This is a queer small town romance, with the markings of a hallmark movie. And that got me excited. I thought i was absolutely going to love this. And even though i don't hate this book. It definitely wasn't the best romance i've read. I'm usually ok with sex in books, but this one just didn't do it for me. I feel like some people may like that though. I just found myself losing interest in the end. Even after the first chapter i felt like i was already loosing my interest. And this was book i was very much excited for.

The idea behind the book is good. But that was about it for me.

Last week, I finished reading IN THE EVENT OF LOVE and it was so good! There's a small town and a Christmas tree farm that needs saving! A second chance at love! And lots of warm drinks! And holiday festivals! I mean, honestly what more could you ask for in a holiday rom com? Not much, I tell you.

Morgan Ross is an event planner in LA, hoping to land a big promotion that will take her to New York. But when a tabloid scandal with her biggest client erupts, Morgan heads home to Fern Falls to wait for the news to blow over. But Morgan is less than thrilled to be returning

Morgan makes a crash landing when she demolishes her former best friend and crush Rachel's Christmas tree farm sign on her way into town. And when Morgan learns the farm and Fern Falls are in trouble, she jumps into action by planning a fundraiser to help the farm and try to stop the corporation in the process. But as Morgan and Rachel's feelings are reignited, Morgan knows she only has limited time before she'd back to the city and maybe even across the country.

It's small town, second chance, friends to lovers. I loved Morgan and Rachel together! It was such a fun, steamy read and perfect for the holidays (or if you are just wishing for a relief from the August heat!). Fern Falls was so quirky and cute, it made me want to visit. It was like a Hallmark movie ... but steamy. And queer.

Holiday Hallmark movie but make it steamier and queer! Loved this second chance romance. City girl goes home to her small town and finds out her old friend has misled her to get there, giving her an opportunity to make things right with family, friends, and of course, her high school best friend and first love. They are Ross and Rachel (but not the TV ones you might think of!) and they are great together. Highly recommend this spin on the traditional holiday romance!

I personally tried very hard to enjoy this book and I could not. The main character was too snooty for me, thinking she was better than her home town and seemed to constantly point out every one else’s flaws and past mistakes, without really addressing her own.
She had an annoying attitude in my opinion and didn’t communicate well.
I also felt it was a weird flip when she suddenly decided to help the inn caretaker against her fathers ex who… honestly just seems a lot like her in personality just aged up? I dunno how to explain it any better.
On top of that I hated how the main character kept sexualizing her love interest instead of talking about her as a person? That was really creepy and a negative stereotype to me,
It could have just not been a good time for me to read it, but I got about a quarter in and DNF’d it cause I just wasn’t enjoying it at all.

Okay, it's official. I want to pack my bags and move to Fern Falls. From the very first chapter, I fell in love with Morgan, Rachel and the whole crew. This is a wonderful LGBTQ, WLW, FF romance book with an idyllic setting in the mountains with scenery that gave me Hallmark movie vibes but Queer friendly.

I loved Morgan and Rachel's second chance love story on how they went from childhood friends, to crushes and then separated so each could grow into the human they were meant to be. Morgan is smart, ambitious and cares deeply. Rachel is strong, quiet and thrives in helping her family and town. They were the perfect match and it made me heart so happy to read this story. The pace and storyline were so perfect and the ending left a big smile on my face. I'm already anxiously waiting for the next book.

I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. This LGBTQ holiday romance takes place in an idyllic little town with a diverse cast of characters, and an array of charming businesses such as the pub that doubles as a library, the fairyland tea party shop, and the bed and breakfast with a seemingly vast amount of rooms and event space. The love interests, Morgan and Rachel, are thwarted high school sweethearts who must get past their insecurities and resentments to find love again, against the backdrop of a Christmas tree farm that must be saved from becoming an outlet mall. The author does her best to duplicate the tone of a Hallmark holiday movie, but with queer protagonists. It was entertaining, but a little clunky and predictable at points. I’d recommend it for romance readers who want something light with a holiday flair.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kingston Books for the ARC in exchange for this review.

If you’re looking for something sweet and funny, this book is for you. If you want Hallmark but make it sapphic, then pick this up.
In the Event of Love follows Morgan Ross returning to her childhood home after a massive SNAFU at work that leaves her wondering about her future.
The writing is hilarious, helping to balance the harder subjects the characters have to deal with and keep the reader from getting too bogged down. The main characters Morgan and her crush Rachel both have their scars to deal with. Some stem from family, some from one another in a high school incident that stretched on for years, but from almost the get-go I could feel the chemistry and was rooting for them both. Surrounding them is a cast of characters that are colorful and just as invested in Morgan and Rachel’s relationship as I was. Family, friends, and neighbors flesh out a support network of quirky characters that aren’t just window dressing. Everyone plays a part and helps flesh out this town that I came to love by the end just as much as its denizens.
Overall a great, feel-good read about second chances, forgiveness, and realizing what you want from life might surprise you.

