I was sent this book and was excited to read a new author. This one was SLOW and I felt took me forever to get through. I always say if you can’t capture my attention within the first couple pages you’ll be lucky if I finish the book. I had to really push myself to complete this book so that I could write this review.

I did like Josh and it’s probably because he’s a nerd and I have a thing for nerdy guys. The female character made me happy because she was curvy and not skinny but also didn’t have body image problems. At times I felt like it dragged on and I could’ve thrown my kindle across the room (no I didn’t). I also felt like I was missing parts that could’ve been important even though this was a short read.

Thank you NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the eARC copy of this book!

Mild spoiler alert.

This book was an adorable and refreshing read! In my mind, this book was like a derived written version of the movie ‘She’s All That’, with Sadie a fun twist on the Laney Boggs movie character and Josh a sexy grown-man version of Zack Siler (that movie was a childhood favorite, so the comparison is meant with the utmost respect.)

It was a nice to read about an FMC who was not your stereotypical model type. Sadie had some realistic life issues to work through with an appropriate level of emotional trauma and response that was easy to relate to while reading. It was easy to empathize with her artistic stagnation and self-doubt as well as her struggles to connect after her childhood issues with her parents. It was equally easy to empathize with Josh’s need for connection and his overcompensation in relationships while seeking to fulfill his emotional needs. The character development here was outstanding.

I enjoyed the light-hearted plot line of this book mixed with the mildly spicy intimacy scenes. But to be honest, the mutual masturbation scene is why I docked a star from the review. I thought the scene was pretty ridiculous. It didn’t come across as burgeoning love or hopeful intimacy, it was just off-balance. I think the overall story would have been better supported by the scene had Sadie and Josh kissed or messed around with each other but then something interrupted them, whether an unexpected call or visitor or even just anxiety on the part of Sadie or Josh. This scene just wildly missed the mark for me.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book for those looking for a light-hearted read after a long day or between heavier reads. You will be sad to miss out on this one!

Thank you to Harlequin Romance and Netgalley for a free copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.


I guess the most overall thing I can say about this book is "I just want more."

I really enjoyed the small town autumn setting in the book! Yet, I wanted more. I loved the farmers market and the quirky characters in this small pumpkin obsessed town, but every time we started to get into those scenes, it was suddenly ending. I thought that the farmer/pumpkin parts were cute and loved every time those moments were on the page. Again though, I wish there was more of those moments, especially since the Pumpkin aspect is portrayed as being a major part of the book.

The Reverse GrumpyxSunshine, with Sadie being the grump was a nice change. I loved her emo aesthetic and Josh's golden retriever energy was really well written. They had the best banter between them and all of the getting to know you scenes were honestly adorable! Plus, Sadie is plus sized and proud!

A side plot of the book seemed to be the issues between Sadie and her dad. While it did touch on those moments, everything felt superficial. They never really got to talk to each other and get down to the brass tacks. So I am left wanting more. I wanted honest and awkward conversations, especially considering what ends up happening in the book. Instead, the depth comes between our MMC and her dad, with Josh being the messenger most of the time. For a book that seemed to want to tackle the deeper family trauma, it definitely did its best to avoid it! Not to mention, the drama surrounding Sadie and her mom was glossed over at best and never addressed at worst. THIS would have been a beautiful family drama moment and it was ignored for the entire book, except when it was offhandedly mentioned. Even the resolution was glossed over, if you can call it a resolution.

One thing I DIDN"T want more of was the spice. Honestly, that aspect felt extremely forced and rushed. She finds sex toys in his linen closet and a cute moment comes of him opening up about past relationship woes, then suddenly she wants to pleasure herself while he watches? I skipped over the majority of the spice scenes, as it just didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the vibe of the book.


Overall, it was okay. I loved the pumpkin and fall aspects but the rest of the story fell a bit flat to me.

This was an adorable, cozy romance perfect for fall (or anytime really!)

Sadie and Josh were the perfect black cat/golden retriever couple. If you like opposites attract, you’ll love this.

I loved the character growth, the progression of their relationship, and the rebuilding of her relationships with her family. This was just so cute. Don’t skip this one this fall!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!
I enjoyed the small town midwestern charm of this, complete with lots of hating on Indiana haha (which as someone from Illinois is a must) The pumpkin growing parts were really fun, I just wish there had been a bit more of them. The romance was grumpy x sunshine with the women being the grumpy, so that was a fun change of pace as well! The writing was good and I enjoyed my time reading this. Good banter and lots of farmers market visits. Full transparency: I read this on an airplane and skipped all the spice scenes so I can’t review those haha
Overall though this wasn’t my personal cup of tea. I didn’t really like Sadie very much and couldn’t empathize with her, so I didn’t really get what Josh saw in her There was a lot of emphasis on family drama and issues that I didn’t think developed or resolved very well, and I’m not sure I believe that the issues in Josh and Sadie’s relationship or personal lives were resolved. And also it was inaccurate that someone raised in Indiana would be scared of tornados haha
A fun fall romance for anyone looking for a quick read with midwestern vibes and a leading lady who’s emo and cranky
3.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

