I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book and I absolutely loved it. Wren was one of my favourite female main characters, ever. She was smart, witty and fun. No damsel in distress here! She was helpful to her community, had a side hustle (although a little risky) and lived a very independent life. She was also a ray of sunshine and the perfect contrast to her grumpy next door neighbour, Holden.

I loved the way these two started out. Every time Wren tried to get under Holden's skin, I found myself giggling. The way they shifted from battling neighbours to looking at each other as friends (and more) was really unique. I appreciated how their "secret" was uncovered quite early in the story and there was very little angst. No third act breakup, major miscommunication or frustrating ex-wife , thank you very much.

I really loved the way Holden's character developed. He was grumpy at first, but learn why and love him for it. His daughter, June, was adorable and I could not get enough of her friendship bracelets, sweet tooth and braids.

If you love small town romances with great side characters and happy endings, I would highly recommend this. The cover is also GORGEOUS!!!

Is anyone else dreaming of a romance between Finley and Grey?

4.5 🌟 Off The Beaten Path is a charming story about Wren and Holden, two lonely neighbors in a small town. Wren is a sweet and sunshiney fmc, I loved her upbeat and witty personality. Holden is a grumpy, single and doting dad to his adorable and hilarious daughter, June. The banter between them is top notch. This is a closed door romance, with enemies to lovers, a slow burn, a bit of fake dating, and forced proximity. I love their little mountain community, and all of the side characters, everything about it is endearing. I have an idea of who the second book in the series may be about, I hope I’m right! Either way I can’t wait to see what comes next! Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me an ARC!

Such a great read.
Absolutely adored the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the characters and the plot surrounding them. The story was very well paced and I loved that it didn’t have unnecessary drama because they’re adults and they could communicate despite their struggles with their private lives.

Holden & Wren

Tropes:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Single Dad
•Forced Proximity

Quotes:
•”I know Wren is ours.”

•”She's too good for the shattered remains of my heart.”

Thoughts: This book is all cozy and warm. If it were a place it’d be a soft, worn leather chair in front of a fireplace and if it were a beverage it’d be hot chocolate in a handmade ceramic mug. It’s all the cozy vibes and sweet moments. Madison writes in a beautifully descriptive way that almost feels like poetry. It’s sure to be a favorite of many this year. 🩷


(Dual POV and Closed Door)
*Language*

3.75 out of 5 Stars

Rounded up to 4!

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for offering me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two neighbors who just don’t get each other.

Wren and Holden working together, respectfully communicating their needs, and being able to understand each other made this book so enjoyable. They truly put June first and I love how they involved her in everything, every step of the way. They’re direct about their feelings and we don’t have to go through a lot of dilly-dally, but they author really sneaks the romantic tension in there.

Also, I always appreciate a story where the ex-wife and FMC are able to talk to each other without pettiness and are able to get over their jealousy. They all just want the best for their daughter and are able to put differences aside by the end to do that.

However, I will say, this was a really silly contemporary enemies to lovers. We don’t really get a real reason why they hate each other in the first place and personally, it just threw me off in the beginning because they were so bitter and all I could think was “okay? Why?”.

Holden’s sister and mom were also not a personal favorite of mine. I have overbearing, bordering nosey parents too, so trust me, I get it, but the pushiness of both was an ick, especially when the MMC was clearly not just annoyed but uncomfortable with all the set-ups orchestrated by his sister. Like ma’am, ik you care, but respectfully, it ain’t your business. There’s a person who’s able to push and a pushy person and his sister was definitely the latter.
Like those FMC best friends who are all the same, over-extroverted, “Come on, please go out to the bar with me!!”, meddling unapologetically types of friends.

Overall, a really quick, non-spicy read. Definitely had its cute lines and moments where I audibly went “awwww”.

- - - - - -
Thank you again to Netgalley and Victory Editing for offering me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 🌟 I was gifted this as an ARC for my honest review

I loved this so much!! I read it in one afternoon cosied up on the sofa with a cup of coffee. I am a sucker for a small town romance and this one was perfect!

Loved Holden as the grumpy single dad and the relationship that developed between him, Wren and June bug was adorable 💜

Tropes:
- grumpy sunshine
- small town romance
- single dad
- neighbours, forced proximity
- found family

I just fell totally, utterly, head over heels in love with Wren and Holden’s story. Holden is nothing but good. He is pure and honest and protective and everything wonderful. Your heart will break for him, and then melt for him, and then race for him. Plus, Wren is a fabulous heroine. She is strong and independent. And she has so much love to give and so much hunger for life. I just loved this book.

