FINALLY crossed my oldest backlist ARC off my list and it was actually pretty cute! Hannah house-sits and babysits her niece and nephew all summer, and has a fling with their next door neighbor (who's described as both Prince Charming and a John Krasinski look-alike (same thing, I know 😂)) some intense parts at the end reminded me of intense parts in The Love Haters (except that this book was much better in my opinion). The writing bothered me at times, for example when the main character was talking to her mom about having feelings for Nathan and she described "her tummy was feeling all "jumpy wumpy" but overall I enjoyed this cute summer romance! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a pre read from NetGalley, a debut from the author. It was cute at times, but the writing was cheesy and cliche at times too, sometimes cringey. Reminded me of a Hallmark movie. I’d probably give it a 2.5.

I wanted to like this, but I was bored. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️


The Treehouse on Dog River Road is a light, feel-good escape with just the right touch of romance, self-discovery, and small-town charm. Catherine Drake delivers a wholesome, cozy read perfect for anyone craving a break from real-life chaos.

What I Loved:
The setting is one of the book’s standout features. Drake paints the Vermont countryside beautifully—it’s peaceful, scenic, and instantly makes you want to pack up and find your own quiet escape. The treehouse itself is symbolic and sweet, offering a unique backdrop for the story’s emotional growth.

Hannah, the main character, is easy to root for. She’s at a personal crossroads, stepping away from a structured life to figure out what she truly wants—and that journey of slowing down and rediscovering joy feels especially timely and relatable.

The romance is soft and heartwarming, never overshadowing the personal development plotline, which I appreciated.

What I Didn’t Love:
While charming, the story sometimes felt too predictable. The stakes are low, which can be relaxing but also means the plot lacks tension. Some parts dragged a bit, and the secondary characters—though likable—didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Also, for a story rooted in change and self-discovery, I would’ve liked a deeper exploration of Hannah’s internal struggles. Everything wraps up a bit too neatly, without really challenging her much along the way.

Final Thoughts:
The Treehouse on Dog River Road is a gentle, easy read perfect for fans of comfort fiction and slower-paced, character-driven stories. It may not surprise you, but it will likely leave you smiling—and maybe dreaming of your own treehouse escape.



❤️shaye.reads

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 STARS

The Treehouse on Dog River Road is a delightful romance set in a cozy Vermont town, brimming with charm and heart. The story follows two lovable characters—one local, the other a big-city visitor—whose unexpected connection sparks plenty of warmth and humor. The small-town setting is vividly drawn, complete with quirky neighbors and picturesque landscapes. The romance unfolds with a perfect balance of tension and tenderness, making it impossible not to root for the couple. With witty dialogue, heartfelt moments, and a satisfyingly sweet ending, this book is a feel-good treat for any romance lover.

This book didn't quite do it for me. I felt the characters were rather dull and lacked chemistry with one another and the storyline seemed to drag on longer than it should've.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and excellent setting. Love the cover

This was a disaster for me. I honestly couldn't connect or move on to the next page. I tried after a few days but still, the writing isn't just for me.

A charming, small town romance.

This review is a little weird to write for me. The MC's have the same names as me and my husband, That did pull me out of the story a little. Otherwise it was a nicely written story. Hannah had a great growth arc, I felt Nathans could have been fleshed out a bit more.

I was fade to black - which I'm not sure whether I preferred that due to the same name situation.

Hannah takes a voluntary redundancy for her soul sucking corporate job to look after her niece and nephew whilst her sister and husband go on an extended work trip. The new neighbour Nathan and his adorable dog Cooper have moved in next door. What blossoms is a lovely friends to lovers relationship and an amazing treehouse for the kids.

I was initially drawn to this book because it’s set in Vermont. I love reading about places I’ve lived and hearing all the familiar towns, weather patterns, food, brews, and everything else quintessentially that area. I’m a sucker for nostalgia and enjoyed this book a lot. I think the main character was easy to like and had a good head on her shoulders for decision making.

I picked this book for its lovely cover. Yet, this book did not disappoint. It is a quaint tale. An enjoyable read.

From the description of this book I was not anticipating a hallmark-style romance novel and honestly I found myself struggling with the book a little bit. I started and stopped it several times then around the halfway point I finally got hooked on the book. The main character, Hannah, was tough to bond with and felt that dialogue surrounding her was overthought. I did like the rest of the characters especially Hannah's older sister Nora.

The plot was also a little hit or miss in parts. The build up in the beginning was dry, the middle portion and the building of the treehouse was very well written and the tropical storm at the end just didn't seem to fit in.

Overall, I am glad that I read the entire book and would rate it a 3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I loved all the Vermont small towns and references to real places. Hannah's relationship with her family ended up being my favorite part of the book. Sometimes her conversations with the love interest felt a little awkward or stilted, but it was a fun read. A sweet read and very detailed on what goes in to building a tree house!

The Treehouse on Dog River Road was such a cute read. This will make a perfect holiday gift for any rom - com lover. It is a fast read but will put you in all the feels.

Such beautiful characters in a well crafted novel, this book really felt like the author took her time and really cared for the character and their progression as well as the reading experience. A truly wonderful read,

I love Hannah and Nathan … obviously Cooper. I love Nora and Owen. I used to nanny and there is something so relatable about this book. There is also something so comforting about this love story. Romance is not my go to genre - but this book gave me all the feels!

For some strange reason, having this title on my virtual shelf and not referring to the blurb, I assumed that this was a sort of literary fiction title. At the beginning of the story, when the lead protagonist decides to look to new horizons and find herself, I thought it might still be one. It was only a few chapters in that I realised it was a completely different type of book.
If I had gone in expecting a fluffy story with some profound moments, I would have appreciated it a bit more (I think). Hannah Spencer has been a wanderer, she has tried a lot of different things, and the last serious job she had was not nourishing her soul. When she takes a redundancy package and volunteers to take care of her young niece and nephew when their parents have to be away during the summer, she plans to use the time to figure herself out.
The bulk of the narrative is focused on the conception and implementation of the idea of the treehouse. It was refreshing to see a female character take up such a task and be met with a very believable set of reactions (based on her own prior experience in building rural homes). Then there is the new neighbour who moves in almost at the same time that she does into her sister's home. His large family, his role in the bigger picture, and the gradual development of their relationship were entertaining. The last section suddenly became a lot more severe and serious than the first few chapters indicated as being the book's tone. It had a believable happy ending, and despite the change in tone, I think the descriptions in the last part did manage to convey the severity of the situation, and I liked it overall. I am not sure I would recommend it to everyone who reads this genre, but the writing is simple, and if you find the blurb interesting, it might not be a bad idea to try the book out.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is based on my own reading experience.

I'd had a bit of a book drought even though there were many in my TBR pile. I chose The TReehouse on Dog River Road, and was happy I did. We all sometimes reach a crossroads in our lives- where we have to figure out where we've been and where we're going. In this book, Hannah has lost her job, taking the time to help her sister by watching her niece and nephew for the summer. She uses her building skills learned when she went out of the country assisting in home building to build a great treehouse for the kids. I love the characters, and each one felt well fleshed out. This was a fun, but thoughtful book. I recommend it. Thank you to She Writes Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC of The Treehouse on Dog River Road.

I enjoyed the story and the authenticity of the dialogue and character development.

I found the children’s dialogue to be really rough to read. It was cloying at times.

This was a fun read and was a nice bit of escapism. I have never been to Vermont but I would now really like to run away to Vermont.