards.
If you’re looking for a feel-good autumn romance with plenty of atmosphere, this one is worth picking up.

[ashlin.reads]

I have been in the mood for a full on fall read and this one definitely gave me that. I started reading this as soon as I got off work and then finished before bed. So a very quick read that was super fun, especially for my fall lovers.

Willa has taken over running her family apple orchard and wants to live up to her legacy. Brooks has recently moved in with his brothers and opened a neighboring orchard and is seemingly threatening Willa's business. The perfect set up for an enemies to lovers situation!

Everything about this book screamed fall and it was just what my fall loving heart needed. The small town Harvest Festival vibes, the apple orchards, the fall flavored foods, and the picturesque scenery described all just warmed my heart. I felt like I was there in this town with them all. The side characters kept me giggling. The rivalry between Brooks and Willa was so fun. Their chemistry was undeniable and I really enjoyed how they came to understand each other and work together. I also can't forget the adorable racoons who become apart of the story!

This is the perfect lighthearted Hallmark vibe book for fall full of such fun tropes.

-Rivals to lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Small Town Romance
-Workplace Romance
-Cozy Autumn Romance

Thank you so much Katana Collins and Hambright PR for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!