4..5⭐

Ohk, I adoreddddd this book! I've been a fan of Madison's for a long time & I think it's safe to say, this is my favorite book of hers yet! There is something so special about it that made me feel like I was being wrapped in a cozy blanket and then given the most tender hug while I was reading it & I just couldn't get enough! This one comes out on 01.26.2024 so pre-order it or put it on your list because it's perfect 🤎

What's it got:
• sunshiney free spirited neighbor who loves to prank her grumpy next door neighbor (aka hot dad)
• the sweetest father/daughter relationship
• the cutest town/setting
• the necking 🔥 (iykyk)
• she teaches him how to braid his daughter's hair
• he calls her "red"

huge thanks to @netgalley & Madison for the e-arc of this book!

This is a closed door romance.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️4.5/5 🌶️1/5
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: 1st Person Single POV, Grumpy x Sunshine, Tattooed Single Dad, Neighbors, Small Town, Some Fake Dating, Cabin Reno, You’ve Got Mail Vibes
𝗧𝗪𝘀: Divorce, Abandonment

I absolutely love @madisonwright writing! A closed door grumpy x sunshine novel that brings all the swoon, giddiness, hilarious banter and insane sexual tension. I devoured this in one day. Madison’s books are a prime example of a perfectly balanced closed door romance that has a good plot / narrative that is light but also has a lot of DEPTH.

Holden and Wren’s love story is absolutely heartwarming and adorable! I’m telling you, these single dad tropes are just 😍. I like the contrast of their personalities! Wren is such a likable character who is confident, witty, positive, and pure sunshine. Holden is an absolute jaw dropper with the flirting that makes up for how grumpy and broody he is. Bonus points: he’s an amazing dad to 6 year old June who is absolutely adorable, lovable, and mischievous.

Seeing how Holden is with June and how he falls for Wren is so swoony! I couldn’t get enough of it and I wanted more. The tension was perfection. I loved the secondary characters, please tell me the next book is about Grey because I already know it’s going to be good. 🤭🫠 There were so many little moments that will make you laugh, smile, swoon, and tear up. LOVED and highly recommended!

Thank you Madison and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is only my second Madison Wright book, but I have loved both of them. I love a forced proximity romance, and Wren wa just dreamy. I have to start making my way through Madison Wright backlist ASAP.

Oh my gosh wow! I am still swooning over this book. This was my first Madison Wright book and best believe I will be diving into her backlist PRONTO.

THINGS I LOVED:
•Wren: Wren is just a ball of sunshine and I loved her. I loved how she could be such an instigator and how she messed with Holden and got under his skin. But I also loved how she truly saw him and showed him his worth. And her interactions with June were just the sweetest.
•Holden: Holden was amazing. I loved watching him fall for Wren. And we all love a single dad who is just a puddle for his daughter right? Holden is hands down a top tier Book boyfriend. He was steady and caring and absolutely wonderful.
•June: I love single parent romances because the kids are always phenomenal. June was such a delight and had me cracking up. The scene at Wren’s first family dinner as Holden’s girlfriend had me cracking up.
•The Chemistry: These two had off the charts chemistry and tension. It was amazing and people who turn the noses up at closed door romances for a lack of chemistry aren’t reading the right ones because the chemistry was leaping off the pages. Honestly this is probably a perfect steam level; radiating tension and chemistry but still keeping the door closed.

This book had me SWOONING so hard! Like I was giddy reading this book and could not stop smiling. If you want a book that will give you all the feel good feels then I highly recommend this one!

This is a closed door romance with mild language and innuendo.

I’ve been saying for a while I wanted to dive into Madison Wright’s books and I’m glad this was my first.
If you like grumpy-sunshine, small towns, single dads with daughters, and rivals to friends to lovers, this one is for you.
Wren was such a joyful character and I loved watching her growth within this story. And Holden was the perfect grumpy single dad truly dedicated to his girls. Some of my favorite moments were watching Wren and June’s relationship develop.
This was a sweet, cozy read perfect for cold days.
Thank you to Victory Editing, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Read if you like:
- Grumpy x sunshine
- single dad
- nicknames
- forced proximity
- small town
- no third-act break-up
- closed-door

Another solid book by Madison Wright. The tropes are perfect, the small town is super cozy, and Wren, Holden, and June make an adorable little family. The only reason I gave this book three stars is because there were a few events or character actions here and there that didn't feel properly motivated. Otherwise, I can't wait to see what Madison has up next for us in this series!

