A spicy, cosy read for autumn! Harper travels to Scotland to get back to what makes her happy after her girlfriend dumps her. Her accommodation falls through and so she turns to her neighbour, Nathan. Nathan is a solitary lumberjack who's a big old grump! Cue sparks and spice. A very fun read.

What a wonderfully cosy, perfect start to the “ber” season read this was!

I particularly enjoyed the representation and the light use of Scottishness which felt more natural than so many Scottish set books that seem to assume we all speak full Scots at all times.

My only issue was how hot and cold they were. Like just sit down and have an adult conversation I beg you 😂. But that’s just personal preference.

I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to read more from the author.

Kindling by Bonnie Wood is a book that truly touched my heart. Reading it felt like wrapping myself in a warm blanket on a crisp autumn evening.

Harper’s journey to Scotland and her determination to rebuild her life and prove her worth is both inspiring and relatable. I found myself cheering for her, laughing at her mishaps, and feeling her pain as she navigated her new reality.

Nathan’s character, with his love for solitude and simple living, struck a chord with me. His initial reluctance to get involved with Harper, followed by his gradual realisation of her charm, was beautifully written. It reminded me of the unexpected connections we sometimes make when we least expect them.

The quirky side characters, especially Jack and the adorable dog Bernard, brought so much joy and laughter to the story.

Bonnie Wood’s writing is evocative and engaging, making every page a delight to read.

Kindling is more than just a romance novel; it’s a story about second chances, finding oneself, and the magic of unexpected love. It’s a book that left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a smile on my face long after I turned the last page. Thank you to Net Galley and Bonnie Woods for allowing me to read this as an ARC. What a beautiful book, I highly recommend. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 ⭐️
Cutesy Romance, relatable, Autumn/Fall Vibes & Wholesome. Would definitely recommend to others 🫶🏻

KINDLING - BONNIE
WOODS - ARC
Kindling is such an autumnal cozy real!
Harper needs a change, her girlfriend broke up with her, her job let her go and she's just really unhappy with her life. She decides to move to Scotland and write a book. Her air b&b cancels on her leaving her stranded in the woods when she finds a cabin and a fit lumberjack to help her out!! This book has diversity, strong friendships, finding yourself, acceptance. It's just so cute and cozy and it's like being wrapped in a lovely warm blanket! Loved its cute autumn vibes!
@rachaelmcreads

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 3.5/5

Harper has just been made redundant at her marketing job and recently split up with her girlfriend. Needing a break from her life she packs up some cloths and takes a three month break from the city life in Manchester to a small town in Scotland. Her idea is she can stay in a cute AirBnB while she writes a novel like she's always dreamed of doing in a secluded scenic location. Only when she arrives she's told they are having emergency issues and she can't stay. Now forced to find somewhere else she's wondering through the backroads looking for anywhere with phone signal. She just so happens so find, rather ungracefully, the grumpiest carpenter in all of Scotland. But he's hot. So... ya know....

Andy (a side character) couldn't have said it better. She's a bit dramatic. Don't get me wrong she was funny and I felt for her but 🫣 I did love her whole wanting to find her self and recreate herself. I loved her coming together with the town and fitting in so well. I just thought she was as needy at the end as the start 😅

Fraser was your typical moody, I don't want to feel feelings kind of guy and it worked for him. 10/10 would recommend.

🩶

"If you could direct me to a hotel, that would be great. But Im not good with directions, so explain them to me like I'm ten."

"I know it hurts now. You'll always want him to be worth the love you once gave him. You'll always want him to change. But some people just aren't right. Some people just need to go and digest a cactus."

"You stole it?"
"I borrowed it. Secretly. Without asking."

"I won't be doing anything to you. I'll be doing it for you. Everything for you. "

The most gorgeous autumnal romance Kindling by Bonnie Woods is my latest obsession, or rather, the mmc Fraser is. I mean, swoon. Where can I find myself a lumberjack?

When Harper needs a retreat after her heart is broken by her ex-girlfriend, the Scottish Highlands seem perfect, that is, until she's stranded in the forest with nowhere to stay after her accommodation she rented is beyond disrepair.
Begrudgingly, the local woodcutter Fraser offers her his cabin on the basis that she mustn't distract him from his work. Something that is going to prove incredibly difficult.

I absolutely adored this grumpy x sunshine romance so much! It had me kicking my feet and made my heart feel so warm.
Both Harper and Fraser are incredible characters who bring out the absolute best in each other. I loved how they both had deep insecurities and helped each other overcome them. I championed their love story from the start, as did the array of beautifully diverse side characters whom I also fell completely in love with.
There are some spicy scenes which I thought were done the way they should be if you get my drift aha! I mean talk about sexy! (The way he calls her sunshine)

Kindling is absolutely perfect for autumn reading, and I can't wait to buy a physical copy! From the romance to how inclusive it is, it's just an absolute joy to read, and I highly recommend it!

Kindling by Bonnie Woods | Pub Date Aug 29 2024 - 4 stars
Kindling is definitely not a summer reading book. It has to be mid November-read, wrapped in a cosy blanket with a nice cup of tea on side. This story story sets in the Scottish Highlands and follows a city girl Harper and a grumpy local Franser, a wood cutter, who had to give up on his cabin to accommodate Harper. Their forced proximity leads to a heartwarming love story filled with cosy, autumn vibes, likable characters and plenty of chemistry. I really enjoyed reading this book. The settings itself and the writing made it easy to follow the story!

Publisher: HarperNorth
Pages: 320

Thank you NetGalley and HarperNorth for providing this ARC in exchange on my honest review.

This book is like an adorable, autumnal, cosy hug. It's a sweet and spicy tale with some great representation.
A perfect read to curl up under a cosy blanket and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte with.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

I really enjoyed this cute romance. The characters were really endearing, and I couldn't help but root for them. A quick read and amazing debut work. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperNorth, for providing an eARC

First of all, the MFC is BEYOND relatable. The girl was going through it, to say the very least! I loved how the author, Bonnie Woods, gave her such personality, down to when she used the experience of “her favorite lipstick being discontinued” as a metaphor for the amount of luck she essentially has (I can relate, girl). I love when I can connect with the MFC and this cozy autumnal read is quite perfect. Queer representation in books is so important, and I love that it has such diversity within it. Being a bisexual woman myself, it really made me feel so connected to Harper, who too has anxiety and confidence issues, such as myself! I laughed so much and felt so many emotions while reading this book! 🤍🥹 The dynamic between the Grumpy (and so so sweet) Fraser and chaotic Sunshine Harper is so cozy, I cannot recommend this book enough! 🫶🏻🍂🍁☕️🤍

Book rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you SO so much Bonnie Woods and NetGalley for allowing me to read this cozy book as an arc reading - my first one ever! 🤍🥹

thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cosy book. It brings the autumnal feels, and this is something to binge by the fireplace.

I really liked the characters, how they're based in the UK (fmc is Manchester, he's from Scotland). Harper was a relatable character, wanting to try new things, find herself. She went through the natural stages after everything in her life emplodes.

Fraser was sweet... and it wasn't hard to picture so accent.

T R O P E S

🍂grumpy x Sunshine
🍂small town in Scotland
🍂forced proximity
🍂border collie named Bernard 🐶
🍂family banter
🍂bi fmc


Reason for rating.

- I do struggle with 3rd person narration.
- The pase of the story was a bit slow.
- 3rd act break up wasn't really needed.

This was such a cute cosy read.

I really loved the mfc Harper, she was very relatable. Then there's the mmc Fraser. Slightly grumpy lumberjack! Yes please.
The interactions between these two was full of banter.
Every character in this novel was well thought out and loveable.
The small Scottish town is perfect for an autumn read.

Read as an arc, Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read and review this novel.

As always thank you for the E-arc This books is peak cozy autumn vibes! It was such a cute read and I really enjoyed the main characters so much ☺️ Harper was down on her luck after losing her job and her girlfriend and decides a change of scenery is what she needs. She goes from Manchester to Scotland but when she gets there she has a problem with her accommodation, enter the mmc Fraser who is a bit of a grump 🙈 these two characters bounces off each other so week and Fraser was just a massive cinnamon roll of a man which I loved! I’d really enjoy another book based on Fraser sister as I’m not quite really to leave the characters! Well done Bonnie

Short, sweet perfect Scottish highland romance. I really enjoyed this book, the characters felt realistic and there was no unnecessary drama. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a cosy story to read this autumn! But be warned it’ll make you want to find your own Scottish village to fall in love with a forester.

Summary: City girl Harper’s escape to the Scottish Highlands turns romantic when she’s stranded and stays with Fraser, a gruff woodcutter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

This book was not meant to be read in August, in the peak of a summer heatwave with no AC. Kindling was meant to be read in the cosiest place you can imagine: cuddled up with a blanket in an old leather armchair by the crackling fire, in your fluffiest pyjamas, and sipping a warm pumpkin spice latte with a rainstorm as your background soundtrack.

I am not a big romance reader, but I do enjoy a good romance novel here and there, as a palate cleanser between crime/thriller novels. Just to remind myself that there is still some good in the world. Kindling was for me like the first PSL of the autumn season. It was sweet, a bit spicy, and delightful until the very last sip.

We follow the story of Harper and Nathan. Harper has just been fired from her marketing job, dumped by her girlfriend and betrayed by AirBnB. She comes to Scotland looking for a break from her old self. She wants to write a bestselling novel, become famous, and show her girlfriend (and her instagram followers, of course!) what she’s capable of. However, her idyllic getaway soon turns into a complete, muddy nightmare.

Harper is not a damsel in distress but… she is a damsel and she’s in serious distress! Nathan could not care less though, he just wants to be left alone. He wants to do his thing in peace. Chop some trees, plant some more. His community needs him, he cannot get distracted by this gorgeous blonde woman with a Mancunian accent, or can he? *wink wink*

Overall, Harper and Nathan were a very enjoyable, cute pair to read. The setting is perfect (autumn in Scotland, what else?), the story is fresh and uncomplicated, and you will not be disappointed by the quirky ensemble of side characters. Shoutout to Jack, who has a very small part but made me laugh the most. And, if you still needed to be convinced, please know that there is a super cute dog called Bernard and he tends to get his snoot where he shouldn’t!

This was a cute story and I enjoyed the autumnal Scottish setting.
I'm always wary of a Scottish accent being portrayed on page by an author who I believe isn't Scottish, but I do think this was relatively well done.

It did feel a little forced at times, and I would have liked more build up to the relationships and more depth to the characters

The wider characters were great and I would love to see more about them! I would love to hear more about the B&B and the MMCs sisters!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book

(3.5 stars) A cute and cosy read, perfect for the autumn. Whilst it could have perhaps been a bit of a slower burn, the romance was gentle and sweet, with plenty of spice, and the way the FMC and MMC accepted each other and helped each other to grow was so heartwarming!

Thank you for the ARC!

I was lucky enough to have been able to read the ARC of this steamy fall romance via Netgalley

I loved this book, it was filled with differnt types of love, laughter and steamy romance!

Fraser is one of the most wholesome and down-to-earth guys I have read. I’m not just saying due to him being very much ‘I Love Nature’ ‘Live in the woods’ ‘Why do people need social media’ types. Although he has some of these traits that make the foundation of his early character as the story goes on you see layers and layers of the man he is- right down to that gooey centre. There were so many times that I felt I wanted to reach into the story and give him a hug. He’s that man who helps absolutely everyone around him, to his family, neighbours- even a lost woman who falls into his garden. Although he plays everything off as being a big grump, he never allows anyone to get close, believing people leave and that he needs to focus on those who need him and not his own happiness. It was hard to see him make some silly decisions due to his own thoughts and pain. I’m glad he had such a supportive network around him to make him see sense.

Harper- I Struggled with this character for some time. I felt at times that for a person who understands what it is like to be at the mercy of hurtful words- she sure snapped at him and assumed he was thinking/saying something he wasn’t. I understand that this is a reflection of her own inner monologue and troubles but there were times where I was like ‘whoa, he's literally not done anything wrong he’s just trying to help.’ Once I got over that initial hurdle I really enjoyed how she got involved with the community. Her volunteering, her friendship with Cam, Sorscha and Eiley. Her help and support towards Andy was a nice touch and I enjoyed that she decided to continue consulting, tailoring to small businesses.

The “Side” Characters- Frasers family take the cake with this. I loved Cam’s humour, personality and how she was that sister/friend that can be there when you need them most, while also not being afraid to tell you when you’re being an idiot. She’s blunt, no nonsense but not in a hurtful way. I absolutely loved her. We didn't get to see much of Sorscha but she was a brilliant addition too. Two characters that I ABSOLUTELY loved and I hope Bonnie Woods reads this- EILEY AND ANDY. GIVE ME THEIR BOOKS. Eiley has had a tough time and I would love to read more about her stepping out on her own, the struggle and success of her now being a single parent and picking up the pieces of her life. I want her to meet a Primary School or SEN teacher who loves kids and always wanted their own. But they just never found the right person or couldn’t physically have themselves (adopting when single is difficult) . I would love for that person to fall in love with the kids first then find out how utterly amazing she is. Bonus if they’re a southerner- I’m a fan of PG Tips and have had that argument over which Tea is best with a northerner and their love of Yorkshire Tea. I loved that tidbit in the book, so I want some Tea-controversy

Honestly, I have a million ideas- please DM me Rachel/Bonnie.

Why Should Andy get a book? That heart-to-heart with Fraser. That little peek into who Andy is, was amazing. They have more to give - I just know it.

I loved this book. I savoured it and would read it again and any following books *cough* give me those books.

Bonnie Woods should be proud of their work. The descriptions of the setting both made me feel like I was there and made me wish that I was! The characters were fully realised people-with history, personality and array of thoughts and feelings.

Kindling is a lovely cosy read, perfect for the approaching autumnal evenings.
Harper is a city girl who has just been let go from her job and has just been dumped by her girlfriend. She decides to take some time off and goes to the Scottish highlands with the intention of writing a book.
Upon arrival Harper finds that due to unforeseen circumstances, her Air B&B has fallen through and she is left with no where to stay and alone in rural Scotland.
After stumbling through the woods in the rain she meets Fraser, a local woodsman who has always put his family and community before himself. He offers for Harper to stay in his woodcutters cabin temporarily as long as she keeps out of his way and lets him get on with his work.
At first Harper and Fraser are about as different as two people can get, but they soon start to catch feelings for one another.

I really enjoyed this book, the scene was set nicely, this would be a perfect book to read in the autumn months. The characters were lovable and the author had created a town full of diverse, inclusive and relatable characters and all bring something to the story. it really felt like a community.

This book has plenty of spice.
Tropes include: Forced Proximity, Grumpy x Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Small Town/Rural Setting.