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Apple Valley
Booked for Fall
Two childhood best friends. One unfinished love story. A whole town rooting for another chapter.
New York editor Laurel Sullivan's return to Apple Valley is supposed to be temporary. She'll help her father recover from surgery, get his beloved bookshop back on its feet, and leave before the town's over-the-top autumn festival can work its sentimental magic.
Then she discovers her father has volunteered her to co-host a writers' retreat with Will Redmond.
Once, Will was Laurel's best friend, favorite literary rival, and the boy behind one unforgettable kiss and one spectacular falling-out. Now he's a bestselling novelist with a cabin in the woods, a lovable golden retriever, and a smile that still makes her forget every reason she should keep her distance.
Working together soon feels dangerously familiar. Their disagreements turn into banter, long days at the bookshop become late nights talking over manuscripts, and Laurel begins to suspect that Will's next novel isn't going nearly as well as he claims. She may be the only editor who understands him well enough to help. But doing so means confronting the story they've both been telling themselves about what happened fifteen years ago.
The longer Laurel stays, the harder it becomes to imagine leaving. But building a future with Will would mean risking her heart on the one person who has already broken it and deciding whether the life waiting for her in New York is still the life she truly wants.
As Apple Valley settles into its most beautiful season, Laurel and Will may discover that some stories deserve a second chance...especially the ones that ended too soon.
Booked for Fall is a warm, closed-door small-town romance filled with bookish banter, childhood friends turned literary rivals, second chances, a cozy family bookshop, an autumn writers' retreat, a bighearted family, and an irresistible golden retriever.
New York editor Laurel Sullivan's return to Apple Valley is supposed to be temporary. She'll help her father recover from surgery, get his beloved bookshop back on its feet, and leave before the town's over-the-top autumn festival can work its sentimental magic.
Then she discovers her father has volunteered her to co-host a writers' retreat with Will Redmond.
Once, Will was Laurel's best friend, favorite literary rival, and the boy behind one unforgettable kiss and one spectacular falling-out. Now he's a bestselling novelist with a cabin in the woods, a lovable golden retriever, and a smile that still makes her forget every reason she should keep her distance.
Working together soon feels dangerously familiar. Their disagreements turn into banter, long days at the bookshop become late nights talking over manuscripts, and Laurel begins to suspect that Will's next novel isn't going nearly as well as he claims. She may be the only editor who understands him well enough to help. But doing so means confronting the story they've both been telling themselves about what happened fifteen years ago.
The longer Laurel stays, the harder it becomes to imagine leaving. But building a future with Will would mean risking her heart on the one person who has already broken it and deciding whether the life waiting for her in New York is still the life she truly wants.
As Apple Valley settles into its most beautiful season, Laurel and Will may discover that some stories deserve a second chance...especially the ones that ended too soon.
Booked for Fall is a warm, closed-door small-town romance filled with bookish banter, childhood friends turned literary rivals, second chances, a cozy family bookshop, an autumn writers' retreat, a bighearted family, and an irresistible golden retriever.
300 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2026
About the author
June Connor
7 books17 followersJune 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 25, 2026
3.5 it was cute in a hallmark way
October 7, 2026
Book Review 🍂
Booked For Fall by June Conner
2.5/5 ⭐️⭐️💫
This book is a sweet closed door romance. The reason I didn’t really enjoy it was because it all felt very rushed in a way… you start the book in a memory and then come back to present day. Then the story switches POV between the 2 main characters.. and you see what the divide was and the resolve to it felt too easy. It’s ironic but I won’t say why… I just didn’t believe in these characters. I didn’t believe in their story. At times I thought I did, I would cheer them on and I’m happy with the ending but it was just like “ok, I finished the book.” I just wanted to fall in love with their love story but I didn’t.
It’s cute and if you like closed door romances, it’s a great fit.
Maybe it’s me, maybe I’m just a harsher critic when I’m sick. I wouldn’t write this one off, it just wasn’t for me.
Booked For Fall by June Conner
2.5/5 ⭐️⭐️💫
This book is a sweet closed door romance. The reason I didn’t really enjoy it was because it all felt very rushed in a way… you start the book in a memory and then come back to present day. Then the story switches POV between the 2 main characters.. and you see what the divide was and the resolve to it felt too easy. It’s ironic but I won’t say why… I just didn’t believe in these characters. I didn’t believe in their story. At times I thought I did, I would cheer them on and I’m happy with the ending but it was just like “ok, I finished the book.” I just wanted to fall in love with their love story but I didn’t.
It’s cute and if you like closed door romances, it’s a great fit.
Maybe it’s me, maybe I’m just a harsher critic when I’m sick. I wouldn’t write this one off, it just wasn’t for me.