ARC kindly gifted by @netgalley for honest review, so huge gratitude and appreciation 💌✨

‘just the thought of getting to exist with someone as pure as wren makes my heart ache in my chest.’

the minute i saw this cover, i instantly knew i needed to read this book!

this was the perfect small town, single dad romance. it was filled with the usual small town drama and meddling here and there without it feeling annoying or invasive. i enjoyed the founded family aspect of a small town romance and madison wrote it so well! the story, the characters, and the romance – it's all just perfect. and the way it makes you swoon and laugh at the same time? absolutely incredible!

wren, living next to grumpy single dad holden, discovers he's her online friend and shakes up their dynamic. though initially platonic, their messages break down walls around holden's heart. connected unexpectedly, holden realizes wren might just be the one to breach his defenses—a shock to his system.

‘i don’t know about that, red, but you’re trouble. that’s for sure.’

i adored the relationship between holden, wren and june, they made such a cute little family. i loved that wren respected holden and allowed him to speak his mind without telling him how he feels instead waiting for him to process his thoughts. june was such a cute kid and i loved that wren felt a sense of love for her straight from the beginning, the hair braiding and bracelet making had my heart melting! and the nicknames red and june bug was literally the cherry on top for such a cute romance.

‘she’s nestled so deeply into my life that she’s become mine. Mine to protect, mine to cherish, mine to serve, mine to take care of. Mine to love.’

this was my first time reading a book by madison wright and it definitely won’t be my last! this small town romance is so cute and refreshing. the writing is quick and easy to follow with a simple yet enjoyable plot. all the characters are likeable and aren’t overtly annoying. overall i really enjoyed this book and i can’t wait to continue the mountains are calling series!

💌 off the beaten path by madison wright will be available on january 26 on amazon and KU!

This is my second book by Madison Wright, and it’s her best yet! It had all the swoon and butterflies! This is a closed door romance, so no spice. For those who love single dad, grumpy sunshine, girl next door, small town romance. This one is for you. I can’t tell you how many things I highlighted that were just so deliciously sweet! I highly recommend!

✨ARC Review✨

I knew super quickly into this that it was a 5 star read.

You want a hot single dad? Check.
You want a grumpy hot single dad? Check check.
You want the next door neighbor who's nothing but sunshine and drives the grump nuts? CHECK.
You want a little bit of fake dating? Check.
You want what feels like enemies to lovers but turns into friends to lovers? Check.
You want banter and tension that make you feel all giddy inside? CHECK.

This truly had it all in the best way.

Wren was all sunshine and rainbows but it was done so tastefully well. I never got annoyed with her personality and if anything, I loved just how opposite to Holden she really was. He wants to be left alone and she wants to play pranks on him. I was honestly EATING it up.

Wren is a really fun character. She's witty and aesthetically so pretty. She's focused on her dreams of renovating and opening up a rental cabin in town and the last thing she expected was someone like Holden becoming more than just the grumpy neighbor.

Holden, oh Holden. He might be one of my favorite book grumps. He just wants to live his life while raising his daughter. The last thing he wants is another package "accidentally" being sent to his house by his overly cheery neighbor.

Holden was giving me Big Boy by SZA vibes. This gruff, handsome, works with his hands kind of man. Mix that with him being a single dad and WOW, slap me silly 'cause I'm in love. He has such a heart of gold and being burned in the past has left him guarded...relatable.

But he's good with his words and it was doing everything for me.

I was LIVING for their banter/grumpy/sunshine moments. I was truly getting giddy from it. The chemistry was fire. The connection they had was fire. The heat and tension WAS FIRE.

Holden as a father was the most charming and endearing thing you could witness. He's such a GOOD dad and loves his daughter so much. Every time he called June, June Bug...major swooning over here. Him seeing Wren with his daughter just made my heart melt too. I loved this little family they started to form.

I honestly couldn't put this down and loved how smooth this flowed.

We don't get spice but let me tell you...this was written so well that you truly didn't need it. You felt all the giddy feels with this perfectly fine. You want HEATED TENSION - YOU GET HEATED TENSION.

We also get some really good side characters, Finley and Grey. I'll take a story there, please and thank you.

