3.5 stars

Coming Home to Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt is a small town, feel good, fall romance. Laurie moves to Starr's Fall with her dog Max in hopes to open a pet store and bakery and also find some answers and connections to her past. She meets Joshua Reilly, the bookstore owner across the street, unaware that an answer to all of her questions lies within his bookstore. Can these two help each other move forward with their lives? Will Laurie find the family she's always wanted?

This book has cozy small town autumn feels and I was here for it. It reminds me of a Hallmark movie or Gilmore Girls. There were so many fun and quirky characters and I love how they accepted Laurie. Found family is one of my favorite tropes.

If you enjoy a sweet romance, dogs, small towns and fall vibes, you will enjoy Coming Home to Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt. I'll be looking for more by Hewitt at my local library!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

As a huge fan of Kate Hewitt books I am never disappointed by her writings. Starr's Fall is such a wonderful place, a lovely setting and of course characters you can fall in love with. 'The leaves are falling, with a crispness to the air, along with the scents of coffee and pumpkin spice, past a half-empty street of shuttered storefronts and a bandstand that has seen better days…' Now how can you not fall in love with this book after reading that line!?

I very much enjoyed watching the relationship build between Laurie and Joshua and of course how can you not like Max the dog and of course the whole town of Starr's Fall. This is such a fun, entertaining and feel good read and one I had no problem reading in a day or two. So easy to read, so easy to fall in love with and so easy to have fun with. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bolwdood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A cosy autumnal read that I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to reading more about Starr's Fall.

Coming Home to Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a quiet, emotional tale centered around Laurie and Joshua, two people bound by grief, secrets, and the slow process of healing. When Laurie arrives in the small town of Starr’s Fall after a tragedy, she isn’t expecting to find connection—or conflict—with Joshua, a man with his own past wounds and guarded heart.

Hewitt’s writing is introspective and emotionally rich, with strong emphasis on character development and inner turmoil. Laurie is a sympathetic protagonist, trying to rebuild her life, while Joshua provides a compelling counterbalance with his quiet strength and protectiveness. Their dynamic grows gradually, and the tension between them feels believable.

That said, the pacing may feel slow for readers who prefer more plot-driven romances. The story leans heavily into emotional processing, and at times, the dialogue and internal monologues can feel repetitive. There are familiar tropes—wounded hero, fresh start in a small town—but they’re handled with sensitivity, even if not particularly innovatively.

This book is best suited for readers who enjoy a gentle, heartfelt romance that explores loss, forgiveness, and second chances. It doesn’t stand out dramatically from other books in the genre, but it’s a solid, comforting read for fans of Kate Hewitt or emotional contemporary fiction.

Good, clean romance which is hard to find! Such cozy Fallish vibes and small town appeal, but also explores some deep topics. I really enjoyed this one.

A light-hearted romp of a book with a small mystery about genealogy, nice friends in a small village , dark grumpy bookstore owner and other raher cliched tropes. Harmless, and no doubt a gentle read for fans of this genre. I requested an ARC because I was interested to read a book by this author but not for me! Thankyou to NG and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Coming Home to Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt is a heartwarming, cozy read that perfectly captures the essence of autumn and the charm of small-town life. The story follows Laurie Ellis, who, accompanied by her loyal dog Max, moves to the quaint town of Starr’s Fall to open a pet store and bakery—a fresh start from her troubled past. Across the street is Joshua Reilly, a grumpy bookstore manager with his own emotional scars. Their slow-burn romance unfolds with delightful banter and genuine connection, embodying the classic grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Hewitt masterfully weaves themes of healing, belonging, and self-discovery, making the characters’ journeys deeply relatable. The town itself, with its shuttered storefronts and nostalgic charm, becomes a character in its own right, offering a sense of community and hope. This novel is a perfect pick for fans of clean, heartfelt romances and those seeking a comforting escape into a world where love and second chances abound. Loved this book more than 5 stars!!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Laurie and Joshua. There is an instant attraction. Laurie comes to Starr’s fall to open a pet store and bakery. It is a friendly town. Laurie and Joshua meet and he is grumpy. Joshua runs his family’s bookstore. Laurie and Joshua start dating. They fall in love.

A fun and enjoyable autumnal read from Kate Hewitt. Full of all the things alwe love for that time of year and another thing we can add to the list is this book

This was a really good closed door, feel-good romance. How in the world can you go wrong with a bookstore owner and a bakery owner whose pets love each other? This really did make you want to just get cozy and read. It was bingeable, quick, but it still covered some great topics. It is a closed-door romance and a bit slow but it's great with wonderful side characters. Definitely looking forward to continuing the series.

This book was a perfect comfort, feel good read. While a bit cliche at times, I didn't mind it. I also kept wanting to call this book Stars Hallow from Gilmore Girls. Not sure why but that is where my brain constantly went when reading this book.

Laurie moves to Starr's Fall looking for answers. She's there to open a pet store and bakery, but also for a new life in a small town in Connecticut. She quickly starts making friends with the locals and even with the grumpy bookstore owner across the street from her.

I really enjoyed this cozy romance, set in Connecticut in the fall. I loved all the characters, it took on some more serious issues like growing up in the foster care system, and parent loss but still had all the cozy fall vibes. This is the start of a series so I'm looking forward to reading more about Starr's Fall.

Thanks, @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author of this arc

Laurie wants a new start, and heads to Starr's Fall to open up a pet shop and dog bakery. Naturally many are confused on the concept, but she and her dog Max are eager to get started. When poor Max almost gets attacked from a snotty Persian, they also end up meeting grumpy Joshua, who is babysitting the cat for his aunt. Liked this one and enjoy this series. Would highly recommend.

Even though this one was a bit on the cheesy side of romances and small town settings I still enjoyed it.

As the title alludes, this book is recommended for the GIlmore Girl's lover in all of us! Whimsy and lovely, a perfect read for those who are on their way home for a spell. This reminded me of Ali McNamara's books. Recommend for a breezy, hopeful read!

This book is a great start to a new series. It's small town romance that has wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. If you enjoy Hallmark movies, you will love this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved the wholesome, cosy vibes of this cutesy Gilmore Girls inspired town, which included so many interesting characters!🍁It was just the perfect autumnal read, I just want to visit the pet shop bakery, it sounds adorable! Really really enjoyed this, such an easy read and I can’t wait to read some more books by Kate! I need some more from this town!🙌🏻

Kate Hewitt’s Coming Home to Starr's Fall is a poignant and heartwarming tale of self-discovery, belonging, and the transformative power of community and love. The novel follows Laurie Ellis, who courageously uproots her life in New Jersey to move to the quaint, sleepy town of Starr’s Fall, Connecticut. Accompanied only by her faithful rescue dog, Max, Laurie embarks on a deeply personal journey to find her biological mother—a quest that is as much about uncovering her roots as it is about healing her heart.

Hewitt masterfully portrays Laurie’s vulnerability as she steps into an unfamiliar world, armed with little more than determination. The character’s emotional depth resonates with readers, making her victories and struggles feel personal and relatable. Her bond with Max, her loyal sidekick, adds warmth and a touch of humor, reinforcing the idea that love and companionship can come in many forms.

The town of Starr’s Fall is vividly brought to life, with its charming, tight-knit community becoming a character in its own right. As Laurie forms new relationships, she learns to trust, to let others into her life, and to embrace the love and support they offer. These connections feel authentic and organic, showcasing Hewitt’s talent for writing characters who are flawed, endearing, and ultimately unforgettable.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of themes like identity, family, and second chances. Laurie’s journey isn’t just about finding her biological mother—it’s about finding herself and redefining what family truly means. Her growth throughout the story is beautifully paced, allowing readers to ride alongside her as she learns to open her heart and accept love in its many forms.

Hewitt’s writing is engaging, evocative, and richly detailed, capturing the essence of small-town life and the complexities of human relationships. Fans of emotionally driven stories that celebrate resilience and the bonds that connect us will find Coming Home to Starr's Fall a deeply satisfying read.

In conclusion, Coming Home to Starr's Fall is a touching, inspiring story that will appeal to anyone who has ever searched for a place to belong or grappled with the courage to start anew. Kate Hewitt reminds us all of the beauty of connection and the power of love to heal and transform. This is a book that will linger in your heart long after you turn the final page.

I've loved the work of Kate Hewitt's that I've read before and having interviewed her too, I'm always eager to read more by her. This book follows a young woman who moves to a small town, hoping to learn more about her mother. I'm a big fan of tightly knit towns and communities, this book being no exception. I loved both MCs, their backstories, their banter, and everything that they had to bring to the story. The other characters in the story too are brilliant, especially Henrietta Starr. If you're looking for a cozy, light-hearted, predictable romance, this book is great for you.

I grabbed COMING HOME TO STARR’S FALL simply because I enjoy Kate Hewitt’s writing, whether it be contemporary romance, women’s fiction, or historical novels. Hewitt always creates main characters that you fall in love with, real people with real lives and problems. She also consistently creates secondary characters you want to get to know and places that you want to visit. This one is no different. Starr’s Hollow is a small town that you have to know about to end up there, the town has seen better days, many have moved away and closed their shops down. It’s those who are left that are the people that will do anything for you. Laurie has her reasons for moving there, and it’s not just to open a doggie bakery. Her determination, vision, and attitude quickly find her a place in the community, even winning over the grumpy bookshop owner.
My heart broke over and over for Laurie. She had a rough life with so many disappointments from a young age, but she still has hope. Joshua has also had some disappointments, enough to make him bitter and reclusive, so it was nice to see him open up to Laurie, and the town. Max, of course, is just adorable.
I enjoyed this start to a new series and can’t wait to return to Starr’s Fall.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.