e-ALC, 07:11:38
Narrated by: Angel Pean
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Published by: Harlequin Audio
Read from: August 22-25, 2025
Peach Blossom, #3
Source: Netgalley (I received a free ALC from the publisher and Netgalley. This did nothing to influence my review)
Content Warning: Emotional Abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Death of a Parent
For Readers Interested In: 2sLGBTQ+, Adult, Audio, Books About Books, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Most Anticipated, Own Voices, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black), Realistic Fiction, Romance, Series/Companion, Series EnderA dedicated single mother and a librarian with a secret write their own sweet and sexy love story in this small-town rom-com about family, friendships and embracing the next chapter.
Nothing cures a lonely heart quite like a good book
and an unexpected crush…
For Dani, life is a juggling act. As a single mom devoted to her son and family, she barely has a moment to herself. But when her sister announces she’s moving out of the house, the ache of loneliness creeps in, and Dani can’t help but wonder if there’s something else she’s been missing in her life…
Zoey came to Peach Blossom eager to start her new job as the town’s librarian and do a little research for her next book. Yet she never expected to find inspiration in fellow book club member Dani, whose captivating brown eyes tell a story of their own. Before they know it, lingering glances over their favorite fiction turn into first dates and sizzling nights.
As their connection deepens, the two women must decide if they should turn the page on what their lives used to look like or if this thrilling plot twist is the happily-ever-after they’ve been chasing all along.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was on my most anticipated list before it even had a cover. I heard there was a librarian and that was all I needed to know lol And I’m glad to say it was everything thing I needed it to be. I wanted more from the ending, but for the most part, it was really good and I’m sad to see this series end.
Ok so the romance in this was like the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The way they bonded over books and then were experimenting trying to figure out what and they liked. It was just so sweet. And Idk, I have a soft spot for single parents in romance books who have to be very cautious on who they bring around their kids, but are also just trying to find someone to love them like everyone else. And in this one, that’s exactly what happened. And it came with a healthy dose of jealous, mad, and gross ex too who made their child feel bad, so it also scared his mom, which was yet another bump in their road. It was a long journey, but I was glad to see they got through it.
The spice was ok. Definitely not like the other Afterglow books lol Don’t get me wrong, there is some sexual content, but it’s more sweet than sweat if that makes sense. And there is still some naming of the body parts, but not the most explicit language. So do what that what you will. It just jarred me after there was stuff happening in the car in the last book. But I guess the characters were really different in that story, so I can understand the difference.
The characters were great, the librarian was portrayed as an actual librarian (cardigan, talked about programs, talked about potential book banners, etc), the romance was believable, but the ending was terrible. Like why would you end it so abruptly like that? I was so confused! I kept rewinding it to see if there was something I missed. It just felt like there were still some things that weren’t wrapped up and I hated that.
This was different than I was expecting, but good nonetheless. With a few tweaks this could have been perfect, but it is what it is. It was ultimately the ending that made me change my mind. It was like they ran out of pages or something. I would love a novella or something, even if it’s only them. Whoever it is, I want to return to Peach Blossom and see what all of them are up to.
Overall, I give this
