After a possibly career-ending scandal, Morgan returns to her charming hometown. She just wants to get away from the paparazzi, take a break and salvage her career. But in order to do so, she will have to work closely with her one-time friend and crush Rachel. Who was part of the reason why Morgan left her hometown in the first place. Can the two of them work together and not only save Morgan's career and Rachel's livelihood, but maybe salvage even more? This is a charming slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, second chance Christmas rom-com and I enjoyed it very much. There is lots of romance, banter and fun as well as a moderate amount of spice in this story. But underneath it is a story about trust and self-worth with great character development throughout. The plot may not be revolutionary, but it works and is well executed. The pace works well with the story and the writing style is descriptive and suitable for both this novel and its genre. The main couple consists of two bisexual women and there are also gay and trans side characters.
Overall, I rated this story 4.5 stars, because I was very entertained and enjoying myself quite a bit. The story also had me quite emotional towards the end, which I enjoy in a good rom-com. I would absolutely recommend this novel, especially for the upcoming winter, when it's colder outside and you can cozy up with a nice cuppa and go to town on this sweet rom-com.

Check the TWs: sexual content, alcoholism, infidelity, car accident, death of a parent (cancer)

Are you looking for a cozy and steamy book that feels like a Sapphic Hallmark holiday movie? Search no more: In the Event of Love is exactly that.

I'm usually not in the habit of reading a holiday book in the middle of summer, but some change is always welcome. And I absolutely do not regret it! (although I do think it's even better to read it in winter, to be in the right setting).
This book was everything I wanted: a group of friends, a second chance at romance, mutual pining, a sexy lumberjack, and a small town romance. Yep, these are great ingredients for a holiday book.

The pace sometimes felt a little rushed, but I kind of expected it so it didn't really bother me. However I was a little annoyed that most of the book revolves around miscommunications (I really don't like that trope). And I think having double POV would have also helped with the plot. Because yes, we get Morgan point of view about the whole "coming back to her hometown" thing, but what about Rachel's feelings when that happened? It would have been such an interesting point to explore too.

Anyways. It was still a very enjoyable read. It's the perfect queer holiday romcom, and I can only recommend you to read it!

In the Event of Love is a fast paced, romantically driven, Hallmark-style holiday novel. It's got a fun but easy to follow premise, endearing characters, and a very cute romance. I'd recommend it as a holiday read, to anyone looking for some more WLW contemporary romances, or simply anyone looking for a quick but enjoyable romance.

It’s still summer so it might be a little early for a book which takes place in December with all the snow, hot cocoa, flavored lattes, tree farms, and holiday cheer - I wasn’t feeling ready and put off starting this buddy read for @loveARCtually for longer than I should have. BIG MISTAKE - HUGE!
In the Event of Love was a (gay) Hallmark movie in book form - in the best way! I loved the subtle movie references to Castaway and Elf, the second chance romance, the event planning, the small town setting, and the rally against corporate greed trying to buy up and mass produce the local charm! I am not a big holiday book or movie person (I know, hard to admit it!), but this book really felt like a cozy hug on a snowy night, even though I read it during a 90+ heat wave in Boston!
I can not wait to read more from Courtney Kae - please put this one on your TBR immediately, as it comes out August 30th. Yes it's before holiday season, but I promise it will STILL make you feel all the good holiday feels.
Thank you to Kensington Books for sharing a widget with us via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Literally the queer hallmark romance of your dreams! The big hotshot event planner, Morgan, from LA goes back home for a month after a major scandal. And what’s back home? The childhood crush, Rachel, who runs the Christmas Tree farm. Morgan agrees to plan a huge fundraiser to save the town and the tree farm from the corporation trying to turn the town into a tourist trap.

Plot: 3/5
I mean you know what you’re getting with a hallmark style romance. There’s plot holes a plenty and improbable deals made that just really wouldn’t happen. BUT it was fun and I got totally sucked into it.

Characters: 3.5/5
Morgan is a bit of a hot mess and she doesn’t realize it. She has a classic emotional avoidance issue and thinks she’s never good enough. She has a fair bit of character growth before she falls back into her old habits. I really loved seeing how she repaired each of her relationships.

