The Cinnamon Spice Inn
Author: Harper Graham
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: C+
What I’m Talking About:
Madison and Zach were planning a life together in Maple Falls, but when Madison left for a job in New York, she never looked back and their dreams fell apart. Six years later, Madison receives a mysterious note urging her to return home to the Cinnamon Spice Inn to help her father restore the family legacy. Only planning to stay for three weeks, Madison avoids Zach until their mutual passion reignites their love.
The Cinnamon Spice Inn is a small town, sweet, second chance romance perfect for the fall season. Madison is driven home by the need to figure out who sent her the letter, but once she returns, she realizes it was a mistake to stay away. She reconnects with old friends, makes new pals, and jumps in to revitalizing the inn. As the neighborhood contractor, Zach plays a big role in the efforts. And the fact that his farmhouse needs rewiring so he has to stay on the Inn’s property helps foster time together for Madison and Zach.
The story is fairly predictable in a cozy romance fashion. I loved how they can avoid their feelings for only so long before things are smoking hot. Since we get both MCs’ POVs, we understand how mistakes and misunderstandings pulled them apart, and how much each still loves the other.
Despite getting past their previous mistakes, the couple falls into the same immature pattern when Madison learns a life-altering secret about the inn. I was so annoyed that neither takes the time to talk things out, and just ghost one another. I get that neither wants to have the difficult conversation, but come on! Only Liam, Zach’s best friend, seems to get it. But since this is a romance, things do work out. The climatic scene is pretty quick and then the book ends, although there is a touching scene when Madison figures out the mystery of who sent the letter.
In the end, The Cinnamon Spice Inn is an enjoyable read, best served with a warm cup of tea or cocoa while sitting by the fire. If you love a solid second chance romance, I recommend picking this one up.
My Rating: C+ Liked It — But I had issues
Jen
About the Book:
Love is the sweetest spice of all.
A fiery, coffee-loving city girl. A laid-back handyman with irresistible hazel eyes. Is this a recipe for disaster? Find out in this totally cozy and unputdownable enemies-to-lovers romance in the small town of your dreams! Gilmore Girls + spice + everything autumn = 🔥
Self-confessed coffee addict and food writer Madison has convinced herself she belongs in NYC. But then she’s called back to the small town of Maple Falls to save her childhood home, The Cinnamon Spice Inn. She’s NOT looking forward to seeing her ex, Zach—now a sexy bearded handyman who knows exactly how to push her buttons. But she won’t let anything distract her from the inn’s relaunch… right?
Zach is frustrated in more ways than one when his latest job brings him face-to-face with the girl who got away. He’s already agreed to renovate her family’s inn and he’s nothing if not a man of his word. But the last thing he wants is to work side-by-side with that stubborn, infuriating—fine, totally gorgeous—red-head.
Sparks fly as they prepare for the big Halloween opening. Will Madison save The Cinnamon Spice Inn and have a second chance at love, or will it all go up in flames?
Release Date: September 1, 2026
Publisher: Forever Publishing
Series: Maple Falls #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (336 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley/Publisher