The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn

Well, everyone, looks like we made it into another East Coast fall romance book. Am I upset? Maybe slightly.... I really wanted to give this book five stars as I did with, "The Cinnamon Spice Inn", which actually inspired me to read this one. Now, there were multiple things I wasn't too sure about in this book. I have to say the main character, Eleanor... or Ellie? Has a lot of insecurity issues and is kind of a bit selfish. Her dialogue alone was extremely cringy... I couldn't tell if she was being serious with the things she was saying or if the author was trying to make a joke. Ellie seemed to be very millennial coded that tried extremely hard to be a gen z, if that makes sense. She also a tendency to and way too much banter with the reader, which at times it did pull me out of the story. I understand it was more so banter with Ellie herself... but there was too much internal thoughts where it was just getting way too distracting with the actual story dialogue. 

 

Well now you heard my rant. How about we actually met our characters a little bit. The story follows Ellie Lawson, event planner extraordinaire. She had everything she's every wanted. Her dream job in the heart of New York city, a boyfriend, an awesome apartment and of course, Starbucks every morning before work. Ellie had everything she wanted, until one day when her whole life came crashing down. It was a nice crisp September day; the leaves are turning color, and the scarfs are being pulled out. Just in time for the pumpkin spice lattes. Ellie and her boyfriend Goeff make their way into work not knowing this might be the last time. Ellie is going over her presentation a hundred times in her head for a very special client, Bolt Hotel Group. She was tasked by her boss to present revolutionary ideas for the new client they are trying to win over, and if anyone can do it, its Ellie. She makes her way nervously to the meeting room where she sets up her gadgets and presentation slides. The presentation goes extraordinary well and is pleased to hear that her boss is requesting to see her in his office. She definitely thinks she got the client, or even better, a raise after a job well done! Come to find out, she's being fired. For what you ask? For stealing Goeff's event ides, every single one, the same ideas she's been telling him about every day at home for a month. She tries to plead her case and save her job but quickly realizes that there is nothing she can do nor say, that will get her out of this. Oh, and to top it off, Goeff breaks up with her because he can't be seen around her anymore.

 

Poor Ellie is out of a job, a home, and a boyfriend. She calls her mom and is on the next train out to Long Island and the Honeycrisp Inn. She doesn't tell her mom much about what's going on, expect that she just got done with a huge project and, that she wants to spend some time at home. Her mom thinks this is a fantastic idea, considering Ellie doesn't visit much at all anyway. She tells Ellie this is amazing news and that she can help with the Autumn Harvest Festival. Ellie agrees to help and arrives at the hotel that night. She grabs the keys from the front desk girl, Charlotte and lets herself to the upstairs apartment. After a long day of traveling and let downs, she's excited for the rest and to see her parents in the morning. She opens up the door and is quickly greeted with a man in a towel. That man turned out to be Aiden, the stubborn attractive son of the orchard who is currently occupying her planned refuge. Turns out that Aiden grew some nice muscles and a six pack since the last time she saw him. Ellie had a crush straight away, and it seemed that he did too. Aiden explains that he's happy to see her again and that she will be in town for the Harvest Festival. This is the first time Ellie gets word that he's also planning on helping at the event. If Aiden thinks he can throw a better festival and party, then Ellie can... he better watch out.

 

This book for the most part was pretty fun to read. Annoying? a little yea. I really feel like Ellie is kinda disrespectful to her parents and treating dementia as a joke. She sent her parents an online dementia test because her mom forgot to tell her Aiden was in the upstairs apartment. Fun fact: no one told mom, and the dad forgot. Ellie takes it upon herself to keep bringing up dementia instead of actually recommending a doctor and taking it seriously. I guess if you take a google test and pass it, you're in the clear! I think Ellie has a lot of growing up to do and maybe a "come to Jesus" moment would be beneficial for her as well. I rated this book a generous 3 stars. I also had an issue with Ellie acting like she cared about Aiden all of sudden. It's like as soon as she saw that he's buffed up and filled out she suddenly acts like she's had this lifelong crush on him for years... when she literally said that she hasn't thought about him since she was 14 when they stopped hanging out in high school. 

 

Alright, alright I'm done ranting. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and I really hope to see Valerie come out with some more works.