DNFd at 11%
I tried really hard to like it. I got sucked in by Gilmore Girls references in the blurb. But I just couldn’t get into it. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters and the writing style just didn’t pull me in and keep my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for a review.

Coming Home to Starr's Fall is a cozy romance set in a small town in Connecticut, where the protaganist, Laurie, moves to make a fresh start and hopefully find out a bit about her past. Starr's Fall isn't a million miles away in look and feel from Star's Hollow, this book will appeal to lovers of small-town tv shows like Gilmore Girls and Virgin River. Well written, with good characters and a steady flow, it is easy to read and charming, with a hint of mystery and a sweet romance.

3.5⭐️. This was a super cute Hallmark-style book! I love that the whole thing felt like a trip to the world of Gilmore Girls complete with quirky neighbors and a grumpy store owner.

The first half of the book was relatively conflict-free which made it harder to get invested, but the scenery more than made up for it. I'm also a sucker for a little furry friend tagging along for the story.

All in all an adorable cozy fall read!

a sweet small town romance. It reminded me of the Gilmore girls. I enjoyed the story very much. it was a quick read . I read in two afternoons.

As a fan of Gilmore Girls, I was excited to read this and it did not disappoint! Although Laurie and Joshua are loosely based on Lorelei and Luke’s characters from the series, their story and motivations are different. The quirky small town setting is a lot of fun and I loved the Autumnal theme. In terms of tropes, it’s a grumpy / sunshine clean romance, with a focus on Laurie’s search for her mother and a place to belong. It is a little on the short side, but sets the scene for hopefully more Star’s Fall books.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I DNF’ed this book because it was written in the third POV. And I know that shouldn’t be a reason, but for me it is. I don’t like books written like this. It’s a personal reason. So I don’t know if the book is good or not. I totally recommend to read it to see if you like it or not. My opinion shouldn’t matter mostly because I didn’t actually finished it.

I loved this book! Heartwarming small town story with characters that felt like friends. My first book by this author, I’m excited that there are more to read!

This book definitely lived up the to hype for someone who loves Gilmore Girls! With the small town northeastern fall feel I couldn’t have asked for a better setting. I’m definitely a big fan!

Having the courage to love and be loved is life's greatest adventure. Seeking out a new start, Laurie moves to Starr's Fall to open a pet shop. Her curmudgeonous neighbor is a stark contrast to the town's welcoming residents.

While setting up shop, Laurie is surrounded by the sense of community that she's sought after being raised in the foster care system. While the store is her primary venture, Laurie has a secret that she surprisingly shares with the not-so jerky Joshua during an unexpected meet-cute. Laurie's birth mother was born in Starr's Fall and while she learned her name, the town matriarch shared it was a fake listing. Will Laurie have the strength to find out the truth about her mother or concentrate on the present?

Thank you to #NetGally and the publisher for the early edition of #ComingHometoStarrsFall in exchange for an honest. After reading the early reviews, I eagerly awaited receiving my copy. Sadly, I'm sharing mixed reviews as there's a lot of positive aspects of the story but the promised light-hearted read and Gilmore Girl-esque style wasn't there. As a fan of the series, I missed the smart snappy script and instead the prose felt long winded which didn't keep my attention.

The characters needed more developing but I did enjoy Laurie and Joshua's interactions. To be honest, the novel felt more like a first draft rather than a final version. Hopefully things are tightened up before publication as the story has merit it's just confusingly too long and short. It would welcome a concise plot but developed characters and fleshed-out ending.

"Coming Home to Starr’s Fall" is a heartwarming read that captures the spirit of second chances, love, and the beauty of community. Kate Hewitt’s writing beautifully evokes the atmosphere of autumn, brimming with nostalgia, warmth, and the scent of pumpkin spice. Laurie's journey is one of resilience; her mix of vulnerability and determination made her a relatable protagonist who I found myself rooting for from the very beginning.

The relationship between Laurie and Joshua is a delightful tug of war—his grumpy exterior and her unwavering optimism build a dynamic that feels both genuine and entertaining. As they navigate their initial tensions, their connection deepens, revealing the layers of pain and hope within both characters. The way their journeys intertwine not only reflects their personal growth but also highlights the healing power of love and community.

I especially appreciated how Hewitt skillfully weaves in themes of loss, redemption, and the importance of embracing change. The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the narrative, bringing life to Starr's Fall as a town with a heart, full of quirks and charm.

I highly recommend "Coming Home to Starr’s Fall" for anyone searching for a comforting and uplifting story. This novel beautifully illustrates that even in the shabbiness of life, love can bloom anew, making it a perfect read for cozy autumn evenings. Kate Hewitt has delivered a story that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.

A light, cosy Autumnal read that is definitely reminiscent of Gilmore Girls (maybe it's a tad too obvious though). It's a fluffy read to get into the pumpkin season, but the stakes aren't very high and it isn't very original. An OK read.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Coming Home to Starr's Fall was a fun, short autumn read. Laurie Ellis moves to Starr's Fall and opens a pet store and bakery. Laurie is looking to make friends and maybe solve a big secret to her past. Across the street is the grumpy bookstore owner Joshua Reilly who has lived in Starr's Fall most of his life.

I was very interested in this book off the small-town autumn vibes. I came for a book on a romance and was left wanting more. This book is only 200 pages and there was just a lot introduced to this story that the romance portion took a back burner. There were some cute interactions between both main characters' pets Max and Lea.

A lovely story set in a small town in the corner of Connecticut. While reading this novel, I envisioned the main street, the stores, the church along with a community where people actually care for one another. This is something I wish I had when I was growing up in New York City. I always knew there was a better life over the George Washington Bridge, something I absolutely longed for. The female protagonist, Laurie, moves to Starr's Fall in search of a community just like that. She is on a journey of self-discovery and where better to find that then in "small town" America. From start to finish I loved this book. Opening up a pet shop and pet bakery is not the only challenge she will face. She opens herself to new friendships and romance. I loved this book! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Coming Home to Starr’s Fall-Kate Hewitt-netgalley-Sept 18th-Connecticut, New Jersey-
I was so excited to see that Kate Hewitt, one of my favorite women’s fiction authors, was going to be writing a cozy Gilmore Girls inspired series set in a small Connecticut town with all the cozy fall feels. SOLD! Laurie Ellis and her dog Max move from New Jersey to Starrs Fall, hoping that they can open up a pet supply store and dog biscuit bakery. The small quaint town is perfectly adorable and you can practically taste autumn on the air, but like many small towns, economic development has taken a hit, and there are many boarded up storefronts. Laurie meets Joshua, who owns a bookstore across the street, and is something of a grump. I loved their sunshine-grump vibe. We soon learn that Laurie grew up in foster care and that one of the reasons she’s chosen to move back is to try to find her birth mother. I loved the adoption side plot in this story, both Laurie’s and also that of another character. I thought it gave the story great depth and while I won’t spoil how things turned out, I thought it presented good sides to the story. There are lots of adorable scenes, especially with a cat who knows her mind, and I also loved the Harvest Festival and the cake walk! So much fun! 5/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Boldwood Books and NetGalley for review purposes.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This book gives off Holmark vibes and I loved it!! It was a sweet book. The author did repeat a lot but it was still good

I can’t help thinking about Gilmore Girls when I read this novel. There are so many similarities. The leading character is single (though does not have a child), Joshua in the novel owns a bookstore but is modeled after Luke (who lives in an apartment above the bookstore), the town of Starr’s Fall (the town of Gilmore Girls was set in Stars Hollow) is set in Connecticut like Gilmore Girls, both small towns. The book also has many townsfolk that you meet as the novel goes on.

Upon starting Chapter 5, Laurie, the main character, enters Annie’s home as Annie tells her “don’t mind the mess.” A few pages later, apparently time has gone backward and Annie is arriving in the driveway of her house with Laurie and Max, her dog (another similarity).

Having seen Gilmore Girls way too many times–I just love the show–it’s hard seeing one character’s actions explained so much. It’s clear that Joshua’s mother dying when he was a teenager made it hard for him to love others–and this is explained in detail. This was also similar to Luke’s story–his mother died when he was young.

Joshua has an Aunt Maureen who is in Alaska, so he’s taking care of the cat whose name is Leamhachan and is shortened to Lea. Lea somehow gets into Laurie’s apartment and sits on her bed. When Laurie tries to pick her up, she gets scratched. Thus ensues a long scene where Laurie goes to Joshua’s and they have a conversation and then he goes to Laurie’s apartment. However, Max ends up chasing Lea, who jumps out of the open window and onto a nearby tree. This scene sparks Joshua’s interest in Laurie. Yet he tells himself he is “happier on his own”. The chapter ends with him making a little rude remark and walking out of Laurie’s store.

I regret to say that I did not finish this book. The novel is too similar to Gilmore Girls, at least to me.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Netgalley, the author and the publishing company for allowing me to read and review this novel. Thank you!

The fall weather is right around the corner and if you’re a lover of small town books, “Coming to Starr’s Fall” is the perfect introduction into the changing season.

We meet Laurie who has had nothing but battles her whole life. A struggle to find her own identity after moving to a small town in hopes of getting answers as to why she was placed in the foster care system but her mother.

This novel has a bit of a love story tangled with the feels of season one of “Gilmore Girls” as we meet the town’s residents and build a foundation for a great series.

There wasn’t any spicy scenes but tons of adorable small town charm.

Laurie arrives in Starr's Fall with her dog Max searching for a fresh start, new adventures, a home and a few resolutions to secrets she's been carrying.

Joshua has always been in Starr's Fall (except for the short stint in NYC he wants to forget) and he wishes he wasn't. He doesn't want new adventures, friends or community... until Laurie moves in across the street.

This is a beautiful story of heartbreak, hope, love and what family really means.

I loved that you get to meet so many people from Starr's Fall and learn their stories and quirks. It definitely gave off Gilmore Girls vibes with the New England small-town and quirky characters as well as the grumpy/sunshine love story.

I did feel like the switching between all the story-lines and points of view made the story drag a bit for me personally. I was left feeling a bit disconnected. I think there was just a lot happening.

But, I loved the sweet love story that was built on so much depth and growth and I loved the little town of Starr's Fall. I would definitely love to see who's story is next!

Thank you, NetGalley, the author and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is absolutely perfect for a chill fall day with a hot beverage and hallmark vibes.

Laurie moves to a small town with her dog to set up a pet store and to find someone. She is looking to be accepted and just belong somewhere.
Joshua wants nothing to do with anyone and the sparks go from there.

The author does a lot of telling over and over again which isn’t my favorite.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy for exchange of my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC. Such a cute yet heartfelt read. If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, you would definitely love this. Can’t wait to purchase a physical copy of this book. Definitely will reread it during the fall season.