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Sunflower Street #3
Autumn Spice on Sunflower Street
Joanne Baker often feels like she's drifting through life. She's thirty-two, works at the local café and still lives with her parents. She tells people it's because she's saving for a mortgage deposit, but the real reason she hasn't moved out is something she doesn't want to admit to anyone…
Until she faces up to the maxed-out credit cards, never worn clothes and impractical shoes still in their boxes, she can't even begin to think about saving. She needs help, and when her friends Roxie and Lila find out the truth, they offer their support.
As autumn arrives on Sunflower Street, bringing cold crisp days and cosy nights, Joanne feels the pressure of Christmas and New Year on the horizon. She needs to sort her life out before another year passes by. It doesn't help that her perfect older sister has her life completely together with her perfect career, perfect husband and perfect children.
Making changes can be difficult, but it's not impossible, and when Joanne puts her trust in those around her, she learns that the perfect life is an illusion, and that everyone has their own struggles along the way.
Taking the first step in the right direction is daunting, but having loving friends and family in her corner, means that Joanne has the opportunity to make a fresh start.
Until she faces up to the maxed-out credit cards, never worn clothes and impractical shoes still in their boxes, she can't even begin to think about saving. She needs help, and when her friends Roxie and Lila find out the truth, they offer their support.
As autumn arrives on Sunflower Street, bringing cold crisp days and cosy nights, Joanne feels the pressure of Christmas and New Year on the horizon. She needs to sort her life out before another year passes by. It doesn't help that her perfect older sister has her life completely together with her perfect career, perfect husband and perfect children.
Making changes can be difficult, but it's not impossible, and when Joanne puts her trust in those around her, she learns that the perfect life is an illusion, and that everyone has their own struggles along the way.
Taking the first step in the right direction is daunting, but having loving friends and family in her corner, means that Joanne has the opportunity to make a fresh start.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2020
234 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Griffiths
49 books135 followersRachel Griffiths is an author, wife, mother, Earl Grey tea drinker, gin enthusiast, dog walker and fan of the afternoon nap. She loves to read, write and spend time with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 24, 2020
This book makes you feel all warm and cozy. Loved it from start to finish in fact I finished it in one sitting. For me I can highly recommend.
November 2, 2025
There are books you read, and then there are books that you READ—and I READ THIS ONE.
From the very first page, you're pulled into a world where the air smells faintly of cinnamon and coffee, the pavements glitter with fallen leaves, and life, though far from perfect, feels beautifully, heartbreakingly real.
Our main character, Joanne Baker, is not the typical rom-com heroine with a perfect life and glossy hair that somehow never frizzes. She’s a thirty-something café worker living at home, dodging bills, second-guessing herself, and quietly wondering when she’ll finally have it all figured out. In short, she’s all of us in our “I swear I’ll get my life together next Monday” era.
The story isn’t about grand romance or sweeping drama—it’s about small bravery... About the quiet victories of showing up, facing mistakes, accepting help, and realizing that “perfect” is often just a filtered illusion. Griffiths paints this with gentle humor and a deeply human touch: the kind that makes you smile through your sighs.
And while the plot moves softly—like a cup of tea cooling beside you, the heart of the story beats strong. Joanne’s growth is quiet but so satisfying. By the end, you’re not just rooting for Joanne, you’re rooting for yourself, too.
This book is a love letter to ordinary courage, second chances, and the soft kind of happiness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s the perfect companion for an autumn night—when the world feels too loud, and all you need is a story that reminds you that even small steps count.
From the very first page, you're pulled into a world where the air smells faintly of cinnamon and coffee, the pavements glitter with fallen leaves, and life, though far from perfect, feels beautifully, heartbreakingly real.
Our main character, Joanne Baker, is not the typical rom-com heroine with a perfect life and glossy hair that somehow never frizzes. She’s a thirty-something café worker living at home, dodging bills, second-guessing herself, and quietly wondering when she’ll finally have it all figured out. In short, she’s all of us in our “I swear I’ll get my life together next Monday” era.
The story isn’t about grand romance or sweeping drama—it’s about small bravery... About the quiet victories of showing up, facing mistakes, accepting help, and realizing that “perfect” is often just a filtered illusion. Griffiths paints this with gentle humor and a deeply human touch: the kind that makes you smile through your sighs.
And while the plot moves softly—like a cup of tea cooling beside you, the heart of the story beats strong. Joanne’s growth is quiet but so satisfying. By the end, you’re not just rooting for Joanne, you’re rooting for yourself, too.
