The perfect book to read as Arizona is heating up-- made me feel like I was back in Winter! This is a fun, sweet and sexy tale that delivers on it's promise as a sapphic hallmark story with a sexy lumberjane. I mean, what else could you ask for but christmas trees? Excited to see where Courtney Kae goes from here.

This is a fun queer love story a-la-Hallmark style. It’s Christmas time, so that means it’s time to finally return to your small town hometown and also time to run into a blast from the past. Morgan has been living in LA and working as a successful event planner for years, but it only takes seconds into running into Rachel to have her past come flooding back. They were once best friends and also Rachel was her crush, but they only had one doomed kiss.

Rachel runs her family’s tree business, because of course she does, but it means that she has distracting muscles. Is home really where the heart is? Cute queer rom com for fans of Hallmark movies and Christmas movies in general.

In the event of love is a queer take on a hallmark Christmas movie. I had a fun experience reading, all the characters were enjoyable and it had a really sweet ending. Definitely good for a “fun read” but other than that there’s not much to say; really enjoyed it tho.

Morgan and Rachel were the best part of this story - and by that I mean their relationship. It was definitely full of cute moments and they truly were perfect for one another.

Mostly everything else though just didn’t mesh with my tastes. The second chance romance of it all didn’t add much in my opinion, some plot threads that were opened up just didn’t seem to get tied up or they had a quick out of the blue resolution, and at times, the style of writing reminded me more of a YA book instead of an adult romance. I also couldn’t imagine a lot of the scenes described - none of the writing sparked much visualization for me.

Overall, I thought this book was okay - but just had too many things that didn’t work for me to truly let the romance shine.

If you made me pick two words to describe In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae, those two words would be: abundantly sexual.

So much sex. So. Much. Sex. I prefer closed bedroom doors so I’m not the best person to report on the very detailed, multi-page sex scenes. And I won’t. I have to say, though, that in all my professional meetings throughout a career longer than I’d like to say right now, I never lost track of a conversation because I was fantasizing about having sex with my client, even when they were really hot. But maybe that’s just me.

The story concept is familiar: prodigal daughter returns home to recover from a public embarrassment and meets up with a high school love interest. They’ve managed to be mean to each other and/or ignore each other since their confusing high school breakup. And I think that’s the crux of the problem with this book – the two love interests begin lusting after each other almost as soon as they meet up again but they never seem to know/get to know each other at all.

I completely believe that they want to have copious amounts of sex. The author describes this in detail. In fact, protagonist Morgan fantasizes very frequently about things she’d like to do with her client, Rachel. And then they work really hard at fulfilling all of those fantasies.

Maybe the sex is supposed to be fantastical, like unicorns and tinkerbell? The scene for their first sexual encounter makes more sense if it’s supposed to be titilating without being realistic. I wish I could say more but NO SPOILERS. Personally, I also can’t imagine a first encounter as such a public experience but what do I know?!

Other than sex, though, they don’t seem to have much in common and their communication skills are terrible. More importantly, they never improve. We never get to know Rachel. Morgan isn’t particularly likable. She sure is horny though and I’m glad that she’s been able to relieve that itch multiple times by the end of the story.

What does she offer? How does she grow? She’s immature. She’s presumptuous (most of the book’s conflicts occur because she assumes that she knows the answer to every problem without ever talking to anyone else). She’s a terrible friend, a terrible daughter (a great event planner), and a coward who runs away from everything.

The author relies on speeches to move people unrealistically. The ending? Oh lordy. It’s Hallmark-movie-cringe but if you like that stuff, you will probably be okay with it here too. In addition, there are several beneficial coincidences (involving money and relationships) that aren’t believable. They too are cringy but no spoilers, even though I’d love to talk about why they don’t work. I’ll have to wait until a few more of you finish the book.

One comment though: the alcoholic parent and (past) parent death feel tacked on, as though someone said "Add some trauma so the reader identifies with the protagonists." It would have been better to leave off trauma that serves almost no purpose in the story. It certainly doesn't move the story forward.

The writing itself would benefit from a thoughtful re-write – there are a lot of clunky mistakes that aren’t grammatical errors. I can’t reference any here, of course, because I reviewed an ARC. Trust me, though, that hearts can’t do what Morgan’s heart does in this book. Want to know more? Sorry. You’ll have to read the book.

In the Event of Love is scheduled for release on August 30, 2022.

