Candy Apple Kisses is a lovely standalone novel broaching the tricky subject of best friends to more.

When Jake Hughes asks Emily Carmichael to come home to Splendid Lake and help save his family orchard, she jumps in her car. Emily has loved Jake since they were children, but he’s only ever seen her as a friend.

Emily throws herself into transforming the orchard to compete with new commercial threats and along the way, the two realise there’s a lot more between them than work. Jake’s clingy ex will stop at very little to get him back and their fledgling romance is ruined. But can love overcome all?

This is a fun story. I loved the setting, the idea of diversifying to save the orchard, and Emily’s creativity. I thought Jake was a little bit spineless at times, with his dad and his ex. But then again, that all allowed Emily to shine. Their romance is tender and sweet and I cheered them on from the start, right until the satisfying end. If you enjoy a lovely and unpredicatble contemporary romance, then this is a good choice. Amy Clipston is a talented writer. Definitely recommended.

I received a copy of Candy Apple Kisses from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.