Coming Home to Starr’s Fall is a slow, but very comfortable read, perfect for a lazy day at home or on the beach when you want something to read that is somewhat romantic, with an easy to follow plot line and very few surprises.
Laurie Ellis has left the city life behind in a quest to find somewhere she can call home. She has rented an empty store in the little town of Starr’s Fall where she hopes to set up her own business, that of Pet Store and Bakery; the bakery is for dog treats.
She is filled with hope and anticipates finally beginning to consider her life is something other than one of loneliness. When her rental vehicle breaks down seven miles from the township she is rescued by Annie, a farmer in the area whose family have lived and farmed there for many generations.
Arriving in the town she realises that it really is a sleepy little town with many of the business closed for some time, leaving, sad empty storefronts looking onto a very quiet main street. Unlocking the door to her new home is filled with hope and emotion.
Her little dog Max, never very brave, escapes to the bookstore over the road, somehow coming face to face with one very snooty Persian cat. In an attempt to rescue Max, the very grumpy but very good looking owner Joshua Reilly, is left looking at an even bigger mess in his store, as the cat topples over several stacks of books; not the best way to get to know your neighbour, thinks Laurie!
Laurie is also holding a secret and she has chosen to come to Starr’s Fall for more than one reason, but will she be able to discover that she craves to know or will it remain forever a mystery?
Kate Hewitt has commenced a new series with this lovely little town as the centre of what will be a series of ‘coming home’, beginning again and community which will be delightful and most enjoyable.

Okay, this book was adorable! Coming Home to Starr’s Fall made me wish I could call Starr’s Fall home. My only dislike was that it seemed to end abruptly and I was craving more, but then I realized it ended with a hint that there will be more books coming…maybe even a full Starr’s Fall series, so I was super excited about that. If you love autumn, dogs and cats, small towns, slow burns, closed doors/clean and wholesome romance, and Gilmore Girls vibes, you need to read this! I can’t wait to get a physical copy when it comes out in September.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Grumpy/Sunshine is all the rage in romancelandia right now and this book falls right in that category.

A sweet and quick read about a young woman heading to New England, in the Fall, hoping to find family, while building a business, and meeting the quirky people of the town. Hallmark anyone?

Meeting Starr's Fall residents who are interested in her and her business along with her outgoing personality, has Laurie fitting in with the community quite nicely. Joshua, gorgeous bookstore owner, is also coming around to the vibrant personality that is Laurie.

As Laurie realizes that chosen family can fill in the void she's felt all her life, her heart embraces Starr's Fall and the people she's come to love.

If you're looking for a feel good book, evoking the longer cool, crisp evenings as we head into Fall, this book is for you.

Starr's Fall was a very sweet and touching read.

Laurie Ellis decided to move to Connecticut to pursue her dream of opening a pet shop, and to find her family.

Laurie doesn't know her parents, she only has a small hint that brought her to Starr's Fall. She is a nice woman, with a positive attitude even if life hasn't been kind with her, who deserves to find her place in the World and to call it home.
I enjoyed to see Laurie easily integrate into the community, becoming friends with most of the towners. I followed with the most interest the developping relationship between Laurie and the grumpy bookseller Joshua, because there was a little spark from the start between them.

I've loved this world that Kate Hewitt created, the writing was good and evocative. I'm already looking forward to next story in the series.

I recommend to read this sweet novel that helped me to escape the heat of this Summer.

This cover is so eye catching, I love everything autumn and was drawn instantly to this but this isn't very autumnal but it is a cute cosy read with likeable characters. I flew through this book but didn't love it as much as I thought I would but loved the setting around the pet shop and bakery as a dog lover. Overall a nice easy read but not what I thought it would be. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

Coming Home to Starrs Fall was a satisfying finish-in-a-day read as I get excited for fall. As an avid Gilmore Girls fan and a watcher of hallmark movies, this book goes down easily. Would recommend as a comfort read!

A very sweet story about a woman making a new start in a small town - and finding what she wants and needs, but not at all in the way she expected.
It was a world I kept wanting to return to.

"Coming Home to Starrs Fall" is a book about a woman named Laurie who moves to Starrs Fall in the hopes of starting over with a new business and finding her mother. She soon realises that Starrs Falls is an inviting and charming place including the people in it.
I loved everything about this book. It's not just your average feel good romantic chick flick read. It has deep underlying emotional story lines that don't always have a happy ending. It's written with great emotion and detail just like all of Kate Hewitt's books!

Laurie relocates to Starr’s Fall with her dog Max to open a dog bakery and supply store. Alongside this new venture, she embarks on a personal journey to find her biological mother. This cozy read is good for curling up with during the fall season.

Set in a small town this book gave me autumn and cozy vibes from the first page. Kate Hewitt creates such beautiful and captivating characters. I will read any book set in this town and can't wait to read more by Kate Hewitt.

Laurie Ellis has never really put down roots, or felt at home. Given up for adoption at birth she bounced around the system until she aged out, since then she's had an unremarkable job, lived in a pokey New Jersey apartment, and never really made any real friends. However, an unexpected legacy allows her to fulfil her dream of opening a pet shop and bakery (for the animals) and she has chosen the small town of Starr's Fall, not least because her birth mother gave it as her home town. Maybe, just maybe, she might find some clues to her family.

Starr's Fall is off the beaten track, and like most small towns its main street is suffering from the pervasive influence of online shopping so the opening of a new store is a blessed relief, even if the concept of a pet bakery is a bit 'out there'.

Whilst most of the townsfolk are welcoming, if not encroaching, Laurie's nearest neighbour, who owns the bookshop opposite is downright rude and unfriendly. Joshua Reilly escaped Starr's Fall for New York and a life as a composer, until his father's death forced him to return and run the family bookshop. His fiancee broke up with him by text, he hates the small town knowing his business, and he's not overly fond of selling books.

This was super sweet and has Hallmark movie written all over it. Whilst there is some dramatic tension, overall it was too sweet for me. Others will love it.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

So having seen this all over my Facebook page I was excited to read it but I just couldn't get into this small town American book. The writing was okay bit the characters are forgettable.

Laurie and her dog Max move to Starr's Fall to open a pet store/bakery and to try to find her biological mother. Joshua is her neighbor and town grump. They turn out to be kindred spirits. The small town is nosy, but full of caring, loving people. She quickly makes friends, who become family. Through their experiences, she learns how to be a part of a family. She tracks down her bio mom who wants nothing to do with her. She realizes that the found family in Starr's Fall is more than she ever dreamed. Her love story with Joshua was a little bit of a slow burn, but very sweet.

I really enjoyed this book, it got into the story quickly, and whilst it had an emotional undertone to the story, it wasn’t over done. I found the characters very likeable, and the story moved at pace too.
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series (hopefully!)

A Cozy read about a small New England town. It was what one would expect from a cozy read, but this one really didn’t go anywhere and I struggled to stay interested. Some nice moments. Great to get into the autumn mood.

If you’re searching for the perfect cozy read this fall, “Coming Home to Starr’s Fall” by Kate Hewitt might be just what you need. This charming story weaves together the warmth of small-town life with the intrigue of a woman on a mission to solve a personal mystery. As the first book in Hewitt’s newest series, it’s already got me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

From the moment I met Laurie Ellis, I felt a connection. Laurie, carrying the weight of a tragic past, bravely leaves the hustle and bustle of the big city for the quiet, half-empty town of Starr’s Fall. Her decision to set up a pet store and bakery—a bakery for dogs, no less—is a testament to her determination to start over, even as she wonders if she’s made the right choice. The town, with its shuttered storefronts and nostalgic charm, feels like the perfect place for Laurie to begin anew, and I loved watching her embrace this new chapter in her life.

The residents of Starr’s Fall quickly become central to the story, particularly Joshua Reilly, the handsome yet grumpy manager of the bookstore across the street. Joshua’s own backstory adds depth to his character, making the development of his friendship and eventual romance with Laurie all the more enjoyable to watch. Hewitt does a wonderful job of highlighting the pros and cons of small-town living, and the community aspect of the story is both heartwarming and realistic.

Laurie’s loyal dog, Max, adds an extra layer of charm to the story, getting up to a few antics of his own as he settles into their new life. His playful nature and obvious devotion to Laurie provide some lighter moments, balancing the more emotional aspects of the story.

One of my favorite parts of the book was observing Laurie as she renovates her business and home. Her hard work and creativity not only bring her closer to achieving her dreams but also give her a sense of well-being that is palpable. Laurie’s kindness and respect for others make her a character you can’t help but root for.

The book is being marketed as perfect for fans of the Gilmore Girls TV show, and while there are some parallels—Starr’s Fall does have a bit of that Stars Hollow vibe, and both Laurie and Lorelai share a fondness for surly men—I found the similarities to be just the right amount. As a fan of Gilmore Girls, these nods were a delightful addition without overshadowing the unique story Hewitt has crafted.

Final Thoughts:

“Coming Home to Starr’s Fall” is a delightful read that combines a cozy small-town setting, a sweet romance, and a compelling mystery. If you’re looking for a book that captures the essence of fall and leaves you with a warm feeling, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I want to move to Starr Falls today and open a cozy shop of some kind along side Laurie & Joshua!
The story is warm and fuzzy, just like a favorite sweater. I loved the new beginnings, new friends, & the slow-burn romance and lots of endearing characters. Hewitt has a real talent for creating believable and relatable people. The plot was predictable in parts, but the overall atmosphere and the cozy town setting made up for it. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy autumn 🍂 afternoon.
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Thank you Net Galley, Boldwood Books and Kate Hewitt for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a beautifully written, sweet, quick read. Laurie, our female MC moves to a small town called Starr's Fall (which I almost always read as Stars Hollow, due to my avid watching and rewatching of Gilmore Girls). She never had much of a family life growing up, or many friends, so she's in search of a community of friends. She also opens up to the possibility of a romantic relationship with the surly bookstore owner across the street.

I really enjoyed reading about Laurie's journey of finding herself, meeting new friends, and falling in love. This is a great read for anybody who loves the story of someone starting over in a new town, with very chaste romantic undertones. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

This follows Laurie who decides to pack up and move to a small town called Starr’s Fall. She grew up in and out of foster homes and is looking for a new start, to try to start her own business, and potentially find her birth mom. Enter Starr’s Fall, a quaint small town, teeming with autumn leaves, quirky characters, and one very grumpy bookstore owner next door.

This felt very much like Stars Hollow - so if you’re a Gilmore girls fan looking for a cozy fall read, this might just be for you. It had a depth to the storyline and characters but was also sweet and fun.

🍁small town set in fall
🍂 grumpy MMC (think Luke Danes!)

A heart-warming and heart-breaking story. A sweet romance that keeps the tale from being a complete downer. A variety of characters and back stories. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.