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Once Upon a Time in Dollywood
A playwright must grapple with her difficult year and writer’s block while falling for the single dad living next door in this emotional debut novel from Ashley Jordan.
Eve Ambroise may be a rising star playwright, but her personal life is falling part. Desperate for a fresh start, she breaks up with her fiancé, cuts off her parents, and heads to the Tennessee mountains. But keeping up the lie that she’s just on a writing retreat becomes near impossible when faced with the well-meaning townspeople and a neighbor who has just as much baggage as she has.
Coming off a contentious custody battle, Jamie Gallagher is restructuring what his life looks like as a single dad, and spending more days at his cabin makes his new “free time” a little less empty. Especially when he meets the beautiful—and prickly—woman next door. The last thing he needs is a new romance to shake up his family dynamics even more, but there’s something about Eve.
What starts out as a fling quickly becomes more serious, and it’s not long before Eve is running scared once again. She’s loved and lost in every possible way, and risking it one more time could finally break her. But like the fireflies that fill the mountains around them, Jamie’s and Eve’s lives keep falling into sync. A fairy-tale ending could be in the cards, but only if the new couple can get out of their heads and put their hearts first.
Eve Ambroise may be a rising star playwright, but her personal life is falling part. Desperate for a fresh start, she breaks up with her fiancé, cuts off her parents, and heads to the Tennessee mountains. But keeping up the lie that she’s just on a writing retreat becomes near impossible when faced with the well-meaning townspeople and a neighbor who has just as much baggage as she has.
Coming off a contentious custody battle, Jamie Gallagher is restructuring what his life looks like as a single dad, and spending more days at his cabin makes his new “free time” a little less empty. Especially when he meets the beautiful—and prickly—woman next door. The last thing he needs is a new romance to shake up his family dynamics even more, but there’s something about Eve.
What starts out as a fling quickly becomes more serious, and it’s not long before Eve is running scared once again. She’s loved and lost in every possible way, and risking it one more time could finally break her. But like the fireflies that fill the mountains around them, Jamie’s and Eve’s lives keep falling into sync. A fairy-tale ending could be in the cards, but only if the new couple can get out of their heads and put their hearts first.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2025
760 people are currently reading
17907 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Jordan
1 book123 followersAshley Jordan (she/her) is a millennial from Atlanta by way of Brooklyn. She attended Spelman College, obtaining a degree in Psychology and a lifelong love and appreciation for women’s stories. While she currently works in public health, she has embraced writing as a hobby since penning her first short story in second grade. When Ashley isn't at the day job or writing, she is either at a Beyoncé concert, rewatching Mad Men, or arguing about basketball with anyone who will listen. In 2023, she became a Reese's Book Club LitUp Fellow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
August 6, 2025
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group for the free book! #BerkleyPartner
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is an ambitiously deep and compelling debut.
Eve and Jamie are two people drawn to each other in extremely challenging times in their lives and they're able to plant the seeds for a beautiful relationship that is not without its challenges. With that said, this is genuinely one of the most romantic books I've ever read simply for the fact that it is so incredibly romantic to be scared and fight to do the hard thing anyway, especially when it comes to learning to be loved for the first time in the way you know you deserve. Jamie is a single father learning boundaries with his ex and the mother of his child while he comes into his own, and Eve is grieving multiple losses while birthing the career she wants to have doing the work she wants to do.
I will say that this book contains multitudes in terms of the spectrum of how Jamie and Eve relate to one another. In the same way they are both capable of loving one another in the way they need, they are also capable of hurting each other deeply. I actually really enjoyed the messiness of this; the necessity of sitting in your wrongness and correcting harm done in order to heal and move on.
I loved Eve's journey with therapy. I loved the way Eve got to be messy and imperfect and unlikable and then claw her way out of that while someone gave her the space and grace to grow. I loved the way Jamie was a solid, good man, and that he didn't pretend to fully understand Eve's plight as a Black woman, but remained committed to being there by her side to support her.
I laughed, I cried. I held my heart and ached for Black womanhood, Black motherhood, and the secrets family forces you to keep. I loved Eve being in her mid-thirties and still figuring it out.
Ashley Jordan's writing is beautiful, engaging, and breathtakingly bold. This is a story that needed telling.
5 ⭐️s
1.5 🌶️
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is an ambitiously deep and compelling debut.
Eve and Jamie are two people drawn to each other in extremely challenging times in their lives and they're able to plant the seeds for a beautiful relationship that is not without its challenges. With that said, this is genuinely one of the most romantic books I've ever read simply for the fact that it is so incredibly romantic to be scared and fight to do the hard thing anyway, especially when it comes to learning to be loved for the first time in the way you know you deserve. Jamie is a single father learning boundaries with his ex and the mother of his child while he comes into his own, and Eve is grieving multiple losses while birthing the career she wants to have doing the work she wants to do.
I will say that this book contains multitudes in terms of the spectrum of how Jamie and Eve relate to one another. In the same way they are both capable of loving one another in the way they need, they are also capable of hurting each other deeply. I actually really enjoyed the messiness of this; the necessity of sitting in your wrongness and correcting harm done in order to heal and move on.
I loved Eve's journey with therapy. I loved the way Eve got to be messy and imperfect and unlikable and then claw her way out of that while someone gave her the space and grace to grow. I loved the way Jamie was a solid, good man, and that he didn't pretend to fully understand Eve's plight as a Black woman, but remained committed to being there by her side to support her.
I laughed, I cried. I held my heart and ached for Black womanhood, Black motherhood, and the secrets family forces you to keep. I loved Eve being in her mid-thirties and still figuring it out.
Ashley Jordan's writing is beautiful, engaging, and breathtakingly bold. This is a story that needed telling.
5 ⭐️s
1.5 🌶️
August 20, 2025
Absolutely loved it. Layers and depth and love and hurt and sadness and fear and courage and joy and becoming. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 15, 2025
“You’re not just a fantasy.”
