I enjoyed the story--even if it had me rolling my eyes several times--but parts of it were repetitive and a bit grating. Still, I enjoyed how the relationship progressed and the how the landscape was so central to the narrative.

Other reviewers seemed to really like this one, but this one was just not for me - it seemed a little too obviously planned. The diary that was found that only seems to be written around an affair - I am not sure it seems feasible at that time that someone would start writing a diary, and that the only information in it was around a forbidden love affair…in addition, it seemed obvious to me what was going to develop in the story after.

The narrator was okay, not one of my favorites.

This is the first book I have listened to by Gerri Hill. The Apple Diary was well written and the characters were well thought out. This compelling book was about romance, grief, loss, coming to terms with difficult decisions and situations, acceptance, trust, happiness and some sadness. This book was narrated by Abby Craden and I thought she did a wonderful job telling this story. I can't wait to read more books by Gerri Hill. I would definitely recommend this book.


Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

This is a sweet, thoughtful romance about an heiress staying with her grandfather. She finds her great grandmother's diary in the attic and reads about a sapphic romance she had.

As the woman spends more time at her grandfather's house, she decides that the old apple orchard, which featured prominently in the diary, should be rekindled and unknowingly hires the great niece of the diary's love interest to do the job and they start a romance of their own.

The strangers, to friends, to lovers arc was a believable slow burn. There were a few things in the book that I thought required a little more suspension of disbelief than I would have liked, such as the near aristocrat standing/beliefs of the Marak family being a mindset in PA as opposed to England or something, but overall it was a very enjoyable romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC of this audiobook.

A young woman finds her great-grandmother’s diary while staying with her grandfather, and inspired by her unexpected love stry, decides to restore the apple orchard on her family’s land. The woman she hires to do the job is the great niece of the woman her great grandmother fell in love with, and as the two rebuild the orchard, they might find themselves in their own love story.

I love Gerri Hill and will read anything she publishes, honestly. This newest work didn’t disappoint for me. This strangers to friends to lovers romance with an element of lost love gone by was heartwarming and heartbreaking at times. The development of the modern story unfolded alongside the historical love story, and it was well-paced. As usual, Abby Craden’s narration was amazing, and as always, can’t wait to see what’s next from this author and the narrator.

Marilyn Marak's grandmother dies, so she makes a decision to move in with her grandfather to look after him and be there for him. She has been in a relationship with a man, and she doesn't know how to feel about it. She decides to plant an orchard in 3 acres of her grandfather's land and hires Dylan to take care of it. While there, she found her great-grandmother's letter and found out she was in a queer relationship.

I absolutely adored this romance!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Apple Diary was my first book by author Gerri Hill and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook that was very well narrated by Abby Cranden. The Apple Diary took place in Pennsylvania on a massive family estate. The Marak family had owned and lived on the estate for several generations. It was located in the part of Pennsylvania that was known for its rich and expansive farmlands and apple orchards. Gerri Hill’s colorful and detailed descriptions of the land made it very easy to visualize. The Apple Diary was a heartwarming story that wrapped its arms around a wealthy family, the discovery of a long forgotten diary that described the implications of an unconventional romance that occurred in 1933 and the search for purpose and meaning in one’s life.

Madilyn Marak was a twenty-seven year old young woman when her grandmother died. She traveled from the condominium she owned in the city of Philadelphia to her grandparent’s estate situated in the farmlands of Pennsylvania for her grandmother’s funeral. Madilyn or Maddy as her grandfather called her, had always shared a special relationship with her grandparents. She treasured the time that she got to spend with them. Maddy did not have a close relationship with her own mother and older brother. Growing up, Maddy’s mother was never around. She was brought up by the Nannies her mother hired and then sent to boarding school as soon as she was old enough. At the time of her grandmother’s death, Maddy’s mother was working on her fourth marriage. Maddy’s mother had never had a close relationship with her own father, Maddy’s grandfather, so it was not surprising that her mother left as soon as the funeral was over. On the other hand, Maddy loved, respected and cared greatly for her grandfather. He was already eighty-nine years old and Maddy didn’t know how much time they had left to enjoy one another’s company. Maddy decided to stay at the family estate for a while to keep her grandfather company after the funeral.

As Maddy settled in at the family estate, after her mother’s and brother’s departure, she decided to explore a little. She wasn’t sure why she decided to venture up into the attic but she felt herself lured up there. As Maddy began to open chests and draws up there, she uncovered a very old book. At first Maddy wasn’t sure if it was a journal or a diary. She soon realized that it was her great grandmother’s Isabel’s diary that she had found. Maddy wasn’t sure what she was going to find in the diary but she took it down to her room to find out. She didn’t know a lot about her great grandmother since she died at the very young age of 36. Isabel had been her grandfather’s mother. As Maddy began to read the diary she found that she couldn’t pull herself away from it. Maddy discovered that her great grandmother Isabel was very lonely living on the family estate. Her husband, Maddy’s great grandfather was away very often. He was more interested in making money than anything else. Isabel’s main comfort was the apple orchards. She adored the apple orchards and spent many hours walking around them. Then one day, a traveling shoe saleswoman appeared. The woman introduced herself as Lorah. Over time, Isabel and Lorah fell in love. Isabel was frightened at the realization that she loved another woman. She tried to ignore her feelings. Isabel was married after all. Finally, she gave into her feelings and let herself love Lorah in a way that she could never had loved her husband. The year was 1933, though, and Isabel knew that it would never be accepted. Sadly, Lorah left Isabel behind when she went back to her farm to live. Isabel refused to leave with Lorah. Instead she remained in her loveless marriage until she died at the age of thirty-six.