I received a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars

morgan is a super successful event planner in the midst of an accidental scandal that’s thrown her back into her hometown of fern falls, the very last place she wants to be, and among the very last people she wants to see.

rachel, morgan’s childhood best friend and crush, is struggling with money and may have to sell her tree farm. she’s not the only one struggling, either. morgan makes it her job - well, literally - to save these struggling businesses, and the more time she spends in fern falls, the more she wants to save her current relationships, especially with rachel, from crumbling just like they did when she first left.

this book is so charming and is truly the hallmark story we deserve! soft bisexuals, pretty low angst, adorable side characters, wholesome story telling. like, what else do we need? seriously, i’m asking, what else do you even want????? cuz i’m all set, right here!!!!

i actually really loved the holiday atmosphere, something i’m usually just not a fan of in any books (i’ve tried so many times!!!). i even wished i was there in fern falls, among the snow! i hate snow, but i loved fern falls and how tight-knit the community was. everything inside that town was done truly as an act of love.

that’s my favorite type of small town romance. i don’t need the rude gossipers and people trying to sabotage relationships. i love love and kind people! everyone in this story was sweet as pie and their determination for each other’s success, and their own of course, was so lovely to read about and watch unfold. i will definitely be watching out for more from this author!

thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

*Spoiler free*

This book was absolutely everything that I wanted out of the sapphic Hallmark movie in book form that I have been yearning for. I leans into the tropes that makes those movies as endearing as they do, and adds a layer of emotional depth that only seeks to make this book even better.

It is the most amazing combination of sweet, sexy, and angsty. It takes place in a small town where I basically want to hug everyone who lives there. And that's how strong the characters are. They are so endearing, that I just want the best for every single one of them. There's such a variety of them, and how I adore them all.

Everything about this book is heartfelt. I felt the love from the dedication (which made me so sappy oh my gosh), and it only grew throughout the book. Gosh, it was just so, so great to see a queer romance, a sapphic romance, with characters coming into themselves and trying to find the love they are yearning for. It's just, such an amazing book.

Morgan Ross dreams of being promoted to director of the NYC branch of her event company. A scandal with a slimy celebrity threatens Morgan’s dreams and Morgan finds herself taking a break from work during the month of December. In an effort for her to stay busy while following her boss’s wishes to relax during the break, Morgan decides to return to her home town for a fundraiser. After making a “stunning” entrance into her quaint hometown, Morgan soon realizes that this fundraiser she thought would be quick and easy is so much more complicated than she thought. On top of that, the fundraiser is to save her ex-girlfriend’s tree farm. Setting their old feeling aside, will Morgan and Rachel be able to rekindle their love and save their quaint town of Fern Falls?

In the Event of Love was such an adorable, angst-less read. It did start of kinda slow and took about 100 pages for me to get into it. I started reading this book when I was in the mood for romance but I did not end the book in that mood (I’m trying to stick to a TBR instead of being a mood reader to avoid having multiple books open at the same time) so I will take that into consideration for this review. This book features a group of diverse side characters that basically run a small town, most of them seeming to be in their twenties so kudos for them having their life together.

As will be mentioned multiple times, this book does give Hallmark movie vibes and, as such, does not have a lot of angst. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because there’s times you just want a happy rom-com to read without having your heart ripped out and stitched back together. I quite like angst in a book because it makes the character seem more realistic since not everyone’s is going to readily accept and forgive others. The lack of angst was one of the main issues for me when reading this book. Although Morgan didn’t really do anything bad, everyone forgave too easily for her essentially ghosting them. Even Morgan’s dad forgave and accepts her back into his life when it was made to seem like the dad’s ex-girlfriend took priority over Morgan in the dad’s life. Morgan and her dad do have a heart-to-heart which was very cute and kinda makes the negligible but it was set after everything. The love interest also readily forgave Morgan and although it was cute that they both never got over the other, I expected a little more pining or something. I’m not sure if this was the intention with the book and I was expecting something else, but it was just a little too happy for me. Like I want their happiness but I also want to see them fight for forgiveness and their love.

The love interest, Rachel, is such a complex character and I was bummed that we didn’t get any povs from her. We don’t know what’s happening in her head. What she thinks of Morgan’s ghosting. How she has handled the town and tree farm prior to the book. How she has internalized her feelings for keeping her family together. Her thoughts on her dad’s alcoholism and him not showing up for her. There’s just so much to her that I wish we got since it would’ve provided another layer of depth to the story. The entire book being from Morgan’s perspective honestly made the story kind of bland, still very good, but just not exceptional.

I did heavily struggle with whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars but have eventually decided on 3 for the reasons listed above. The book is by no means bad but it has its flaws. Maybe I’m just not a Hallmark movie, and this book, kinda gal or maybe I enjoy books that play with my emotions. Either way, this was not the book for me but it might be for you. If you are looking for a cute, sapphic romance to help get you into the holiday season, this might just be the book for you. Filled with an abundance of heartwarming moments of second chances, this book will leave you toothache from how sweet it is. Truly a Hallmark holiday movie in book form, with the added bonus of spice.

