Book review coming at ya!

In The Event of Love by Courtney Kae.

Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Y'all, who even AM I? A self-proclaimed Grinch that thrives at Halloween ENJOYING this Christmas #sapphic book? So we have Morgan, an event planner that left her small town to pursue her dream of event planning in LA, and then we have Rachel, the girl who runs a tree farm in said quaint village. This is a second-chance at love trope with TWO #bisexual girls here! What's not to love, another chance at love? A swoony love-interest? Rachel is just my type 😍

This was published on 30 Aug, 2022 and I highly recommend if you need a #christmas #lgbtqia #winterromance novel to set the mood of the seasons changing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5

Will you be picking this one up for winter?

#bookreview #intheevenroflove #courtneykae #lgbtbooks #lgbtromance #queerbooks #readqueerallyear #gaybookstagram #instagay #wlw #lgbtqia #lgbtbookstagram #lgbtq🌈 #bookstagram #netgalley

This book charmed the heck out of me. It's tropey and an obvious love letter to the Hallmark Christmas movies, but with a F/F relationship at the center and a lot of other representation that shows how dedicated the author was to her mission to write a story that centered identities we don't get to see represented in that type of media very often. Also, it's significantly steamier than any Hallmark movie I've ever watched! The "save the tree farm and the town" plot and the community of creative characters was excellent. Can't wait for more from this author!

What in the Taylor Swift - a Hallmark-worthy queer rom com set on a
Christmas tree farm?! I'd say this is more Alexandria Bellefleur than Casey McQuiston in rom-com / romance vibes,
so if you were more a fan of Darcy and Elle / Margot and Olivia than August and Jane, this one will probably be up your street. It's pretty cheesy and predictable, but isn't that why we all love a sappy romance every now and then?
I did like that there wasn't a (hugely) super
cringey miscommunication leading to a break up or otherwise manufactured drama in the third act, but I do have an absolutely stone cold heart, and this one didn't really make me connect with either of the protagonists - like, I wasn't really rooting for their relationship either
way particularly? It *did* leave me with the
overwhelming urge to wear my Carhartt
overalls out into the woods and impress my wife with my axe-wielding skills though... So I guess that's something?

3.5 Stars

Kai’s debut is holiday story with lots of heart, and a good debut.

At first, I was skeptical. This book took me longer than normal, over a week, to read. Mainly because the heroine, Morgan Ross, was a little difficult to relate to. I didn’t quite catch up to her voice. But, like a true give a book a chance I pushed past chapter one and Chapter two onward is really where Morgan snapped me up.

Add in a scandal, that puts Morgan’s chances of a promotion on the line and her only shot at redemption involves returning to the small town of Fern Falls that she left behind. Though it’s not just a town, it’s her friends and the one woman who always made her heart race, Rachel Reed. Boom, got me like a fish well-hooked.

Small town romance, at Christmastime… my catnip. Not only did I get a walking disaster in the form of Morgan, who gets to eat some serious crow when she crashes back in Fern Falls. Legit, woman drives her car right into a pine tree farm sign. Add in a slew of secondary characters, like bakery owner Ben, Rachel’s older brother Adam, and a sexy, charity-driven bartender Tanner. There’s nothing I don’t like about Fern Falls and would love to visit the town straight away.

Rachel is a female lumberjack and boy howdy did I love Kai’s take on this type of character. From flannel, to rough and tough. Gruff, yet kind and sweet. Rachel is fabulous. She’s got lots to unpack and since this book is a single POV, I was often left longing for Rachel’s inner thoughts that I didn’t get unless Morgan was clued into something.

Now there’s more plot here than just a rekindling romance between once-upon-a-time-best-friends. There’s Rachel’s tree farm to save and Morgan’s career trajectory. There are a couple of antagonists and the past plays a decent-sized role in Morgan and Rachel’s quest to be together. All in all, this story had plenty going for it, but where it missed the mark for me was those early chapters, and there were times when I found myself skimming pages instead of being gripped to the point I needed every word etched in my brain.

Overall, this is a decent debut. I hope it will yield more Fern Falls stories because that baker, Ben is at the top of the list of characters I want to read next. For folks who enjoy Jill Shalvis or Maisey Yates.

~ Landra

I adore these characters so much! The steamy and cosiness in this book is amazing! This is one of the best holiday books I've read :) pick this book up right now! You won't regret it

I enjoyed this second chance romance between childhood best friends. Both Morgan and Rachel were delightful. I liked experiencing them catching up and exploring both of their relationships with their dads. It had a fun cast of side characters and felt like an updated, queer Hallmark movie. I thought the end was a little too much, but I enjoyed the sweetness.

