Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Absolutely charming holiday story! I would absolutely watch this if it was made into a movie!

We follow Morgan who works in LA as an event planner. Certain events transpired and her boss told her to take a break while things settle down. She goes back to Fern Falls where she grew up to help the community with a fundraiser. Morgan has so much history in this place, including leaving behind her crush Rachel. Will she be able to help out the community, fix things with Rachel and get her job in LA back?

I really liked everything about this story UNTIL we got to the miscommunication part near the end. Things were going great and then they weren’t? And then we get a (in my opinion) pointless chapter of her back home and a party that I unfortunately skimmed through. HOWEVER, I still give this book a 4 stars because it was just so cute and I love Morgan and Rachel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.

This is what if we took a classic holiday Hallmark movie and made it into a book. AND MADE IT QUEER. Which honestly the potential was there, but it fell a bit flat for me.

We’ve got a lot of good things going for this book:
- Small Town
- Second Chance
- Best friends to lovers, to strangers to hesitant partnership, back to friends to lovers.
- All the diversity, PLUS BOTH THE FMC AND LOVE INTEREST ARE BI.
- Nicely done spice

Things that could have used some work:
- very slang-y, but honestly it was pretty easy to ignore.
- I mean its like a cheesy holiday movie so all the loose ends are resolved/wrapped up and tied in a bow by the end.
- The pacing, it had a slow start and middle, and it seems like everything was jam packed into the end.
- Everything was very predictable, like I knew before I hit the first quarter of this book almost everything that happened.
- Yikes the conflict. That’s all I will say on that front. If you know, you know.

All in all it was an okay time, but I found myself bored more often than not. 2.5 stars rounding up to a 3. August might be a BIT too soon for the holiday romances for me.

This was super cute! I'm not in the biggest reading mood right now, which is why it took me a few days to get through this book, but in any other circumstance I probably would've finished this in one day. It was just a great, easy, fun read and it managed to get me excited for winter and snow... which I didn't think was possible because I hate the snow and I usually don't want to be thinking about it in August! But this book just got me in the right mood!

It is exactly as it advertises itself: a Hallmark-esque, steamy, holiday romance. So if that's what you're looking for, this is the perfect read for you!

I noticed some of the comments saying that there was *too* much sex in this. Yes, there are a few sex scenes, and sure, the characters are definitely horny for one another. But considering that they're both extremely attractive women, they have a long history together, and they are in the middle of rekindling a deep friendship as well as a romance... they're having exactly as much sex as I would expect them too. I agree that the writing wasn't perfect; I've definitely read some books with better, more interesting sex scenes. But the full title of the book is literally: "In the Event of Love: A Sweet and Steamy Christmas Rom-com!". So how could there be TOO MUCH sex? There were maybe 3 steamy scenes in the book, and it took like half the novel before they even kissed. I'm not complaining about any of this, I think it was exactly what I was expecting and hoping for in a holiday romance! This is more of a response to some other comments I've noticed.

As I mentioned, I think some of the writing wasn't perfect. I feel like it kind of pushed the limit of what is an acceptable amount of clichés. I also think some of the scenes were a bit rushed, which took me out of the story a little. However, all that considered, I sobbed like a baby reading this... Maybe I'm in a particularly sentimental mood, but this book made me smile, laugh, giggle, cry. It was overall just a super fun read and it is now my goal to find someone who will be as obsessed with me as Rachel is obsessed with Morgan.

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a super cute, classic, holiday romance!

Source (ARC): Kensington Books

This book reads like a Sapphic Hallmark Christmas movie. It was cute and wholesome and somewhat steamy.

Rachel and Morgan have loads of sparks firing between them and Rachel is so naughty all the time around Morgan. It was super cute. However, I do feel like their story is lacking a bit. It seems their whole relationship was based on their childhood. We didn't see them get to know each other after not seeing each other for 7 years. I think I would have enjoyed the story a lot more had they have gotten to know each other better. But, their focus was really on the fundraiser.

At first, Morgan got on my nerves. It seemed like she was constantly playing the victim, and I can't tolerate that behaviour. Once she got rid of that mindset I started warming up to her a lot more.

The small town vibes were adorable and I loved Ben and Adam. I can't wait for their story next.

