Amy I Bookstagram

Something About September
4⭐️

I chose this book as my first fall read of the season and I had a great time! Marissa Stapley writes some really cute romances under the name Julia McKay and it’s been so fun to read her holiday/seasonal books as they’ve come out! Christmas At The Ranch and The Holiday Honeymoon Switch are both winter/Christmas, but Something About September is a fall lover’s dream!

Rebecca Macintosh lives in Toronto, Canada, but must return to her hometown of Bramley Hollow on short notice to fix up her late grandmother’s diner. Rebecca hopes to hire someone who can do the bare minimum of work required to sell the diner, but she doesn’t anticipate the only available contractor being Cort Adams, her high school crush and the man who rejected her one year ago after her grandmother’s funeral.

The absolute best part about this book was the fall vibes. Bramley Hollow went all out for fall and took decorating and celebrating to the next level. They had an Autumn Festival with a dance, pumpkin growing contests, and apple orchards and farms with hay mazes and the best apple desserts one could wish for. I loved how the taste and scent of the apples was everywhere in the book. I have already saved some apple dessert recipes and can’t wait to get baking!

The romance in McKay’s books is comparable to our beloved Hallmark movies, and I know that’s not for everyone, but I find the stories sweet and refreshing. There was some miscommunication in our love story, but there was also a major theme about learning to take action in your own life and doing what makes you happy, so overall I just loved reading about Rebecca and Cort (and some other characters too-Sabrina!) grow and open up their hearts and find happiness!

Julia McKay Ranking:
💜 The Holiday Honeymoon Switch
💛 Something About September
❤️ Christmas At The Ranch
*I think The Holiday Honeymoon Switch and Something About September are tied for me, but I can’t decide if I like fall or Christmas more 😍🍁🎄
*Marissa Stapley also writes under her actual name, but also under Maggie Knox!! I have not read anything by Marissa or Maggie yet, but I plan to soon!!