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is another five-star read for me. When I say Jamie and Eve had me giggling while also giving me heart-wrenching comfort? I mean it. Ashley Jordan beautifully captures how love is often an arduous journey—and how we frequently bring our own unresolved trauma into relationships. Healing, growth, and even therapy are sometimes necessary before we can fully love ourselves and others. Relationships take work, and in BIPOC households, that work can look very different.
One quote that stayed with me:
“Black folks rarely got to concern themselves with their version of happy. Didn’t ask for much beyond safety, financial stability, and family. Black happiness was too often rooted in plain old survival.”
This line hit me hard—and it's one of many that showcases Jordan’s deft exploration of generational trauma, love, and joy.
It's rare to find romance novels where communication is prioritized and the characters actually behave like adults. But Jamie and Eve do. You witness them grow—not perfectly, but honestly. Mistakes are made, but you stick around because they're worth it. This isn’t an easy love story, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
I laughed. I cried. And I absolutely adored that Eve came from a Haitian family. Huge props to Ashley for how she also delves into the ways faith can be weaponized “in the best interest” of a community, while ultimately causing more harm than healing.
With Once Upon a Time in Dollywood being associated with Reese’s Book Club, I know many eyes will be on Ashley Jordan. My one request to readers? Go into this book wholeheartedly and blindly. Let it move you. From New York to Tennessee the locale was lush. And yes, the nods to Dollywood were present.
My thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC. This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m so glad I got to read an early copy. Out later this summer—don’t miss it!
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is another five-star read for me. When I say Jamie and Eve had me giggling while also giving me heart-wrenching comfort? I mean it. Ashley Jordan beautifully captures how love is often an arduous journey—and how we frequently bring our own unresolved trauma into relationships. Healing, growth, and even therapy are sometimes necessary before we can fully love ourselves and others. Relationships take work, and in BIPOC households, that work can look very different.
One quote that stayed with me:
“Black folks rarely got to concern themselves with their version of happy. Didn’t ask for much beyond safety, financial stability, and family. Black happiness was too often rooted in plain old survival.”
This line hit me hard—and it's one of many that showcases Jordan’s deft exploration of generational trauma, love, and joy.
It's rare to find romance novels where communication is prioritized and the characters actually behave like adults. But Jamie and Eve do. You witness them grow—not perfectly, but honestly. Mistakes are made, but you stick around because they're worth it. This isn’t an easy love story, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
I laughed. I cried. And I absolutely adored that Eve came from a Haitian family. Huge props to Ashley for how she also delves into the ways faith can be weaponized “in the best interest” of a community, while ultimately causing more harm than healing.
With Once Upon a Time in Dollywood being associated with Reese’s Book Club, I know many eyes will be on Ashley Jordan. My one request to readers? Go into this book wholeheartedly and blindly. Let it move you. From New York to Tennessee the locale was lush. And yes, the nods to Dollywood were present.
My thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC. This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m so glad I got to read an early copy. Out later this summer—don’t miss it!
August 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ | Ashley Jordan definitely unpacked a lot in this story and took us on an emotional roller coaster. She dove into some series topics such as childhood traumas and complicated parental relationships, yet at the same time gave us characters like Maya for some comic relief. It was simply a perfect mixture of emotions.
I don’t think there will be a single person that was not rooting for Eve and Jamie’s love story to blossom. When these two damaged souls collided, I could definitely feel the chemistry through the pages. It truly showed how people should take the time and heal to try and prevent past emotional traumas to follow you into your future relationships. Eve had so many layers to peel back and I absolutely love how Ashley showed us in this book that sometimes “it’s ok to not be ok.” I absolutely loved Eve and Maya’s relationship, and Maya is simply that friend that everyone needs..
I don’t even know where to start with Jamie. He was simply too good for those that did not appreciate him. Literally the best man, despite his own past traumas that have also followed him from childhood. He has definitely made the book bae & super dad list.
I don’t know how personal this story was to this author, but it definitely felt personal as the emotions radiated throughout the story. It’s not often that a story makes you fall in love with the main characters and the supporting characters. I also loved Casey, his bluntness and caring demeanor was a highlight for me.
Being a Tennessee resident, it was so cool to hear about all these cities that I am very familiar with and a lot of the story took place where I live now.
I enjoyed the narrators in the audiobook, the dual narration was excellent! Especially during those moments as they were texting back-and-forth & each narrator spoke as though they were truly having a conversation. Matt Haynes & Adenrele Ojo did a phenomenal job bringing life to the characters in this story.
Overall and simply put, a really great, emotional, and unforgettable read. The only thing I would have loved to see was maybe an epilogue about a year or so later. However, the author definitely gave enough for readers to have an idea of how things turned out. Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, Penguin Random House Audio and NetGalley for the advanced reader & listening copies. All opinions are my own.
Publication 🗓️ : 08.05.25
I don’t think there will be a single person that was not rooting for Eve and Jamie’s love story to blossom. When these two damaged souls collided, I could definitely feel the chemistry through the pages. It truly showed how people should take the time and heal to try and prevent past emotional traumas to follow you into your future relationships. Eve had so many layers to peel back and I absolutely love how Ashley showed us in this book that sometimes “it’s ok to not be ok.” I absolutely loved Eve and Maya’s relationship, and Maya is simply that friend that everyone needs..
I don’t even know where to start with Jamie. He was simply too good for those that did not appreciate him. Literally the best man, despite his own past traumas that have also followed him from childhood. He has definitely made the book bae & super dad list.
I don’t know how personal this story was to this author, but it definitely felt personal as the emotions radiated throughout the story. It’s not often that a story makes you fall in love with the main characters and the supporting characters. I also loved Casey, his bluntness and caring demeanor was a highlight for me.
Being a Tennessee resident, it was so cool to hear about all these cities that I am very familiar with and a lot of the story took place where I live now.
I enjoyed the narrators in the audiobook, the dual narration was excellent! Especially during those moments as they were texting back-and-forth & each narrator spoke as though they were truly having a conversation. Matt Haynes & Adenrele Ojo did a phenomenal job bringing life to the characters in this story.