Queer representation was a big part of the book and didn't just apply to the two main characters, which is awesome! There was also other forms of representation, which I always love to see in books.

Despite enjoying most of the book, there are two aspects that really affect a book rating for me. The first being how long it takes me to finish the book. If it takes me more than a few days to finish a book, it already loses a star as I clearly wasn't captivated by the book. Unfortunately, In the Event of Love took me quite a few days to finish. The second aspect is the ending. The ending of In the Event of Love seemed rushed and that just left me feeling that the book was unfinished and not fulfilling.

Thank you to Kensington Books, Netgalley and Courtney Kae for this advanced reader copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for providing a copy of this book to me in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a hallmark Christmas book and that is definitely what I received. I actually hate cheesy holiday movies but since this is a sapphic one so I had to read it. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. A couple of things that I enjoyed in this book were the side characters, and the cute stars hollow (from girlmore girls) like vibe that the small town gave off. I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship arc of Ben and Morgan that progressed throughout the book. It was a charming friendship. The genre of this book is rightly known for having some very unrealistic events happening but I thought the events were realistic. This book's targeted audience is definitely adults or people who love cheesy hallmark books. I definitely would say this was my ultimate favorite book of all time, but I would rate this a solid four-star read. I would recommend this book to people who love cute happy sapphic romance books, Alexandria Bellefleur lovers and hallmark movie lovers.

cw; alcoholism, alcohol, death of parent, cancer, sexual content, car accident

I said it on my review for the audiobook and I’ll say it here too, this book is like the best version of a hallmark movie. I loved every single bit of it!

Thank you so much to Courtney Kae, NetGalley & Kensington Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book will be published on August 30th.

"Romance novels should be flaunted with pride."

After a scandal with a client, Morgan retreats back to her hometown to get a well deserved break from event planning. Though workaholic can't stay away from planning too long, she gets tricked into planning a fundraiser to help save her childhood best friend's business from the big business that has been taking over. Morgan did not leave her hometown on the best of terms so she has to work to rebuild her relationship with her old friends and family. One relationship she was most unsure about was with her former best friend turn crush Rachel Reed. It was a rocky start but once they had a heart to heart things fell into place.

"I want to be overwhelmed by you. All of you."

Ya'll this was a great book to kick off the start of the new holiday releases! This book had everything I needed in a queer romance. This has been labeled as a queer Hallmark movie and honestly it does. My Hallmark viewing has declined over the years (just not enough time in the day) but if they were like this, then perhaps I would make the time to watch more.

I was really excited to have read a second chance romance. It's not a trope I find myself reading a whole lot of and I loved it. Of course there was some force proximity which is a favorite trope of mine. I was rooting for Rachel and Morgan throughout the book and knew that they just had to have their happily ever after. Also the SPICE in this was so hot!!

I would never have thought from the way this was written that this was a debut book. Setting the stage in the beginning of the book felt a little long (very well could've been my mood) but as the book went on the dialogue/interactions, the descriptions were crafted so well.

I am looking forward to the new book in the series & can't see where the characters from Fern Falls go!

4.75

A sweet rom-com about second chances and following your heart, all under the loving holliday's spirit!

Morgan is a bit of a mess, and that gave a lot of humor to the story. Her road towards understanding her heart's true desire was very emotional and sweet.
Both Morgan and Rachel had a lot of emotional baggage to deal with and I think that maybe they might have started to deal with it earlier in the story.

I found that in the end things happened a bit fast, but as far as 'grand gestures' go, that one topped them all.

Whitney was my favorite character! I also liked Ben a lot and I wished he had more scenes. I was really glad to find out he's about to star his own romance novel and will get the chance for a happy ending with Adam too!

I really enjoyed this sweet, swoony, and steamy sapphic rom com. Morgan is a event planner for the rich and famous, when a scandal threatens everything she’s worked for. She’s forced to take time off and heads to her home town to plan and event there to distract her. From a crash when she arrives in town, things continue not to go her way. It turns out the event she’s hired to plan is for her former best friend and person she’s always had a thing for; Rachel Reed. They start from there they left off at the end of high school, working to repair their relationship and save Rachel’s family farm. This had so many sweet moments: I really liked how Morgan and Rachel could easily turn to each other and both wanted to put the work into their relationship. I enjoyed some of the small town antics and seeing the holidays at Fern Falls. I really liked Ben and the hints of something with Adam. I saw there is going to be a second book focused on Ben and Adam and I can’t wait!

