Small town romance, fall festivals, forced proximity, and a billionaire who has absolutely no business being in this adorable little town? Say less.

Goodreads | The Sugar Maple Inn

Release date: September 15, 2026

Publisher: Dell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

A small-town café owner and a globe-trotting billionaire discover that their online connection is more than just business when they clash over an old inn in this spicy yet heartwarming romance.

Welcome to Solace Springs . . .

Grace Sullivan has been brewing perfect lattes and biting her tongue for years at her mother’s café, but she’s done being the dutiful daughter. When the historic inn on Maple Island goes up for sale, she sees her chance to build something of her own. Her secret weapon? Her anonymous online mentor, WildTrailGuide, whose late-night messages have moved from business advice to flirtation.

Reese Spencer is used to getting what he wants. A rugged, globe-trotting billionaire, he needs that same inn to uncover a family secret buried on the remote island decades ago. What he doesn’t expect is a fierce, pink-haired single mom standing in his way.

Neither knows they’re already falling for each other online until an autumn storm leaves them stranded together on the island overnight. Trapped in the inn’s honeymoon suite with candlelight, stolen wine, and simmering desire, familiar phrases start slipping out . . . and soon their true identities come to light.

Now Grace and Reese must fight for the inn and lose each other, or find a way to build something together that’s bigger than both their dreams.

The Sugar Maple Inn is a sweet and spicy second-chance romance filled with small-town charm, quirky characters, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Review:

The Sugar Maple Inn is the second book in Laura Bloom’s Solace Springs series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. You’ll get a few spoilers about the romantic pairings from the first book, but Grace and Reese have their own complete story here.

This was such a cute, warm, comforting romance and exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with during fall. Bloom wastes absolutely no time establishing the seasonal atmosphere—we’re at a fall festival almost immediately—and the cozy autumn vibes continue from there. Between Maple Island, the historic inn, the café, the small town setting, and an autumn storm, this felt tailor made for fall reading.

I also really enjoyed Grace and Reese together. Their anonymous online relationship adds a fun layer to their real life interactions, especially since neither realizes at first that the person they’ve been confiding in is standing right in front of them. And listen, will I ever question the inherent ridiculousness of a globe trotting billionaire suddenly becoming entangled in the lives of people in a charming little town? Absolutely not. This is romance. I support it. 😂

More than anything, I appreciated how easy and comforting this was to read. The angst and stress stay low, the romance is sweet with some spice, and the overall tone is warm, charming, and genuinely cozy. If you’re looking for something that feels like a fall weekend getaway without leaving your couch, The Sugar Maple Inn absolutely fits the bill.

Perfect for readers who love:

🍁 Cozy fall settings and festivals

🏡 Charming small town romances

💻 Anonymous online connections

💰 Billionaire meets small town ridiculousness

⛈️ Forced proximity

☕ Cafés, historic inns, and cozy atmosphere

💕 Low angst, feel good romance

🌶️ Sweet romance with some spice

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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