This is a delightful addition to the Garnet Run series. Whereas some of the earlier books in the series dealt with some pretty important issues (e.g., extreme social anxiety in the first book), this felt more like a 'typical' romance novel where the relationship at the heart is pretty much the only important plot. I struggled a wee bit with the premise at the start (I have little patience for neighborhood competition or pranks, so it was two strikes for me!), but once the narrative settled into Bram and Zachary's relationship, I quite enjoyed it.

A review will be posted on my blog on September 24.

Super sweet story (but yes there is some decent steam too) about two men who have trust issues for very different reasons. Both feel undeserving of love to some extent. Bram is the laid back man who knows that his life can and will be what he wants...eventually. He just needs to get through this little bit of uncertainty. His family is completely wild and I loved every single one of them (we need more from them BTW). Zachary has lived most of his life just trying to be the best and not letting anything stop him. These two will lock horns (in the very best of ways) but will also learn about what truth and beauty life has to hold. Who will will the competition and who will lose?

This M/M romance is the fourth in the Garnet Run series and follows Bram and Zachary. Bram is new to town and is renting a house on Casper Road across the street from Zachary. When Bram finds out that Casper Road hold an annual Halloween decorating contest and that Zachary is the reigning champion, the two strike up a prank war that gets increasingly flirtatious. When one prank turns into a kiss that turns into more, the two men have to decide how to handle this relationship that neither of them was expecting. I've read the first book in this series and loved it. The others are on my TBR but when this came across my NetGalley page, I couldn't pass it up! I've read other romances with the decoration competition plot but they've all been Christmas-themed. I'm not much for Halloween, specifically, but I really loved all the autumnal vibes of this book. I really loved both Bram and Zachary as their own characters and thought they had some really developed characterization for a somewhat shorter romance (288 pages). Their pasts do play a role in their current relationship but they aren't some big dark secrets which I appreciated. However, as much as I liked each of them, I didn't quite buy into their relationship and I think that's more to do with the way these two sort of just fell together. So much of their relationship felt a little overly coincidental and I wanted to feel them both having a bit more initiative on the page. I love a good slow burn but this didn't quite hit that mark for me in that way. I did find that in the later stages of the book and their relationship, they both had a much more active role in their decision making and then I was completely on board. I loved the side characters and we do get to see all of the couples from the other books in the series. This was pretty low angst and just all around a cozy fall romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC. Expected publication date is September 27, 2022

I loved this story. Roan Parrish always does a fantastic job of fleshing out her characters. W really get to know both Zachary and Bram. Parrish deftly describes Zachary with all his idiosyncracies and gives us a real look at who he is under the prickly exterior. We also get a real look at Bram's heart and how he learns to trust himself. The world and characters around them is truly delightful as is the prank war and Halloween competition. Definitely a sweet, fun read!

Roan Parrish is so, so good at taking characters who’re a little out of sync with the world’s expectations and pairing them up with people who understand all the ways their differences make them wonderful. With THE RIVALS OF CASPER ROAD, she does that via a prank war in the lead-up to an elaborate Halloween decorating contest that gives both characters a chance to fully inhabit themselves. It’s emotional, it’s fun, and it’s packed with fall feeling for them what wants it.

I liked this a lot-just a charming, quirky, and low-angst Halloween-ish (but mostly fall) romance. The contrasts between the characters are what largely made the story interesting for me, like how Bram hates feeling scared but Zachary loves horror movies. Bram is such a sweetheart and Zachary’s quirkiness is charming.

Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC!

QUEER MEN IN THE FALL!! SIGN ME UP! I flew through this one, full of cozy romance and small towns... it took me back to fall in my own hometown and made me feel warm and snuggly and wanting more. A GREAT read.