Thank you Kensington Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I read a lot of holiday romances each year and I’ve become pretty picky when it comes to the stories. I love a little of holiday predictability but mostly, I want to read something that is actually compelling set at the holidays. In the Event of Love was up to the challenge and it did not disappoint. And even better, it is a queer (wlw) love story that doesn’t center on coming out. After having mixed feelings about the 2020 film The Happiest Season, this story was very refreshing and swoony.

Synopsis:

What I Liked:

The Setting—A mountain setting in an idyllic small town? Chef’s kiss. It was so charming and Gilmore Girls esque.

The Pacing—I loved how things unfolded in this story. Everything felt natural and believable with a little bit of that RomCom magic.

The Wintery Vibes—This book was perfectly wintry with a little bit of holiday magic but wasn’t Hallmark level cheesy. A sprinkle of peppermint, if you will.

The Characters—I loved Morgan and Rachel. I loved their second chance trope and the side characters were truly top notch. Such a fun group to read about.

What Didn’t Work:

I would have loved a but more inclusion from the side characters, but I think this is going to become a series so there’s going to be more soon!

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1.5/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

Alcoholism, death of a parent, grief

Included as a top pick in bimonthly August New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

3.5 ✨

In the Event of Love is a fun, cosy, Hallmark-esque book, with plenty of pining and steam. I enjoyed being transported to the holiday magic of snowy Fern Falls and getting to know all of its inhabitants; the picturesque setting and the charming cast were my favourite parts. Morgan and Rachel have a fun second-chance arc, both of them clearly still yearning for each other despite not having spoken for years. I loved seeing them work together to try and save Rachel's tree farm, and how they managed to unite the whole town.

I did think the storyline was quite predictable in places, and the romance was a little fast paced for my liking; however, I am very keen to read Ben/Adam's story after all the little moments they have!

Love love loved this one!
I loved the Queer/Lesbian Representation in this book. and the second chance, friends to lovers tropes were absolutely PERFECT!
The plot and steaminess of the book were what kept me from putting this book down at all.
Such a perfect holiday hallmarky type of book

If you need a Hallmark Christmas movie fix...but sapphic...look no further. It might not appeal to everyone, since not everyone is into that Hallmark formula. The two main characters are really cute together and everyone in the town is impossibility sweet...except the one or two who very much aren't. There's flannel, delicious coffee and cupcakes, a cute Christmas town, the big city gal returning home with improper footwear...everything you'd need to curl up and let things unfold. I went with 3.5 (rounded up) for the rating because I did enjoy it, but it lacked a bit of depth. But if framed in the context of the Hallmark formula it accomplished that and was a great light and fluffy read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The story truly feels like your typical holiday romcom: Morgan Ross, hotshot event planner in Los Angeles, receives an invitation to plan a fundraiser at her mountain hometown of Fern Falls. Having moved away seven years ago, she's not keen on going back to face everyone she wasn't good enough for, but her plans change after her career takes a hit and she realizes she could use a Christmas miracle. There, she runs head-first into her former best friend and crush, Rachel Reed, struggling to save her family tree farm; her widowed father, and the rest of the friends she left behind. Saving Fern Falls soon becomes about more than saving her old job.

The main couple follows the tropes of childhood friends to lovers and second chances, a great combination for fans of relationships built on a solid foundation and characters who have to find their way back to each other. I enjoyed seeing Morgan and Rachel reconnect as friends first, how their previous knowledge of each other came into play, and how they tried to put the past behind them and build something new. I appreciated the way they supported and encouraged each other. There's a lot of unresolved sexual tension, and several scenes of generally well-written explicit smut.

The writer did an amazing job at making you feel as if you were in Fern Falls, with beautiful descriptions and details as she shows you around town. The word "cozy" is appropriate, because that's the way the settings and the team dynamics make you feel. The plot conflict makes you root for these people, and it's fun to see them all come together to pull off the fundraiser.

The angst and conflict come from Morgan feeling like she was both let down and let down people herself when she ran away, so there are some nice emotional moments and heart-to-hearts (although I thought the crying was a bit excessive). It was interesting to see her healing and mending relationships.

On the downside, I felt deceived and like I couldn't trust Morgan as a narrator, because the story starts setting you up to believe that everybody wronged her, and then it turns out it's not quite as she claimed. While it's totally possible to let things get in your head and run away instead of facing your problems, especially at 18, it still felt like she painted this picture of Rachel as this big bad that she absolutely loathed... and then it wasn't so. Especially when it seems that Rachel was only mildly hurt by the whole thing and more eager to pick things up than to really talk about it. Seeing the characters repeat old mistakes contributed to this being an issue for me to fully swoon.

