Book Review: Apple of My Eye by Claire Kershaw

Apple of My Eye by Claire Kershaw

About This Book:

First Thoughts

I am pretty much always in the mood for autumnal reads (even when it’s not autumn, to be honest) so when I first saw Apple Of My Eye, I knew it just exuded autumn vibes from the inside out. Thanks to Nisha at Zaffre for the early copy I was able to let this cute story become the key to awakening the fall lover in me all over again.

My Review

Eloise, aka Lou, has fixed a plan in motion: she’s just finished college and has got agriculture nailed down, knowing the right tips and tricks to thrive, and is armed to save her family’s apple farm in their small town, Carnation. She loves coming home to her parents, to her horse JJ (aptly named after Joe Jonas) and all the comfort it brings. It’s the reason she wants to save it, to bottle that feeling and let it grow for many years to come. But Nick also has a plan. He’s almost done with his MBA and can’t wait to turn flailing businesses into prosperous ones. His final project is creating a marketing strategy to reinvigorate a small-town apple farm, and he gets placed with a family for a couple of months to do so.

Only, the family’s farm that Nick is placed on is the neighbouring one to Lou’s family farm, the one that she plans to buy and extend her own family’s farm to grow their business and save it from going under. No matter how many awkward run-ins at the general store or mishaps at accidentally offending one another can truly set them off on the right foot, but Eloise cannot ignore that she feels an attraction to Nick. The feeling is steadily mutual, though their priorities and personalities clash. Amongst an autumnal scenery of fall festivals and fairs in Carnation, apple pie baking contents and bonding over their shared values, Lou and Nick become closer than ever. But when a misunderstanding leaves them unsure of the others motives, it might just change the trajectory of their own futures—and one together.

Overall, Apple Of My Eye was quaintly cosy, heartwarming and delightfully charming. It truly did embody the feeling of autumn, and wrapped me in a thick coat of everything I adore about the season. Claire wrote in a way that not only let me learn things about agriculture and farm life, but also personified the feelings and actions of young adults navigating a world of indecision, choices and the kinds of highs and lows you go through as you make your way in the world. I read the book over two nights, the pages disappearing before me, totally enraptured in the story, and it left me with all the warm and fuzzy feelings you’d want an autumnal read to have. With found family (and strong family foundations) and an adorable romance with sprinkles of spice against an array of nostalgic-feeling themes, Apple Of My Eye wholeheartedly deserves to be on your fall TBR this year.

RATING:

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Happy Reading!

Becca