I read this book in one day, just one! It’s got the fall vibes and cozy small town vibes too. I love small town romances, especially with quirky townies in the mix! This HS enemies to grown up lovers story is super cute and homey. I liked Jo’s storyline a lot and how she was a strong female character that overcame a lot of adversity and I loved her with Brooklyn. I also adored how sweet and kind Lucas was, I mean what more can you expect from the small town sheriff. There were some plot lines that were a little goofy, but sometimes that’s real life in a small town. Overall this is an easy, feel good, sweet romance with some kissing but no spice.

Another cozy read from a series that could be read as a standalone. This was just a really nice and cute read. Lucas and Jolie were incredibly endearing and their chemistry was great. I loved all the banter.

This was a very enjoyable, cozy read! Starting after a series of events, Jolie returns from her high-profile job to her hometown, where she fixes up an old bar...where she runs into her high school nuisance, Lucas. Lucas has turned his life around and now works for the town's sheriff's office. Hilarity and love ensue.

I liked both Lucas and Jolie's characters, and the teen-enemies-to-lovers trope. I'm also a sucker for a well-written single dad trope. One of the things that I appreciated was that Lucas's niece was written as an older child, stricken with puberty-related issues, instead of a baby or toddler. It was a nice, organic way to introduce Jolie to Brooklyn and have them make a connection that she wasn't able to have with Lucas.

The small-town vibe is always cozy and warm, even when the residents butt heads. Harvest Hollow was described as a quaint little spot with a perfect sounding downtown, where we're introduced to a host of lovable supporting characters.

This is a standalone, small-town romance about single-dad and local Sheriff, Lucas Cole, and newly back in town bar owner, Jolie McGraw. It is a quick and uplifting read, but I think it is 2.5/5 at best. I love a strong female and the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey, but this didn't really do much to impress me.

Fall vibes? I picked this up because it showed promise of getting me settled into fall. Unfortunately, this didn't meet that need. Besides the fact that the town is named Harvest Hollow and takes place in September/October, there isn't much else that is cozy about this book. There is mention of an upcoming fall festival that the entire town prepares for, but we never get to it in this book. It's possible that others in the series do, but this is the only one I've read.

The Plot. There is a very loose mystery in the background, which pulls Sheriff Lucas and Jolie together. I won't go into details, but Jolie says it best in this quote: "I'm here to solve the dumbest crime spree to ever hit Harvest Hollow." The premise was ridiculous and the resolution was lame.

I didn't mind the slow-burn of Lucas and Jolie. There were some sweet moments mixed in there where you could see their feelings develop and it made me want to see where things go. When they finally get together though... yikes. The ending was so cheesy that it almost made me cringe.

Overall, I was hoping for more and this did not deliver. There was a lot of potential with their backstories and solving some sort of crime in Harvest Hollow. Cute, but very corny.

This review will be posted to Goodreads and Amazon on release date September 7th, 2023. It will also be shared to my Instagram account @_bookish.brittany.

Lucas and Jolie are the perfect fall recipe of swoon and fun.

"The bad boy and the golden girl have traded places..." and that only served up the most delicious, contentious connection. The sweet and swoony sheriff, Lucas, is a single parent to his niece and has changed his rebellious ways and now that Jolie, the studious valedictorian, is back in town as the new bar owner, the sparks are crackling and smoldering. I loved the hilarious and somewhat awkward interactions these two had, as they try to merge their pasts and futures. Oh, how I laughed and cringed.

"Harvest Hollow is the kind of place where your past is always present."

These two sworn enemies have more in common than they think, especially as they find themselves in the middle of a town mystery. Melanie Jacobson has created something special with a tough as nails woman with something to prove and a kind and fair man who only wants the best. I couldn't get enough of the whole cast of characters and the community feeling, and I'm ready to pack my bags and move right into this series. Jacobson brought the good and bad to life, smacking this story right into my heart.

