Home for Harvest

Apple Valley

by June Connor

One small-town dreamer. One musician determined to disappear. A harvest season that could give them both something worth staying for.

Lucy Redmond has never lacked ideas for her family’s apple orchard. Armed with a marketing degree, a camera, and endless optimism, she can see exactly what the orchard could become. But her father still hears impractical schemes where Lucy sees possibilities, and her family has a hard time looking past the helpful little sister she has always been.

Then Jack Corto arrives in Apple Valley looking for temporary work. A year ago, he walked away from his band and a life that had turned his music into something he no longer recognized. Since then, he has changed his number, kept moving, and made sure his old life cannot find him. He’ll work for the Redmonds through Thanksgiving, then leave before anyone expects him to stay.

Lucy’s camera threatens the anonymity Jack has fought to protect, but her ambitious plans and unwavering faith in him keep drawing him closer. As long days at the orchard become evenings filled with music, laughter, and the warmth of the Redmond family, Jack begins to want far more than a temporary place to land.

But Lucy has spent too long trying to prove her dreams are worth believing in to risk her heart on a man with a departure date. Staying with her would mean Jack must finally face everything he has been running from. With Thanksgiving approaching and their time running out, they must decide whether home is the place where no one can find you or the place where someone finally sees you clearly.

Home for Harvest is a warm, closed-door small-town romance filled with forced proximity, a musician in hiding, an optimistic heroine with big dreams, a family apple orchard, crisp autumn days, Thanksgiving warmth, and a hero who never intended to stay.

Every Apple Valley romance can be enjoyed as a standalone and features a new couple, a complete love story, and a happily ever after—along with familiar faces you’ll love seeing again.

Genres: Autumn

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

June Connor writes contemporary romance and women's fiction set in small towns — from sun-soaked coastal beaches to rugged mountain country.
Her books are about found family, fierce friendships, and the kind of chemistry that keeps you turning pages. Whether it's cowboys or beach houses, every story comes with real emotion and a guaranteed happy ending.

She lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and son, where she spends her non-writing hours gardening and trying to fight the endless addiction of buying too many books.

Reviews

[Kimbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as Booked for Fall! I loved Lucy and Jack's story so much ❤️ Can't wait for Brady's book!

[Lena P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an almost unreasonable amount of dislike for the FMC in this book. 😂 She came across as incredibly desperate and painfully obvious at times, to the point where I found myself cringing through certain scenes. I just couldn’t connect with her character or understand some of her choices.

As for Jack, I felt like his personality was all over the place. For a good portion of the book, he gave off the impression that he absolutely hated human interaction and didn’t particularly like anyone. Then, suddenly, in the next chapter, he’d be completely fine with everyone. His moods and behavior felt so inconsistent that it was honestly a little chaotic trying to keep up with him.

Overall, it was a decent read, but definitely not one I’d reread. I didn’t dislike it enough to abandon the series, though, I’ll still be reading the third book when it comes out because I want to see how everything continues.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t do much for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[danielle · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

ugh another cute read

[Suzie Fumarola · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are so full of fall.. you see it smell it and feel it! This second book in series is not as good as first just because two strangers meet and fall in love in a few weeks time — the story is short so we have to get right to it I guess — but no third act break ups and I like how this author has both MMC equally in love and life … there’s some repetition but overall just an easy read where youu don’t have to commit to any large emotions

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for Harvest

A perfect cozy second chance romance. This was so good ,I couldn't put it down. Grate characters that just feel like friends you've known all your life, very down to earth, no glitter or glamour, just wholesome. Enjoy

[carolyn williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book just as lovely as the first! Can’t wait for the third!

[Brenda Fryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading, closed door romance. Orchard business and BnB — apple harvest time and recent marketing grad Lucy is home with ideas. Jack is a musician in hiding. The family dynamics are fun and the couple of the first book in this series pop in. Oh and there’s a dog. Super cute.

[Amy Shero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, clean, fairly predictable but a very cute cozy read.

[Jessie Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute fall romance! The male main character reminded me of Walker from Yellowstone. Definitely recommend!

[Bailey Price · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Cute fall read! I really enjoyed it! It was a little similar to book 1, but different people and situation. Still loved this and look forward to book 3 of this series!

[Alexa ♡ · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Another cute and quick read. Perfect for fall. Looking forward to Brady’s book!

[Jo Ann Santa Maria · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 2nd book of the series as much as I did the first. I'm very much looking forward to the 3rd book.