After reading her great grandmother’s diary, Maddy was intent on learning more about her great grandmother and in restoring the apple orchards to their former glory. After getting her grandfather’s blessing for the project, Maddy placed an ad for an orchardist. Several men and one woman applied. The woman was Dylan Hayes. She was twenty-nine years old and had recently lost her uncle, her last surviving relative. Dylan had been living with her uncle for the last few years so she could help him with his apple orchards and farm and take care of him when he got really sick. Now Dylan was faced with selling her uncle’s apple orchards and farm to pay for his medical expenses. If Dylan didn’t get this job, she wasn’t sure where she would live or what she would do. Even though Dylan had the least amount of experience when it came to restoring apple orchards, there was something about her that made Maddy feel that she was the one she should hire and she did. The more time that Maddy and Dylan spent together, the more their lives became interwoven. Maddy had never had a friend like Dylan where she was just Maddy and not Madilyn Marak, heiress. What blossomed between Maddy and Dylan was fragile, sweet and honest. Was there more of a connection between them than either one could have imagined? Would Maddy share her great grandmother’s diary with Dylan? What would they discover about each other?

The Apple Diary by Gerri Hill was told in two timelines. Isabel’s diary entries, that described her lonely existence until she met Lorah, occurred in 1933 and Maddy’s life on the family estate was in present times. Gerri Hill proved to be a masterful storyteller. The Apple Diary was well written and the characters were well thought out. This compelling book was about romance, grief, loss, coming to terms with difficult decisions and situations, acceptance, trust, happiness and some sadness. I really enjoyed listening to this book and highly recommend it. I will definitely read more books by this author.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Apple Diary by Gerri Hill through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story The Apple Diary is! I've never read anything by Gerri Hill before, and I'm so glad to have discovered them!!!

This is such a romantic story. I loved the tale of Isabel and Lorah (I'd never have been able to resist reading that diary all the way through right away lol). And the way Hill weaves their story into the romance of Madilyn and Dylan is artfully done.

The audio version of The Apple Diary is performed by Abby Craden and they do a marvelous job with all these characters. A lovely tale!

This story reaminds me a bit of Letters never send by Sandra Moran or the movie Snapshots with painful love stories between women from the past, coupled with travel between past and present. I have a soft spot for these stories. The book is in two parts, the first on the diary, tellling the story between Isabel and Lorah. I was so swept in, each time Madilyn stopped reading to eat, sleep or recover I was screaming « come on ! I would read the whole thing in 30 min ». Of course I know it would totally be catastrophic in term of storytelling for the book. The second part is focused on the story between Madilyn and Dylan, it’s very sweet and delicate. I love that there is this huge part of fate bringing these two characters together, as almost an apology the universe is giving for making souls from the past suffer. Hill touches from the tip of their finger this notion of faith in souls and lingering spirits. It gives the story poetry, while not imposing it to the reader, letting them chose how they want to connect both love stories.
I found the story telling immersive, I really felt like I was watching the valley, walking in the orchard, breathing the fresh air. Chapters are short and I just didn’t want to stop.
It’s almost useless to comment on Abby’s Craden narration that now became familiar and comforting while makes beautiful stories sublime.
This audiobook finally made me deep my toe in Geri Hill’s world, author that was on my radar for some time. I definitely want to take the plunge now.

PS : nothing to do wi th book but the netgalley app to listen to audiobook is clearly not optimal and frustrating

I received a copy of the audiobook from Tantor Audio via NetGalley and happily listened to The Apple Diary although I only read the book only a few weeks ago. Abby Cranden does a wonderful job with the narration of this lovely two time period story.

Gerri Hill is such a smooth and consistent writer. Most of her books are set in the west or southwest so I was surprised the story takes place in Pennsylvania’s farm and apple country. If I hadn’t already traveled in the area I could easily envision it with Hill’s beautiful descriptions. Madilyn Marak is a young (27) heiress and the story begins with her being at the family estate after the death of her grandmother. She tells her grandfather she will stay with him for several months. She finds her great-grandmother Isabel’s diary and learns of a forbidden romance in 1933. She hires Dylan Hayes (29) to bring new life to Isabel's three acre apple orchard.