Overall and simply put, a really great, emotional, and unforgettable read. The only thing I would have loved to see was maybe an epilogue about a year or so later. However, the author definitely gave enough for readers to have an idea of how things turned out. Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, Penguin Random House Audio and NetGalley for the advanced reader & listening copies. All opinions are my own.
Publication 🗓️ : 08.05.25
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August 5, 2025
The Best New Books of August in Every Genre:
As a rising playwright, Eve Ambroise's professional life may be the only thing going half-way decently for her. That's probably why she, after breaking up with her fiancé and cutting off her parents, dips out to the Tennessee mountains to start over. She's there under the guise of being on a writing retreat, but that lie can only hold up for so long. Especially when it comes up against concerned townspeople and a neighbor who also has some things to work through. Speaking of that neighbor—Jamie Gallagher—he's just come off a nasty custody battle, and is still figuring out what his life looks like as a single father. Spending time in his cabin helps...and so does spending time with the new pretty lady who moved in next door, prickly as she is. So Eve and Jamie start messing around, but what's meant to be a little fling gets serious and has Eve ducking and dodging again. —Erica Ezeifedi
As a rising playwright, Eve Ambroise's professional life may be the only thing going half-way decently for her. That's probably why she, after breaking up with her fiancé and cutting off her parents, dips out to the Tennessee mountains to start over. She's there under the guise of being on a writing retreat, but that lie can only hold up for so long. Especially when it comes up against concerned townspeople and a neighbor who also has some things to work through. Speaking of that neighbor—Jamie Gallagher—he's just come off a nasty custody battle, and is still figuring out what his life looks like as a single father. Spending time in his cabin helps...and so does spending time with the new pretty lady who moved in next door, prickly as she is. So Eve and Jamie start messing around, but what's meant to be a little fling gets serious and has Eve ducking and dodging again. —Erica Ezeifedi
August 7, 2025
This one was not for me. Didn’t love the tropes nor the chemistry. I wanted to love it because I was excited about the mental health representation. I think the MMC not having a southern accent bothered me a bit. He was supposed to be from Gatlinburg, TN.
August 26, 2025
This was emotional whiplash😭😩 but we did get a happy ending
September 2, 2025
Utterly beautiful and emotional romance with complicated characters who are navigating love, not only with each other but loving themselves as well.
Whats to love…
- emotional depth for days
- heartbreaking and beautiful
- single dad MMC
- small-town vibes
- city girl FMC - a little prickly and hard to love (read: perfect)
- complex characters
- exploration of grief, self-discovery, and love
Whats not to love…
- I have a pretty low threshold for pop culture references and this unfortunately surpassed it.
This covers some pretty heavy topics so read with care and check your content warnings.
4.25⭐️| TikTok | IG |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Whats to love…
- emotional depth for days
- heartbreaking and beautiful
- single dad MMC
- small-town vibes
- city girl FMC - a little prickly and hard to love (read: perfect)
- complex characters
- exploration of grief, self-discovery, and love
Whats not to love…
- I have a pretty low threshold for pop culture references and this unfortunately surpassed it.
This covers some pretty heavy topics so read with care and check your content warnings.
4.25⭐️| TikTok | IG |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
August 16, 2025
I absolutely hated this book. (I will never again trust a Reese Witherspoon opinion on books.) The main characters were so obnoxiously introspective, it really made me sick. The graphic sex descriptions were gross and unnecessary. This book was a waste of money and time. Characters were thrown in for certain effects, and it was disgusting.
I didn’t even want to give one star, and this author needs a different profession.
I didn’t even want to give one star, and this author needs a different profession.
July 20, 2025
4.25 / this is ultimately a story that shows that grief, healing, and finding joy is not linear at all and that even the worst parts of (most of) us deserve love. once again, to be loved is to be seen and Ashley paints such a beautiful portrait of what love can look like in acts of service, perseverance, and patient. i thought this was a beautiful story that really started coming together at around 60% when i began rooting for the main couple. my only question is if this might’ve worked better in first person POV but idk anything about writing so take that with a grain of salt lol
July 31, 2025
When I saw "Dollywood" in the title, I had to read it twice. Surely it was a typo & they meant Hollywood! 🤭 I loved how the setting mainly takes place in East (& Middle) Tennessee. It was fun seeing my city & surrounding areas mentioned.
This book was more than just a romance - it was about healing & grief. I do recommend checking the triggers before diving in. I loved how Eve's journey to happiness wasn't all glitter & gold. It was rugged & honest as we break down her hurtful past.
I liked how Jamie falls into her life right when she decides to seclude herself from her life's struggles by staying in Gatlinburg. He's her escape, but it pushes her to realize the bigger steps she must take to really live, love herself & move forward.
Such a beautiful story that is also deep & emotional! Even within that, there were a few laughs & things I wasn't expecting to happen during Eve's journey.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Ashley Jordan being that this is her debut. (Extra points from me because she thanks Beyoncé in her acknowledgements 🐝💅🏾)
Thank you to Ashley Jordan & Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.❤️
This book was more than just a romance - it was about healing & grief. I do recommend checking the triggers before diving in. I loved how Eve's journey to happiness wasn't all glitter & gold. It was rugged & honest as we break down her hurtful past.
I liked how Jamie falls into her life right when she decides to seclude herself from her life's struggles by staying in Gatlinburg. He's her escape, but it pushes her to realize the bigger steps she must take to really live, love herself & move forward.
Such a beautiful story that is also deep & emotional! Even within that, there were a few laughs & things I wasn't expecting to happen during Eve's journey.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Ashley Jordan being that this is her debut. (Extra points from me because she thanks Beyoncé in her acknowledgements 🐝💅🏾)
Thank you to Ashley Jordan & Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.❤️
August 3, 2025
This was an emotionally heavy debut interracial romance between a recently divorced single dad and a Black NYC playwright struggling from a recent breakup and a series of miscarriages. The character development in this book was REALLY strong - both MCs have a lot of baggage to work through and kind of lose themselves in a relationship of convenience when they find themselves unexpected neighbors in the remote Tennessee mountains. While I did find this a bit long, I was hoping for a little more levity in the romance but this book trended towards the heavy and serious which wasn't what I was looking for. It was good on audio and a very strong debut but it didn't quite hit the mark for my particular tastes even though I did appreciate the great mental health/therapy rep. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
June 7, 2025
Content Discussed: Infertility, Trauma, Grief
This book was an automatic 5 star read for me not even halfway through the book. Eve and Jamie are two characters who have been through massive amounts of shit in their lives and when they meet, it almost felt like fate. And I never could have guessed Dollywood to be so romantic as it is here.