We’re following Sadie who is originally from Indiana but moved to California to move away from her parents and the trauma she had growing up. Josh, our MMC, also from California moved to Indiana to pursue other endeavors after successfully selling his video game. Now, he and Sadie are competing to see who will win the pumpkin contest in Pea Blossom, Indiana.
This is a true black cat and golden retriever type relationship. Sadie wears all black all the time and Josh is casual in his flannel and jeans. It was definitely a cute story and will re-read again during the Fall months.
Tropes: Return to hometown, enemies/neighbors to lovers, opposites attract, found family, bad girl/good buy, small town, single dad (Stu), single mom (Grace).
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

When Sadie reluctantly agrees to take care of her father's beloved pumpkins while he's out of town, she imagines that it will be smooth sailing. All the hard work is over, and she just has to look after them until the state fair. That is, until an unruly group of hogs tramples the patch and leaves Sadie unsure of where to go from there. Enter Josh, Sadie's father's incredibly handsome neighbor. When he agrees to help Sadie turn things around, she never imagines sunshine incarnate Josh could fall for her dark and moody personality.. but a kiss could possibly change her perspective.

The concept of this book seemed really interesting! I am not a fan of the author's writing style, though. It's purely narrative, all telling instead of showing. I understand that being physically attracted to someone is an important aspect of a relationship, but Josh basically calls Sadie a curvy vampire every time he looks at her and it gave me a bit of an ick.

Thank you to Harlequin and Afterglow Books for the eARC. Projected publishing date: August 26th

I gave this 3.5 ⭐️ !
This was honestly such a cozy and cute read , I can see this being picked up a lot during autumn! I’m in love with the grumpy x sunshine trope in this book ! Sadie being grumpy and Josh being the sunshine was a little different for me but I absolutely loved it . This story had a good balance of humor , tragedy and spice !
Overall this was a fast paced , small town romance that packed a punch ! it was really good I just wish it a had a bit more detail in certain areas ! it is a pretty short read & I did enjoy it !

This book is like a pumpkin spice latte on the first crisp day of fall—warm, inviting, and a little (ok, maybe a lot) spicy. Isabelle Popp delivers a small-town romance that feels both fresh and familiar, full of heart, humor, and charm—but what sets Let’s Give ’Em Pumpkin to Talk About apart is its seamless, joyful inclusivity and its unapologetic embrace of things like healthy relationships (both family, and romantic), therapy, mental health, body positivity, LGBTQ+ inclusivity....there's just so much to love about this book.

This book flips the typical grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Sadie Fox is a sarcastic, tough as nails heroine you can’t help but root for. She's come back to her quirky hometown of Pea Blossom, Indiana, to salvage her father's pumpkin patch and, maybe, his approval. What she didn't plan for? Her sunshiney rival-next-door, Josh Thatcher—a techie turned squash-growing softie whose patience and charm sneak past all of Sadie’s walls. Their chemistry is immediate, but it’s the tender moments and mutual respect that make this a true rivals-to-lovers gem.

The romance is sweet and spicy in equal measure, but it’s the world that made me fall in love: a town full of eccentric neighbors, laugh-out-loud one-liners, and heartfelt moments.

This is a cozy, feel-good, fall romance that’s heartfelt and charming in all the best ways. Isabelle Popp has landed firmly on my auto-buy list. This book releases on August 26, just in time for you to curl up with it and a PSL.

Need something light but not sickly sweet? Laugh out loud funny, Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About is a true treat- no tricks here. It’s like that one neighbor that hands out full-size candy bars- you know it’s going to be good and it is.
Hoosiers especially, Isabelle Popp will have you hooked with her authentic details like the hilarious pairings of billboards on highways and the exact cheesiness small town Indiana thrives on- both metaphorical and deep-fried.
I enjoyed this book so much. Perfect like a PSL on that first crisp day that requires a sweatshirt (you know the one- your cute new boots are waiting for it already). After several years abroad, this book has me excited about being back in the US for pumpkin season again.
The only downside? If you’re a millennial or older, you’ll have a certain similar song stuck in your head!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

First off, thank you to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for the e-book ARC.

This was a cute, fast read. I really liked the MMC. Josh is so sweet, a little awkward in a lovable way. I also enjoyed that the FMC is curvy but never had a body complex. It was so refreshing to read a FMC who was comfortable in their own skin.

I could see the potential for another story in this town. I would probably read that too.

For me, there were some small time jumps that I feel like we missed some important build up in the relationship. This is a true opposites attract story but sometimes their differences felt a little too hard to overcome.

Sometimes the metaphors were a little much for my taste but overall I did enjoy the story.