I'm now craving sweaters, apples, and love. This is the perfect autumn read!

Content: mild romance; past parental neglect/alcoholism

🍂📚🚔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🚔📚🍂

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Fall Back Plan (Sweater Weather Series) 🍂
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Melanie Jacobson
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: September 7
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a review of an 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝘆 of The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson. Thank you so much to @melaniejacobson_books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

🍂 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🍂
This cute fall based book in the Sweater Weather series brings us Lucas, the hot sheriff of Harvest Hollow, and Jolie, who sweeps back into her hometown with a small ax to grind against her past. Fresh off a breakup, Jolie decides to buy and redo a long established bar, which ruffles some local feathers.

Sheriff Lucas comes by the bar to check on it upon opening, and finds his high school tutor Jolie, who isn’t too happy to see him. The relationship between Jolie and Lucas starts off rocky, due to past differences, but a friendship starts to blossom.

Jolie has sworn off love and is trying to ignore some new feelings about her hometown and its solid, steady, handsome sheriff. Jolie is also learning that people in her hometown are looking out for her.

This book has one great thing I love about small town romance books - fun side characters! Jolie’s coworkers in the bar and Lucas’ coworkers and family members are always there to help and provide a laugh.

The ending of this book and epilogue (bonus) had me hooked. You’ll have to read to find out but I love cutesy adorable endings, cheesy even because - why not! It leaves me with all the good feelings and I love that with the end of a good rom com book!

🍁This book is the 2nd book released in the Sweater Weather series, with a group of 7 authors writing interconnected stand-alone stories based in the town of Harvest Hollow. They will are releasing from August 31st to October 12th and will be on Kindle Unlimited!

🍂 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🍁 Closed door romance
🍁 Enemies/Friends to Lovers
🍁 Hot Sheriff
🍁 Single Dad
🍁 Fun side characters

The Back Up Plan is the second book of seven in the Sweater Weather series- a series of cute, small town, closed door romcoms that will keep you coming back for more!

This book has ALL the small town vibes goin on! It had everything you could want in a small town- family owned businesses, extra friendly neighbors. And it had some of the things you might not love but can’t deny- I’m talking those gossipy folks you’ve known since high school. Which makes for a pretty interesting plot!

Jolie returns to her hometown and takes over a well-known bar.. but she’s not the same shy girl she was back in high school- and she has a few particular people she’d like to prove that to.

One of them being Lucas Cole, the jerk she used to tutor- who just happens to be the town Sheriff now.

This is such a cute and cozy Fall read! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Review will be posted on Instagram on release day 9/7

ARC REVIEW🍁

Published date: 7 September 2023

The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson is a small town romance, old friends/strangers. Jolie used to tutor Lucas. She leaves town because of problems.
Several years later, she comes back to town for a certain goal and she meets the town sheriff... And the story starts.

This book was absolutely everything. It had everything I wanted. It's a cute romance but at the same time highlights really important problems that teenagers face when their parents are troubled. The author style of writing is so smooth while presenting those problems without it being cringe. And it shows that people can change if they put their mind to it. The poverty scenes and the alcoholism that were shown, tells you that it's not the child's fault.
This book is definitely a 5⭐ I really enjoyed it and I have no complain about it. I recommend it to everyone!!!

I loved this. This is so sweet and light, exactly what I needed. Lucas was such a good man, he admited his mistakes, was there for her when she needed him, respected her space, didn't force himself when she said she just wanted to be friends instead was just her friend, was genuinely a good person. He saw the way his life was taking when he was young and decided to be more than that, they both did, they both wanted more out of the life than the hand they were dealt with. Jolie, like him, had been through a lot in her life and she didn't ket anyone step on her or make her feel bad for whatever reason, she stood up for herself no matter what. She was so strong and at the same time so afraid of love but she understood at the end that Lucas was more than worth it. I loved them as a couple, they fit together like puzzle pieces