Jamie is seemingly dealing with unprocessed rage and anger towards his mom for cheating on his dad in his young adult years, leaving him to step up for his younger brother. When Jamie’s own ex Lucy cheats- even though they have a child together- it seemingly amplifies that anger while also creating a soft spot for forgiveness.
Eve- or Evie for those who love her- has religious and familial trauma wrapped up with a nasty bow of infertility and hating the man she was with. When she leaves to escape another miscarriage and leaving her ex-fiance, Jamie magically appears.
I loved that this book delved into some really heavy topics in such a way that felt incredibly real and raw. The characters were immediately loveable and relateable, showed immense growth, and ultimately showed a real-world love story that I am happy to have experienced.
I appreciated Jordan’s attention to the details when it came to the intersections of race, class, religion, and familal makeup with both characters. Setting up Jamie’s character to look like a stereotypical MAGA man at the beginning really threw me for a loop and I thought I was going to dislike the character and his storyline, but the way that Jordan worked through his character’s backstory alongside Evie was absolutely amazing.
Similarly, though I know this book was set in a very specific time frame, I wish we had gotten more of Evie’s story from her college days at Spelman. We know her experiences in the South are a true mixed bag- especially with her grandmother and teen pregnancy- but I wished I would have been able to see some of the joy that Spelman and her found family brought to her after such a dark period in her life. Even if this book wasn’t showcasing that period of time, I do truly appreciate Jordan’s attention to detail and how she frames that period of Evie’s life without delving all the way into it.
The love that Eve & Jamie share is absolutely stunning, and I truthfully never imagined I would fall in love with the characters as much as I did. I truly hope Jordan continues this world of characters and their experiences together. I wholeheartedly believe that Ashley Jordan is going to be a best selling author when this book publishes, and I hope to continue seeing her work in the future.
Thank you Berkley & NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this in advanced for an honest review.
This book was an automatic 5 star read for me not even halfway through the book. Eve and Jamie are two characters who have been through massive amounts of shit in their lives and when they meet, it almost felt like fate. And I never could have guessed Dollywood to be so romantic as it is here.
Jamie is seemingly dealing with unprocessed rage and anger towards his mom for cheating on his dad in his young adult years, leaving him to step up for his younger brother. When Jamie’s own ex Lucy cheats- even though they have a child together- it seemingly amplifies that anger while also creating a soft spot for forgiveness.
Eve- or Evie for those who love her- has religious and familial trauma wrapped up with a nasty bow of infertility and hating the man she was with. When she leaves to escape another miscarriage and leaving her ex-fiance, Jamie magically appears.
I loved that this book delved into some really heavy topics in such a way that felt incredibly real and raw. The characters were immediately loveable and relateable, showed immense growth, and ultimately showed a real-world love story that I am happy to have experienced.
I appreciated Jordan’s attention to the details when it came to the intersections of race, class, religion, and familal makeup with both characters. Setting up Jamie’s character to look like a stereotypical MAGA man at the beginning really threw me for a loop and I thought I was going to dislike the character and his storyline, but the way that Jordan worked through his character’s backstory alongside Evie was absolutely amazing.
Similarly, though I know this book was set in a very specific time frame, I wish we had gotten more of Evie’s story from her college days at Spelman. We know her experiences in the South are a true mixed bag- especially with her grandmother and teen pregnancy- but I wished I would have been able to see some of the joy that Spelman and her found family brought to her after such a dark period in her life. Even if this book wasn’t showcasing that period of time, I do truly appreciate Jordan’s attention to detail and how she frames that period of Evie’s life without delving all the way into it.
The love that Eve & Jamie share is absolutely stunning, and I truthfully never imagined I would fall in love with the characters as much as I did. I truly hope Jordan continues this world of characters and their experiences together. I wholeheartedly believe that Ashley Jordan is going to be a best selling author when this book publishes, and I hope to continue seeing her work in the future.
Thank you Berkley & NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this in advanced for an honest review.
August 23, 2025
Sometimes I wonder how certain books are able to be published and this is one of them…It feels like the author did voice to text and no one edited this book. I am disappointed in this Reese Witherspoon pick. And I feel like I might scream if I see “wanna” instead of want to… and all the other weird grammar.
Especially disappointing because I grew up in Knoxville TN and going to Gatlinburg and the Smokies. I bought this book for my friends I’m going on a girls trip with in the Smokies and now I’m embarrassed of this pick.
I don’t even know what the real plot is here. Of course you feel bad for Eve- but she’s such an a$$hole. And does Jamie only like her because of how “beautiful” she is? Which is mentioned so much in the book.
I don’t recommend this one.
Especially disappointing because I grew up in Knoxville TN and going to Gatlinburg and the Smokies. I bought this book for my friends I’m going on a girls trip with in the Smokies and now I’m embarrassed of this pick.
I don’t even know what the real plot is here. Of course you feel bad for Eve- but she’s such an a$$hole. And does Jamie only like her because of how “beautiful” she is? Which is mentioned so much in the book.
I don’t recommend this one.
July 27, 2025
This was a deeply emotional story about healing and trauma, following two people trying to rebuild after their own lives fall into disarray. Playwright Eve Ambroise heads to the Tennessee mountains for solitude after breaking up with her fiancé, only to find an unexpected connection with her neighbour, Jamie Gallagher—a single dad dealing with struggles around custody and parenthood.
The story spans many months, which I loved. It gave plenty of space for real growth and introspection. That said, the romance ignites almost immediately and quickly turns physical, which made the rest of the story feel a bit drawn out. There were a lot of “living life” moments that didn’t always feel compelling, especially because the romantic tension was resolved so early on.