Oh. My. Gosh. This book was magical to read. Never left me behind, always kept me interested. This book is perfection without having a perfect story. There are issues that the characters have to deal with. Sometimes they succeeded but not always. The book is pretty real in that regard. Lovely plot, crafted with care. Included bisexuals in the book in a terrific way. The erotic tidbits were definitely the right choice to enhance the plot, and not overdone.
The tension between the characters was off the chart The whole book was sewn together by the magic of fairies, true love, and just being finally sure that you're enough for yourself and others. Such a thoughtful writing. Very touching, and yes I cried with happiness. The cherry on top was the afterward letter from the author being so greatful to bring this piece of art into the light, and so greatful for her readers. I would read anything this author writes.

This was a feel good holiday type romance but believability was low for me. The opening scene felt far-fetched and from there it was all a bit too insta for me. It’s told 1st person only from Morgan’s POV. She seemed too young to be so successful but also so immature. I had a hard time connecting with her character. Part of it was the language the author chose, which at times felt gratuitous and gave it more of a YA vibe. Rachel seemed more interesting and well rounded even though we don’t get her POV. I liked the side characters, and the event Morgan creates is whimsical and creative. The romance happened too quickly and the tension wasn’t compelling enough. It’s a cute winter romance that I wanted to like more than I did. I will say what happened in the epilogue was novel and creative!

Short Summary: When her career nearly implodes, Morgan is sent home for a month of R&R where she runs back into her old flame Rachel. As Morgan plans an event to save Rachel’s business, the two grow closer and Morgan’s eyes are opened to the charms of her hometown that she’d buried when she fled 7 years prior.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas In March is exactly what I asked for and this was absolutely adorable. Warm and sweet and just what the doctor ordered.

I wish I could rate this higher because I want to support alllllll the queer romances we can get. But even for a hallmark-esque movie this was saccharine beyond what I could handle. The descriptions of, well, pretty much everything-from the snow to the trees to the sex-was over the top and laden with clichés and tropes. I finished it because I did want to see what would nearly break the happy couple a part (again) but it did not leave me wanting to read the next in the series.

Love cheesy Hallmark movies? This one is for you. This book brings a new twist to the Hallmark movies we love to cringe over. LGBT representation. Girl falls in love with the small town Christmas tree farmer. Charming and heartfelt. What more could you want ?

A queer holiday romance that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. In the Event of Love is a small town, second chance romance that is perfect for anyone who enjoys Hallmark movies but wants more LGBTQ+ representation.

Morgan Ross has worked hard to climb up the ranks of celebrity event planning in LA and is in line for a promotion to lead the new New York branch. One rough night puts everything she’s worked for at risk. Her only chance is to return to her hometown, Fern Falls, and plan the perfect fundraiser. She hopes to make it through without having to face the people she left behind, especially Rachel Reed, but fate won’t let her avoid the sexy lumberjane.

I really enjoyed that this wasn’t only about Morgan reconnecting with Rachel but about her reconnecting with everyone from her past. There was good backstory on both Rachel and Morgan’s families as well as the friendships. It felt like the MCs forgave each other a little too quickly and there could have been more conflict. Ben was one of my favorite characters and I would have liked to see more of him. Luckily, his story seems to be the next in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this while reading it, but I’m not sure it will stick in my mind.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This adorable novel is set in a small town in December and it has all the magic of a sappy Christmas movie. Morgan fled her hometown for LA after high school, never looking back and leaving her best friend/crush Rachel behind after a kiss and a fight. Now a very high profile event planner, Morgan makes out with someone in a bar one night and it turns out to be the fiancé of one of her clients. Now a target of the paparazzi and reviled on social media, even though she didn't know who she was kissing, Morgan heads home to her childhood small town in the mountains to weather Christmas. When she gets there she realizes that Rachael's family Christmas tree farm is in trouble, and so is the whole town. Can Morgan pull together the means to save the town, work closely with Rachel, repair old relationships, and save her career?

If you want Christmas cuteness and sappy romance, this is the perfect book for you. The plot is reasonably predictable, but despite knowing exactly how the story would play out, I couldn't put it down. This one will be going on my Christmas feel good book rotation.

"The world needs more queer holiday romances, don't you think?"
Yes, Becca Rae, yes I do.

In the Event of Love was downright whimsical, y'all. I loved it, absolutely loved it.
Fern Falls was the perfect picturesque little mountain town with a library bar, a charming B&B and even fairy gardens. Courtney Kae did such an excellent job bringing Fern Falls to life in my mind. I got this ARC in March (thank you Kensington Publishing and Courtney Kae!), so I wasn't sure if I would get the full effect, but just reading this book filled me holiday cheer. The descriptions of the snow, the holiday lights, Enchanted Evenings and all the festive drinks that were had really got me in the holiday spirit and I find myself looking forward to the holidays this year.