The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson is written with great humor.
The characters were well developed with depth, awesome banter, great chemistry, and wonderfully built throughout the story.
The author’s writing style was swoony, humorous, and brilliantly written.
The plot is delivered in a perfect riviting fashion and the ending is phenomenal!
This book has all the funny and sweet moments you could hope for in a rom-com.
An absolute delightful enemies to lovers rom-com.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Four Petal Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

🍁Enemies to Lovers
🍁Single Dad
🍁Small Town
🍁Law Enforcement Officer
🍁Closed Door

The Fall Back Plan is part of the Sweater Weather series. This was a cute and heartwarming story about love and finding oneself. Jolie moves back to her hometown to open a bar- Tequila Mockingbird. Jolie is a strong character and a bit prickly but to those that she’s close to her know she really is a sweetheart. When she gets back to town she never imagined one of her high school bullies to now be the sheriff. But Jolie isn’t the only one that’s changed since high school. Lucas is no longer the hell raiser he once was. He has done a lot of growing up and is now respected in town.

I loved the chemistry between Jolie and Lucas. The banter and angst between them had me smiling and laughing. I enjoyed the side characters and the small town feel. This was a swoony, sweet and quick read that I would recommend to everyone!

Thank you to Melanie Jacobson, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"She's a contradiction, and everything about her appearance raises questions. Why is she back? Is she here to stay? Why all the secrecy around opening the bar? Does she like a man in uniform?"

The Fall Back Plan is a sweet, funny, and heartfelt romance. I absolutely loved this story. I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters Jolie and Lucas. One of my favorite things about this story is that you get a dual POV from Jolie and Lucas. By getting to see situations from both of their POV's and learn their feelings, it really helps show their character development overtime. Jolie and Lucas had such fun banter and inside jokes with each other that I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts. If you like small town romance, second chances, sweater weather, single dad, law enforcement male lead, and enemies to lovers then this book is for you!

The Fall Back Plan is the second book in the Sweater Weather series, and I am loving this series so far.

I am posting this review to my Goodreads account on 9/5/2023, and to my Bookstagram account on 9/6/2023.

THE FALL BACK PLAN ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The second book in the sweater weather series! This was a fun, light hearted, and satisfying story. It was refreshing watching main characters who come from difficult backgrounds overcome and also pay it forward.

Jolie returns to her hometown after 10 years as a changed woman ready for a fresh start. When she returns, she realizes she’s not the only one who has changed. A new relationship forms with the most unlikely person!

Pub date: September 7, 2023

Perfect if you like:
•Clean romance.
•Enemies to lovers.
•Return to hometown.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Mood: 🍩

Returning to Harvest Hollow after ten years, Jolie is set on proving herself by opening a new bar—a far cry from her sweet and unassuming high school reputation. But she's questioned about a bizarre crime by former teen rebel Lucas, now the sheriff. Though initially dismissive of him, when she meets Lucas's niece, Jolie sees her younger self reflected back. Despite her resistance to love and Lucas, the town conspires to push them together, putting Jolie's heart at risk and forcing her to confront the person she's become.

This book is so cute! Jolie was bullied in high school, and she's determined to prove how tough she is now. She's defensive at first, but mellows a bit as the story unfolds. Lucas, meanwhile, has shed his bad-boy image, in part through the necessity of raising his niece. Jolie and Lucas might have been opposites in high school, but they've evolved into grown-ups who fit perfectly together.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Oh, how I enjoy Melanie Jacobson’s books, and now how much I’m enjoying the Sweater Weather series! I was able to read Emma St. Clair’s book 1 in the series last week (Just Don’t Fall), and now this second book, The Fall Back Plan this week. Both are just brilliant! Can’t wait for the rest! All sweet and swoony (aka clean/closed door), all in the same small town with overlapping characters.