This book is a love letter to ordinary courage, second chances, and the soft kind of happiness that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s the perfect companion for an autumn night—when the world feels too loud, and all you need is a story that reminds you that even small steps count.
September 29, 2020
Another fabulous story in this gorgeously warm series!
Joanne is thirty two, and feels like a failure in comparison to her career-driven sister who is the perfect wife, mother and daughter. Joanne still lives with her parents under the guise of saving to buy her own place, but that's far from the truth; she has massive debts which she is hiding and is too terrified to own up to any of it - not to her mum and dad, not to her friends and definitely not to her sister and smug brother-in-law. But she knows deep down that she need to make changes - can she take that final step?
I always know that I'm guaranteed a great read when I have one Rachel Griffiths' books on my list, and this one fully lived up to my expectations. Joanne is a flawed character, easy to identify with - after all, who among us lives the perfect life? This is a heart-warming, feel-good read both beautifully written and skilfully crafted; before I was really aware of it I was completely drawn into story, keeping my attention glued to the pages until I finished it in the early hours - I couldn't put it down! Such a terrific read from a series of stand-alone books, each absolutely delightful in it's own way. How lovely would it be to have Sunflower Street as your address? It would make me smile every time I got there! Another sure-fire winner from this author and totally worth all five sparkling stars.
Joanne is thirty two, and feels like a failure in comparison to her career-driven sister who is the perfect wife, mother and daughter. Joanne still lives with her parents under the guise of saving to buy her own place, but that's far from the truth; she has massive debts which she is hiding and is too terrified to own up to any of it - not to her mum and dad, not to her friends and definitely not to her sister and smug brother-in-law. But she knows deep down that she need to make changes - can she take that final step?
I always know that I'm guaranteed a great read when I have one Rachel Griffiths' books on my list, and this one fully lived up to my expectations. Joanne is a flawed character, easy to identify with - after all, who among us lives the perfect life? This is a heart-warming, feel-good read both beautifully written and skilfully crafted; before I was really aware of it I was completely drawn into story, keeping my attention glued to the pages until I finished it in the early hours - I couldn't put it down! Such a terrific read from a series of stand-alone books, each absolutely delightful in it's own way. How lovely would it be to have Sunflower Street as your address? It would make me smile every time I got there! Another sure-fire winner from this author and totally worth all five sparkling stars.
September 28, 2020
I came across this book on my Twitter feed and totally judged a book by it's cover and I'm so glad I did.
What a pure delight to read.
Will go back and read Spring and Summer.
What a pure delight to read.
Will go back and read Spring and Summer.
September 13, 2023
I so wanted to love this book.
I really thought this book sounded great, the blurb had everything I like in a cozy read. However I was very disappointed with the fact the entire book is wrote in third person, I literally felt as if I was stood in the background watching this all happen. I am definitely the kind of reader who loves to be sucked into the story and this kind of writing creates a barrier to that experience. So much so I considered DNFing this book at least 3 times through the 140 or so pages.
I was also really really disappointed by the lack of storyline follow through, I desperately wanted to know the inner struggles with the debt the character had, how the conversations with friends and family flowed etc. it seemed to be a major plot line and yet only 7 conversations happened where it was mentioned. The main character seemed very distraught over the debt then suddenly it was fixed at the drop of a hat. No inner workings on how she coped and figured it all out, just fixed ‘Ta Da’. Unfortunately the romance was also underwhelming and was not carried through in any way. The issues with the sister’s marriage were just not well developed or explained. Then suddenly it was fine, just like the debt it was fixed with no actual issues being discussed or resolved.
I can’t in good conscience recommend this book, it feels more like what I imagine a pitch to a publisher about a book that’s still in progress as opposed to a completed book.
I really thought this book sounded great, the blurb had everything I like in a cozy read. However I was very disappointed with the fact the entire book is wrote in third person, I literally felt as if I was stood in the background watching this all happen. I am definitely the kind of reader who loves to be sucked into the story and this kind of writing creates a barrier to that experience. So much so I considered DNFing this book at least 3 times through the 140 or so pages.
