Let's Give 'Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Isabelle Popp
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 1.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Primary Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
She’s a little edgy. He’s a lot of sunshine.
Love’s about to catch them completely off gourd…
Textile artist Sadie Fox did not sign up for this. When she agreed to come home to Pea Blossom, Indiana, it was to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch. The deal was that—just for the summer—she would grow a ginormous pumpkin, win the Indiana State Fair's pumpkin contest and finally win back her father’s (grudging) respect. Instead, a horde of wild hogs destroyed the. entire. patch. Which is precisely when the annoyingly sexy, sunshiny next-door neighbor shows up. Josh Thatcher is a tech millionaire who traded in the office for growing gourds, including experimental squash hybrids. And for the life of her, Sadie can’t understand what he sees in her sweary, tattooed, prickly self—or why he’s offering to help his biggest competitor. But a storm-fueled kiss proves there’s definitely something growing between them. Maybe it’s just attraction. Maybe it’s more. Whatever it is, it’s already bigger than Sadie’s fast-growing pumpkin…or the secret that Josh has been hiding. From showing up to glowing up, the characters in Afterglow Books are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.
My Thoughts:
🎃 Sadie is pretty grumpy and closed off, which makes sense given her backstory, but I really wish the book had explored more of her past relationships to help us better understand why she carries this guarded attitude into her romantic connections. The way this book has been marketed might lead you to believe that it’s a steamy, spicy read. While it’s not completely lacking in spice, everything feels quite tame and PG-13 to me, so if you’re searching for something truly racy or bold, this probably won’t satisfy that craving. I do find the reverse grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Sadie and Josh charming—she’s this artsy, goth chick with plenty of attitude, while he’s the cheerful millionaire tech guy who practically sports a permanent grin. Josh’s character comes across as more likable and relatable than Sadie’s, which made me root for him a bit more. The cover art might make you think this is a quintessential fall novel, but it actually leans more toward a pumpkin-themed vibe. There’s a chapter that highlights a fall festival, which feels cozy and adds to the quaint, small-town atmosphere. Overall, the romance itself is very sweet and enjoyable, making this a light and pleasant read.🎃
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