Eve’s push and pull with Jamie drove me a little crazy at times, but I also really felt for her trauma and need to protect herself. And she does eventually take accountability. She puts in the work to grow and communicate, which was so nice to see. Jamie, on the other hand, was almost too nice. His tendency to be overly accommodating frustrated me, though I understood how that tied into his character arc and painful family history.
Overall, I really appreciated how the tough topics were handled with care and realism. There’s a content warning at the beginning, but if themes surrounding pregnancy are difficult for you, it might be best to skip this one. In the end, this was a truly heartfelt story with emotional depth, but the pacing and lack of romantic build left me wanting just a bit more.
(heat level: 3 or 4 open-door scenes, explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story spans many months, which I loved. It gave plenty of space for real growth and introspection. That said, the romance ignites almost immediately and quickly turns physical, which made the rest of the story feel a bit drawn out. There were a lot of “living life” moments that didn’t always feel compelling, especially because the romantic tension was resolved so early on.
Eve’s push and pull with Jamie drove me a little crazy at times, but I also really felt for her trauma and need to protect herself. And she does eventually take accountability. She puts in the work to grow and communicate, which was so nice to see. Jamie, on the other hand, was almost too nice. His tendency to be overly accommodating frustrated me, though I understood how that tied into his character arc and painful family history.
Overall, I really appreciated how the tough topics were handled with care and realism. There’s a content warning at the beginning, but if themes surrounding pregnancy are difficult for you, it might be best to skip this one. In the end, this was a truly heartfelt story with emotional depth, but the pacing and lack of romantic build left me wanting just a bit more.
(heat level: 3 or 4 open-door scenes, explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 7, 2025
Every part of this story is interwoven with what it means to be a black woman. Now Ashley is an extraordinary writer, so she has written this so it's digestible for everyone, but if you're a POC, I think this is really going to resonate with you. Told through the lens of two people experiencing grief, heartbreak, and tragedy, Ashley shows us that through it all you CAN get what you want without sacrificing yourself or your happiness.
Ashley Jordan has penned such an eloquent story with this book. It's poignant and highlights shared experiences that many black women face. It was just so incredibly moving to me because it showcased just how difficult and unfair the pursuit of happiness can be. Yet at the same time it filled me with so much joy and hope. I felt a myriad of emotions while reading this and for me that's always the mark of an exceptional writer.
Never have I seen an author take this much care when tackling certain topics such as grief. I was also really impressed with how she handled the subject of religion and how it is intertwined with the black nuclear family. I think that was a big one for me because I'm all too familiar with this. Not to mention, the immense pressure that your family puts on you because they want you to be successful in life. It's well meaning, but sometimes it’s harmful and a lot of the time the pain and suffering they've caused you gets brushed under the rug. I don't know about y'all but I've never had a family member older than me apologize to me for being wrong/making a mistake.
I like to think of this story as a love letter to black women. To me it's saying, "I see you, I hear you, you're loved and deserve to be." A lot of the time, black women are not given the grace to just "feel" or express their emotions without some sort of derogatory thought or remark as a result. It can be incredibly isolating to be forced to keep up the facade that everything is okay all the time. Why are we, as black women, expected to be the picture of perfection. It's exhausting. So yeah, I 100% understood the motives behind Eve's actions on a more visceral level. Have you ever wanted the opportunity to just "be"? It feels like as a black woman, everything you do has to be calculated. You're not allowed to just do things at a whim.
I do want to also say that as black women we’re often expected to move mountains all by ourselves. It’s kind of taboo to ask for help when you need it in the black community and once again, this story does such an amazing job of depicting that. I think it’s even more so harder on black women. You always hear people say “strong, independent, black woman” and I personally could live my whole life without seeing/hearing that phrase ever again.
Lastly, I want to add that I love the way that Jamie loves Eve. He truly treated her like an equal in their partnership. He was patient, accepting of her flaws, and put in the work to grow with her. He didn’t try to hold her back or crush her dreams. Truly her biggest cheerleader. I almost cried when he stood up for her when she was getting flack behind her back. Every black woman deserves the patience and care that Jamie gave Eve. He made her feel important, seen, and gave her his undivided attention.
10/5 stars because this book is in a league of its own and I’m gonna shout about it every chance I get.
Huge thank you to Berkley for the early e-copy of this book via NetGalley.
Ashley Jordan has penned such an eloquent story with this book. It's poignant and highlights shared experiences that many black women face. It was just so incredibly moving to me because it showcased just how difficult and unfair the pursuit of happiness can be. Yet at the same time it filled me with so much joy and hope. I felt a myriad of emotions while reading this and for me that's always the mark of an exceptional writer.
Never have I seen an author take this much care when tackling certain topics such as grief. I was also really impressed with how she handled the subject of religion and how it is intertwined with the black nuclear family. I think that was a big one for me because I'm all too familiar with this. Not to mention, the immense pressure that your family puts on you because they want you to be successful in life. It's well meaning, but sometimes it’s harmful and a lot of the time the pain and suffering they've caused you gets brushed under the rug. I don't know about y'all but I've never had a family member older than me apologize to me for being wrong/making a mistake.
I like to think of this story as a love letter to black women. To me it's saying, "I see you, I hear you, you're loved and deserve to be." A lot of the time, black women are not given the grace to just "feel" or express their emotions without some sort of derogatory thought or remark as a result. It can be incredibly isolating to be forced to keep up the facade that everything is okay all the time. Why are we, as black women, expected to be the picture of perfection. It's exhausting. So yeah, I 100% understood the motives behind Eve's actions on a more visceral level. Have you ever wanted the opportunity to just "be"? It feels like as a black woman, everything you do has to be calculated. You're not allowed to just do things at a whim.
I do want to also say that as black women we’re often expected to move mountains all by ourselves. It’s kind of taboo to ask for help when you need it in the black community and once again, this story does such an amazing job of depicting that. I think it’s even more so harder on black women. You always hear people say “strong, independent, black woman” and I personally could live my whole life without seeing/hearing that phrase ever again.