Rachel is the broody lumberjack type. Honestly her character depth fell a little flat for me but that may be because we only get Morgan’s POV. It seemed like she was stuck in her own way and she definitely managed to turn her life around.

I’m getting those companion book sequel vibes with Adam/Ben and and Whitney/Tanner??


Writing: 4/5
Courtney Kae is a strong writer for sure and I’m curious to see what she’ll do in the future genre wise. There’s no shame in sticking with queer hallmark stories if that’s how she continues (god knows there a lot she can do in that market).


Overall: 3.5
I love a bingeable holiday romance as much as the next reader. I am more of a high fantasy person which is why this doesn’t rate at a 4+ for me but this was a perfect little romance break and I did enjoy it!

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

In the event of love was such a cute swoony holiday romance, with second-chance friends to lovers and found family. Second chance is usually not my preferred trope but it was honestly done so well!! The pacing was really good, it was never boring and I loved all main chracters, especially Rachel and Ben. I can't wait for this series to continue and see what happens probably having Ben and Adam's story next and then Whitney and Tanner's :)

Steamy. Sapphic. Holiday. Romance. If those words appeal, you will love this book! Morgan and Rachel are swoony and sweet, and the setting oozes quirky small town charm. This book like is the perfect mug of hot chocolate topped with an excess amount of whipped cream. I devoured it and was sad when it was over because I need more. Amazing!!

I loved every minute of this book. It was like a warm hug - hallmark movie meets sapphic love story. I was rooting for Morgan and Rachel the whole time and the whole concept of a second chance, holiday love story was such a great change of pace for me. Would HIGHLY reccomend. Spicy, charming, warm, sweet - everything you need for a good holiday read. Pick it up, get it - love it. Can't wait to read more in the series.

The world needs more queer holiday romances. In the Event of Love Is one that is sure to make a hit this holiday season.

Morgan is an event planner in LA who has just made a crucial mistake: accidentally dancing with one of her client’s fiancées. Against her best wishes, Morgan agrees to return to Fern Falls to head up a fundraiser. She hasn’t been home in years, not after her best friend Rachel refused to talk to her and her dad rejected their twosome.

Immediately, Morgan is thrown back into the whimsical town and Rachel’s family tree farm. Quickly, she learns that her high school friend, Ben, has actually dragged her back to save the tree farm and fix lost friendships. In the event of love, he calls it.

I enjoyed reading Courtney Kae’s debut novel and look forward to anything else she may publish. The enemies toward instant lovers holiday romance had everything of a Hallmark romance but with a little bit of spice added in. Readers will instantly fall in with the small town vibes of Fern Falls and the cause of saving a tree farm.

What a perfect holiday read! Hallmark vibes, but steamy and sapphic. What's not to love?? I truly was swept up into this world and I enjoyed my time in Fern Falls so much (and I'm hoping for more stories set here). Lovely cast of characters and rich storytelling. This story is like having a cup of hot chocolate while you're curled up in front of the fire at a ski lodge and I loved every second of it! Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Cute, sapphic holiday romance. Very much a hallmark feel. Was not super memorable but, it was an enjoyable book.

Woman returns to small town after "something" goes wrong in big city, only to be confronted with old friends and feelings, but when someone threatens to destroy the little town can they team up to save it and find love in the process?

This book was everything I have ever wanted in a sapphic holiday movie. Fantastic chemistry, comedic timing, and two swoon worthy female leads.

At 18 Morgan Ross ran away from Fern Falls, with a broken heart and no plans to return. When her successful event planning career implodes she agrees to go home for the holidays and plan a local fundraiser. Only to realize she has been tricked into working with her ex best friend, and the woman who still has her heart, Rachel Reed.

3.5/5

In the Event of Love is a super sweet sapphic rom-com set that gave me major Hallmark vibes! Morgan hasn't been back to her hometown since she and her best friend Rachel had a falling out after their senior year of high school. Now it's 7 years later and a scandal at the job she loves sends her back to her hometown for the holidays.