I really, really enjoyed this dual POV, spicy Hallmark movie-esque holigay romance!! Big city girl Morgan is told to take a break from her Event Planning job in LA and returns home for the first time in years. While there she reconnects with her former best friend/first love Rachel and also comes to terms with long carried grief over her dead mother.

I loved the small town charm and all the cozy holiday vibes with some delightful open doors scenes you won't find in any real Hallmark movie! Perfect for fans of Lovelight farms, Kiss her once for me or Season of love and great on audio with two narrators. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!

Take me to Fern Falls!! So fucking cute. This is a steamy, beautiful love story. I love the 2nd chance romance! I love the small town. I love her writing! So good! Cannot wait to read more by her.

“Love never stops being scary. People choose to keep being brave.”

IN THE EVENT OF LOVE is exactly what you’d get if you mashed up a classic Hallmark holiday movie with a sapphic romance novel. It’s a very sweet second-chance love story about Morgan, an event planner who now lives in LA, and Rachel, her former best friend and high school crush who stayed on in their small town of Fern Falls to run the family tree farm. You know how it goes: the ambitious, stressed out city gal who’s been suppressing all her tender feelings is pulled home for the holidays, pushed into proximity with her love interest to save the town’s small businesses, and emerges with her own happily ever after. This wasn’t a particularly original or compelling story to me, and at times even felt a bit bland, but overall it’s a lovely little sapphic holiday romance. I could say more but honestly, the more I think about it the more critical I become about the aspects that didn’t work for me, so I'll leave it there. Thanks to Kensington Books and Recorded Books Media for the eARC/ALC! The narration, performed by Melissa Moran, is lovely. This novel is out 8/30.

Content warnings: loss of a parent, alcohol addiction/recovery

I love me a sapphic holiday romance! This takes the tropes that are typically seen in Hallmark-esque Christmas romances (big city person returns to small town & tries to save a beloved town landmark and finds love along the way) but provides much steamier fare.

After a scandal at her event planning job in LA, Morgan has to return home to Fern Falls. There she runs into her former best friend and crush Rachel. Things between the two women didn’t end on the best of terms. But when Rachel’s Christmas tree farm is in danger of being bought out by an evil corporation, Morgan decides to put her event planning skills to the test to try and save the farm. And perhaps start a romance with Rachel as well.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Morgan and Rachel. They both had things they needed to work through and resolve from their past in order to make this new romance work. However, I did wish that they would’ve spent a bit more time learning how each other changed and developed in the years they spent apart. I also loved all of the side characters, they added a lot to the story and fleshed out the town.

My extremely picky nature when it comes to romance epilogues kept me from fully loving this one. It just felt so rushed to me. But overall I think this is a super enjoyable sapphic holiday romance.

This is a great addition to the holiday romance novel circuit - and one of the first I've read that features an LGBTQ2 couple - so all the better.

Morgan, event planner extraordinaire, is letting loose at a bar with her bestie and co-worker when a hooded gentleman sidles up for a dance. She doesn't think twice but it turns out that the mystery dancer is none other than the groom at this year's wedding of the year that she just happens to be planning. In less than 24 hours her world falls apart and she finds herself on the road to the home and people she left behind after high school.

Within minutes of skidding into town, no joke, she's forced to confront the ghosts of her past in the form of Ben, Adam and Rachel. Most importantly Rachel.

While not quite romance channel nor epic love saga, this novel is a fresh take (with a holiday spin) on a second chance romance with a small town save the small business plot line. It's fun and sexy and if you like trees, Christmas, flannel and hot drinks - this is probably a good pick for you!

It was really a 3 stars for me but I couldn’t bring myself to rate the book as this for one simple reason: it’s exactly the book that was advertise, it’s a freaking great Hallmark-style holiday romance. Unfortunately, it’s not my favorite kind of movies or books.

This book is charming, funny (it has amazing one liner), full of tropes. At the end of it, it’s easy to imagine yourself moving in a small town like Fern Falls. Friends to lovers, second chance, it’s the ultimate check list for an Hallmark-style book.
I was disappointed in the too fast paced romance (especially at the end) and the absence of real discussion between the two MC. They talk, explain why everything happen, but I didn’t get the feeling that they really got to know each other, now as adult.


Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of an honest review

I finished this a few days ago and just realized I never wrote anything about it. My feelings on this book are complicated. If I were to rate this on vibes, I’d probably give it four stars because it’s sapphic and wintery. However, if I actually let myself think about this book, there are several issues I can’t ignore.

Chief among these issues is the main coupling. They just didn’t work for a couple reasons. I felt like I knew nothing about them, and they had no chemistry apart from sexual. I was supposed to believe that these people have been secretly pining for each other for the past five or so years and I just didn’t. The main character would describe the love interest as amazing and I could never figure out why. I honestly can’t remember them having more than like one or two actual conversations. Most of the time it felt like it was in response to the physicality of the love interest instead of anything to do with her personality, which y’know… isn’t a great thing to base a relationship on. I also just didn’t care for the main character’s internal monologue. It was borderline cringy at times.

In general it felt like everything in this book was very surface level. I don’t remember any of the characters or the setting being richly developed or described. I don’t even remember who the side characters were at this point. The plot was also just fairly unbelievable. The main conflict was resolved entirely too conveniently, and I had to majorly suspend my disbelief when it came to the main character’s ability to solve, well, anyone’s problems.

Overall this book was pretty much a complete miss for me, but I’ve read worse and I had fun when I could suspend my disbelief, hence a generous three stars.

Read this book if you like: Second chances, friends to lovers, LGBTQ representation, slow burn, spicy 🔥, Hallmark vibes, small town

Morgan Ross is popular event planned in LA. A tabloid blow up happens and her boss tells her to take time off. She 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 on heartbreaks.

She inmediately runs into her one-time best friend turned crush, Rachel Reed. The memory of their perfect, doomed first kiss is still fresh in her mind. 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.

A queer holiday romcom!? Sign me up. I loved this book. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone this holiday season. I am sucker for small town romances. Morgan comes back to her town and gets a second chance with her crush, Rachel. This was funny, sweet, sappy, and sexy. It's the perfect cozy holiday read. The characters were developed so well. I can't think of a single thing I would change. I laughed and cried. I am SO excited for the next book in April. 🥳 Definitely get this one! It comes out August 30th!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and Kensington Books for the gifted ebook! ❤️

3.5 rounded up

Well, if this is the epitome of a sapphic Hallmark. It was saccharine and over the top and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was sometimes repetitive and Morgan and Rachel got back together way too quickly for having spent 7 years not speaking to each other, but other than that the story was delightful! I really related to Morgan and her constant questioning of being enough/ being worth it. And oof if Rachel's father's alcoholism didn't hit too close to home. I found myself laughing out loud quite often and had a huge smile on my face when I finished the book. Could it have used a little more depth and little less "everything coming together perfectly in a way nothing in real life does"? Sure- but so could all Hallmark and lifetime movie channel stories. We love them because you know exactly what we're going to get- a charming small town, loveable characters, a little bit of easily overcome drama, and lots of warm hug vibes. This was wonderful and I can't wait to read Ben and Adam's story next. Ben was definitely my favorite character!

In the Event of Love is a wonderful debut that gives me the sapphic holiday romance that I've been waiting for. This second chance romance was done well; full of wanting and I loved how they came together at the right time. I loved the elements of coming home and realizing that you are enough.

This was full of pining and romance. Morgan and Rachel were adorable and I loved how cozy this book felt. The small town was iconic and I loved the found family and meddling friends. When Morgan and Rachel get it right, it's magical, and gave me the Hallmark movie vibes I love but the spice I crave in romances.

I can't wait for Ben's story because he was one of my favorite characters and just a wonderful friend and deserves it all.

CW: parental abandonment, parent with alcoholism, grief & loss

Thank you to Kensington for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley.com and Kensington Publishing for the advance ARC copy for my honest review.

My biggest problem with this one, was that I never liked the character Morgan Ross an event planner, who has to come home due to a scandal and you need to with the way the author wrote this one. Just feel like the pace is slow, it's a 330 page book, yet feels like it takes forever to get any where in this one and just bogs down when you get morsels of her past in Fern Falls. Found it predictable as to everyone Morgan doesn't want to meet, yet she does and perhaps, 'In the Event of Love' is just a whee bit overhyped.