Review: Mirabelle by Ki Stephens

About the Book

Saving the orchard was always the plan. Falling for her fake husband was not.

When Isla Winslow takes over her family’s failing plum orchard, Mirabelle, she’s sure of only one thing: she’ll save it alone or lose it on her own terms. But grants come with strings, debt collectors don’t care about sentiment, and the land that raised her is running out of time.

To keep Mirabelle out of a developer’s hands, Isla agrees to the most ridiculous solution she can think of: a practical marriage to the man who’s been arguing with her since the day he moved to Blue Willow.

Jack Rhodes only meant to stay in town for a job. Years later, he has a renovation business, a life he loves, and one rule he keeps breaking: he can’t stop showing up when Isla calls. Their marriage of convenience is supposed to be a temporary fix, nothing more than signatures and shared bills.

But as spring settles over the orchard and the fight for Mirabelle turns into a fight for their future, Isla and Jack have to decide what they’re really willing to risk for the land that holds their history and the love that might finally feel like home.

Review

Once again, Ki Stephens has completely blown me away. Like the previous installment, Mirabelle, felt comforting, magical, and full of heart. Very quickly, I fell in love with Isla, Jack, and their love story. They mean the world to me. Through actions and words, Isla has done everything she could to protect Mirabelle. When Jack offers to marry her so she can obtain a grant, she is hesitant. She wasn’t someone who easily let someone in or asked for help. That emotional guardedness added so much depth to her character.

Jack was incredible. He wasn’t originally from Blue Willow; however, since arriving, he has planted roots. For years, he has been crushing on Isla and has been willing to drop everything to help her out. They had a beautiful understanding of each other through their many years of friendship. Them falling in love wasn’t instant; it was a beautiful journey of two people who complemented each other well.

I really must applaud Ki Stephens for the magic she has woven into this series. Even when the magical elements are subtle, they can still be felt throughout the town, the atmosphere, and the characters themselves. The entire series feels whimsical and enchanting in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to fall in love with.

My only criticism is that the conflict involving Roland Stein felt wrapped up a little too quickly. I wanted to spend more time as they worked through a resolution, rather than have Beau solve it. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I adored the story overall. Though I will say, I am interested to see if Beau will be getting a book. I’m very intrigued by him.

I’m incredibly invested in this series now and cannot wait to continue it. I’m excited to see where the story goes next and how the magic within this world continues to expand.

Final Thoughts

Mirabelle was a wonderful read. It was warm, whimsical, magical, and full of so much heart. I’m already impatient for the next installment in this enchanting series. Thank you to Love Notes PR and Ki Stephens for providing this arc! Mirabelle will be released on May 15, 2026.

Review: Blue Willow by Ki Stephens

About the Book

Coming home was never part of the plan. Leaving again might be even harder.

When Elsie Hart returns to Blue Willow for the first time in eight years, it's only to settle her grandmother’s estate—not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. But the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. So is the man who’s been keeping it alive.

Wells Rourke never wants to leave. He’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that Elspeth Hart didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind. Something that’s worth keeping alive.

Elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. Wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. But the house has other plans. As winter deepens and long-dormant feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried.

In a town where quiet magic lingers, some people—and some places—will never stop waiting for you to come home.

Review

Blue Willow feels different than anything that Ki Stephens has done. From the writing to the plot to the characters—it’s all unique, and if someone had told me Ki Stephens wrote this, I would not have believed them. She completely transformed herself, and I must give kudos. Not only is Blue Willow cozy, but it also has a lot of heart.

Years ago, Elsie left the inn—a place where the Hart woman before her poured their heart into. When she returns, it is not in the best shape. And she’s lost, grieving, and desperately wanting to sell the special place. However, the longer she stays, the tighter her roots knot, making her want to stay. I really enjoyed Elsie and her character arc. Her feelings and beliefs were described so well in Blue Willow. I loved seeing her rediscover the town and make new friendships.

