Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore: a spicy fall romance for 2026
If you’re looking for a super spicy fall romance to read in 2026, Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is the book for you. Check out my thoughts (including ratings) for this new small town romance title!
Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore (Hope Harbor 2) by Brittanée Nicole
Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is book two in the Hope Harbor series. I hadn’t read book one, and didn’t feel confused, but also didn’t recognize the crossover characters. I will add that book one, Darling Daffodils Farm , is a spring romance, so if you want to stick to fall vibes, dive right in!
There was a lot to love about Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore. The coastal New England small town setting was perfection, complete with a town group chat. I got ALL the Stars Hollow vibes from this town.
I also really loved that the love interest had Portuguese heritage. Many Portuguese immigrants arrived in to New England in the early 19th century to work in whaling and later in manufacturing and textile work. Cities like New Bedford, Fall River, Provincetown, and Providence have large Portuguese American communities. Many of them still keep Portuguese traditions, like Blessing of the Fleet celebrations.
What I liked a little less was the pace of the romance. This was a friends to lovers romance in which Monty, the love interest, is crushing hard on Penny. When his roommate in New York gets married and Monty has to move, he heads back to his hometown where Penny (who gave me ALL the Penelope Featherington vibes) runs a bookstore.
She sees him as a friend. He (accidentally) sees her naked. Penny’s friendship to lust journey was a little fast for me.
Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore had:
- A setting that felt like Stars Hollow
- A friendship to love journey
- A very spicy fall romance. There’s a little cayenne in the gingerbread!
- Publication date: August 11 2026 by Putnam Books. Thanks so much to them for the advance review copy.
This Book is Perfect For:
- Readers who enjoy books that are as spicy as a bowl of caldo verde
- Fans of small town romance books with a charming setting
My Master Post on the Best Rated Fall Romance Books has all the cozy fall romance books you need to know about – check it out!
I liked this one. I love the townies and their hilarious group chat and the addition of the cow was a delight. I thought the author built a good case for why both Monty and Penny were hesitant to declare their feelings, and the parents story was surprising. When I think of Portuguese New Englanders, I can’t help but recall Mystic Pizza.
The group chat was so funny! Loved the small town feel too.