Kindling is an autumnal romance from author Bonnie Woods. This is a cosy yet spicy grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity romance set against the backdrop of the beautiful rural Scottish highlands in all of their autumnal beauty. It’s the only book you need to read over the autumn months and will most definitely leave you feeling all fuzzy inside and desperate to book an autumnal getaway to Scotland.

I utterly adored this book and it’s one of my standout reads of all time, let alone just this year. The Scottish Highlands was the most perfect setting for this autumnal romance. The narrative was perfectly paced and I flew through the book as I simply couldn’t put it down.

Harper was a brilliant FMC who felt relatable. I absolutely loved the portrayal of Harper as a curvy FMC, particularly with the way that Fraser adored her curves. The way she is described in his POV was EVERYTHING. And the moment where he kisses her stretch marks? PERFECT.

Fraser is our ruggedly handsome MMC who is a definite contender for 2024’s book boyfriend of the year. Seriously, if you looked up the phrase swoon-worthy in a dictionary, you’d find a giant picture of Fraser. It’s almost like Bonnie Woods has seen how many lumberjack videos I’ve liked on TikTok!

Harper and Fraser had electric chemistry and really brought out the best in each other. Their flirting had me practically kicking my feet and giggling away and the way they pined for each other was EVERYTHING. This was also one of my favourite portrayals of the grumpy x sunshine trope I’ve ever read. Harper and Fraser were the definition of opposites attract: Harper is bubbly and truly sunshine personified whilst Fraser is brooding and mysterious, it worked beautifully. There was lots of spice and it was both fantastically written and fantastically placed throughout the narrative.

One of my favourite things about this book is how inclusive it is; there is just so much fabulous queer representation. There’s particularly amazing bisexual rep as our female protagonist Harper is bi. I loved the exploration of societal attitudes towards bisexuality, it’s such an important topic which was really well written. We also have brilliant lesbian and non-binary rep through some of the supporting characters and autism rep through Fraser’s nephew Sky.

Overall, Kindling is the only book you need to read over the autumn months. It’s one of my standout reads of 2024 and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Bonnie Woods.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5 (Explicit Open Door)

I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Woods and Harper North.

A wonderful cosy autumnal romance with plenty of spice throughout - I loved the main characters and I loved their story

OMG... This book was truly what I was looking for this autumn. It was sweet and cosy, but it was also spicy and steamy!
I really felt a connection with Harper! Being a plus size, queer woman it can feel quite difficult that sums up how you feel about romance and relationships but as I read Kindling, I felt like Bonnie Woods was a mind reader!

Harper is stronger than she thinks and oh so fierce, and Fraser is gentle and patient, while also wonderfully vulnerable. They both have their issues but don't worry, all is well in the end. I really appreciated that Kindling got right down to the action as well. From the cover and description I was expecting a lot more fluff but it was very spicy and didn't shy away from it.

One of my favourite reads of the year so far! I will be on the look out for whatever Bonnie Woods does next.

Cutesy Romance, relatable, Autumn/Fall Vibes & Wholesome. Would definitely recommend to others who live a cutesy romance storyline

A cosy romance that is perfect for reading this Autumn. I really enjoy a romance set in Scotland. GrumpyxSunshine trope was done perfectly.

I call these books chicken soup reads - cosy and good for the soul!

Harper is having a rough time, and so decides to flee to a small Scottish town. Fraser (the sexy lumberjack with a heart of gold but serious daddy issues) helps her after her accommodation falls through. What follows is a lovely, and slightly chaotic, romance with a focus on finding yourself and building community.

I really enjoyed this one! Fraser was a gem, the town was lovely and the vibes with all autumnal. I enjoyed the focus on family and the small town feel. I also found the romance to be charming and very believable.

My main criticism of this is that the heroine was very in her head. I know this is realistic for some, but I found it really difficult to listen to her negative
self talk pretty constantly, especially at the beginning. It just felt very frustrating and honestly, a bit irritating/repetitive and cringe (especially the focusing on her ex). So if that is something you don't enjoy/find a bit triggering, maybe avoid this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper North and Bonnie Woods for the free e-arc. All opinions are my own!

This book was super cute and gave me all the autumn feels. I adored the setting and was swept away with it all. Woodcutter in the forest was something I loved as well! Exactly what I needed for this time of year, fun and flirty and kept me on my toes!

