Mini Reviews: Spring Romances

 

We are in the heart of spring, and what better way to embrace it than with a spring romance? These two romances have very different settings, but their unique environments enhance the romance beautifully.

  

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

Pages: 464 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: April 7, 2026

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Georgie, All Along

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she's moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.

The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding.... But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.

Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple's doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff."

 

 

Lydia Bailey is divorced but has always maintained a good relationship with her ex-husband's family. When her former sister-in-law, Sarah, begs her to attend her destination wedding in Paris, Lydia agrees. Although things have remained amicable for everyone, she is aware that her ex-husband, Jamie, will also be present, accompanied by someone new. Upon her arrival, Lydia inadvertently clashes with the elusive best man, Griffin. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to discover a surprising chemistry between them. Complicating matters further, after a girls' night out, Sarah expresses second thoughts about the wedding. When Griffin learns this, he believes that Lydia’s comments during their conversation contributed to Sarah's doubts. Determined to help, Griffin confronts Lydia, and together they work to sort out the issues surrounding the bride and groom. Additionally, having Griffin by her side provides Lydia with a buffer against her ex-husband. The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn is a slow-burning romance set against the captivating backdrop of Paris, which plays a central role in the story.
 
I liked Lydia from the start of The Paris Match. It's not often we get a mature, well-accomplished divorced woman as the protagonist, but I am here for it. I enjoyed her journey to Paris, her awkward encounters with Griffin, which blossomed into something more, and her beautiful time in Paris. Springtime is the perfect time to crack open a book set in Paris (I mean, look at that cover!), so if you are a fan of slow burn romances, this would be a good option for you. Admittedly, I did enjoy Clayborn's Georgie, All Along a little bit more, but overall, this was a solid romance.
 

 

 

 

Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanee Nicole

Pages: 416 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: March 17, 2026

Publisher: Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "They say you can never tame a wildflower...When aspiring pastry chef, Tally Darling, returns home to her family’s daffodil farm, the last thing she expects to find is a hot—half-naked—farmhand living in her childhood bedroom and running her late daddy’s business.

Jesse Walker might be gorgeous but he’s also infuriatingly grumpy. Walker has no time for Tally and the feeling is mutual.

That is, until Tally hears him moan over one of her signature salted honey cupcakes. And then discovers how good it tastes when they kiss.

As dewy April days turn into warm May evenings, Walker and Tally soon realize that there is a thin line between love and hate. But will their budding connection grow into something that lasts beyond one season?

 

Tally's father has recently passed away, prompting her to return home to her family's farm to help out. Once there, she discovers a mysterious and gruff cowboy living not only in her family's house but also in her room! It turns out he has come to assist on the farm at her mother’s request. Awkwardness ensues! Upon her return, Tally finds herself grappling not only with her grief but also with the new dynamics at the farm. She doesn't fully understand why Jesse, the cowboy, is working there, and she realizes her mother isn't being clear with her about it. The more time Tally spends with Jesse, who is her complete opposite, the more she starts to see that opposites attract. Their grumpy/sunshine romance begins to blossom, but Jesse is hiding secrets from Tally that are nearly ready to come to light. Brittanee Nicole's Darling Daffodils Farm is a sweet romance filled with a touch of spice, small-town charm, and the essence of spring.
 
A daffodil farm is just about the best setting you could think of for a spring romance, am I right? The small town charm just oozes off the pages, which was reminiscent of a Hallmark movie or The Dream Harbor series. But be forewarned! Darling Daffodils Farm isn't your mother's Hallmark movie; there are a ton of spicy scenes! So, if spicy romances are your thing and you are looking for a spring one, this has it all, including the usual tropes, but Nicole does a good job making them feel fresh and fun. 

 

 

Are you a fan of romances? Are any of these books on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.