Book Review: Fall Love by L. B. Dunbar

Fall Love (Lovewell Landing Book 1) by L.B. Dunbar

A Romance Novel published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. (09/10/26)

Summary: A steamy small-town autumnal romance

Neve is perfectly happy with her life in her small coastal hometown and has no interest in settling down, especially with a local guy. After a one-night stand with Tate, a man she never expects to see again, she unexpectedly ends up pregnant. Nine months later, Tate returns to town for business and discovers that their one night together may have given him everything he’s ever wanted. The problem? His business plans could threaten everything Neve has built and loves.

Keywords:

 Contemporary, Small Town, Fall, Pregnant, One-Night-Stand, Business, Mechanic, Second Chance

My Review:

I really wanted to love this book because I adore seasonal romances.

The fall vibes were great! Pumpkins, apple picking, small-town events, baking, and Neve’s love of pumpkin spice made me wish Lovewell Landing were a real place.

I also really enjoyed Neve’s relationship with her sisters. Their interactions felt natural and wholesome, and I liked having that family dynamic throughout the story. I also really, really love all their unique names. I thought Neve’s attachment to the auto shop and her desire to preserve her father’s legacy also gave her a good reason to be guarded and independent. She felt like a real character with flaws and baggage and life.

Tate was both my favorite part and my least favorite part. He has always wanted a baby and a family of his own, so when he finds out he’s going to be a father, there’s never any question that he wants to be involved. But I especially loved that he didn’t just focus on the baby. He wanted Neve, too. Watching him try to break through her walls was really sweet, and Neve’s black cat attitude made their banter fun. Tate, however, felt like too much of a fantasy man and seemed to lack the substance of a real person. He was so focused on Neve, the baby, and being this perfect man that it just felt like too much to me. It also made him feel one-dimensional at times.

The pacing didn’t work as well for me. The beginning was pretty slow, and there were a LOT of repetitive inner thoughts that dragged the story along. I kept putting this book down again and again because I just wasn’t feeling pulled into the story.

Overall, this was a cute and spicy fall romance with great autumn vibes, but I wanted more development, a faster pace, and more depth to Tate.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. on 09/10/2026 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: The Holiday Post by L. B. Dunbar

The Holiday Post by L.B. Dunbar

A Romance Novel published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. (11/14/25)

Summary: It’s Never Too Late For Happiness and Romance

“I’ll take an order of one hot Santa lookalike with a side of sexy time.” (Kindle Edition).

Lumi is a single mom and lifelong small-town post office worker whose dull holiday season is upended when a blizzard strands a charming stranger on her doorstep. With no rooms available, he becomes her unexpected houseguest. As they grow closer, his holiday magic and her fear of being left behind collide, forcing Lumi to decide whether this mysterious man with a deadline can be more than a fleeting Christmas miracle.

Keywords:

 Contemporary, Hideaway Harbor, Christmas, Family Business, Mature Main Characters, Small Town 

My Review:

This fourth book in the Hideaway Harbor series hooked me right away, but as the hints piled up that the main love interest, Saint, might actually be Santa (or related to Santa), I grew less and less interested in the story. I went in expecting a contemporary romance, and I got a Santa-adjacent-Christmas-magic version of magical realism. There were so many Holiday puns and Santa insinuations, it started to get distracting.

Still, the book absolutely shines as a warm, character-driven holiday romance, especially when it comes to Lumi. Her journey is relatable in a way that surprised me. Her journey feels relatable and grounded. When I’m finished with my current job, I will also be at a standstill in my life, just like Lumi. I’m also afraid of how to make the change in my life to get to where I want to be. What will I want when that moment happens? It’s easy to let the momentum of daily life dictate the future, and for Lumi, tomorrow feels inevitable until the change arrives in the form of Saint. He is the catalyst for changing the way she’s been thinking about her life and what she wants to do today, tomorrow, and in the future. And who she wants to do it with…

The chemistry between Lumi and Saint is undeniably cozy, and their connection feels earned. Even as mature characters, their love has a youthful, hopeful quality. And while some of the magical elements weren’t for me, the forced-proximity setup remains one of my favorite romance tropes, and it’s done well here.

If you want a sweet, slightly whimsical holiday romcom with heart and Santa magic sprinkled on top, then this book delivers.

I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by L.B. Dunbar Writes, Ltd. on 11/14/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information

Goodreads