October 18, 2026
I think I'm giving this a 3.5 star rating.
It is a childhood friends to almost relationship to enemies to lovers.
So it is slightly a second chance romance but it still felt very insta lovey for me.
The setting was cute for the fall with the small town feel and apple festival setting.
The additional characters helped to make the story more than just the main female and male characters.
⭐⭐⭐💫
It is a childhood friends to almost relationship to enemies to lovers.
So it is slightly a second chance romance but it still felt very insta lovey for me.
The setting was cute for the fall with the small town feel and apple festival setting.
The additional characters helped to make the story more than just the main female and male characters.
⭐⭐⭐💫
September 3, 2026
🧡Short and sweet🧡
Was the plot just like a traditional Hallmark movie? Yes.
Did i absolutely eat this up? Yes!
Was the plot just like a traditional Hallmark movie? Yes.
Did i absolutely eat this up? Yes!
October 17, 2026
This is a sweet non-spicy romance. Being friends as teens then finding love later in life. What a great story. June Connor is a talented author, and everyone should read at least one of her books every Autumn season.
October 20, 2026
The cover of this book had me! I am a golden momma! Cute hallmark small town fall themed. Closed door romance. Quick read.
October 22, 2026
There wasn't really any actual story. Felt rushed. All of a sudden in love with each other after not seeing each other for 15 years, not believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2026
Loved how sweet this book was. Very hallmark and that’s ok. I loved the setting. Perfect for October read. Very light hearted and easy read.
September 12, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️ This was a super cute book! Perfect read for September 🍁 🍂 🎃. Loved the characters, loved the plot. I loved everything about this book.
September 14, 2026
4 stars
Booked for Fall was such a fun, cozy autumn read! I loved the fall atmosphere, the chemistry, and all the cute romantic moments. It was an easy, feel-good story that had me smiling and fully in the mood for autumn weather and romance.
Booked for Fall was such a fun, cozy autumn read! I loved the fall atmosphere, the chemistry, and all the cute romantic moments. It was an easy, feel-good story that had me smiling and fully in the mood for autumn weather and romance.
September 24, 2026
Cute plot but felt very rushed. I feel like we didn't really get to know the characters and they fell into a relationship very early on.
September 15, 2026
I was not a huge fan of it, I didn't like the pacing and it wasn't my cup of tea.
October 14, 2026
This is your typical Hallmark-style second chance romance, complete with a charming small town, a family bookstore, autumn festivities, and two people who never quite got over each other. Laurel Sullivan and Will Redmond were childhood best friends and literary rivals until a falling out fifteen years ago. Now, when Laurel returns to Apple Valley after her father falls ill, she discovers he has arranged for her to work with Will on a book festival at the family bookstore.
As they work together, their creative differences turn into bookish banter, and their ideas prove better when they bounce off each other. Between the bookstore, the town’s fall festivities, and reconnecting with family, Laurel finds herself rediscovering her love of books and a life she had almost forgotten.
My glass half full side kept thinking about how rarely life hands people a second chance like this. Most people move on, build different lives, and never circle back to the person they left behind. But this is a cozy fall romance, not reality, so I’ll happily suspend disbelief for the season.
What I particularly appreciated was that Laurel doesn’t simply abandon her ambitions for a simpler small town life. Instead, she reexamines her dreams and finds a way to shape them into something that reflects what she truly wants.
This was a cute, cozy read with all the autumnal charm I was looking for. I’m giving it three stars because the familiar formula left me feeling a little burned out. Still, I’m sure I’ll read a few more fall romances before the season is over. In fact, I have one sitting on my book table staring at me.
As they work together, their creative differences turn into bookish banter, and their ideas prove better when they bounce off each other. Between the bookstore, the town’s fall festivities, and reconnecting with family, Laurel finds herself rediscovering her love of books and a life she had almost forgotten.
My glass half full side kept thinking about how rarely life hands people a second chance like this. Most people move on, build different lives, and never circle back to the person they left behind. But this is a cozy fall romance, not reality, so I’ll happily suspend disbelief for the season.
What I particularly appreciated was that Laurel doesn’t simply abandon her ambitions for a simpler small town life. Instead, she reexamines her dreams and finds a way to shape them into something that reflects what she truly wants.
This was a cute, cozy read with all the autumnal charm I was looking for. I’m giving it three stars because the familiar formula left me feeling a little burned out. Still, I’m sure I’ll read a few more fall romances before the season is over. In fact, I have one sitting on my book table staring at me.
October 5, 2026
This was 3⭐ rounded up. It felt kind of basic to me. Some parts that described the writing process were kind of interesting, but for all the emphasis of writing something real, the story did not have that kind of connection that they spent so much time describing for the author character.