Part of the Garnet Run small town series, this M/M romance has Bram moving there to escape heartbreak and living across the street from Zachary. They are total opposites in disposition and inclination, except for the attraction between them that both pretty quickly recognize as simply not going away. An annual Halloween decorations contest that Zack usually wins has them competing against each other until they realize it might be better to combine forces. This is a fun read with two heroes who eventually figure out they are made for each other. Recommended.

3.5 stars. I don't think I'll ever dislike a Roan Parrish book, but The Rivals of Casper Road is not one of her best. I wonder if she has been asked to polish down any rough edges now that she is published by Harlequin; the rivalry between the MCs is pretty tame, and the romance is sweet but not memorable.

Like all of the other books in this series, Rivals pairs an outgoing, "normie" MC with one who is introverted and possibly neuro-divergent (Simon from Better Than People was too shy to speak, Rye from Best Laid Plans was prickly/mistrustful, and Wes from The Lights on Knockbridge Lane rarely left his house). This time we have neighbors Bram (easygoing and chill) and Zachary (rule-bound, socially awkward, probably on the Spectrum). Zachary is horrified that newcomer Bram thinks he has a chance to win the annual neighborhood Halloween house decorating contest. After all, as an architect and horror movie fan, Zachary has been an annual shoo-in for first place. So he embarks on a series of pranks to warn Bram off, and Bram reciprocates in kind. But then the two impulsively join forces to pull a harmless prank on another neighbor, which leads to a friendship and then romance.

Zachary has more than his share of insecurities, but Bram demonstrates that he finds him physically and emotionally appealing , while Zachary brings his share of surprises to Bram's content but quiet life. Their relationship has the requisite Dark Moment, but it is resolved fairly quickly and without undue angst. That leaves the last quarter of the book for cameos from other series MCs, Bram and Zachary using their woodworking and design skills on a project to help the town's feral cats, a visit to meet Bram's New Age crunchy granola family, and of course the results of the decorating contest.

This appears to be the last book in the series, although I'm still holding out hope that one day we will get nonbinary River's story. I'm glad that Parrish was the breakthrough M/M romance author for Harlequin, but I hope the grit and quirk from her self-published days will reappear as her success continues to grow.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

This is a sweet, fun and entertaining story. Every character is interesting, with some being more amusing than others. Bram and Zachary are complete opposites that compliment each other very well.

This book is another sweet installment of the Garnet Run series.

Reading this kicked off my fall readiness this year.

However, the characters weren't as likable to me as in previous Garnet Run books. Although that may be because I personally didn't relate to our to MCs (which is obviously not a bad thing, just not quite what I was looking for right now). I do appreciate the author introducing new characters with diverse characteristics and roles to the universe. It really shows that Parrish is not a one - trick pony or a writer who has a couple of characters. I can't decide if my not being as charmed by these characters as others in Parrish's book is because of the writing or my personal tastes and mood.

The references to other Garnet Run books is fun for those who have read some of them, but being familiar with the universe is not at all essential to enjoying this story. The sense of community in Garnet Run pushes this book into the realm of "relationship fiction" and not just a straight forward romance.

This is my least favorite of the three Garnet Run books I have read. I would recommend it for somebody looking for male centered relationship fiction, sweet and easy holiday romance, or autumnal mlm content.

I’m so glad I had the chance to read this one early! This is book 4 in the Garnet Run series. You can read them as stand alone novels, but it’s so fun seeing the characters from the first books make appearances! This series is a great lighthearted read. No angst, filled with sweet moments and laughs. I’d recommend this one as something to pick up if you’re looking to relax.
This one revolves around Halloween, when Zachary meets his handsome new neighbour, Bram, and starts a prank war. I loved Zachary’s passion and Brams kindness. This entire cast of characters is so sweet and seeing their friend group grow is heartwarming.
I’m not sure if there’s more books coming to this series or if this is the last one, but I will be keeping an eye out! Parrish is someone I turn to when I want to unwind with a sweet love story!
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4 stars, THE RIVALS OF CASPER ROAD by Roan Parrish is available September 27! Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the chance to review an eARC.

I've been saying for years (while reading Christmas romance books in December) that there should be more Halloween romances !!! The best day of the year deserves more queer love stories ! To then get the announcement that not only was there a Halloween romance coming this year - but it was written by the author of one of my absolute favourite Christmas romances ?! I. Am. Thriving.
Sort of Grumpy/Sunshine (more ... kinda-awkward-maybe-neurodivergent? / sunshine). Super cute and cozy! Absolutely everything I'd want from a fall time love story. Already preordered and cant wait to display this warm and autumny cover on my shelves!

This is such a sweet sweet story!

Bonus: Fourth book in the Garnet Run series but you can read as a stand alone!

Bram is new to Casper Road, and he is excited to begin his new life, finding how to recover after a serious heartbreak. Moving in with his dog Hemlock to the Halloween loving street, Bram makes new friends and explores the possibility of moving from past heartbreak.

Zachary has lived on Casper Road for several years and lives for the Halloween season, and his routine. When his new neighbour begins to change everything in his very carefully planned life, Zachary must decide if his goals are truly the future he wants, or just the one he thinks will be be safest.

This is my first time reading a Garnet Run novel and I am absolutely in love with the series now.

The characters are so sweet and adorable, with all their storylines developing through the novel. I love how the side-characters have their own smaller side-stories within that connect them to the development of Bram and Zachary, as well as their own stories. This novel had me laughing through the whole prank war, and tearing up at the emotional interactions with both their families.

A sweet found family and healing story that had me rooting for Bram and Zachary from the start.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I absolutely loved the idea of this!!!
A whole street famous for its Halloween decorations, just like Christmas, but spooky.
An uptight architect who’s sole fun in life seems to be winning the competition for “best Halloween decoration” every year, over and over again. Until a new guy moves in across the street. A huge guy who can make beautiful statues and other things out of wood with a chainsaw and his bare hands. A guy who seems to be competition!!!
And guy Zachery must hate and wipe out immediately!

Only for this books title, there wasn’t much of a rivalry or a hate to love romance at all.
There was only one action, which was actually extremely shocking and childish. If I was Bram I would have killed Zach.

I loved the beginning of this, Bram is a huge cinnamon roll with a dog, a gentle giant. I always love characters like this and he was no exception.
I also immediately loved Zachery with his tight schedules and his tight suits he wears in homeoffice.
Roan Parrishes characters are always special and they will steal your heart in no time.
This was a complete opposite’s attract and I am a sucker for that as well.

This should have worked out perfectly, but it just didn’t. The beautiful autumn setting and the rivalry should have made for a perfect story, but it fell flat.
There wasn’t a real rivalry, Bram and Zach really had absolutely nothing in common and (he didn’t even like dogs???) most of their actions seemed super childish (Bram running away on a spooky hayride made for children??? When Zach is all about horror movies?).
Bram has just recently left a long term relationship and was horribly deceived by the two most important people in his life. But he falls in love and trusts Zachery in no time at all. It didn’t make much sense to me.

The first two books in this series are one of my favourite books of all time, but I feel like with the switch to a new publisher these books get very mainstream and also extremely tame (what is it with the rubbing against each other fully clothed sex in the last two books?! These men are mid 20s to 40!).

I still loved the characters, the idea and of course the style of writing. But this just didn’t live up to its potential at all and it makes me super sad.

First things first, the things I liked about this book: I enjoy the small town/enemies-to-lovers tropes, so this book definitely checked some boxes. It was fun to read about Olympia. WA (where I currently work and have previously lived!) and I love going back to community of Garnet Run, and meeting characters from previous books.

But in all honesty, this book is probably a 2.5 for me. I love Parrish’s writing, and I’ve enjoyed every previous Garnet Run book immensely - but this one felt so rushed! I know romance novels are formulaic, but I didn’t get the sense of anticipation I am used to with the other books in this series. This book was also a lot less spicy than her other books - which is fine, not every book has to be full of sexy scenes - but when they were written they felt half-hearted. Everything seemed to move a little too quickly overall, and some of the plot points never quite resolved (the prank war with the neighbors, what exactly trained architects can do in small-town Wyoming, etc). I wish there had just been a little … more … to this book.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Publishing September 27, 2022z

The Rivals of Casper Road is the fourth book in the Garnet Run series. While there's certainly character overlap in each book, they definitely can standalone or be read out of order.

As a longtime fan of this author's work, I have to say that the entire Garnet Run series has a bit of a different feel than most of her previous works. There is a lighter, softer feel to the stories and romances contrasted with some of her more intense angsty novels. What isn't different are the dynamic characters with interesting backstories and a smooth writing style that pulls the reader in. So while I miss some of the edge I've come to expect from Roan Parrish, The Rivals of Casper Road is still an enjoyable read.

I really liked the easy, open vibe of Bram, especially when he turned that charm and honest acceptance on his new neighbor, Zachary. I also enjoyed the plotline of a neighborhood decorating contest that pits the new neighbors and love interest against each other at first. The way Bram's steady presence won Zachary over and how they both supported one another's passions made The Rivals of Casper Road a feel good romance I'd definitely recommend to fans of sweet, lower-angst stories.

This was a sweet opposites attract romance between two neighbors competing against each other in their neighborhood Halloween decorating competition.

Bram is new to town, he’s large and gregarious and makes new friends wherever he goes. Zachary is more reserved and a bit uptight, this new guy showing up and competing in the competition he’s won the past six years sets his carefully ordered life off balance. When an impulsive decision sets off a prank war between the two, their neighborly relationship turns into so much more.

Their relationship was sweet and I always love when opposites attract. They come from very different types of families and I loved the exploration of each and how it shaped their personalities and approach to life.

There’s no denying this series took a much softer and sweeter direction with the change from Carina to Harlequin, it’s a bit more Hallmark-like now. I’m a big fan of Hallmark and could easily see this book plot being a Fall Into Love movie.

I could have used more connection and exploration of the relationship between Bram and Zachary, it felt like the impetus for their relationship was proximity rather than a real connection. Bram had so much love in his heart spilling out, I could see him falling in love with whoever was across the street, it didn’t necessarily need to be Zachary.

Overall though an enjoyable Halloween romance for those who want something sweet and autumnal!

This book definitely has me in the Fall mood now!

I really enjoyed that this MM holiday romance was centered around Halloween, I haven’t read many/any, so this was perfect timing as I’m so ready for the cooler weather!

I wouldn’t cast Zachary and Bram as enemies to lovers, since their rivalry is definitely more of a prank war, that they both get enjoyment from. There’s definitely not that angry feeling between the two characters.

This one felt a little softer for the romance, still a little spicy, but their romance was comforting, like they just fit easily together despite their very different personalities.

It was wonderful to be back in Garnet Run to visit all the previous characters of this series. This one is a standalone that I would say you could definitely read without reading the other in the series.

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “bland”. It started off rather dull and just didn’t improve. I’m not saying I hated this book but I also didn’t really enjoy it and there were some…issues. This is the first book of Roan Parrish’s that I’ve read. I tried reading Riven (which has a little Easter Egg mention in this book), and just couldn’t get into it. So, I wasn’t sure I’d care for this one anyway, but I decided to give it a shot. From my running notes with elaboration:

There is an inconsistent speech and dialog pattern to each of the main characters. I noticed this almost immediately, particularly with Zachary. He is also, apparently, one of those annoying people who will make the automatic assumption that an “odd” name is a nickname and correct for what he thinks their “proper” name is (In this case, Bram is Abraham, which it is not –it’s Bramble, which…okay, I’m not even going to go there). In his defense, Zachary does know immediately that this was kind of an asshole move, but…I was still annoyed as a person who has this done to them regularly.