Lastly, I want to add that I love the way that Jamie loves Eve. He truly treated her like an equal in their partnership. He was patient, accepting of her flaws, and put in the work to grow with her. He didn’t try to hold her back or crush her dreams. Truly her biggest cheerleader. I almost cried when he stood up for her when she was getting flack behind her back. Every black woman deserves the patience and care that Jamie gave Eve. He made her feel important, seen, and gave her his undivided attention.
10/5 stars because this book is in a league of its own and I’m gonna shout about it every chance I get.
Huge thank you to Berkley for the early e-copy of this book via NetGalley.
September 1, 2025
At first I felt very intrigued by this story, but the longer it went on, the more bored I became, and the more the main character grated on my nerves. I appreciate that she was a messy character, and it's not condoned by the story, because several characters call her out on it, but I still didn't like how mean she acted towards others, particularly the love interest. I debated DNFing a couple of times, but I stuck with it because I wanted to see how the story would end. This was definitely still worth finishing, because towards the end, some important conversations took place, leading to growth and healing, and that made the book a whole lot better. I just wish this had happened somewhat earlier in the book.
August 10, 2025
This was a debut?! There is no back list to binge?! There aren’t enough stars to give.
August 1, 2025
Eve needs a break from her life. She's runs away from the fiancé she just left and goes to the only place she thinks she can find peace: her grandmother's home in the Tennessee mountains. Eve hopes to write her next play there, but she is soon distracted by her neighbor, Jamie Gallagher. Eve and Jamie find themselves in a romance that neither of them thought they wanted.
WOW! This book was AMAZING! The story gutted me in the best way. It was about the complicated nature of relationships, both familial and romantic. It was about people making choices to change for the better and about forgiveness. It was about two people who went on an unexpected journey of healing while falling in love.
I have to admit, I don't know if I liked Eve at first. I wasn't sure if I believed she deserved love and happiness because of the harm that she did to others, whether intentional or not. Ashley Jordan revealed Eve's character layer by layer, showing us why she was so self-destructive. In the end, I was rooting for her to get her HEA. Jamie was also a complex character and although he had the high emotional intelligence that we all want in a partner, he still had open wounds that needed to heal.
The most beautiful thing about this book was that it was messy. Just like real life, things weren't black and white. There were shades of gray that made Eve, Jamie and their families feel like real people in messy situations. I found myself questioning what I would do in their situation or how I felt about the choices Eve and Jamie made. The dialogue was intense, raw, and at some points shocking because of how it felt like a punch in the gut.
Ashley Jordan is going to be a rising star in romance. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a light and airy romance, but it turned out to be more of an emotional journey than I had hoped for. Jordan's writing is profound and her voice is uniquely captivating. I can't wait to see what she has next in store for us!
I'm having a hard time getting all of my thoughts out coherently for this review, but hopefully I've convinced you to read this book. It's going to be one that you won't want to miss!
Steam level:🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: miscarriage, grief, depression, panic attacks, forced adoption
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher.
WOW! This book was AMAZING! The story gutted me in the best way. It was about the complicated nature of relationships, both familial and romantic. It was about people making choices to change for the better and about forgiveness. It was about two people who went on an unexpected journey of healing while falling in love.
I have to admit, I don't know if I liked Eve at first. I wasn't sure if I believed she deserved love and happiness because of the harm that she did to others, whether intentional or not. Ashley Jordan revealed Eve's character layer by layer, showing us why she was so self-destructive. In the end, I was rooting for her to get her HEA. Jamie was also a complex character and although he had the high emotional intelligence that we all want in a partner, he still had open wounds that needed to heal.
The most beautiful thing about this book was that it was messy. Just like real life, things weren't black and white. There were shades of gray that made Eve, Jamie and their families feel like real people in messy situations. I found myself questioning what I would do in their situation or how I felt about the choices Eve and Jamie made. The dialogue was intense, raw, and at some points shocking because of how it felt like a punch in the gut.
Ashley Jordan is going to be a rising star in romance. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a light and airy romance, but it turned out to be more of an emotional journey than I had hoped for. Jordan's writing is profound and her voice is uniquely captivating. I can't wait to see what she has next in store for us!
I'm having a hard time getting all of my thoughts out coherently for this review, but hopefully I've convinced you to read this book. It's going to be one that you won't want to miss!
Steam level:🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: miscarriage, grief, depression, panic attacks, forced adoption
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher.
June 15, 2025
This book! The forward in this book let me know that this wasn't a light happy romance. The characters aren't light happy people. I went into this book expecting heartbreak and redemption. I expected spice and of course, romance. What I didn't expect was how profoundly this book affected me. I was uncomfortable with how I felt with the words on the page.
Eve has anxiety and depression. When we meet this character, she is in a couple's therapy to discuss her recent miscarriage with her fiancé. This being Eve's second miscarriage, she breaks, and leaves. The way Eve leaves stuns her family and severs her engagement. She decides to go to Gatlinburg and stay and write in her grandmother's cabin. Eve represses her feelings, and she is not always sure how to feel about anything- good, bad, or indifferent.
Jamie also is running, but for a different reason, he's co-parenting with a narcissist, and he wants to take a break on a weekend to his cabin in Gatlinburg.
These two characters were the wings of the same flightless bird. Circling the sky and not able to decide where he wants to land, if wants to, or even if flying is worth all the bluster. Clearly, this is an overblown metaphor for people who feel stuck. Stuck in the rigamarole of daily life, resentment toward loved ones who hurt them, and how to process feelings.
It was so clear that they were right for each other, but I wasn't always sure if these two people would get in the way of their own happily ever after.
It was well-written, emotive and insightful. It really made me appreciate therapists. And seeing what growth could look like when things started hard.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Eve has anxiety and depression. When we meet this character, she is in a couple's therapy to discuss her recent miscarriage with her fiancé. This being Eve's second miscarriage, she breaks, and leaves. The way Eve leaves stuns her family and severs her engagement. She decides to go to Gatlinburg and stay and write in her grandmother's cabin. Eve represses her feelings, and she is not always sure how to feel about anything- good, bad, or indifferent.