While there is no on page content, this book is definitely about an adult relationship and discusses intimacy. It's tastefully done but I would not recommend this book to a ya or teen reader like I screened it for.
There were a few observations about processing some of their emotional experiences as younger people that felt really true, but I never felt an attachment to this story and will not continue reading the series.
While there is no on page content, this book is definitely about an adult relationship and discusses intimacy. It's tastefully done but I would not recommend this book to a ya or teen reader like I screened it for.
There were a few observations about processing some of their emotional experiences as younger people that felt really true, but I never felt an attachment to this story and will not continue reading the series.
September 30, 2026
teetering between a 3.5 & a 4!
this book is exactly what i expected it to be and just what i needed at the same time.
a small town setting, a childhood best friends story with an unfinished chapter, and a reunion that pulls laurel and will back together under entirely new circumstances. i say "next chapters" specifically because they reunite to work together at a writers retreat - he's a bestselling author, she's an editor and publishing legend in her own right in nyc. the premise does exactly what it promises.
i loved the descriptive fall settings. the writing felt simple in a way that worked. that said, i did hope for a little more. it moves quickly, which is expected for an under 300 page book, but i genuinely would not have minded another 50 pages to sit with these two a little longer.
this one is for the fall lovers, the cheesy small town romance readers, and the ones who can anticipate the ending after four chapters and are completely okay with it anyway.
this book is exactly what i expected it to be and just what i needed at the same time.
a small town setting, a childhood best friends story with an unfinished chapter, and a reunion that pulls laurel and will back together under entirely new circumstances. i say "next chapters" specifically because they reunite to work together at a writers retreat - he's a bestselling author, she's an editor and publishing legend in her own right in nyc. the premise does exactly what it promises.
i loved the descriptive fall settings. the writing felt simple in a way that worked. that said, i did hope for a little more. it moves quickly, which is expected for an under 300 page book, but i genuinely would not have minded another 50 pages to sit with these two a little longer.
this one is for the fall lovers, the cheesy small town romance readers, and the ones who can anticipate the ending after four chapters and are completely okay with it anyway.
October 2, 2026
There is nothing better than books in books and writers and editors and second chances .. this was a fall setting and the author really layered that on — did not spare a sound or a color.. slightly over the top for me but delivers what is expected .. I have to say I thought we would go through typical second chance love but this was steady build with no break up at all .. a bit quick maybe but given their history believable.. overall it was a nice read
October 29, 2026
Very cute closed door romance! It has all the autumn vibes and atmospheric charm you want for the fall season as a reader 🧡
I eventually hit a book slump while reading this initially which I think is what hindered my rating but, it was an easy read once I got into the story!
This is your typical HS romance that fell out and rekindled from forced proximity! He’s a writer and she is an editor! Plus a dog!
I eventually hit a book slump while reading this initially which I think is what hindered my rating but, it was an easy read once I got into the story!
This is your typical HS romance that fell out and rekindled from forced proximity! He’s a writer and she is an editor! Plus a dog!
October 31, 2026
This book was such a cute and cozy read! Full of the small town feels with all the fall vibes and senseof community! I loved that Laurel and Will finally got a second chance at their romance, I just hate that they lost out on so many years together. They each showed such maturity and growth handling their past and overcoming childhood obstacles. These two definitely deserve each other and their happy ending. Also, Pip was the cutest addition to this story! Definitely recommend! 🍁🍂💕
September 14, 2026
i loved it! so easy, cosy and fun! The romance appeared too fast but that’s the thing with second chances and childhood best friends to lovers tropes and i keep doing this to myself every time and i keep getting annoyed by that because i know i don’t like this so i guess that’s a me problem. Loved that there wasn’t any third act break up!
September 25, 2026
3 stars
This was an atmospheric autumnal romance. I do feel like their romance was more telling than showing relying on the fact that they were best friends in high school. I did like that the main reason they didn’t talk in high school was addressed early in the book. I just felt like once they rekindled it was focused on the physical attraction. Absolutely loved the setting and Pip!
This was an atmospheric autumnal romance. I do feel like their romance was more telling than showing relying on the fact that they were best friends in high school. I did like that the main reason they didn’t talk in high school was addressed early in the book. I just felt like once they rekindled it was focused on the physical attraction. Absolutely loved the setting and Pip!
September 27, 2026
This is a lovely closed door fall story. I loved everything about it: the fall weather, a dog, second chance romance, a bookstore and love of books, and a good story. This definitely put me in a fall mood and I can’t wait to read more from this author. It had a beautiful cover and the name of the town, Apple Valley put me in a fun fall mood.