This book hit the spot and I loved it. If you want all those tropes listed above, you've come to the right place.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Madison Wright for the ARC copy!

This book enveloped me in a warm, cozy hug, and I couldn't stop smiling throughout the entire journey! Madison Wright has made a fan out of me with this delightful read, and it's safe to say this won't be my last time reading her books. The stunning cover initially drew me in, and the enticing description sealed the deal!

Readers meet Wren, our kind-hearted, free-spirited protagonist, and she immediately resonated with me. Her genuine nature is truly endearing, and I particularly loved the sweet detail of her assisting June with her curly hair – a small touch that added so much warmth. On the other hand, Holden, with his tough exterior, reveals a true softie at heart, especially in the tender moments he shares with June and Wren. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, and the sweet, tender moments between them are enough to make anyone swoon!

The character growth throughout the book is a standout element. Wren's journey toward accepting help, something she readily offers others, adds a layer of authenticity. Witnessing Holden and Mia navigate their co-parenting relationship for June is heartwarming, and the book's emphasis on healthy conversations about co-parenting, recognizing that all relationships and families are unique, is especially poignant.

The inclusion of side characters and the charming small town added an extra layer of quirkiness that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm genuinely excited to see what the rest of the series has in store! This book is a testament to Madison Wright's talent for crafting heartwarming tales, and I can't wait to dive into more of her stories.

This book releases on January 26, 2024! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC!!

At 47% in I knew this book was going to be in my top ten reads of 2024. Not only is the banter between Holden and Wren impeccable but Madison Wright has a writing style that is so beautiful and descriptive it truly makes you feel like you are watching a movie instead of reading a book. Holden and Wren are two of my favorite characters and seeing their development made me feel so many beautiful feelings. I will never stop recommending this book and cannot wait to be able to purchase a physical copy.

I LOVE this book. With all my heart. I already was a fan of Madison's work. But this book exceeded all my expectations.

I was so invested in these characters. I have never read a book with the single parent trope. And it's never my fav in movies. But I absolutely loved it in this story. It works so well!
June was adorable and she really added to the story. Her relationship with Holden, her growing love for Wren. I loved it.

Holden has been hurt in the past. He is not a single parent by choice. June's mom left them when June was an infant. They got married when Mia fell pregnant. Out of duty, not love. And it just didn't work. They were never meant to be partners in this capacity. And I love the messaging around this. Marriage doesn't always work. A marriage born out of duty doesn't always work. And people should not feel forced to get married just because they are expecting a baby. Co-parenting can be beautiful, and be more beneficial to the child too! Because everyone knows where they stand and there is no awkward tension or forced closeness.

I love how the dynamic between Holden and Mia changes. His perception of her, her actions, her responsibility. Holden wants what's best for June but he learns and grows in what that looks like. And I love that for them!

Now. Wren. I ADORE her. She is sunshine incarnate. She is energetic, gives love so freely, is warm, gentle, kind. But also funny and a tease. She loves to get on Holdens nerves hahaha. And she is a curly girl! We love to see it!

Wren & Holden are neighbours. And the most interaction they have is when she deliberately gets her mail delivered at his house so he has to bring it to her. It drives him up the wall. But as their relationship develops, his attitude toward the packages changes too, lol.
Also this book has text messages!!! More specifically, anonymous texts on a dating app. This is how Wren & Holden grew close without knowing it was their neighbour. It really was a fun bonus to this already amazing story!

I can keep on rambling about this book. But let me finish with this. As a child of divorce, I really appreciate the messaging around marriage here. It doesn't always work. Forced marriage causes hurt. Some people are not meant to be together and that's okay. I also loved how protective Holden is over June and how much care he took in introducing a new person into her life. He takes care of his little girl. And later on he takes care of Wren too. And she let him. Because she knows he will catch her when she falls, console her when she's sad, rub her back when she's tired and hold her when she is scared. He is there for her. And she is there for them. Together.

Cute and clean!

This is a lovely story featuring a single dad and the adorable, funny neighbor that gets on his nerves. It's a little enemy to lovers, grump - sunshine and I couldn't put down. Not because "i can't wait to read what happens next", but because the writing is smooth, and the story glides naturally and it's all sweet and cozy small town goodness. Just how Wren and Holder's love evolves and how they find their rhythm.

Overall, this is a charming read I am grateful to have received in order to share my view on it.