I loved seeing Morgan and Rachel reconnect and rebuild their relationship. The side characters were all great, and each of them added personality and depth to the story. I personally found the book a little too predictable and the spicy scenes didn't really work for me, but it was still an enjoyable read!

This was a cute holiday book, and it's perfect for someone looking for a cozy book with little angst!

Things I loved:
•Queer representation
•Small town romance
•Ben & Adam!
•Only one tent
•Vanilla lattes

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Courtney Kae for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review!

PLEASE GIVE ME THE HALLMARK MOVIE RIGHT NOW!

"In The Event of Love" is a warm blanketed hug on a frigid winter night and a charming slow burn second-chance estranged-besties-to-lovers sapphic holiday romance (with a dreamy lumberjane). This beautifully written story is the perfect mix of soft and steamy, set in a whimsical small town filled with lovable characters and a spoonful of found family.

Morgan Ross is an event planner living in LA, but after falling victim to a career-disrupting tabloid and social media rumour, she reluctantly returns to her hometown of Fern Falls despite being doomed to run into her one-time best friend turned crush who left her heartbroken. When Morgan discovers Rachel Reed's family tree farm is struggling and about to fall victim to corporate greed destroying the heart, soul and livelihood of the town, she decides to plan a fundraiser. If it can also get her her dream promotion and rehabilitate her image at the same time, all the better.

I absolutely LOVED the fairy farm where you get assigned a name and now need to know what mine would be. I'm going to go with Autumn Moonshadow until I can be assigned an official one. Also, everyone needs a Ben in their life as he showcases friendship that transcends time and distance. I hope Courtney gives him a sequel.

There were also small mentions of Jewish traditions including lighting a menorah with a shamash and eating latkes with sour cream during Hanukkah. It was nice to see another holiday acknowledged in a Christmas story, especially because the inclusion doesn't affect the story, but offers representation.

My only complaint is that the miscommunication aspect felt underdeveloped and Morgan and Rachel's reasons for not talking to each other was hard to fathom. That said, READ "IN THE EVENT OF LOVE"!!!

"the world needs more queer holiday romances, don't you think?"

hell yes!

in the event of love definitely feels like a hallmark holiday movie with a queer spin on all the feel-good tropes; coming home, set in a small mountain town during the holidays, found family, best friends to lovers, and second chances.

what worked for me:
- the bisexual representation and how the book didn't just revolve around the main characters' coming out stories.
- fern falls, a secluded mountain town, was magical. it was pretty progressive for a small town which i absolutely adored. i mean, it had a bar that looked like a library inside, a bookstore with a great selection of queer books, and a badass trans woman mayor.
- ben, who i'd like to believe was the perfect representation of the type of friendship that transcends time and distance. he was a gem.
- the fairy farm where you get assigned a fairy name!

what didn't work for me:
- this book has one of my favorite tropes which is a second chance at romance. however, i really had a hard time feeling the chemistry between morgan and rachel. there wasn't enough yearning and pining for it to work for me. there were times where i felt like morgan's attraction to rachel was purely physical and there was no mental and emotional connections at all. when they eventually got back together, i didn't get the feeling that their relationship would finally work.
- the main characters were under-developed; i hated it when morgan did the exact same thing that she did in the past when things got tough because it only proved that she didn't grow as a person and it's a shame that we didn't get to see the inside of rachel's mind since the story was told solely from morgan's pov making rachel seemed too good to be true.
- i get that morgan's past played a big role for her growth and self-discovery journey but the re-telling of a particular past event got so repetitive to the point that it was irritating.
- there were too many cliché story plots towards the ending and some dialogues were cringeworthy.

overall, i still enjoyed reading this. thank you netgalley and kensington books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited when I saw the trailer for Happiest Season (I know, I know, there is some valid criticism surrounding that movie, but I couldn't help loving a sapphic Christmas movie), and I feel as though this book fulfilled the same space in my heart as that movie did. In the Event of Love is the PERFECT holiday read for someone looking for an wlw storyline. I loved the journey that Morgan went on, facing her past, and I thought that Rachel complimented Morgan's character perfectly.

Can't wait to read the other books in the Fern Falls series!