The characters are surprisingly young compared to the lives they have lived. There is very much a sense of loneliness for both of them. Their friendship is easy to enjoy as is their slow burn attraction. They communicate openly and honestly with each other. The diary is short but gives the original romance depth and feeling. A few times I felt I got the same information repetitively. I think there are three times she explains her lack of relationship with her father. Or how many times do I need to hear her thoughts on her ex boyfriend? But otherwise I loved spending time with these characters. I will gladly read anything Hill writes from romances to her investigative mysteries. (4.5 Stars)

My thoughts…

Set in the rolling, lush landscape near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, The Apple Diary introduces readers to several intriguing characters: Madilyn, Dylan, Isabel, and Lorah. Though time and space separate some of these women, all are connected in the most interesting and intriguing ways. They come to life under Hill’s creative direction as she supplies each of them with their own unique personalities, dreams, and insecurities. These characters have flaws and struggles, and their story arcs initiate changes in them—some happy, some sad. Nonetheless, readers connect with them, making this a resonating read.

The character development is strong and well-crafted. Hill skillfully portrays the characters’ experiences, their relationships, and their personal journeys in a way that really reverberates within readers. What’s more, Hill places these unique and interesting characters inside an immersive story world—one that comes alive through vivid, rich descriptions. Her attention to detail enables readers to be transported into the heart of the story, easily demonstrating why readers enjoy her stories so much.

Intriguing characters are not the only thing that stands out in this book, though. Strong storytelling and engaging dialogue are also strengths. Readers will appreciate Hill’s ability to move the plot along smoothly through character dialogue and action, all while navigating two separate time periods. Because Hill understands the importance of pace in storytelling, The Apple Diary’s narrative comes alive with her skillful use. She knows exactly when to speed up the tempo and when to slow it down, allowing readers to appreciate the tension and emotion in the scenes. This, coupled with a solid structure, keeps each chapter flowing seamlessly into the next, creating a cohesive and engaging story.

Finals remarks…

Hill has always been known for captivating storylines and well-developed characters, so it should surprise no one that The Apple Diary is an enchanting, heartwarming story that will leave one wanting more. Readers will appreciate her intriguing storyline and immersive story world. It explores a variety of themes that are both relatable and thought-provoking. Through the journeys of these characters, Hill reminds readers of how important the power of self-acceptance is. Even when faced with societal expectations and judgment, being true to oneself can be paramount to happiness.

Additional note…

I had the pleasure of experiencing this story via audiobook. Abby Craden does an exceptional job with this story. Her character work is top-notch. She has become the go-to narrator for many sapphic writers because her performance is impeccable, and this narration is no different. She makes a good story even better, and one can’t ask for more than that from a narrator. I highly recommend listening to ANY book she narrates.

Strengths…

Intriguing storyline
Captivating characters
Thought provoking themes
Immerse story world
Sound storytelling
A solid 4.5 star book

I absolutely love books narrated byAbby Craden. An absolute great choice for this book.

I've read it before but I just love audiobooks and the way Craden can transport you into the world of the book.
I absolutely love the story, the characters just everything. I have nothing bad to say about this one. Loved the short snippets into Isabel's and Lorah's story and loved the connection Madilyn and Dylan had.

I am very appreciative for NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book so I was really excited to see my favorite narrator, Abby Craden, narrate it!

As always, Abby Craden brings the characters and story to life.

This book was a fun introduction for me to lbgtq+ lit. It managed to mix laughter and fun with deeper topics of loss and opportunities missed. The lead is convincing and compelling. I found myself understanding the dynamics of this love story in a way I never imagined I as a straight woman might. In the end the genders of the lovers in this story never weighed in to the enjoyment I experienced in sharing their journey. On the audiobook the narrators voice is clear and emotive without being over dramatic or taking away from the story and my ability to add my own inflections. I truly enjoyed this read and imagine it would be the perfect read in front of a fire with hot apple cider on a crisp fall night. Fair warning, it will make you want to plant some apple trees.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/94484200-kristin">View all my reviews</a>

‘The Apple Diary’ is a charming sapphic romance with ‘The Secret Garden’ vibes, mixed with a fated love trope.

It was enjoyable, easy reading, but ultimately I didn’t fully connect with either character enough to really root for their love. That said, it’s a very competent effort and I think fans of medium-slow burn and heiress trope will enjoy this!

I appreciated how this was an actual romance with plenty of *romance* in it. Coming in as a mostly hetero romance reader, it was refreshing to have the emphasis be on their emotional connection (the sort of stuff that can make a great partnership) rather than solely how much they want to do the horizontal tango with each other.

The heiress, Madelyn, comes from an emotionally removed, old money family. The orchard developer, Dylan, is a heartthrob - excellent communicator, steady head, ~vibes~, and just generally seems like someone it’d be great to have a relationship with. I think Dylan’s perfection and Madelyn’s out-of-touchness (she felt like a heroine from a historical romance) prevented me from really connecting with either one, but they did have distinct voices and POVs.

This book has:
- baby lesbian trope
- excellent communication
- medium-slow burn
- competency kink
- teaching kink (experienced lesbian and I’ve-never-liked-a-girl-before)
- rich girl, poor (/working class) girl
- an heiress who doesn’t care for riches (light NLOG vibes)
- gardening

Thanks, NetGalley and Bella Books, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.