I was also really really disappointed by the lack of storyline follow through, I desperately wanted to know the inner struggles with the debt the character had, how the conversations with friends and family flowed etc. it seemed to be a major plot line and yet only 7 conversations happened where it was mentioned. The main character seemed very distraught over the debt then suddenly it was fixed at the drop of a hat. No inner workings on how she coped and figured it all out, just fixed ‘Ta Da’. Unfortunately the romance was also underwhelming and was not carried through in any way. The issues with the sister’s marriage were just not well developed or explained. Then suddenly it was fine, just like the debt it was fixed with no actual issues being discussed or resolved.
I can’t in good conscience recommend this book, it feels more like what I imagine a pitch to a publisher about a book that’s still in progress as opposed to a completed book.
April 8, 2022
*just ignore my reading updates for a while*
yes it’s almost Easter and I’m officially giving in and reading cozy fall books. I am so sick of being in a slump & I really just need some comfort and happiness and this really does the trick every time. this one was exactly what I needed to kick it off and it had a 3 year old named Henry in it 🥺
yes it’s almost Easter and I’m officially giving in and reading cozy fall books. I am so sick of being in a slump & I really just need some comfort and happiness and this really does the trick every time. this one was exactly what I needed to kick it off and it had a 3 year old named Henry in it 🥺
September 7, 2025
This was a short but cosy read for me I loved the characters I felt sorry for Joanne and her troubles with debt, max was a cutie, I wish she had more confidence within herself because we all make mistakes it's how you learn from them ❤️
October 1, 2020
This series just simply gets better with each book. This book was an easy read and full of friendship and romance and being happy and well worth reading.
October 29, 2020
love this series can't wait for next one
April 5, 2021
Highly recommended this series finished in one evening, next one for tomorrow night x
November 11, 2023
I enjoyed this sweet story of one woman’s struggle to overcome not only her financial struggles but also to reconnect with a sister.
September 15, 2024
This was an adorable, cozy, light read.
October 22, 2025
Really enjoyed this one . A nice autumnal read .
September 19, 2022
Not well written. The only thing saving this from 1 star status is that the miscommunication trope, as so often employed by the Hallmark movies this resembles, is not used. Will not be reading the rest of the series.
August 6, 2025
Joanne is in her early thirties, working in a cafe, lives at home with her parents and is up to her eyeballs in credit card debt. She feels like a failure compared to her sister who is married with 2 kids, a mortgage and a career all figured out.
When Joanne’s two best friends get the feeling she is hiding something they drag the truth out of her, but on the condition they don’t tell her parents or her sister. When Joanne starts to take control of her debt things start to look up, including a date with the hot librarian and a chance to hash things out with her sister after some dramatic events.
This was a cute, easy, cosy, feel good read. It is written in third person and I normally prefer first person reads which is one of the reasons I’ve rated it the way I have.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🧡 Smalltown Romance
🧡 Third Person POV
🧡 Autumn Vibes
🧡 Family Drama
When Joanne’s two best friends get the feeling she is hiding something they drag the truth out of her, but on the condition they don’t tell her parents or her sister. When Joanne starts to take control of her debt things start to look up, including a date with the hot librarian and a chance to hash things out with her sister after some dramatic events.
This was a cute, easy, cosy, feel good read. It is written in third person and I normally prefer first person reads which is one of the reasons I’ve rated it the way I have.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🧡 Smalltown Romance
🧡 Third Person POV
🧡 Autumn Vibes
🧡 Family Drama
October 17, 2020
Uplifting story and book
This is the third in the series on Sunflower Street and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learning more about Joanne in this book along with the other main character's from book one and two Lila and Roxie, I found the continuation of their lives great to read.c
These books are easy to read and very enjoyable, where you escape into someone else's life.
If you have not tried this author before, please do you will not be disappointed.
Recommend this series on Sunflower Street and look forward to Christmas in Sunflower street, being next instalment/story.
A full 5/5 stars for me.
This is the third in the series on Sunflower Street and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learning more about Joanne in this book along with the other main character's from book one and two Lila and Roxie, I found the continuation of their lives great to read.c
These books are easy to read and very enjoyable, where you escape into someone else's life.
If you have not tried this author before, please do you will not be disappointed.
Recommend this series on Sunflower Street and look forward to Christmas in Sunflower street, being next instalment/story.
A full 5/5 stars for me.
January 23, 2022
A thousand times better than book 2. Although there was an over the top sappy moment between her sister and BIL, it was ok. This writing style flowed better. I think that because Joanne isn't as immature and annoying as Roxie is, this was just an overall better book. She box her problem at first but in the end sucked it up and got the help she needed. In book 2 Roxie was far too immature and her lack of communication with her husband just made her unlikable and unbearable. Joanne was a vast improvement.
