This autumn, love is in the air.
Artist Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, but she never imagined she would ever return. However, when she learns her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, is struggling to save the beloved Hughes Family Orchard, she doesn’t hesitate to pack her bags and head back to the North Carolina mountains–even if it means battling a corporate giant and resisting the temptation of too many candy apples.
For Jake, the orchard is more than just a business; it’s a living legacy, a bond with his father and a promise to his family. As Jake and Emily work side-by-side to prepare for the orchard’s centennial anniversary, long-held feelings, once hidden beneath years of friendship, begin to surface. For Jake, Emily’s return illuminates what’s been missing in his life, and for Emily, being with Jake stirs long-dormant emotions she’s too scared to name. The air is crisp, the apples are sweet, and the sparks? They’re flying higher than a bonfire.
But with Jake’s ex-girlfriend’s dramatic reappearance and the mounting pressure to keep the orchard from failing, their budding romance is put to the test. Can these two best friends turn a season of chaos into a lifetime of love, or will their romance fall flat before the first frost?
About The Author
My Review
This book is about a cozy friends-to-lovers romance set in the autumnal charm of Splendid Lake, where returning home, saving a family orchard, and rediscovering love all come together.
Candy Apple Kisses follows artist Emily Carmichael as she returns to the North Carolina mountains to help her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, save his family’s apple orchard from financial trouble. What begins as a simple act of support gradually turns into something deeper, as long-held friendship shifts into a quiet, heartfelt romance.
The setting is one of the story’s highlights, with the orchard’s golden fall atmosphere, crisp air, and nostalgic small-town warmth creating a soothing backdrop. Emily and Jake are easy to root for, with their bond built on trust, history, and genuine care for one another.
Amy Clipston delivers a gentle, predictable romance that leans into comfort rather than surprise. While the conflict feels familiar, it doesn’t take away from the overall warmth of the story.
Ultimately, this is a soft, feel-good read perfect for readers who enjoy low-stakes romance, cozy settings, and the comfort of a guaranteed happily ever after.
My Rating
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