I loved Morgan and Rachel's story so much. I love how sweet they were with each other and how passionate and on the same page they were most of the time. The chemistry between these two was so beautiful, and the spice was everything I wanted it to be.
I'll be honest, I was initially slightly disappointed that this wasn't duel POV. I think I've gotten used to with so many romance books choosing to go in that direction, but I actually really appreciating getting Morgan's full POV the whole time. Morgan was so relatable to me, and I started to fall in love with Rachel too.

My heart soared through this entire story and the epilogue made it swell with joy.

Courtney Kae’s debut will undoubtedly be among my top romance reads of 2022. Kae has a fresh, true, perfectly millennial voice that brings her characters alive with quick one-liners, devastating romcom mishaps, and emotion that practically vibrates off the page. I’ve read very few romances as soft and tender as this one, where the balance between longing and hesitation was so finely drawn.

Briefly: Up-and-coming event planner Morgan accidentally torpedoes the wedding of the year, earning herself a month-long reprieve to let things cool off at the event planning company she works for. She retreats to her hometown to regroup while planning a fundraiser for a local tree farm operated by Rachel, the sexy, axe-wielding, door-leaning lumberjane who loved her and left her years ago. Pratfalls, hijinks, and scheming ensues, as does tenderness, steam, and happy ever after.

What struck me about this book, time and again, was how perfectly Kae has written the book she set out to write – a “steamy queer [branded holiday movie]”. Think of every trope you love about Christmas movies: adults returning to the struggling small towns they swore they’d left forever, local businesses fighting off generic big-box encroachment, so many hot people with outdoorsy jobs you’re practically tripping over them, second chance romance, family reunions, burying of grudges, hot chocolate and singing and love that feels like magic. Everything you want in a Hallmark movie is in this book. Everything.

I can’t wait to read more beautiful romance from Courtney Kae. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Kensington Books & Netgalley for this eARC!

A wlw, second-chance-at-love, Hallmark-esque romance, set in a small hometown, at Christmas? Why aren't they already working on the movie of this for Xmas '22?!

This book was great. Honestly, it was so well done, it's a fantastic debut. Morgan was a great protagonist, and Rachel and appropriately hot love interest. I would have liked to have the book from both their POV, but that's honestly a minor qualm. The supporting cast, what we get of them is great. The romance is cute, and when it gets steamy, ooof, does it get steamy.

If I had any major qualms about the book, it's the inevitable 3rd act argument/misunderstanding/break-up. I am genuinely never a fan of it, no matter how much of a trope it is in the romance genre. Sometimes it's done better than others, but this one feels particularly forced. Morgan spends so much time going on about how much happier she seems, not just with Rachel back in her life, but being around these people she cares about, and in Fern Falls in general...and yet she doesn't hesitate to accept the promotion in NYC as she would have at the start of the book, in spite of how much she's changed otherwise, and what's more expects Rachel to go with her, as if that was ever going to happen. It seemed so forced! It frustrated me so much, I nearly took off a whole star for it, but in the end, the rest of the book, and the wrap-up, meant I couldn't.

So, other than that minor issue, great book. 4.5 stars

Morgan scoffed at the idea of returning to her hometown when she was asked to plan a fundraiser to save a local Christmas tree farm. But after a disastrous viral photo puts her L.A. event planning reputation at risk, Morgan is grateful for a chance to hide out in Fern Falls—until she realizes the owner of the tree farm is none other than Rachel, the former best friend who broke her heart years ago. Morgan quickly learns that there's much about Fern Falls, and Rachel, that is worth revisiting.

This lovely holiday romance is full of quirky characters, small town charm, and winter cheer. Morgan is a protagonist you can't help but root for, and her love story is the perfect balance of steamy and sweet. I wish I could visit Fern Falls in real life!

This was the most Hallmark-style romcom you could imagine. Were there some plotlines that sort of faded away in the middle? Yeah. Was the romance a little fast after them being away from each other for seven years? Also yeah. But was it cute and cozy and the wintery lesbian Hallmark book of my dreams? Absolutely.

I really had a blast reading this - it was a fast, lighthearted read that really transported me into a winter wonderland. All of the characters had great character development, the cast of ensemble characters was all great and everyone had real personalities, and there was a huge sense of found family, which really made everything better.

I didn't personally care for the spice, it felt a little rushed to me and I've personally read better spice, but that's fine, I enjoyed the overall rom-commy-ness of the story, so this was just a small drawback.

I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun sapphic winter romcom. I really did enjoy it and I will be checking out the author's future work.

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.