October 5, 2026
2.75⭐️
(Here before Goodreads changes their rating system)
This book had a lot of potential. I read this because I wanted some cozy fall vibes, plus it had a golden retriever in it so of course I needed to check it out. Apple Valley seems like a cute cozy town, but this book was missing a lot of details and character development that was essential for the plot.
I will say I can appreciate a short book to get a quick read in, but I feel like this book should have been longer because it should have had way more character development. Will and Laurel were meant to be perceived as old flames, but the storyline that was built in the past did not give us enough development of their relationship to create the longing and even resentment they had for one another. Then, when their worlds collided again, and they sort out some misunderstandings, they apparently make love? But we wouldn’t know because the author didn’t really take us there with them. That should have had WAY more built up energy and passion. I mean come on… 15 years went by and they make up and we’re met with “We woke up with our clothes all over Will’s room.” Like what?
Not that there should have been more spicy material, I actually appreciated a book not having it (Pumpkin Spice Cafe should have taken several notes) BUT there should have been a bigger build up and more character development between Will and Laurel to really feel the passion and longing of spending 15 years apart. It was overall sort of bland, but I still enjoyed seeing how it played out in the end.
(Here before Goodreads changes their rating system)
This book had a lot of potential. I read this because I wanted some cozy fall vibes, plus it had a golden retriever in it so of course I needed to check it out. Apple Valley seems like a cute cozy town, but this book was missing a lot of details and character development that was essential for the plot.
I will say I can appreciate a short book to get a quick read in, but I feel like this book should have been longer because it should have had way more character development. Will and Laurel were meant to be perceived as old flames, but the storyline that was built in the past did not give us enough development of their relationship to create the longing and even resentment they had for one another. Then, when their worlds collided again, and they sort out some misunderstandings, they apparently make love? But we wouldn’t know because the author didn’t really take us there with them. That should have had WAY more built up energy and passion. I mean come on… 15 years went by and they make up and we’re met with “We woke up with our clothes all over Will’s room.” Like what?
Not that there should have been more spicy material, I actually appreciated a book not having it (Pumpkin Spice Cafe should have taken several notes) BUT there should have been a bigger build up and more character development between Will and Laurel to really feel the passion and longing of spending 15 years apart. It was overall sort of bland, but I still enjoyed seeing how it played out in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
October 23, 2026Several curse words (including an f-bomb) already; I only made it to page 34. After some internet sleuthing I do not think I will continue with this book. Cute premise. I love books about books or where a character is a writer or works in a bookshop, but alas, implied sex and profanity are not my cup of tea.
October 26, 2026
Booked for Fall
If you're looking for a cozy small town fall romance, this is it!!!. First crush, best friend's, who love books and writing but life choices takes you places and brings you back. Will sparks turn on again? Will a new promotion have you saying goodbye once again.? Only one way to know what you'll be missing, get your hands on this book. Enjoy
If you're looking for a cozy small town fall romance, this is it!!!. First crush, best friend's, who love books and writing but life choices takes you places and brings you back. Will sparks turn on again? Will a new promotion have you saying goodbye once again.? Only one way to know what you'll be missing, get your hands on this book. Enjoy
October 30, 2026
All the makings of a Hallmark movie but in book form. Very predictable but a cozy, easy read.
This is a small town, childhood friends to lovers romance novel (with no spice). It's cute, sweet, and simple.
The audiobook is AI-generated voices, and it is awful to listen to due to unnatural pauses and strange inflections. I'd recommend reading this book instead of listening to it.
This is a small town, childhood friends to lovers romance novel (with no spice). It's cute, sweet, and simple.
The audiobook is AI-generated voices, and it is awful to listen to due to unnatural pauses and strange inflections. I'd recommend reading this book instead of listening to it.
September 26, 2026
Very cute fall book. Laurel and will grew up together and had one kiss that could have been more. 15 yrs later, laurel comes home to take her of her dad and they make amends and find out just how much they meant to each other back then and so much more now.
September 30, 2026
second time’s the charm
I started thinking this would be just another 2nd chance story. I was wrong, it’s so much more. Characters you want to meet and a setting you want to visit.
I started thinking this would be just another 2nd chance story. I was wrong, it’s so much more. Characters you want to meet and a setting you want to visit.
September 4, 2026
It was hard to stay interested in the story. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters and was bored while reading it.
September 7, 2026
I love this story so much! The characters were so real and so was the problem/solution. I cried near the end so an instant 5 star rating from me! Can’t wait to read more from this author.
September 11, 2026
4⭐️
Second chance romances are one of my absolute fave tropes! This was an absolutely beautiful story :) Loved this read!
Second chance romances are one of my absolute fave tropes! This was an absolutely beautiful story :) Loved this read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews