⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎃 There's Pumpkin About You 🎃
🧡 By Athena Carstairs 🧡

A light and easy read full of Fall vibes.
I love all the tropes:
😠Grumpy/Sunshine🌞
❤️‍🔥Forced Proximity❤️‍🔥
🎃Small Town🎃

Hart Of Dixie vibe, but lacking enough banter.
The 3rd act breakup barely happened, so I didn't feel emotionally invested.
It was good, and I'd read the others in the series, but I need to hurt more 😬

#🄶🄸🄵🅃🄴🄳 #Netgalley #FreeHonestReview #Bookstagram #BookReviewer #ARCreader #TheresPumpkinAboutYou

Autumn vibes year round? Yes please! I love autumn reads so much. This little romance delivered in full swing!

I received a free copy of, There's Pumpkin About You, by Athena Carstairs, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Wren has a partying planning business, her bff is turning 30 and she wants to plan a great birthday party for her. I did not care for Wren or her attitude, or the language in this book. I thought this would be a great fall read, but it was not.

Looking for a warm-hearted, funny and spicy novel that's perfect for any time of the year, but especially for Autumn? Then look no further, than the delightful "There's Pumpkin About You" by Athena Carstairs. "There's Pumpkin About You" is the story of Wren Southwick, a party planner who has recently setup her business and has her heart set on expanding, using her friend's upcoming 30th birthday as a springboard. And new seeking decorations and locations, Wren comes across the Finch family’s Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm. The farm is run by three, exceptionally hunky, hot brothers. And I mean. HOT! Erm, sorry, getting distracted there! Once Wren meets the Gus, the youngest of the brothers, the stage is set for romance and fireworks.
While this is a romance novel, the author deals with several difficult topics, such as autism and I felt that she approaches the area with empathy and understanding. And how Wren and Gus learn to understand each other and how their own experiences shape their behaviours and beliefs.
A wonderfully, warm and fun read - don't miss "There's Pumpkin About You" by Athena Carstairs.

⭐️⭐️ | A Beautiful Setting and Great Autism Representation, but a Disappointing Lead Character

I was really excited for this book—the premise was cozy and charming, and the promise of autumnal vibes and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic had me hooked. I also want to commend the author for the thoughtful and well-executed autism representation. As a woman married to a man on the spectrum, I deeply appreciated how August (Gus) was portrayed—his communication style, preferences, and boundaries felt authentic and respectful.

That said, I really struggled with Wren as a character. While I understand she was meant to be determined and passionate about her business, she consistently came across as inconsiderate and, frankly, quite rude—especially toward Gus. Her pushy behavior and dismissiveness toward his comfort levels felt more selfish than endearing, and it made it hard for me to root for their connection.

What was meant to be a tension-filled, opposites-attract romance often felt more like one-sided friction. It was difficult to watch Wren repeatedly ignore Gus’s clearly stated boundaries, particularly when he was doing his best to meet her halfway. As someone who sees firsthand the challenges—and joys—of navigating relationships with neurodiverse partners, I found Wren’s lack of empathy especially disheartening.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for the arc

time of dnf: 24%

I unfortunately had to DNF despite kinda liking the MMC, something about the writing just left a lot to be desired in terms of connecting with the characters for me and it felt like the story was hitting the necessary beats without any real exploration of it (also I really didn’t love Wren’s characterization despite really wanting to…it just felt very flat and I tried to push through for the sake of exploring the autism rep but it wasn’t giving)

thank you to netgalley and harper collins UK for the arc to review nonetheless!

✨3.5 stars✨

This was cozy and cute. The perfect book to inspire some fall festivities! There’s something about books that focus on fall events or themes that feel so warm and inviting (maybe because it’s my favourite season).

August and Wren were sweet, it was really wholesome watching them learn how to understand each other. I am also a sucker for friends rallying to support each other. It’s such a heartwarming trope. Our duo had great chemistry, their banter at first was a little stressful because they kept misunderstanding each other, but it gave a strong contrast for when they worked things out and got on the same page!

I love a small town, I love a farm ( any farm will do) and I love a grumpy curmudgeonly man. If you share my love of any of these things, I think There’s Pumpkin About You will be right up your alley! There’s something about a book that feels like a warm hug, in front of a fireplace, in the middle of winter, with hot cocoa.

First off- I loved the autism representation! This is such a cozy and sweet read that is full of fall/autumn vibes. For best results, read when the leaves are starting to turn and grab a cozy sweater!

Cozy vibes, a pumpkin farm, a small town, and a budding romance. This book ticks all the boxes for a cute, cozy fall romance. It is just perfect to cozy up with on a rainy fall day!

I really enjoyed this read. August, one of the main characters has autiam, and while I can't say much about the autism representation, but I feel like the author has executed this with utmost care. I loved the interaction between him and Wren, and it was so refreshing to see two characters trying so hard to understand each other and communicate. While it is a fun, light hearted book, it had some deeper moments in it. I think the struggle August has with the townpeople who are ignorant about autism and just think he is rude is spot on.

The character development was very well done. Also: the side characters were just as well developed as the two main characters.

If you like a cozy, fall themed romance, you should definitely put it on your TBR for this coming fall!

Thank you very much HarperCollins/One More Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC!

Cozy meet-cute book. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this one

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s Pumpkin About You by Athena Carstairs is the ultimate comfy fall romance, perfect for fans of small-town charm and grumpy-sunshine pairings. Set in the quaint town of Eaglewood, the story follows August, an autistic, introverted farmer, and Wren, a bubbly party planner determined to throw her best friend the perfect 30th birthday bash on August’s farm. Sparks fly as Wren’s warmth slowly melts August’s guarded exterior, delivering swoony chemistry, a touch of spice, and heartfelt moments. With rich character development, perfect pacing, and peak autumn vibes, this heartwarming romance is a pumpkin-spiced delight you won’t want to miss.

Did I read this during a heat wave yes yes I did ! Did I read it in one sitting yes yes I did
Did I completely love it yes yes I did !!
First the title and the cover were adorable
The playlist was a lovely touch.
This was the most beautiful read I absolutely adored the characters the town everything felt so picture perfect.
The growth in characters from the start to finish was incredible It was a cute story but also so much went into them finding themselves. I was a little mad about how the town treated August but I think that goes to show how amazingly written the characters were that I felt like were real.
I’m really hoping for more books about the town and its residents

💛 Book Tropes I Loved
😠 Grumpy sunshine
👨‍🌾 Grumpy male lead (hi August!)
🎉 Party planner FMC
🏡 Small town charm
🍁 Fall vibes for days
🔥 A sprinkle of spice
🛋️ Cosy, heartwarming romance

My Thoughts 💬
Set in the adorable town of Eaglewood, this book gave me all the small-town, pumpkin-spiced feels 🍂💞.

We meet August — an autistic, grumpy farmer who’s perfectly content being on his own… until he crosses paths with Wren, a bubbly, determined party planner 🎈👩‍🎤. She’s on a mission to throw her bestie the ultimate 30th birthday party — and she needs August’s farm to make it happen 🙏🎊.

Wren stole my heart 💖 — she’s strong, passionate, and brings so much warmth and fun to the story. Her chemistry with August? ✨🔥✨

The pacing was spot on, the characters were beautifully developed, and the setting? Peak fall-in-the-country vibes 🌾🍂☕. A cosy, feel-good romance I couldn’t put down!

