A review by robin_is_me
Fall Inn Love by Elise Kennedy

funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was an absolutely delightful little novella! One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers. This wasn’t quite that, as Iris and Sam weren’t really enemies, but rather had been antagonistic rivals in high school and all through college, competing for everything from debate team captain to class president. Iris is now a journalist for a leisure magazine, and excited for a two week assignment visiting seven different Vermont inns to write an article about the three most romantic places to stay. She and Jo, the photographer, the female photographer, were supposed to travel incognito, pretending to be a couple, but at the last minute Jo can’t make it, and sends Sam in her place. Sam, the very male, very hot, photographer. Who she will now have to share a bed with every night, unless she wants to sleep on the floor. 

Both characters are so well written. Iris is not your typical slender svelte heroine. In high school she was a little self-conscious about her size, but as an adult she’s learned to embrace herself and she’s confident and comfortable in her own body, which was refreshing. She’s smart, she’s funny, and she’s passionate about her work. And Sam! I loved Sam from the get go. At one of the inns the proprietor offers Iris one of her chicory root or bark-infused teas, commenting that they’re great appetite suppressants, and Sam’s furious and immediate reaction was glorious. 

And the inns! As they left each inn, I couldn’t wait to learn about the next one. Each one was unique in it’s own way, and I loved the author’s imagination and descriptions of each one, and of the staff working there. 

This was an engaging and enjoyable read, with lots of humor, and plenty smexy tension thanks to the bed sharing, eventually leading up to some very hot scenes. I can’t wait for the next entry in the series! 

*Received via BookSirens and voluntarily reviewed*