Wells' relationship with his family was complicated. His family was too focused on appearing perfect, and eventually he learned to be the photo before departing. Elsie had long gone when Wells settled at the inn. He developed a special relationship with Elspeth and became the person who fixes what is broken and protects what doesn’t need fixing. He’s grumpy and skeptical of Elsie because the inn has meant so much to him, and he was there with Elspeth during her last days. The gradual lead-up to Elsie and Wells’ relationship is good stuff. It has the definitive soft and emotional connection romance that Stephens is known for. Though it seemed much more mature, and the intimacy felt deeper, which I think is a testament to Wells and Elsie’s personalities and development.

Blue Willow Inn felt like a character unto itself. Wells described it as a place that listened when people spoke, learned footsteps, and traced them with lamplight. It lived and breathed. The magic was beautifully woven in and did not rely on characters talking about it; readers experienced it as they reacted. The thing that stood out most to me was Elsie’s relationship with her grandmother. Although Elspeth has passed during the book's timeline, Stephens does a great job of capturing the grief, the love they had for each other, and who Elspeth was as a person. Elspeth left letters, but another significant part of that was the house. It was a tear-jerking moment when Elsie finally realized how important the house was to her. It’s by far one of my favorite moments. Correction: That is by far my favorite chapter in the book. I challenge anyone to try to read Chapter 27 without crying.

Final Thoughts

Blue Willow is a new direction for Ki Stephens. The story is cozy, heartwarming, and perfect for the holiday season. Through words, Stephens sets the scene and provides rich descriptions. I could hear the creaks of the stairs, the cracking of the fireplace, the smell of the cinnamon, and the taste of jam. There is a lot of rich goodness in here, and I’m overwhelmed with how much I’ve loved this story and how perfect the magically inn was. Thank you to Ki Stephens for providing this arc! Blue Willow releases on December 5, 2025. 

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Review: Game On by Ki Stephens

About the Book

A sweet and swoony novel of high spice and low stakes from the Coastal Rivals series author, Ki Stephens!

She’s a college cheerleader trading in her Oxford life for one year in Nashville. He’s a star quarterback who doesn’t do distractions. But when they team up for a no-strings-attached fling, they’ll have to break their own rules to keep playing the game.

After moving from England and breaking up with her underwhelming boyfriend, Ella Davies has one thing on her mind: proving herself on Whitland University’s elite cheer squad. She’s determined to let nothing derail her focus―except maybe the annoyingly handsome quarterback who keeps popping up at the most inconvenient times.

At Whitland, Hudson Fox is synonymous with football. Known for his relentless drive and reputation both on and off the field, he’s all about control. This season, he’s sworn off distractions to keep his eyes on the prize. But Ella’s fiery spirit and unexpected presence threaten to unravel his carefully laid plans.

Desperate to keep things simple, they strike a deal: just fun, no strings attached. But when lines start to blur and feelings edge in, they'll have to admit the only more dangerous than falling off the mat is falling for each other.

Review

It took me three weeks to finish Game On. Not because I disliked it. In fact, I liked it so much that I found myself wanting to savor it. Let me be clear that this is very much a Ki Stephens book. It is low stakes, repetitive beats from previous books, and safe; however, Ella and Hudson stole the show. They clicked for me, which solidified my enjoyment of this book. They completed each other very well, and I loved watching their relationship grow.

Ella has left Oxford for a year and moved to Nashville. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend and lost a part of herself when that relationship ended abruptly. She describes herself as being steady and sure while cheering; however, she does not apply the same fearlessness to her life. I wouldn’t consider her a “black cat fmc” as described in the marketing. But she does have some bite to her. I enjoyed her character. She’s very cautious about getting too close to Hudson so that she doesn’t get her heart broken. Some might have issues with how she reacted at times, but I found her honest, and it felt realistic for her characterization.