I really liked the high school enemies reunited but become friends become more… Jolie comes back to the town that rejected her because of her family circumstances. She bought the bar that allowed her father’s alcoholism to continue while she grew up, to prove a point. Her high school nemesis is now sheriff. He comes around and breaks up a brawl when town folk are giving her a hard time because of who she is and the changes she’s made to the bar she bought.

When Jolie and former nemesis turned sheriff Lucas, who turns out to have become a really good guy and Uncle (raising a very adorable niece), strike a deal, it’s basically a hopeless case and you better buckle up for the ride.

I highly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it to all! Definitely another great Melanie Jacobson story that fans of hers and similar authors (ie all of the others in this series) will love!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Four Petal Press, and this is my honest feedback.

This is the first book of Jacobson’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last! It’s no secret that enemies-to-lovers is my favorite trope, but when you through in the forced proximity of a small town, this book gets pushed over the edge to an easy five star read. My favorite part about this book is that it wasn’t just a romcom. It had elements of a cozy mystery and women’s literature. I loved these separate storylines, but Brooklyn’s relationship with Jolie was by far my favorite. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this multi-author series.

The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson

Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5 stars)

The story revolves around former high school rivals, Lucas and Jolie. Back in their high school days, Jolie used to tutor Lucas, though she wasn't considered the prettiest back then. After leaving Harvest Hollow for college and pursuing their respective paths in life, Jolie returned to her hometown to open the Tequila Mockingbird bar. Little did she know that her 'enemy' from high school had become the town sheriff.

Jolie's motivation for starting Tequila Mockingbird was multi-faceted. It was her way of rebelling against her past and reclaiming control over her life's narrative. On the other hand, Lucas never left Harvest Hollow and had become the town sheriff, adding an intriguing layer to their reunion.

Lucas, in addition to his sheriff duties, was also raising his niece, Brooklyn. Jolie's interest in being a positive female influence in Brooklyn's life developed into a subplot, given her lack of one.

Throughout the story, Jolie made every effort to keep Lucas at arm's length, initially resisting any feelings of romantic interest. But, as expected in such tales, she eventually gave in to her feelings.

So, why did I give 'The Fall Back Plan' a rating of two stars? There are a few reasons. First, I wasn't a fan of Lucas and his persistent pining for Jolie. His actions came off as somewhat cheesy and corny, and his attempt at a disguise had me cringing. He didn't embody the type of male character I typically find appealing.

Secondly, the plot felt lacking in substance. The relationship between Lucas and Jolie didn't truly take shape until the final two pages of the book, resulting in an extremely slow-burning romance. Lastly, I wasn't particularly fond of the writing style.

Overall, while the book had a cute concept, it failed to hook me as a reader. I needed more depth in terms of character development, a more engaging plot, and a different writing style to fully immerse myself in the story.

I received an ARC copy of The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson and I really loved her writing style. This book is a small town slow burn and I really enjoyed the characters and their stories so much!

Jolie moves back to her hometown where she is the new owner of a bar she has some childhood ties to. The last thing she expected was the high-school bad boy who she used to tutor, Lucas to be the new sheriff.
Strange circumstances bring the two back together to clear Jolie's name and they discover they have both grown up and changed quite a bit since high school and the more time they spend together the more their chemistry comes to the surface! Their connection is un-deniable and their back and forth banter and flirty moments had me smiling through the whole book.

This book is perfect for fans of cozy mystery and small town romance. There is an enemies to friends to lovers trope that was really fun. This is a sweet romance, so don’t go into it expecting spice. I loved the low level of stress I felt while reading- seriously such a great book to get into the harvest season.

There were a few times I wanted to smack the FMC for being stubborn and hard towards the town, but she shows a lot of growth throughout the story.

Also - who doesn’t love a hot sheriff ??

I can’t wait to read the next books in this collection.

I am officially obsessed with this series and the town of Hollow Harvest. This one like its predecessor, has all of the cute and hilarious moments of a perfect romcom. It also has all of the cliches and tropes and overall is the perfect feel good fall read.