The resolution felt a little too convenient for my taste... but I suppose it is in line with the Hallmark-style story the author was going for.

I appreciated the diversity of the whole book, the fact that a woman wasn't blamed for a man's actions, and that women weren't pitted against each other.

Despite some character beats that fell flat, "In the event of love" is a feel-good queer romance perfect to add a dose of sweet and spicy to the holiday season.

I wasn’t expecting to like this story as much as I did. The characters and charm of the town enraptured me. I wish it was a real place and they were real people. It’s not always easy going home, but there’s something beautiful about the welcome. Recommended book. Easy read. Happy endings and humor along the way.

In The Event of Love by Courtney Kae was the sapphic Hallmark holiday story I needed! (But seriously, Hallmark we NEED more queer holiday movies. Get on it stat.)

This book was too cute and as someone who watches Hallmark holiday movies obsessively every year, it was absolutely made for me. I loved this book - the characters (especially Rachel & their chosen family), the plot, the tropes, the spice! and so much more. It's giving queer love, it's giving second chances, it's giving friends to lovers, it's giving city girl returns home during the holidays and reunites with her best friend turned first love who is now a sexy lumberjane. 😍

If you love Hallmark holiday movies, this book is for you. If you don't, maybe pass because this follows that formula exactly and you may find it a bit meh.

Overall, it was super cute, cozy, sexy, joyful, and just a delight. Definitely recommend if it feels up your alley! ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the sapphic Christmas romance book of my dreams. I loved the main characters who definitely went through a lot of growth over the course of the book which I loved. I also really liked how it was a second chance romance and was so cute and steamy. Overall, I highly recommend it.

Thank you @lovearctually @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for my advance e copy in exchange for my review

What a breath of fresh air! This book is the first in the Fern Falls series and I’ll be here for the sequels. This book hooked me in from the beginning and that’s a term I usually don’t use when reading a rom com. Oh, this author provides such snarky dialogue! I absolutely loved the humor and sarcasm - what uplifting humor. There’s also so much emotion, and soul searching heart - the characters really make themselves vulnerable in the best way. I really haven’t read a romantic F/F book like this before, but I feel the author did such a great job.

What a perfect, fun read! Hallmark worthy, it’s romance and family and what’s most important in life.

I think readers, without regard to identity or orientation, will enjoy this second chance romance.

Steam level - Open door

4 stars and two thumbs up!

Pub date 8/30

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

OMG! You guys, this book is the whole reason I joined NetGalley to start reviewing books back in January. When I first read the blurb for this book, I knew I HAD to read it! I was FINALLY granted an ARC and just consumed it in the last 24 hours!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest review!

Let me start by saying, that if you’ve ever been in need of a LGBTQ+ version of a Hallmark Christmas Story, this is the book for you!

Morgan Ross grew up in small town Fern Falls, in the mountains of California. After a very public rejection 7 years ago, she left town and hasn’t looked back. Now she is a very successful event planner in LA, and everyone wants her business until she finds herself the face of a major scandal!

She receives an email invitation back to Fern Falls to plan a last minute event and quickly sends it to the archives without a second thought. Then the scandal hits and she realizes it’s her best chance to get her reputation back on track. She’s terrified to return home to a father who didn’t want her around, and a best friend/crush, Rachel Reed, whom she had feelings for and got rejected by.

Rachel Reed is the daughter of a tree farmer who is now running the family business on her own. She’s struggling to keep the business going and considering selling the farm to an “evil corporation”! Out of nowhere, Morgan drives into town and crashes right into the Reed Family Farm sign and falls into Rachel’s arms.

What happens when these two literally collide and see each other again after 7 years?!

Ben is one of their best friends, and he has a plan! (Also, I LOVE BEN!)

Courtney Kae has written a beautiful holiday love story, with an incredible cast of characters. Set in a town that I wish I could hop in my car and drive to RIGHT NOW! I am in love with this book, with Rachel and Morgan, and have just pre-ordered it!

I DARE you not to fall in love with this book as well!!!!

Set to hit shelves on August 30!

An interesting novel with a great premise. However, at times I found the relationship dynamics to fall a bit too flat. Nevertheless, it would make for a great winter read, to scratch that Hallmark style story itch!

MOVE OVER ONE BED TROUPE WE’VE ONLY GOT ONE TENT RIGHT NOW

This was everything I wanted it to be and more! I adore romcoms, film, literature, it doesn’t matter the form i’ll take them all but something I’ve struggled to find is a great romance that not only represents who I am but does it with joy. I quite literally squealed and did a happy dance when I realised that both Morgan and Rachel are Bisexual. The representation as whole in this book is fantastic with a diverse array of queer and poc characters the fictional world of Fern Falls is truly a special place.

In the Event of Love was truly a pleasure to read and left me with all the cosy feelings that come from a great romcom and I can’t wait to fall back into this world with book two.