REVIEW: Meet Me In The Orchard by Carolyn Brown

Meet Me In The Orchard by Carolyn Brown: Brodie Carter thought the biggest moment lately was meeting his father Joe Clay who didn’t know he existed. It turns out a bigger event upends his life. When a tornado hits the house where he and his brothers have lived in only two and a half months, life gets even crazier. The one lucky thing is the farm they started is okay. They take up an offer to live with Joe Clay and some of his family. Many of his seven half sisters are now out on their own, thanks to his Great Aunt Bernie and her matchmaking skills.

While trying to re-build, he comes upon Audrey Ross who owns the orchard next to his farm. She keeps trying to push Brodie to sell her his farm. She is anything but kind about it. Brodie works hard to make everything successful.

Brodie is tired from working every day, but he lets Aunt Bernie set him up on some dates. Despite her matchmaking skills they are all duds. After meeting at the edge of Audrey’s orchard over time Brodie and Audrey decide to go out. Audrey has an Aunt Hettie who raised her for the most part. Hettie has a long time grudge against all the residents of the Paradise, especially Bernie. Hettie is very much against Audrey and Brodie going out. Can the two of them help bring peace or will they make things worse?

In earlier books by Carolyn Brown, readers have met many of the residents of the Paradise. This new novel has them in the background for the most part, except Aunt Bernie. She adds so much humor to the mix. Aunt Hettie seems pushy and difficult until more of her background is shown.

I loved making a trip back to this small town in Texas with people who take care of each other and make some mouthwatering food. I look forward to another visit to Paradise thanks to the remarkable and sweet author Carolyn Brown.

If you love sweet, slow-burn Southern charm, this small-town romance— is perfect for fans of cozy love story. Here are the tropes you’ll find nestled in this heartwarming romance:

• Enemies to Lovers
• Neighbors to Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Small-Town Romance
• Matchmaking Relative
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Second Chance at Family
• Home-Renovation Healing

Book Info:

Publication: August 5, 2025 | Sourcebooks | The Paradise #1

Fans of beloved Southern films will flip for this charming small-town tale.” — Woman’s World for The Sisters Café
Small town enemies to lovers romance between two headstrong farmers determined to one-up each other, from the queen of Texas twang herself, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown.
Two and a half months have passed since Brodie Carter showed up at the Paradise and announced that he is Joe Clay Carter’s son. Getting to know all seven of his half sisters and their spouses has not been an easy job. Add to that Audrey Ross, the obnoxious, sassy, overbearing woman who owns the orchard and farm next to his. Between Audrey haggling Brodie to buy his property and his matchmaking Great Aunt Bernie setting him up on flop dates, nothing seems to be going right.
And then a tornado hits, demolishing the house Brodie and his brothers live in and everything they own. At least the farm was left untouched. Luckily, his new family offers up rooms to Brodie and his brothers at the Paradise while they work to rebuild.
Audrey claims the storm is an omen to Brodie, so Brodie does everything he can to prove her wrong. No one boils his blood like she does, and Aunt Bernie can see it. Can Brodie and Audrey stop arguing over their properties long enough to realize the spark that’s growing between them?