Jamie also is running, but for a different reason, he's co-parenting with a narcissist, and he wants to take a break on a weekend to his cabin in Gatlinburg.
These two characters were the wings of the same flightless bird. Circling the sky and not able to decide where he wants to land, if wants to, or even if flying is worth all the bluster. Clearly, this is an overblown metaphor for people who feel stuck. Stuck in the rigamarole of daily life, resentment toward loved ones who hurt them, and how to process feelings.
It was so clear that they were right for each other, but I wasn't always sure if these two people would get in the way of their own happily ever after.
It was well-written, emotive and insightful. It really made me appreciate therapists. And seeing what growth could look like when things started hard.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
Whewww—emotional roller coaster is an understatement! The tagline did not lie: this was not your typical rom-com. This book dove deep into grief, infertility, trauma, and self-reflection. I thought I was ready…but babyyyy, this one was a little heavy.
Eve left her whole life behind in New York—her engagement, her career, everything. She’s overwhelmed and trying to write a new play, so she heads down to Tennessee, where her grandmother used to live, to find some kind of peace. And listen…Eve’s been through it. Some parts were honestly really sad to read because she was out here feeling so unseen by the people who were supposed to love her.
Then here comes Jamie—her grandmother’s old neighbor and your classic friendly Southern guy—trying to be kind and connect. But Eve is not in the mood. She’s shut down emotionally, and I get it…but whew, she wore me out a bit. Sis really needed to be on that lady’s couch. But she wasn’t ready.
Jamie was sweet, but I kept yelling “STAND UP!” He was out here accepting crumbs in the name of love. He was also struggling too. But honestly? That’s life. People are messy. And this book showed that perfectly. Sometimes love shows up at the wrong time. Sometimes it’s not enough if you haven’t done the work to heal yourself first. I truly believe they trauma bonded in the beginning—even if Eve wasn’t fully open about her pain.
This story was very introspective. It really made me reflect on healing, timing, and what it takes to actually see and love someone fully. I enjoyed it. 💛
Thanks NetGalley for this read!
Eve left her whole life behind in New York—her engagement, her career, everything. She’s overwhelmed and trying to write a new play, so she heads down to Tennessee, where her grandmother used to live, to find some kind of peace. And listen…Eve’s been through it. Some parts were honestly really sad to read because she was out here feeling so unseen by the people who were supposed to love her.
Then here comes Jamie—her grandmother’s old neighbor and your classic friendly Southern guy—trying to be kind and connect. But Eve is not in the mood. She’s shut down emotionally, and I get it…but whew, she wore me out a bit. Sis really needed to be on that lady’s couch. But she wasn’t ready.
Jamie was sweet, but I kept yelling “STAND UP!” He was out here accepting crumbs in the name of love. He was also struggling too. But honestly? That’s life. People are messy. And this book showed that perfectly. Sometimes love shows up at the wrong time. Sometimes it’s not enough if you haven’t done the work to heal yourself first. I truly believe they trauma bonded in the beginning—even if Eve wasn’t fully open about her pain.
This story was very introspective. It really made me reflect on healing, timing, and what it takes to actually see and love someone fully. I enjoyed it. 💛
Thanks NetGalley for this read!
June 4, 2025
This was a solid five star read. Eve & Jamie were two very well written characters, that despite their flaws were able to achieve individual character growth while becoming romantic partners. This story packed an emotional punch and throughout the instances of addressing trauma, I felt the author express those feelings perfectly through her words. The dialogue? Perfect. The pacing of the plot? Perfect. Eve's resistance to address her trauma and eventually heading to therapy? Perfect. Even the secondary characters were well placed and insightful. The overall romance felt ORGANIC and that's something this genre needs more of. Can't believe this is the author's debut novel because she wrote the hell outta this story.
July 31, 2025
5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Eve Ambroise has had enough. Fed up with her New York City life, and the tension-filled relationships with both her (now ex) fiancé and her parents, she escapes to the Tennessee mountains in the hopes of getting her life back in order, starting with writing her next play. She immediately crashes into Jamie Gallagher, a single dad fresh off a custody battle with his ex. What starts out as a fling quickly turns to more, causing both Eve and Jamie to confront their demons in order to heal and move forward together.
This book nearly ended me. The story was fraught with heartache, tension, but above all, love. I was not prepared for the absolute hold it would have over me; I was locked in from the jump. Eve was chaotic, a mess and such an empathetic character. Her history, trauma and current mental state were all so tragic and relatable… and I just wanted to help her help herself! Jamie was a DREEEEEEAM, despite also being flawed. His patience and fall for Eve were so incredibly endearing and I was OBSESSED WITH HIM. And don’t get me started on his son!! Jack was so, so cute and was a perfect secondary character for this story. So many moments where multiple characters elicited such a feeling of hatred and disdain… which was directly juxtaposed with the immense love and obsession I felt for our two MCs. I cannot believe this is Ashley Jordan’s first book--her raw talent bleeds through every word on the page. There are very few books which elicit such a visceral, emotional reaction from me, which I know will stay with me for a long while… but this is absolutely one of them. I’m absolutely smitten!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨Small town romance
✨Single dad
✨He falls first
✨She’s on the run & he’s the safe place to land
✨Mutual long-standing trauma and healing
✨SO MANY EMOTIONS but I was absolutely enamored
Thank you for the free book @BerkleyRomance! I am grateful to be a Berkley Romance 2025 Influencer and given the opportunity to read this book early; my review is all my own.
2/5🌶️
Eve Ambroise has had enough. Fed up with her New York City life, and the tension-filled relationships with both her (now ex) fiancé and her parents, she escapes to the Tennessee mountains in the hopes of getting her life back in order, starting with writing her next play. She immediately crashes into Jamie Gallagher, a single dad fresh off a custody battle with his ex. What starts out as a fling quickly turns to more, causing both Eve and Jamie to confront their demons in order to heal and move forward together.