Hudson is just as lovable. Ella describes him as being bold and self-assured. He’s such a sweet country boy who loves his adorable cat. He’s also guarded his heart and feels a need to control everything around him, so no one gets hurt. Once he meets Ella, he has a yearning to risk that which is extremely scary to him.

With Hudson and Ella, it’s an attraction at first sight. Though the more time they spend together, the more they can’t stop thinking about each other, the deeper the attraction and feelings develop. They become a constant in each other’s lives. Instead of flinching at each other’s scars, they kiss them and love them anyway.

Of course, there is an issue. Ella is leaving after a year. The end result in Game On was quite evident. As mentioned earlier, it’s a low-stakes romance. I felt the ending come too quickly. Though that could be me wanting to spend more time with these characters.

Final Thoughts

Game On is certainly a Ki Stephens book. It could be slotted in any of her other series, and it’ll fit perfectly. It has the same vibes as the others. I desperately want her to take some risks and switch it up. That aside. I did enjoy Game On.  It has consistent pacing, and I had no significant issues with it. The real stars of the show are the romance and the characters. That is what makes this a four-star read for me. I can see myself rereading this just to soak in the goodness that is Hudson and Ella one last time.

This book is scheduled for publication on September 9, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: High Hopes by Ki Stephens

About the Book

BIRDIE Collins has a plan: finish her junior year in Dayton U’s competitive 3D4M program and secure a coveted arts fellowship. But since a car accident left her battling anxiety and chronic pain, keeping it together has become an uphill climb. The very last thing she needs? A distraction—especially not from a loudmouthed, overly-charming soccer player.

LIAM Donovan is the carefree jokester everyone assumes he is. As a star right winger on Dayton’s D1 soccer team, he’s always ready with a sarcastic remark or teasing grin. But the nonstop banter? It’s a cover for the heavy weight of family expectations he struggles to bear. He doesn’t have time for a complicated artist who sees straight through his defenses.

When Birdie and Liam’s paths collide, what starts as a reluctant partnership quickly turns into something deeper. Late-night study sessions melt into midnight confessions, and they find themselves drawn into each other’s worlds in ways they never expected.

As the final stretch of soccer season heats up and Birdie’s fellowship deadline looms, they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to take a chance on each other. Because sometimes, leaning on someone else isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a leap of faith.

Review

I have read all but one of Ki Stephens’ books. I’ve learned what to expect from her; colossal disappointment is never it. All the books have a certain feel to them. It feels soft, intimate, and quiet—which can sometimes cause the books to hit a low point. The romance is always cute and fluffy—lovable main characters with a natural progression. They feel nice, safe, and soft. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Stephens is a great writer, and I’d like her to try something new and not-so-safe.

With all that being said, High Hopes is my favorite of hers. It’s a standard Ki Stephens contempt romance; however, Birdie and Liam felt elevated. Both have several layers and are trying the best they can. Birdie is a dedicated and passionate ceramist who wants peace and a break. Birdie’s dealing with PTSD and grief while trying to earn a spot at a fellowship as her finances deplete. She’s isolated herself, and her old friends have abandoned her because they didn’t understand what she was going through after her car crash. She truly has no one. Spoiler alert--  she and her roommate become closer, and their friendship is beautiful, adorable, and fun.

Liam is a pathological people-pleaser whose parents make him feel like he’s not enough and try to dictate his life. He wants to play professional soccer, though that isn’t what his parents want for him. In a way, both have hidden their true selves from the world. They are silently suffering, and only when they find each other does someone finally see them. They have a genuine, comfortable friendship that turns into a sweet, endearing romance. There are so many small and thoughtful moments between them that really helped elevate them as a couple. Stephens built an emotional connection with them that met my expectations.

Final Thoughts

High Hopes has the classic soft love romance that one can expect from a Ki Stephens book. This is an art that she has mastered. Birdie and Liam are wonderful characters who deserve a big hug.

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