This sweet and steamy sapphic romance has all the best elements of a Hallmark Christmas movie plus a healthy dose of spice. After experiencing a career-disrupting tabloid and social media storm, LA event planner Morgan returns to her small childhood hometown to rest, plan a holiday-themed fundraiser, and rehab her image.

But there are multiple reasons that Morgan has been avoiding a return to Fern Falls. And Morgan's return throws her directly into the path of all those people, memories, and feelings that she has been avoiding and suppressing for years.

A bit small town versus big business, a spoonful of found family, some reuniting of estranged childhood friends, a shot at second chance romance, a return to home, a share of healing, and a dram of finding where you belong and what you truly need--In the Event of Love will pull on your heartstrings, comfort you, and bring you cozy Christmas vibes.

CW: alcoholism, death of a parent (past), divorce (past), abandonment

I received an advance ebook copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

In the Event of Love is a gorgeously picturesque holiday romcom that seems MADE for Netflix. I could basically see the scenes unfolding behind my eyes while I was reading and I loved it!

In ITEOF we follow Morgan who is forced to go back to her hometown to "regroup and recharge" after a scandal nearly wrecks her thriving career as an event planner. Fern Falls is a sleepy, out-of-the-fairytale town full of family business, lush trees, and coziness - and Morgan is supposed to throw a fundraiser there to make sure her ex-crush's family tree farm doesn't go down under. This seems impossible at first but when she finally has some big talks with her old friends and former flames, things start looking up - and there might even be a chance for love.

I loved this "quaint little town fights big bad corporations who want to make it into a next hip resort" plotline - all the side characters were mostly business owners of cute little establishments (like a cafe, hotel, etc.) and it added a homey feel to the whole story that just made me happy.
I also absolutely adored all the characters - Morgan and Rachel stole my heart with their tenderness (though I do admit their relationship developed fairly quickly, but they HAVE known each other for years before their falling out a few years back - the DRAMA there! Also the STEAM! I would highly recommend this one to people who enjoy some spice with their romance books), all the older characters like Morgan's dad, Mrs. Hart, the hotel owner, and Holloway, the prickly but actually goddamn queenly neighbour, etc. I also NEED to learn more about Ben and Adam or my head will explode - we were given only bits and pieces of their story but the chemistry was 100% there and I am curious if the second Fern Falls book will be about them?

All in all, In the Event of Love was a cute and wholesome holiday romcom about fighting for love and for what you believe in, about owning up to past mistakes and trying to do better every day. I enjoyed it a lot and I already know this book will make holidays for many people very special this year.

On paper, this offers several tropes that I like to read in romance: coming home, small-town community, holiday/Christmas, and second-chance romance. Second-chance romance is rather tricky, though. For me, it should have good balance of yearning, musings, growth, forgiveness (if the break up happens because one's mistake), and I have to believe that the love still strong.

In the Event of Love , unfortunately doesn't provide that well enough. This book is written solely from Morgan's perspective. In my eyes, Morgan doesn't show enough maturity since she leaves Fern Falls. I feel that she's still carries a lot of resenment; Morgan thinks that nobody understands her reasons to leave, and just because Rachel (her girlfriend at that time) doesn't want to come with her, Morgan is not enough for her. Morgan carries that reasons for years, and when she returns, I have a hard time believing that she suddenly grows up and learns her mistake.

In addition, I feel that Morgan's attraction to Rachel is still heavily leaning to sexual attraction. I like my romance (especially second-chance romance) to focus more of the meetings of minds and hearts. Morgan doesn't pay enough attention to Rachel's hopes and dreams (and concerns and worries). She pays alot attention to Rachel's physique, though. For me, that's not interesting to read.

What save this book is the small-town community. I love the plan to save the town. I love the event that they manage to pull off. I love the secondary characters - from Ben, Adam, Whitney, Tanner, and several others. It's too bad that Rachel, being Morgan's love interest, is still a bit of a mystery.

In the end, this is only an okay read for me.

I absolutely loved this book. Such a comforting read. The characters were easy to love and the relationship was so sweet. Absolutely highly recommend this one to everyone.