Small town, rivals to lovers, fake marriage perfection

Y’ALL. I devoured Cherished Lands by Lauren Kiser. This book gave me everything I love in a small-town romance and then some! Think: years of unresolved tension, fake marriage shenanigans, orchard-side drama, and two stubborn souls who were clearly meant to be.

Elliot is trying to save his family's orchard by turning it into a cidery — but there’s one problem: zero funds. Enter Tessa, their rival’s daughter with a trust fund and something to prove. When she decides to invest in her dad's biggest competition, all hell breaks loose. Her dad hits her with a non-compete clause, and suddenly, the only way out is... marrying Elliot?!

From rivals to something way more tender, this story is a slow-burn dream. The chemistry, the family dynamics, the backstory — I felt it all. Tessa and Elliot have been pining for years, and watching it unfold was SO satisfying.

“Retract the claws, Princess. Show me your soft spots.”
Excuse me?! Sir?! That line had NO business hitting that hard.

Lauren Kiser has officially made me a fan. I’m already grabbing book one in the Sable Point series! If you're a trope lover like me, this one is a must-read.