A sweet book about an orchard, apples, finding yourself, and falling in love. An uplifting read that resolved in a pleasantly unexpected way. It wasn’t quite what I wanted it to be, which wasn’t the book’s fault at all. ( )

Books falling under the heading of "magical realism" are a bit of a guilty pleasure, and once again, Reichert doesn't disappoint. The magic comes in with Sanna's ability to "see" the flavors of her orchard's apples, and she uses her talent to blend ciders that will leave you curious for a pint of them yourself. Sanna herself, however, comes across as prickly - at least at the beginning of the story, although her sharp edges are better understood as her story unfolds. She's definitely a complex one that might irritate you as she grows on you. I find this complexity typical of Reichert's characters; here, Sanna's gruffness and stiff edges a sharp contrast to the love and connection she has to her family orchard.

As with her other books, the Wisconsin setting is inviting, charming and well drawn. The size of the family homestead, with all its empty wings sharply contrasts with the almost lonely feel of Sanna and her father eating alone, and it is in these scenes that we begin to sense that there is more to her character than appears on the surface.

Quite possibly my favorite character is young Sebastian - an outspoken, curious, bodily-function obsessed ten-year-old, who proves to be a good foil to Sanna's crustiness and in some ways is a good source of the conflict that begins to unfold for the orchard.

This is a solid, steady tale that will quietly draw you in with a mix of romance, intrigue, and family drama. It is a tale of family dynamics - and there is a lot of it here.

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

This was a comfortable, heartwarming book, something to curl up and read with an apple and some hot tea, as you follow the story of a "prickly but gifted cidermaker whose quiet life is interrupted by the arrival of a handsome man and his young son at her family's careworn apple orchard."

Sanna's underlying sadness is relieved when she spends time in the orchard, and when making her amazing cider from her heritage trees. She has a dream of selling this cider and paying down the orchard's debts. The arrival of single dad Isaac Banks and his ten-year-old son Bass, while appreciated for the help they can provide the struggling orchard, disrupts Sanna's quiet life.

Sanna's brother Anders wants the family to sell the orchard to a developer for a water theme park. Isaac has a secret he is waiting for just the right moment to share with his son. Someone is sabotaging the trees. Surprising revelations are exposed. Throughout the novel Sanna's cider is evocatively described, and Reichert employs magic realism to describe Sanna's unique cider-making skills and the special heritage trees.

The overarching theme is about people from different families who come to learn that they need each other. As the story develops they grow together when their relationships expand into another kind of family. It's a feel-good story that has a bit of romance and happy-ever-after all the way around.

With all the apple-based desserts cooked and eaten in this novel, I appreciated the special recipe included for caramel apple bread pudding. I had read and liked Reichert's earlier novel "The Coincidence of Coconut Cake" so knew I would like this one, too. ( )

Digital audiobook performed by Rachel Dulude

Sanna Lunde has taken over the apple orchard run by her family for five generations in Wisconsin’s Door County. The business is struggling but she has plans to expand despite her brother’s pressure to sell out to a developer. Isaac Banks has basically raised his son Sebastian alone. Trying to bond (and to find the right time to tell Bass about his mother’s death) they take off on an adventure and wind up at the Lunde’s orchard.

Yes, the plot has been done before and includes most of the rom-com tropes. Yes, the heroine’s hard shell will be cracked by the genuine goodness (not to mention tall, dark, handsome charm) of the hero. Yes, she – a confirmed avoider of children – will come to love the precocious Sebastian. Yes, there will be major obstacles to their getting together. But has that ever stopped a couple in a rom-com? Well, Reichert is not about to break that mold.

Despite all the predictability this meet-cute romance ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s set in a place I love (Hubby and I visit Door County a couple of times a year), and I feel right at home with the descriptions of the location, the people, the traditions. I love the food references, even though I’m not a big fan of the fish boil (still, it’s a sight to behold). It’s a fast read, relaxing and completely enjoyable.

Rachel Dulude does a fine job performing the audiobook. She sets a good pace and I like the say she voiced Sanna, Isaac, and Sebastian. ( )

I like her books. They are not great literature and are not brilliant or even thought provoking. That said the situations, people and definitely the food sparkly. There was also a recipe included. I would like to go to Door county in the summer, sit on the lake and drink cider. So it was a lovely read. ( )