December 23, 2022
Sunflower street
I was glad of this story to touch on the subject of credit card debt and am sure it resonated with a lot of people. Im glad Joanne had such good friends in Roxy Nd Lola they have all helped each other in their different needs. I am looking forward to reading the next book as they are not as predictable as some books therefore it was even more even more enjoyable and eager to read the next instalment.
I was glad of this story to touch on the subject of credit card debt and am sure it resonated with a lot of people. Im glad Joanne had such good friends in Roxy Nd Lola they have all helped each other in their different needs. I am looking forward to reading the next book as they are not as predictable as some books therefore it was even more even more enjoyable and eager to read the next instalment.
October 1, 2022
It was definitely the cover for me.. it's soo cute, it's calling me!
I went totally blind with this and found the story very warm, and cozy, and so family oriented it made you fuzzy wuzzy inside. Definitely such a calmer balm for a dry and full of insecurity soul and out straight from a hallmark movie..
I went totally blind with this and found the story very warm, and cozy, and so family oriented it made you fuzzy wuzzy inside. Definitely such a calmer balm for a dry and full of insecurity soul and out straight from a hallmark movie..
November 7, 2023
Probably like a 2.5 rounded up. I understand this is part of a series but the big obstacle the MC had to face being quickly resolved like it was felt a little too deus ex machina for my liking. But otherwise the characters and their stories were interesting, I'd consider reading more in this series or by this author sometime.
September 3, 2024
My first fall pick and I really enjoyed it. It just felt so cozy and warm it kept a steady flow. Joanne disguises she’s saving money for her own place but it’s far from the truth. She hates feeling compared to her sister who seems to have the perfect family. She has very supportive friends and things come together for her. Nice short read.
July 3, 2025
Great book but a rushed ending
This was another great book by Rachel Griffiths but I felt like it was a slow start a great middle but that the ending was rushed. I know that there are more books to come but felt that there was so much more that could have been written in this one.
This was another great book by Rachel Griffiths but I felt like it was a slow start a great middle but that the ending was rushed. I know that there are more books to come but felt that there was so much more that could have been written in this one.
September 27, 2020
A fabulous cosy story to enjoy cuddled up on my sofa.
Sunflower Street is a lovely community, and it was interesting to hear Joanne’s story.
A very likeable character, you soon find yourself willing her on with her difficulties.
A relaxing short story to embrace the autumn 🍂 days!
Sunflower Street is a lovely community, and it was interesting to hear Joanne’s story.
A very likeable character, you soon find yourself willing her on with her difficulties.
A relaxing short story to embrace the autumn 🍂 days!
October 22, 2020
Great series!
What I love about book 3 is the unique storyline one that touches on a real subject that many people battle, intertwined with the wonderful characters in the lovely town of Sunflower Street.
What I love about book 3 is the unique storyline one that touches on a real subject that many people battle, intertwined with the wonderful characters in the lovely town of Sunflower Street.
November 1, 2020
Lovely read on a cold autumn day.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and found myself interested in their lives. I have purchased both winter and spring on Sun flower street to find out more about the characters. They make a nice read for each season.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and found myself interested in their lives. I have purchased both winter and spring on Sun flower street to find out more about the characters. They make a nice read for each season.
November 10, 2020
This was a lovely, cosy and quick read. I wanted something completely warm and perfect-world like and this hit the spot. I like that it addressed reall things like financial struggle and comparison being the thief of joy. Great little read
November 13, 2020
Wow, this is such an excellent book! We follow the life of Joanne who works in a little cafe and still lives with her parents despite being in her thirties. She holds a secret of which she is dubious about telling anyone but she does eventually, but will she overcome her troubles?
September 17, 2021
Highly Recommended
First book that I've read in this series. Lovely, fee!-good story. An enjoyable tale to read with such fantastic characters. Definitely purchasing and reading the rest of this book series.
First book that I've read in this series. Lovely, fee!-good story. An enjoyable tale to read with such fantastic characters. Definitely purchasing and reading the rest of this book series.
March 12, 2023
Autumn Spice on Sunflower Street. RachelGriffiths
Another lovely story of life lived in Sunflower Street, it was full of drama and family with Halloween thrown in at the end for good measure. Off to find the next book.
Another lovely story of life lived in Sunflower Street, it was full of drama and family with Halloween thrown in at the end for good measure. Off to find the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews