‘In the Case of Heartbreak’ was a beautifully sweet MM romance. Our MC (Ben) is a baker in Fern Falls who has had a lifelong crush on the local mechanic/guitarist. They end up sharing a cottage together for a couple of weeks at Ben’s grandmother’s home while celebrating her 80th birthday and romance comes calling. 

While I loved the queerness in this story and Adam’s sweet words and hilarious commentary, I wish this one had also taken place in Fern Falls where we could enjoy the country setting more. The setting and background for this story felt very conflicted at times and a bit confusing, but the romance itself was very sweet. I’m looking forward to the next couple in Fern Falls finding love!

If you need a pining, cute, slow-burn romance for the summer, this book will definitely fit the bill!

3.5 stars

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an E-ARC copy of this book.

Unfortunately, this was not the story I was expecting and just wasn’t for me. I absolutely loved the first book in this series but I feel like the author changed way too much from what was good with her first book.

This story didn’t focus on the relationship between Ben and Adam enough, I found there to be too many plot points and not enough relationship. There also was barely any spice and I was struggling with that considering how spicy the first book in the series was. It was one of the reasons I wanted to continue this series.

I also think Adam was a little too perfect of a love interest. There wasn’t enough tension between them for me and it seemed like Adam was always saying the correct thing which felt very unnatural.

I did love the diversity, the setting, and every moment between Adam and Ben. I just wish we got more of those.

I really enjoyed this small town, second chance, queer romcom featuring both actual cinnamon rolls and one of the best fictional ones!!

Lots of summer vibes, heavy on the family drama but FULL of swoony moments between a baker trying to save his family's cafe and an aspiring rock star slash mechanic!!

The queer rep was fantastic and treated so naturally - which was lovely to see! We don't learn until more than midway through that Ben is bisexual and Adam is pansexual.

Highly recommended if you want a feel-good story full of a great cast of queer secondary characters, supportive (mostly) family, reality tv x Rockstar romances, California sunshine and open door spice.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Perfect for fans of authors like Roan Parrish and Timothy Janovsky.

This is a sweet, Hallmarky m/m romance set in small town California. There were some sweet scenes between the protagonists, quirky supporting characters, and cute little towns. The main character was a little to angsty for me at times, but overall it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advance digital copy.

A really sweet read with a beautiful small town community!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Ben runs his family café and bakes his famous cinnamon rolls daily. He’s entered a reality tv competition to showcase them.

Plans start to fall apart when Ben’s rejected by his long-time crush, Adam, on live tv. He also gets some trouble coming from his father (who abandoned him as a child).

Ben takes off for 2 weeks to Maywell Bay, to see his Grandma for her 80th birthday bash. Of course, Adam is there (as a musician in the band for the party).

Most of the story takes place at Grandma’s, as Ben and Adam figure out their feelings for one another, and Ben figures out one family issue at a time.
_______________________________________

I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn’t really call it a romance. While there was a romantic element as part of the story, it was more about Ben’s journey with his family and past trauma. The romance part was really sweet - seeing Adam and Ben come together, and how much they appreciated the little things they dreamed of doing with one another.

I would love to live in a place like Fern Falls! While I am a straight cis white woman, I appreciate the openness and diversity in this town, and how it’s not a “thing.” Everyone is accepted for who they are, no matter their identity.

I could relate a lot to Ben in his anxiety and insecurities. I was laughing a lot and saying - that’s totally me - often.

What you’ll find in In the Case of Heartbreak:
⭐️ LGBTQ+ romance (mm)
⭐️ Childhood friends to lovers
⭐️ Longtime crush
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Cinnamon rolls & cinnamon roll heros
⭐️ Mental health rep (anxiety)
⭐️ Sex positive Grandma (G-ma)
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ Disability rep
⭐️ Single POV/first person
*make sure to check trigger warnings!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

dnf at 33%. i really enjoyed the first book in this series but unfortunately i couldn’t finish this one. it wasn’t particularly bad but i just didn’t manage to get into this book like i did for the first installment. it’s really fast paced and has a bingeable potential, i just wasn’t into it that much

The story was enjoyable and fit the bill for a fun, mm romance. The setting and events were fun, even if not always super realistic.
The author's tone/writing style isn't always my cup of tea, but I'm sure it works well for many people. If they liked In the Event of Love, they will probably love this book as well.

2.5
I wish I'd enjoyed this more, but I had a hard time connecting to Ben and Adam's relationship. The first half dragged on because they wouldn't talk to each other and in the second half they were just 0 to 60, acting like high schoolers but making decisions like they'd been together for years. It was a fun read, though, and super quick and was truly just a matter of me not connecting with it.

This was a good lazy Sunday read, we get to follow Ben who is a passionate baker and who has been love with Adam for some time but after a rejection he high tails it out to his grandma's to celebrate her birthday, G-Ma attempts to make things right for Ben by inviting Adam to play at said birthday party. Ben has to navigate this along with the sudden appearance of his not so great dad. Overall it was a cute read, a coat romance with big feelings for poor Ben who was going through a lot all at once. I wouldn't say that the actual romance was the highlight of the book it almost felt like it took a back seat to everything else but it was still an enjoyable book.

3.75/5

In The Case of Heartbreak was both extremely adorable and deeply emotional. I loved Ben and I just wanted to give him the biggest hug throughout the time I was reading! This book is told from a single POV set in a beach town, Maywell Bay. We accompany Ben after he is put in an awkward situation where he is shown on live TV being rejected by the one man he’s had a crush on for years, Adam Reed. On top of that, he receives a threatening letter from his DAD trying to blackmail him at the height of his recognition for being a contestant in a baking show that could push him to real success in his field. He escapes to his grandmother’s mansion to help prepare and celebrate his G-ma’s 80th birthday. Expecting a reprieve, he runs into his crush Adam at the festivities because Adam is now the lead in the band G-ma hired for the celebration. Both staying at the comfy guest cottage on the property, Ben and Adam are forced to face their feelings and figure out how they can be together with all Ben isn’t saying to Adam.

I really loved Ben and Adam together! There were so many missed opportunities between these two characters as they navigate all that happens to Ben in this story. When they were finally honest with each other and shared their truths, it was beautiful! The moments where these two actually talked to each other made me swoon and I was giddy with how happy I was for them! I wanted much, much more of their happy times. There is a courtship that we get little bits of and I just expected more romance after they admitted their feelings for each other but it was still quite sparse.

Ben definitely gets the award for the most family problems one person can have. This character took an absolute beating and we got a front row seat. I would say that 60 percent of the book is introspective with Ben, finding his strength and courage to find solutions to the problems of his life. Many of these problems were direct consequences of how he handled the situations, which is not very well. As I mentioned, he faces many terrible circumstances because of his family. I would say this book reads more like a fiction piece with a romantic subplot. Miscommunication is used heavily to stretch the romance plot out and it didn’t work for me. I was very irritated with how easily they could “forget” they were about to profess their love for each other. Kiss already!!

Courtney Kae really knows how to create beautiful settings and powerfully joyful scenes that grip my heart and stay in my memory. Her writing feels so immersive at times, I swear I was sitting in Maywell Bay. I love how diverse her cast is and the representation she incorporates seamlessly into this tale. I also really love how she included amazing representation of depression and anxiety with a great relationship between Ben and his therapist. Though I was conflicted on Ben’s familial relationships in this book, the found family Ben has in Fern Falls is fantastic! We don’t actually spend more than 20 percent in Fern Falls though. The rest of the time we are in Maywell Bay. I seriously disliked his family and I felt like everyone around him lied to themselves and each other, a lot. Also, no one respects privacy or boundaries and that did trigger me at times. Ben, tell them to back off and mean it if it’s making you uncomfortable. It made me very uncomfortable.

My critique of the first book that the ending is resolved too easily also makes an appearance in this book as well. The problems Ben faced in this book all seem to go away at the very end in the most anticlimactic way. With how much Ben suffered in this book, I really wanted something equally as intense to get to a resolution.

I was very excited to go back to Fern Falls after how much I loved Morgan and Rachel’s story, In the Event of Love. This book feels different in tone and style. There were many amazing moments in this book that I loved so much, but it was much heavier with the complex family drama and childhood drama. The author’s note at the beginning does let you know all the content warnings, which I appreciated. In the Case of Heartbreak just read like a different book from what I was expecting from the blurb and cover. Though I didn’t dislike this book, I would not recommend this as a romance to anyone. I would recommend this to someone I think would enjoy an interesting fiction piece that follows one bisexual man who has extensive legal troubles and unresolved childhood trauma trying to decide what he wants from his life. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this advanced copy for review!

This is escapism at its finest. If you're into Hallmark movies in book form, this one is for you. It was cheesy and fun and a whole lot ridiculous - but in that way that you kind of want your rom-coms to be a little silly and ott.

Where this totally fell flat for me was the love story itself (this IS billed as a romance after all). Most of the "drama" in this story is totally outside the relationship, so much so that it didn't read as much of a romance for me. So much time is spent on personal story lines and stuff going on in the town that the romance is totally over shadowed.

It wasn't a bad book, but in less than 18 hours, I've already forgotten the character's names and about half the storyline, so it's obviously not a story that's sticking with me.

Courtney Kae puts out all the emotions in her latest novel, In the Case of Heartbreak. I found myself standing in the shoes of Ben and feeling some of his emotions, a feeling that doesn't come often to me while reading. Ben's love of baking and his best friend Adam are swoon worthy and may remind readers that there are important things worth fighting for. While I wish we got Adam's point of view to see how he was feeling, Courtney lead us through the emotional highs and lows that any person is able to experience. While I wish the cover and synopsis showed more of the "heartbreak" emotions, anyone who enjoys contemporary reads or semi romance reads will enjoy In the Case of Heartbreak.

I think I have to admit defeat on this one! I just couldn't get into it and didn't feel a connection between the two main characters. Everything felt over the top and kinda ridiculous, but I guess that's to be expected when the plot is centered around a two-week 80th birthday celebration for a grandmother that now insists on being called G-Ma.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Every trope in this books was just not working for me at all. The small town set-up reads so ridiculously, it feels very unrealistic and superficial. The fake dating/friends to lovers is so disappointing because there is supposed to be a fairly deep relationship between the two main characters before the story begins, and I never once feel any emotional spark between them… no depth or sentimentality demonstrated in their supposedly years long history. The family/side characters are also super annoying… the grandmother…. Trying way too hard to be quirky it was just painful and everything I could even pay attention to came with second hand embarrassment while reading. The dark past between the main character and his father who abandoned him as a child seemed to be both way too dramatic AND underwhelming at the same time… is it supposed to be suspenseful?!

Nothing but frustration for me :( but the writing is not terrible and I know these characters must be what someone else want to read. This one’s just completely not for me.

*Thank you to Kensington Books and Courtney Kae for a copy in exchange for an honest review.*

I read (and absolutely LOVEDDDDD) In The Event of Love, so I already had a feeling that In the Case of Heartbreak was going to be a new romance favourite, and I was not disappointed at all. Courtney puts something into their writing that just sucks me the f in and I LOVE it. I literally have nothing bad to say about either ITEOL and ITCOH. I love them both, and I'm so glad we got to see Ben and Adam FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY kiss and admit their feelings because the two of them in In The Event of Love, it was so obvious. Like painfully obvious.

This is exactly the kind of (childhood) best friends to lovers I want and NEED for the gays.

G-ma is the best. Can G-ma adopt me?

TW for parental trauma. Both Ben and Adam discuss their childhood trauma (parents), and while I have never experienced that, it is a trigger for some people. I don't want to discuss that part, because I don't have any first hand experience.

Thank you to Courtney Kae and Kensington Books for providing me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review!

I DEVOURED this book. I already knew that going into In The Case Of Heartbreak I was going to be in love with the characters, after reading In The Event Of Love and immediately gravitating towards Ben's character, but I could have never prepared myself for how much this book would resonate and mean to me. I finished it two days ago and I'm still thinking about it constantly.

Ben and Adam both worked through so much childhood and parental trauma in this book and I felt like it was written directly for me to read. The way that they help each other through their thoughts, never once questioning each other, just absolute and total support for each other. Their love was so beautiful and their healing was even more so. I found myself weeping at so many moments, all while the story still was able to maintain that absolute queer joy and hallmark rom com kind of vibe.