Kindling by Bonnie Woods

The cover of this book drew me in as it looked super Autumnal, and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed both of the main characters Harper and Fraser, they both had enough back history to make me invest in their outcomes. I enjoyed the close proximity of the story line and the passion between them both was great. This was all topped off with the perfect setting in Scotland, with cosy fires, drinks and food to imagine. Many thanks for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Harper has broken up with her girlfriend and been made redundant from her marketing job in Manchester and decides she needs to take some time away in nature to recoup and maybe write the book she's been thinking about for years. So she heads into the Scottish woods to stay at a cute AirBnB only to find out when she arrives that it isn't currently liveable and there is nowhere else nearby that she can get to on foot to stay.

Fraser is a local of the village and enjoys his solitude when he's not helping his friends and family, that is until Harper literally falls over his wall. Finding out she has nowhere to go he offers her his cabin to stay in for her 2 month stay.

It doesn't take long for the two of them to realise they are attracted to each other and they agree to keep things casual because they both know there is an end date in sight when Harper will return to Manchester.

I really liked both characters. Harper is plus size, or curvy as Fraser describes her, and it's always been something that she's been teased about or told to change the way she dresses to hide her weight. I love that she doesn't care what people think of her body and that she's trying to get rid of the voices in her head that tell her not to do certain things due to her size, like going hiking or doing yoga. Fraser clearly appreciates her curves and he's set on trying to get her to see herself the way he sees her - like a beautiful goddess!

Harper really grows as a character, she goes from being quite meek and used to being put down to realising that she is an amazing human who is good at what she does, is sexy and can do anything she puts her mind to. She should definitely be admired!

Unfortunately, there is a third act break up which I didn't like, even though I could see it coming. I would have preferred that the eventual get back together went a little differently but I can see why it was written the way it was.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperNorth for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I had hoped I would enjoy this but sadly it wasn't to be. I thought the writing was super cliché, and as someone who isn't into insta love this spare ignited too quickly for me.

But I did appreciate the bisexual and the plus size rep.

A cosy autumnal retreat in the Scottish Highlands is the perfect escape for city girl, Harper… Until she is stranded in the forest with nowhere to stay.

Fraser, a gruff local woodcutter, reluctantly offers her his lumberjack’s cabin on one condition – she mustn’t distract him from his duties.

But Fraser is finding his beautiful guest annoyingly hard to ignore. And the way he chops firewood – dogged, powerful and precise – is distracting Harper too. Soon, as the flame-red leaves fall overhead, Harper and Fraser are both forced to wonder: Am I falling faster?

Tropes:

- grumpy x sunshine

- forced proximity

- fish out of water

- opposites attract

- rural setting
Kindling is meant to be read in the cosiest place you can imagine. Easy fun read but I found it a bit too predictable to be honest.

Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this one,

3.75⭐️ // Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!!! 🍁🍂

This book is written in 3rd person which often makes it trickier for me to engage with the characters, but I found myself relating to them so much, especially the fmc Harper! Too often book characters are made to seem perfect, but Harper had all the flaws of a real person, and I truly appreciated that (especially the plus-size representation). I see so much of myself in Harper at the beginning but it was lovely to see her confidence grow throughout the book.

✨“Her confidence would always be a work-in-progress, boosted only when she was accomplishing something”✨

✨”Even when alone, she felt like she was being assessed by a scrutinising audience”✨

✨”She hated being helped. She hated having to ask for it. She hated when people assumed she needed it.✨

As for Fraser (🥹), he’s a lovable lumberjack who truly cares for not just the people closest to him but everyone in their town. AND THE FAIRY FIGURINES (I want one now 🧚‍♀️🧚‍♂️). I hope one day to find my own Fraser but until then, I’ll settle for reading about Bonnie Woods’ fictional one ❤️‍🩹.

✨”He understood that women felt unsafe and that it was men’s responsibility to do better”✨

✨”You talk about my art? Your body is art, Harp, and you can’t even imagine all the ways I want to worship it”✨ (king 👑 behaviour)

P.S. Special mention to Bernard 🐶🩷

Harper travels to the Scottish Highlands after her girlfriend dumps her, and she's got the intention of using the break to write.. however, things go south when she gets there and realises that the cottage she was meant to stay at is a no-no and is left quite literally stranded in the woods. Enter "grumpy" Nathan, who reluctantly agrees to let her spend one night at his workshop cabin in the woods.. I've loved this book so much, it is the perfect autumn read, I love the setting in the Highlands, one of my favourite parts of the world, I loved the grumpy/sunshine trope. Harper is a ball of positive energy and Nathan is as grumpy as they get. 10/10 would recommend for a quick, fun, sexy read.

When Harper seeks a retreat in the Scottish Highlands after her heart is broken by her ex-girlfriend, she expects a cozy getaway. However, her plans take a turn when she finds herself stranded in the forest due to her dilapidated rental. Reluctantly, local woodcutter Fraser offers her his cabin—with the caveat that she mustn't distract him from his work, a challenge that proves nearly impossible.

This grumpy romance had me kicking my feet in delight! Harper and Fraser are incredible characters who bring out the best in each other. Both grapple with deep insecurities, and their journey to help one another overcome them is beautifully portrayed. I was rooting for their love story from the very beginning, bolstered by a cast of wonderfully diverse side characters that I also fell in love with.

The spicy scenes are tastefully done and add a perfect touch to the narrative.

Kindling is an ideal autumn read, blending romance and inclusivity in a way that's an absolute joy. I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection! Highly recommend it! If you like The Pumpkin Spice Cafe you will love this!

This was the perfect autumn read. Just what I was wanting to sit down cosy whilst reading a good book.

Its got grumpy x sunshine which I love that trope alot so I enjoyed it alot

This story was a perfect autumn read, I loved this book - the love that developed between Fraser & Harper was electric and pure I loved watching their love blossom. We have a classic grumpy x sunshine in this story and I adore this trope.

I love that we are based in the Scottish highlands in the Autumn/winter because I got the ultimate cosy feels. This book also has some very spicy scenes which felt perfect for the characters and definitely gets the heart pumping.

I was emotional towards the end of this story as a twist happened that nearly broke me but we repaired what was broken in the end. Definitely read this one if you get the chance.

This was perfectly fine for a bit of fun but it doesn't quite capture the magic I was hoping for to help make the clichés a bit less obvious. If you're looking for an easy read with some spice this is exactly what you'll get, there's good bones but some of the situations and characters seemed a little too unrealistic for me.

Autumn in a book, with the right about of sweet and spice and all things nice. Nathan is a true definition of grumpy but Harper brings some sunshine into his Scottish world! Also Jack is hilarious. Will defo buy to add to my trophy shelf.

Kindling by Bonnie Woods is a romantic comedy set in the Scottish Highlands. When recently dumped city girl, Harper, finds her dream of writing a bestselling novel in a cosy autumnal retreat completely dashed (think the cottage from The Holiday), she's reluctantly rescued by a grumpy recluse woodcutter with a cabin to rent.

It's not the Instagram worthy trip she was hoping to romanticise online, but she's determined not to wallow and prove to herself (and her ex) that she's a highly capable independent woman and not a recently dumped (and fired) emotional train wreck.

Kindling wasn't exactly the cosy, autumnal read I was hoping for, it was incredibly cute and a lot of fun. While it was a little predictable and Harper and Fraser's inability to communicate was very frustrating at times, I did appreciate the plus-sized and bisexual representation throughout. All Harper's little imperfections and doubts made her incredibly endearing and relatable. She felt so real and I couldn't help but fall in love with her. I also adored the colourful ensemble of characters and the sense of community throughout.

This book really did make me giggle and Fraser had a heart of gold (seriously, what a catch) however, I just couldn't get over the sex scene in the Loch. Although, I did like how there was a callback to this as I can only imagine how freezing that water was!

Kindling contains 18+ content.

“Her taste as a bisexual woman could usually be defined as ‘all women and Henry Cavill provided he’s sporting the right haircut.’”

Thank you Net Gallery for sending me an e-arc of Kindling! 🍂

If you're searching for the perfect cosy autumn read, make sure to add this to your TBR! Set in a small Scottish village in autumn, I wish I could live in this book. It’s romantic, spicy and features excellent representation. Grab a blanket, a hot coffee, and cosy up with this book. 🎃