I gave this 3.5🌟. The story itself was very cute, I can totally see picking this up in the autumn season and being happy with the very cute cover, and the autumn vibes of the book.

The characters were fun, I love the grumpy/sunshine theme, and Sadie and Josh fit that perfectly. They were both equally vulnerable and grew during the story telling. The author got the vibes across which is something I love as a reader.

The reason I gave this 3.5🌟 is that I felt it was dragged out. I know it's an already short read, but I found myself at several points wondering how long that thought or scene was going to last. I thought it could have easily been 25 pages shorter.

Other than the slow pace, I would be totally happy picking this up in September and having a cozy autumn day with it with a cup of hot cider.

Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About is such a fun, cozy fall read. This gave me all the fall feels and craving for everything pumpkin. I loved the FMC and MMC and how they interacted with each other from the very beginning. I always love a cute small town book with good spice and this one definitely delivered!

Lastly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Isabelle Popp, and Harlequin Romance for allowing me to read this ebook ARC!

This book was a mixed bag for me. Looking at other reviews, seems like I may be the minority opinion here, so this may be a perfect book for you.

What I liked:
* Adorable Premise- Giant pumpkin growers and the small-town hijinks that surround them? Yes please!
* Black-Cat/Golden Retriever- This variant on Grumpy/Sunshine is my favorite
* Plus size FMC- The fact that Sadie is plus-size is know, but is not a plot device. Romances where big girls are just hot is always a win.
* Nerdy MMC- I am always here for a shy nerd who is a secret freak.

What was a miss:
* Character development was a little lacking/tropey. Tragic pasts, family frictions and characters who don't so much as grow, but do completely out of character things to further the plot...would have liked to see more. This was really the stymieing point for me. It may be that I am too middle aged to find the behavior of 20-somethings amusing, but I struggled to understand that characters and thus, didn't really feel the chemistry.

Overall though, this was quick read and a fun romp. Coming out just in time for fall, this one would still be a solid pick for a cozy read while the leaves change.

I chose this book to read because the title and cover gave a cozy vibe, but I ended being captivated by the storyline instead. It's cozy, but it has a very realistic vibe. The characters have a well written development and once your submerged in the story it's hard to stop until you finish it! If you like a cute, spunky slice of life romcom this is the book for you!

This book was such a fun, short read. It left me wanting more! It is funny, romantic, emotional, sad, and full of hope. It is a medium pace read with likable characters! It is perfect for the Fall season, or any season really! It also comes with some spice to it! It is a small town romance with a grumpy and sunshine trope! The author did a great job at keeping me engaged throughout the entire book!

It is about a girl named Sadie Fox who goes back to her hometown to take care of her Dad’s pumpkin patch. She would only go during summertime to grow a huge pumpkin, that was the agreement her and her father had made. However, when she gets there, she discovers the patch is completely destroyed. Then comes along a lovable neighbor, named Josh Thatcher. He is all sunshine, while she is the exact opposite. Feelings start happening between them as this cute pumpkin story unfolds! I absolutely adored the main characters in this book! Be sure to check out the content warnings. I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 pumpkins/stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Isabelle Popp and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Let's Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About is expected to be published on August 26, 2025!

Let’s Give ’Em Pumpkin to Talk About is a surprisingly heartfelt, fast-paced read that captures the essence of small-town life and the quiet complexities of human connection. What sets this book apart is how quickly it draws you in.

The story moves at a pace that makes it hard to put down. The emotional beats land well, and there’s a sincerity to the relationships—both romantic and otherwise—that makes you care about what happens next. The author does a great job balancing charm with substance, and even the lighter moments carry emotional weight.

This isn’t just a seasonal comfort read—it’s a story about second chances, vulnerability, and finding meaning in unexpected places. If you're looking for something that’s warm yet grounded, easy to get into but hard to forget, this book is worth picking up.

I’ve never been happier to have grossly underestimated a novel. It’s something I’d usually be ashamed of — I pride myself on not judging a book by its cover, but I supposed I’ve grown a bit jaded with my copious consumption of stories. Every day, it gets harder to intuit a good book off the rip — description & cover alone. Sometimes I’m completely blindsided; now, in increasingly unpredictable ways.

However, I do enjoy being surprised by this novel. Isabelle Popp has a delightfully honest way of phrasing reality — that’s as true as it is entertaining. There’s an undercurrent of humor running throughout the entire story; there’s also well written attraction & personal growth. The way we make relationships work in the gaps between those involved, and the self-blooming that results from the vulnerability this fosters.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I am ready to read anything else Popp releases into the world.

I enjoyed this book, I love small town romances and this was such a perfect read and i couldn’t put it down. I want to thank netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I can’t wait to add it to my shelf, it has everything you could want in a mild spicy small town rom-com. Not many books have plus size fmc’s and i believe that made this book more interesting to me to finally have a character you know people can connect with

I think that this one is giving all of the fall vibes (which is my favorite). I am so glad that I got to read this one early. Thank you!