Hands up for reading a cozy autumnal read in the middle of a heatwave!!! I love the sunshine, but I get so excited for the ber seasons & this definitely made me even more excited!!
This was a sweet story. The writing I fell right into step with as well as the people & towns. I like it when I get straight into a book rather than having to read multiple chapters before I've grasped who ever yone is & what part they play!
I loved Wren's positive attitude & determination to succeed even when she let the doubts creep in. She still knew what she wanted & wouldn't give up easily.
I loved Gus & how the author wrote about Autism. It was nice to see in a romance novel. Gus was lovely.
The chemistry, the banter, the arguments, the town, the friends, relationships, everything made for a heart-warming easy to pick up read that I would highly recommend!
Kelly

If you’re craving cozy autumn vibes, The Pumpkin Spice Café delivers them in spades, with small-town charm, cinnamon-sweet romance, and a whole lot of heart. Set in the delightfully quaint town of Eaglewood (think Stars Hollow energy), the story follows Wren, a determined event planner, and August, a grumpy, autistic pumpkin farmer, as they’re forced to work together to fix up his barn for an upcoming party. What starts as banter slowly turns into something deeper, as the two bring out the best in each other in ways that feel both tender and earned. The story thoughtfully explores themes of perception, neurodivergence, self-worth, and learning to slow down and embrace the present. Wren’s journey of putting herself first and Gus’s quiet strength amid people’s unfair assumptions are especially moving. It’s the kind of book that wraps around you like a blanket, makes you smile at the funny moments, reflect during the heartfelt ones and immediately wish for a sequel. Add this to your autumn TBR with a pumpkin latte in hand.

This was such a joy to read. The characters were multi dimensional and held real depth. This was the first book I’ve read written by this author but certainly will not be the last. I also enjoyed the side characters. Sometimes, side characters play just as big a part in telling a story as the main characters. This was absolutely fantastic.

This book was right up my alley. I loved the main characters and I am excited for the sequel(s).

My main struggle was the length and the character development. I do feel that the story could have hit harder had it been slightly shorter. I don’t know that the (you know what) was necessary to solidify their feelings for each other.

I also feel that there was so much volatility between the two, that while their chemistry was obvious, I struggled to picture a relationship. I’m not sure that ever cemented in my mind even by the end.

Ultimately though, it’s a nice cozy small town read. I love the diversity of characters.

Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC

The best thing about this book is its cosy atmosphere. The vibes are definitely there. If you are looking for a cosy book that you can read in the evening with a cup of tea, then it might be perfect for you.

Our main male character August is autistic, but I don’t feel knowledgeable enough on the topic, so I cannot say anything regarding the portrayal of somebody with autism. Nevertheless, I think it was done with utmost care.

What bothered me most was the instant attraction between the main characters. You know what, scratch that, I think it was more than that. I think I can say it was instalove. We get reminded of the fact that the main characters bicker with each other more than we actually see them do it. And I felt that it was done purely to delay the romance. And when the romance did happen, it was so quick and sudden I felt like I skipped something.

I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this book. It was light-hearted and fun, with great side characters. And perhaps someday I will pick up another book by this author <3

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for this ARC in a exchange for a honest review.

The first thing which drew me to this book was the cover, I love Leni Kauffman's art style so that was a immediate plus. I liked the setting and the basis of the plot sounded really good as well. The characters themselves I did like but I felt that they may have been lacking some chemistry in parts, it felt like they made good enemies and then when it came down for the moment where they coupled up it felt like we had missed a few parts. Moments of the book felt like they were being told rather then shown as well. Some of the conflicts confused me, and there were moments where I really wanted to shake the characters for choices they made. But overall this was a quick and cute small town romance.



https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/ce189d89-21eb-4e87-b748-27b32c0c4d82

I DNFed this one.

As a mum of a neurodivergent kid I just wasn't giving with the representation. I agree that it's important that there be more books including it but I didn't like how it was basically the most stereotypical version of autism you can get. So it just made me feel weird.

It seemed like Wren had no empathy or understanding towards August's autism even directly after Bash trying to explain things. Ask I didn't want to read more about a woman falling inlove with a guy she doesn't even try to understand.

The romance felt a bit forced as well, it just didn't feel like these two would have any reason to get together.

Just not my vibe.