This book nearly ended me. The story was fraught with heartache, tension, but above all, love. I was not prepared for the absolute hold it would have over me; I was locked in from the jump. Eve was chaotic, a mess and such an empathetic character. Her history, trauma and current mental state were all so tragic and relatable… and I just wanted to help her help herself! Jamie was a DREEEEEEAM, despite also being flawed. His patience and fall for Eve were so incredibly endearing and I was OBSESSED WITH HIM. And don’t get me started on his son!! Jack was so, so cute and was a perfect secondary character for this story. So many moments where multiple characters elicited such a feeling of hatred and disdain… which was directly juxtaposed with the immense love and obsession I felt for our two MCs. I cannot believe this is Ashley Jordan’s first book--her raw talent bleeds through every word on the page. There are very few books which elicit such a visceral, emotional reaction from me, which I know will stay with me for a long while… but this is absolutely one of them. I’m absolutely smitten!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨Small town romance
✨Single dad
✨He falls first
✨She’s on the run & he’s the safe place to land
✨Mutual long-standing trauma and healing
✨SO MANY EMOTIONS but I was absolutely enamored
Thank you for the free book @BerkleyRomance! I am grateful to be a Berkley Romance 2025 Influencer and given the opportunity to read this book early; my review is all my own.
August 18, 2025
4.5 ✨
I need more. I need book 2. You can’t convince me these are characters. They are real people who have trauma and insecurities, but still communicate like adults. Crazy concept. You also can’t convince me this is a debut novel. Stunning.
“It was so hard to know the difference between being smart and being scared.”
I need more. I need book 2. You can’t convince me these are characters. They are real people who have trauma and insecurities, but still communicate like adults. Crazy concept. You also can’t convince me this is a debut novel. Stunning.
“It was so hard to know the difference between being smart and being scared.”
August 27, 2025
What a stunner of a contemporary women’s novel.
August 12, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy.
Eve is burnt out from her life in New York and escapes to her late grandmother’s cabin in Tennessee. There, she meets Jamie, a single dad dealing with his own struggles after a tough custody battle, while she is also battling her own trauma.
This story focuses on family, grief, and how past wounds can shape who we are. Although Eve carried a heavy emotional burden, I did not enjoy her interactions with her ex because they sometimes felt too harsh and I struggled with that throughout the book. The way their conversations played out made me like the main character a bit less.
Although the pacing felt slow at times, the writing kept me invested until the end. I liked that therapy was included in the story even if it came later because she really needed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy.
Eve is burnt out from her life in New York and escapes to her late grandmother’s cabin in Tennessee. There, she meets Jamie, a single dad dealing with his own struggles after a tough custody battle, while she is also battling her own trauma.
This story focuses on family, grief, and how past wounds can shape who we are. Although Eve carried a heavy emotional burden, I did not enjoy her interactions with her ex because they sometimes felt too harsh and I struggled with that throughout the book. The way their conversations played out made me like the main character a bit less.
Although the pacing felt slow at times, the writing kept me invested until the end. I liked that therapy was included in the story even if it came later because she really needed it.
August 17, 2025
Straf debuut!
July 27, 2025
This was a solid read. I really liked the romance between Eve and Jamie. Their chemistry felt real, and I could definitely see why they were drawn to each other. Eve was super relatable, especially with everything she was going through with her parents and her mental health. Her grief felt honest and real. Jamie was also a great character. I liked how his past relationship and trust issues played a part in how things developed with Eve.
That being said, I did feel a little disconnected toward the end. It felt kind of rushed, and some parts didn’t feel necessary while others could’ve used a bit more detail. A few characters were introduced out of nowhere, which threw me off a bit.
Still, it was an enjoyable, cozy romance with some emotional depth and realistic struggles.
That being said, I did feel a little disconnected toward the end. It felt kind of rushed, and some parts didn’t feel necessary while others could’ve used a bit more detail. A few characters were introduced out of nowhere, which threw me off a bit.
Still, it was an enjoyable, cozy romance with some emotional depth and realistic struggles.
August 6, 2025
4.5⭐️
Wow wow wow. What a stunning debut from Ashley Jordan!! This book is an emotional roller coaster that packs a punch dealing with heavy topics like childhood trauma, parent relationships, grief, and healing.
Eve is done with New York life and toxic relationships with her ex fiancé and her parents so she excepts to the Tennessee mountains in order to reset and get her life back on track. Enter Jamie, a single dad to an 8 year old boy, who is dealing with the aftermath of his custody battle with his ex.
When Eve and Jamie meet, there is immediate tension and chemistry. They are two damaged souls coming together and I was rooting for them the whole way through. Eve is a deeply emphatic person and her backstory of trauma was so sad but also relatable. Jamie is too good for this world!!!! Despite all the traumas from his childhood and past relationship, he is so incredible patient with Eve. His son, Jack, was soo adorable and added so many cute and funny moments to this otherwise heavy read.
As Eve and Jamie began to open up to each other and let love in, I was grinning ear to ear. They took the time to confront their trauma, heal, and grow together. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a raw emotional read and a stunning debut! Everyone needs to pick this book up!!
Thank you to Berkley for the e-ARC in exchange for my review!
Wow wow wow. What a stunning debut from Ashley Jordan!! This book is an emotional roller coaster that packs a punch dealing with heavy topics like childhood trauma, parent relationships, grief, and healing.
Eve is done with New York life and toxic relationships with her ex fiancé and her parents so she excepts to the Tennessee mountains in order to reset and get her life back on track. Enter Jamie, a single dad to an 8 year old boy, who is dealing with the aftermath of his custody battle with his ex.
When Eve and Jamie meet, there is immediate tension and chemistry. They are two damaged souls coming together and I was rooting for them the whole way through. Eve is a deeply emphatic person and her backstory of trauma was so sad but also relatable. Jamie is too good for this world!!!! Despite all the traumas from his childhood and past relationship, he is so incredible patient with Eve. His son, Jack, was soo adorable and added so many cute and funny moments to this otherwise heavy read.
As Eve and Jamie began to open up to each other and let love in, I was grinning ear to ear. They took the time to confront their trauma, heal, and grow together. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a raw emotional read and a stunning debut! Everyone needs to pick this book up!!
Thank you to Berkley for the e-ARC in exchange for my review!
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