I loved (most) all of the side characters so much, G-ma is the greatest ever and I adore her.

Childhood friends to lovers, unrequited crush, the ultimate cinnamon rolls (both the treats, and Ben & Adam <3), a little meddling from G-ma and her wonderful book club, and a look into depression, anxiety, and trauma in a way that felt so raw and realistic. I couldn't have asked for a better book, and ITCOH has easily worked it's way into my top reads of the year.

Courtney Kae serves up another warm hug of a book with In the Case of Heartbreak. This time we get Ben and Adam’s story—Badam if you will—and—oh my goodness—I am in love with these two tender-hearted cinnamon rolls.

Our small town romance begins in Fern Falls but takes a detour from the mountains to the beaches of Maywell Bay for G-ma’s fabulous birthday bash. We’re talking weeks of over-the-top celebrations that unfortunately happen to coincide with Ben’s hopes of winning a baking competition—this cinnamon roll hero makes the best cinnamon rolls—being threatened by some resurrected family trauma. (Stay in your lane, dad.)

A meddling G-ma decides to deliver some forced proximity goodness by inviting Ben’s longtime friend and forever crush, Adam, to perform at her parties and to stay on-site. The costumes are memorable; the chemistry is palpable; and their love story is oh-so cozy.

Dare I say it? Kae has a knack for taking some of my least favorite tropes (second chance in In the Event of Love and friends to lovers here) and making me—gasp—actually enjoy them. I’m not sure how she does it, but I’m definitely not upset about it. I look forward to reading what comes next for the Fern Falls crew.

Note: Kae handles mental health with care in this story, but there is a note at the beginning of the book concerning content warnings. If some issues may be triggering for you, make sure to read it before you proceed.

I received an advance copy of the book from the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Ok - if you like the color PURPLE like I do, this is the book for you! Between purple cottages, purple sleeping bags, and purple cocktails, there was just so much purple it made me happy.
I loved Courtney Kae’s debut last summer, In the Event of Love, especially its setting, the loving town of Fern Falls. This book is partially set in Fern Falls, where Ben runs the Peak Perk Cafe, but also in Maywell Bay, where Ben and his mom used to spend summers with Ben’s eccentric G-ma. This is a MM, friends-to-lovers, slow-burn, small town romance. Ben’s arc goes pretty deep into his traumatic backstory, and the author’s note at the beginning reminds readers to prioritize their own well-being and mental health with the content warnings. Love to see that! 👏
Some parts of this read were a bit out there for me (G-ma’s lavish parties, plenty of miscommunication, lots of angst - although none around queer issues!), and the middle of the book really dragged. But iI think t’s worth reading and I hope it makes other readers feel sweet like the cinnamon rolls described within. Unfortunately, my expectations were a bit too high going into this one, since I loved the previous book so much!
Thanks to the author and Kensington Books for the Netgalley ARC through her street team in exchange for my honest opinion. This can be read as a standalone if you haven’t read In the Event of Love, but I recommend reading that one, too!

If you’re looking for your perfect queer beach read look no further! You’ve found it! Once again, Courtney has dubbed themselves the monarch of friends to lovers, writing a second perfect one!! Doing what they do best, they created another town that will wrap every queer person in a big warm hug and tell them they are loved and they are enough exactly as they are. Ben and Adam are both just the gentlest souls trying to heal from past trauma, and trying to figure out if their love is worth the risk of losing their friendship.

The anxiety rep from Ben is so lovingly and tenderly written, and his support system is so vast and beautiful and unshakable. I found myself crying, swooning, and snort laughing as I read my way through, and I call dibs on G-ma as my new best friend 🤣

Courtney is the ultimate cozy queer small town RomCom author, and I can’t WAIT to see what they bring us next! 😍

I loved Ben and his passion for baking. I was kind of confused why the stuff with his father kinda of just... disappeared. It was a little lackluster there. No angst or shame around any LGBTQIA+ characters made this such a nice experience. I can't wait for more from Courtney Kae.