I occasionally had a hard time which text was part of a text message. Italicizing the text or creating a new line to indicate it's a text message would have helped immensely.

In the Event of Love (Fern Falls #1)
Author: Courtney Law
Publisher: Kensington Books
Release date: 30th Aug 2022


The closest thing to a "Hallmark style" #LGBTQIA movie recently was shown Christmas 2021 on Netflix. And it was 'Single All the Way'.
Instead of the token gay characters normally prevalent, the whole film centered around two gay best friends in a friends-to-lovers trope Christmas rom com.
And it was bloody wonderful.
It was also the first Netflix Christmas gay rom com featuring two male leads written by Chad Hodge and played by LGBTQIA actor, writer and director Michael Urie (Ugly Betty).
I loved this, because it addresses a massive gap in the market. I've been having this chat with my queer friends for years; Why had no one done this?
This also struck me as revelant when I read this dedication at the beginning of the novel.

"For readers who are here to see themselves: Welcome home."

And that, folks, is why this book is so important.

The book starts when event planner Morgan is invited to Fern Falls in December, her old home town, to head a last-minute fundraiser, and initially she balks at the idea. Too many memories, never mind her ok-on-the-surface relationship with her Dad.
Besides, she's successful, convinced she'll get the upcoming promotion and be able to set up her own offices in NYC with Sonia.
Or she would be, if it weren't for one little incident, that almost tanks her career.
So Fern Falls it is. And wow, that is where the fun, snark, banter, chemistry and cuteness kicks up a gear.
As with famous last words, Morgan thinks "A little fundraiser, a few weeks tops. How hard could it be?"
Well for starters, to say her relationship with her home town and dad is complicated, is like saying "ooh, that Black Friday sale is a bit busy".
In true rom-com fashion, the return to home is about to open Morgan's eyes in so many ways, and challenge many of her opinions and ideas.
As well as facing her with frenemy Rachel, the girl she once shared one doomed kiss with, seven years ago.
Morgan's ex bestie Ben is adorable and evil-cute, you'll see what I mean when we story hits Fern Falls. As for Rachel, she's the female version of the sexy flannel-clad Hallmark staple, whilst Morgan is the ex small town girl who made big, then slumped, returning home for the holidays.
In fact, the second chance meet-cute between the women is snort-worthy and had me laughing out loud.
Of course, what would any Christmas small town rom com be without some corporate greed thrown in for good measure? And a bit of dealing with past trauma and mistakes?
This novel was absolutely wonderful; brimming with Christmas cheer, pine trees, snow crested hills, the scent of gingerbread and vanilla cookies and all the warmth of being wrapped up in a cosy blanket in front of a log fire.
Yes, if its the right book, you can smell the setting.
And trust me, this is the right book.
I loved it with my whole being, especially because of the bisexual main character and the other LGBTQIA representation.
Sheer seasonal delight.
I want to read all the Fern Falls books on release.

I absolutely adored this book. It's cozy, it's joyful, and it's steamy! Read this if you love Christmas Romances, HEA, Second Chances, and Small Town Stories. I felt like I was IN a Hallmark Christmas movie while reading this book. Everything about this book felt natural and real with a little bit of comedy and drama added into the mix!

In IN THE EVENT OF LOVE, after a career mishap, event planner Morgan is sent back to her hometown to plan an event. In Fern Falls she has to face a lot of things from her past, including her former crush Rachel, who she may still have feelings for. Her work life and personal life mix when she realizes the event she's supposed to plan could save Rachel's family farm from a greedy corporation that's trying to buy out the whole town.

It took me a little while to get into this story, only because there was so much to learn about who all of these characters were to Morgan and the events from her past that caused her to leave town in the first place. Once I felt caught up, though, I really enjoyed this sweet small town romance. (Although I did keep getting the two male secondary characters confused, but maybe that was just me.) I love small town stories and Fern Falls definitely pulled me in.

Even though Morgan is trying to resolve the issues from her past, the book's tone was pretty light, but I did appreciate seeing her and her dad finally talk opening about their feelings. What I loved most about the book was the f/f love story. I'm so happy that there seems to be more and more sapphic romances being published lately. Morgan and Rachel were very cute together, and definitely had me rooting for them. With the sweet tone of the book, I honestly didn't expect their sex scenes to be so steamy. But that was totally a bonus!