On page 22, I note that there is already a lot of “vaguebook”-ese here. Rather than just laying things out, its all being hidden for…later? It doesn’t add drama, it just ends up being annoying.

Bram makes a joke in reference to the virgin survivor horror trope, but it isn’t clear that it is a joke?
This was also around the time when I started questioning whether Zachary is neurodivergent. Like, that doesn’t need to spelled out, but that was the vibe I was getting, and I feel like if he WAS that was a conversation that they should have had in trying to understand one another.

I have the note: “Decapitation works for all monsters, actually”. You’re severing the spinal cord. It’s not like a vampire can just re-attach its head. Please go watch some Buffy or something.

I literally gasped out loud and said “WHAT THE FUCK” to Zachary dumping the paint on the dragon. Is he a CHILD with no impulse control? It made absolutely NO SENSE to me that he would do that, even if he was mad, because…he is a very controlled person in ALL of his actions. The ONLY thing it did was make Bram seem naïve, taking it as a “prank”. I wanted to pat him on the head and explain to him what a prank is. (And I have no patience for pranks; I think they are a stupid waste of time and if they people who pulled them spent nearly as much time and brainpower on real issues, we could cure cancer). So, the prank war: dumb, dumb, dumb.

The Glitter Bomb in the mailbox also made me mad. It’s a federal crime to compromise a mailbox. Period. This was not a “fun joke”. It was criminal.

Chapter 12 contained what had to be the absolute dumbest sex scene I have ever read in all my years of romance reading (…which, we won’t talk about how long that’s been, but a majority of my life). They didn’t even get partly naked. To me, it struck me as them being uncontrolled teenagers. What part of ejaculating in your pants is hot? Mutually. Yuck. But, I guess, they do their own laundry so…if that’s what floats their boat.

Bram’s level of scare tolerance is ridiculous. Everything about his reactions (…and frankly, most of the contents of this book) are so campy. Not in a good way. A lot of stereotyping. Rye also brings up their little queer group connection a few times, which…okay, valid. Queers are great at finding other queers and there is only one instance of potential homophobia in this book, when Zachary feels like a kid is staring at them on a hay ride. Either homophobia exists in this community or it doesn’t and that felt like a really unnecessary addition to that scene.

I also got a bit perturbed about the cat shelters. I loved the idea, but you CANNOT put blankets and towels in them. In severe weather, a cat could freeze to the fabric. The only thing you should use in shelters for outdoor/stray/feral cats is straw. Some feral cats probably wouldn’t even *use* something with a blanket or fabric mat. It’s unnatural to them. So, this was a missed research opportunity to impart some factual knowledge to a reader. It didn’t need to be preachy, but I can see someone reading this book and going, “Oh, they did this fun thing...” and not diving down that rabbit hole themselves.

The last note I have is a note about Zachary paying rent. I could be wrong, as I didn’t want to go back and try to find it, but doesn’t it say somewhere that he owns his house? Given its odd architectural design (…which is never mentioned again after Bram’s initial observance) I would think that purchase would have been a priority over renting? But again…I could be wrong and have just misread. Given the extreme boredom in between the bouts of just pure wrongness, I’m sure things slipped through.

I am also very put out that there is no conclusion around the disappearance of Zachary’s sister. Sure, people don’t always get closure to those situations. It’s a sad fact of life. But…this isn’t real life, nothing about this book is realistic, and frankly: I needed to know if she was alive or dead and whether or not having closure would have improved his relationship with his parents.

The overall conclusion: I certainly didn’t love this book, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, but it wasn’t a complete and total waste of time. The dialog in general was just…hard to read at times. I am mildly curious about the other books in the series (particularly, I feel like Rye could be a very likable character, but I’d probably end up disappointed), so I’m not sure that I would actually pick up the others unless I really needed something to read and it was readily available to me.