I'll definitely be excited to check out Courtney Kae's next book in the Fern Falls series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of "In the Event of Love" by Courtney Kae, scheduled to release on August 30th, 2022!

Overall, I rated this novel a 4/5 stars!

This book tells the story of Morgan, who goes back home with her tail between her legs to do an event planning job in her hometown after rumors fly across social media at her previous place of employment. When she returns home, she runs into many people she left behind - including Ben and Rachel. Rachel and Morgan have a history with one another - back when they were 15. Can they find it in their hearts to forgive one another? Can Morgan help save the business of her hometown? Can Rachel & Morgan rekindle the spark that was thought to have burnt out all those years ago?

You'll have to read more to find out! :)

This was a fun book to get the holiday reading vibes started. While it was pegged as a Hallmark type romance, it is open door.

Morgan has to slink back to the town she left without a look back, after a scandal with a celebrity. An accident on an icy road leaves her smashing into a sign and into the arms of her best first kiss Rachel. She finds her family tree farm not doing so well, and after learning the Inn she is staying in is struggling as well Morgan agrees to help with a fundraising event.

Reconnecting with her friends has been the highlight of her trip, but finding out what happened with Rachel just might finally give her closure. Or a new beginning.

My only issues were that they jumped back into a relationship really quickly and the miscommunication from the initial relationship. Otherwise it was a fun light holiday read with a fun friend group, a towns second chance with a David and Goliath corporate takeover.

Such a wonderful holiday romance following Morgan, an event planner from LA, and Rachel, her teenage years sweetheart who owns a Christmas tree farm in their tiny home town.

Morgan is such a relatable character. I connected with her from page one and only found her thought process and decisions more and more relatable as the story progressed. She’s strong, with so many walls built up to keep herself protected from further heartbreak. Whether that comes in the form of a romantic relationship, communication with her father, or remembering past events through a lens of self-doubt and misunderstanding.

After a scandal in LA, Morgan takes on a small event fundraising job in her home town, a place she hasn’t returned to in six years, in the hopes of saving her reputation and gaining the promotion she desperately seeks. But having to work with Rachel, the only person she has ever truly loved romantically and then left for LA after feeling betrayed, isn’t what she had in mind.

There was a section just after half way where the paced slowed a bit and felt a bit dragged out, but it quickly picked back up and overall didn’t affect how much I enjoyed this book.

A beautiful story about community spirit, love, self-acceptance and mending broken bonds. This is a wonderful holiday romance, with a touch of spice thrown in, that will have you smiling and rooting for Morgan the entire time.

3.75 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an arc of this one.

When event planner Morgan gets herself caught up in a scandal, she returns to her hometown to run a charity event to try and save face as well as take a break. But little does she know the event is for the business of her ex-best-friend and first crush, Rachel. This book is absolutely made for people in love with Hallmark Christmas Movies who want some happy queer romance in their lives and I'm here for it.

First of all, can we point out how absolutely gorgeous this cover is. Give me a poster of it to decorate my house with at Christmas time! This was really cute. I would be lying if I didn't say it made me cry at one point. It is incredibly cheesy, but if you know you're getting into that cheesy holiday romance, you can smile along with the cuteness.

There were a few sections that things got a little too cheesy for me and ended up being less my style. The epilogue made me cringe a little with its cheesiness. This is totally fine for a romance, but it took me out of the story a little bit in a couple places because it was just so much!

Morgan and Rachel's second chance love story is super adorable. The small-town winter setting was so cute and made me want to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa even though it was the middle of summer.

Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Car accident

HALLMARK -ESQUE READS I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE GAY! SLAY! childhood best friends to lovers and second chance wlw? set during christmas? yeah babe. you got me. the inclusion in this book with not just the wlw mains but the side characters too? yeah. cannot wait fo rben and adam's book either OMG i love them sm thank u for this courtney kae i love u

thank u netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review <3

synopsis:
With her career as a Los Angeles event planner imploding after a tabloid blowup, Morgan Ross isn’t headed home for the holidays so much as in strategic retreat. Breathtaking mountain vistas, quirky townsfolk, and charming small businesses aside, her hometown of Fern Falls is built of one heartbreak on top of another . . .

Take her one-time best friend turned crush, Rachel Reed. The memory of their perfect, doomed first kiss is still fresh as new-fallen snow. Way fresher than the freezing mud Morgan ends up sprawled in on her very first day back, only to be hauled out via Rachel’s sexy new lumberjane muscles acquired from running her family tree farm.

When Morgan discovers that the Reeds’ struggling tree farm is the only thing standing between Fern Falls and corporate greed destroying the whole town’s livelihood, she decides she can put heartbreak aside to save the farm by planning her best fundraiser yet. She has all the inspiration for a spectacular event: delicious vanilla lattes, acoustic guitars under majestic pines, a cozy barn surrounded by brilliant stars. But she and Rachel will ABSOLUTELY NOT have a heartwarming holiday happy ending. That would be as unprofessional as it is unlikely. Right?

2.5 rounded down to 2 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

In the Event of Love is a holiday sapphic romance about going back to the place you fled from only to realize your heart has been there the whole time. Morgan Ross left her hometown, Fern Falls, after becoming estranged from her father, leaving behind her only family and friends- most devastatingly of all, her best friend/crush, Rachel Reed. After a catastrophe at work, Morgan heads back to Fern Falls to host a fundraiser to save Rachel’s struggling family tree farm.

The romance centers Rachel and Morgan, who used to be best friends but had a falling out and then were distanced for some time until Morgan returned to Fern Falls. While this book had the potential to be really sweet (!!!!!!!!) (and it was in some ways), I just didn't feel that there was enough exploration of the connection between the two love interests, Rachel and Morgan. All of their relationship hinged on versions of themselves that they were years before- and while it’s so valid they would still care for each other, it just doesn’t make sense that they would not get to know these new versions of themselves. They mainly go back to things from the past, and while discussions of the past and reconciliations were very necessary, there wasn’t any development of their current selves. That made it really difficult for me to connect to them as individuals and as a couple. I was also really peeved off by Morgan. While I understood a lot of why she was behaving the way she was, she would say that she had changed and understood what went wrong before- only to act AGAIN in the same immature and selfish way. The main conflict in the book was basically a repetition of the original conflict that happened when they were teenagers which just felt really :/ this story just fell flat for me sadly! I love holiday romances and love cheesy stuff but I just didn’t connect to these characters and their relationship </3

IN THE EVENT OF LOVE is a sapphic, small-town romcom full of light. if you're looking for a queer book that feels like a hallmark movie, this is it. i absolutely adored the second chance romance, the setting, and all the characters. equal parts humor and heart, this was a delightful read that was full of hope while still exploring more difficult topics through it's characters.

This was such a great read. Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes and mix it in with a cozy mountain town during the holidays? My favorite hallmark movie in a book! This was such a breeze to read and the ultimate addition to your holiday TBR!

3.5 stars for this queer Christmas romcom!

After a scandal that involves accidentally kissing one of her clients and a social media outrage Morgan returns to her home on a mountain Fern Falls to organize a fundraiser that she hopes saves her career and meanwhile reconnects with her old best friends and the girl she loved as a teen.

I really liked the characters and the setting, Fern Falls felt like a warm embrace but not completely perfect-which made it more real in my eyes. Morgan's fear of not being good enough was very relatable and the glimpses of the other characters struggles and relationships I enjoyed as well.
The only things I'd criticize are the pacing and the predictable plot. Considering this is a cheesy Christmas rom com like we watch them on the screen, I understand the latter issue though.

I think if this had been dual POV I would have loved it even more, considering I was missing a bit of insight into Rachel's mind. I am excited to see if any of the other couples get stories in this universe, because it feels like there are endless possibilities!

3.5 stars

My first thought when I discovered In the Event of Love was: *A Hallmark-style holiday romcom but with steam and queer characters? Sign. Me. Up.*

I’m a huge fan of cheesy, sweet, and heartfelt Hallmark movies, but I always wish a) there was more than one chaste kiss at the end, and b) there was better representation in general, but especially when it comes to queer characters. This book delivered on all of that - the sweet, the steam, the heartfelt moments, and the diversity of characters.

This book had everything you’d expect in a small-town romance: fun festivals and events, charming businesses, second chances, and an eclectic and eccentric bunch of townspeople who know and love each other and are willing to work together for the common good. I love second chance romances and the found family trope, and this did both of those so well. I enjoyed the cast of characters, and I appreciated both Morgan and Rachel’s growth.

If you’re looking for a fun festive read that’s both sweet and spicy, with plenty of moments that will make you smile/laugh and tug at your heartstrings, be sure to pick up In the Event of Love this holiday season.

I had to DNF this at 30% because the writing style is just not for me, I can't focus for longer than 1 page and I can't get into the story.