Review: Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
“I have an entire pasture of trees that look like something out of a Tim Burton movie, and there is a family of raccoons orchestrating a hostile takeover of my Santa barn.”
The Basics
Title: Lovelight Farms (Lovelight #1)
Author: B.K. Borison
Published: 2021
Publisher: B.K. Borison
Pages: 317
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Holiday, Romance, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary romance, Holiday romance
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Book Synopsis
When Stella Bloom purchased Lovelight Farms, she thought it would be the beginning of something wonderful. She had romantic notions of transforming the rural Christmas tree farm into a magical wonderland replete with twinkle lights, a skating rink, mugs of steaming cocoa, and home-baked goodies. While her farm now boasts all of those things, it is also heavily in debt and struggling from a bout of bad luck that has included missing shipments and sickly, withered trees.
So, when Stella learns of a social media contest for small businesses that has a $100,000 cash prize, she jumps at the opportunity and crafts a compelling (perhaps too compelling) submission. In an effort to boost her chances of winning, she might have embellished certain aspects of her application, namely that she runs Lovelight Farms with her longtime boyfriend. The trouble is, there is no boyfriend, longtime or otherwise. She, however, better find one fast, for Evelyn St. James, the social media influencer hosting the sweepstakes, has chosen Stella as a finalist and will be traveling to Lovelight Farms to meet Stella and her nonexistent boyfriend.
Enter Luka, Stella’s best friend and the object of her perpetual pining. He will pretend to be her boyfriend while Evelyn is in town, and once she leaves (and Stella hopefully wins the contest), their relationship will resume its usual platonic nature – or will it?
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A dazzling holiday romance that is sure to delight.
Warning: Potential spoilers ahead.
Lovelight Farms is a warm cup of tea on a chilly winter’s night, invariably lifting your spirits as you devour its contents. It has everything you could hope for in a holiday romance: lovable characters, a charming setting, plenty of humor, and of course, a healthy serving of romance. You will be smiling and laughing throughout it, and when you turn the final page, you’ll be wishing that your time at Lovelight Farms wasn’t over quite yet.
At the heart of this book and in large part what makes it such a delightful read is the relationship between Stella and Luka. Although they begin as friends, it is clear from the get-go that they are destined for more. They have an effortless connection and undeniable chemistry replete with banter, teasing, and tension, and more importantly, a deep sense of care exists between them. Stella’s fake dating scheme gives them the nudge that they need to finally examine the nature of their feelings for one another, and gradually – oh so gradually – they come to the same conclusion that we, the readers, came to after their first scene together: they are made for one another. Watching their sweet, aww-inducing love story unfold is a true delight.
While their romance might be the focal point of the story, there are subplots, including the mystery of who or what is behind all of the mishaps at Lovelight Farms. Are the farm’s missing shipments and Tim Burton-esque trees the result of bad luck or ill intent? It is not until the end of the book that the answer to this question is revealed, so just in case Luka and Stella’s romance is not sufficient inducement for your continued attention, your curiosity alone will keep you turning the pages.
Further adding to the book’s appeal is its setting: the picturesque town of Inglewild in rural Maryland. From its quirky townsfolk to cute downtown and bevy of gossipmongers, Inglewild is like something out of Gilmore Girls or a Hallmark movie. And let’s not forget the book’s namesake – Lovelight Farms, Stella’s idyllic Christmas tree farm brimming with charm, balsam firs, twinkle lights, and tantalizing baked goods. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be wishing that both places were real so that you could visit them and be enveloped by their coziness.
As for Lovelight Farms’ characters, they are all well-written, and over the course of the book, they come to feel lifelike. Stella, the story’s protagonist, is not only realistic but also relatable. Like many of us, she has suffered loss and has her struggles in life, including family issues and moments of self-doubt. She is also hilarious; her internal monologues about the townspeople and all the goings-on in her life had me grinning and tee-heeing. Then, there is her love interest and best friend, Luka. Handsome, caring, a trifle nerdy, and gifted in the kitchen: he is perfection and makes for a swoon-worthy male lead. Even the more ancillary characters are praiseworthy, for no matter how minor they are, they have each been furnished with just enough detail to feel purposeful but never distracting.
Underlying everything is Borison’s bright and witty writing, which breathes life into the book and imbues its pages with heart and humor. Through laughs, good pacing, and an engaging and immersive narrative, the story pulls you in and retains your attention throughout its entirety. You need not worry about your interest ever waning while reading Lovelight Farms.
The not so good
I could have done without the third-quarter breakup, which is, unfortunately, an altogether too-common trope in romances.
Overall
Lovelight Farms ticks all of the rom-com boxes for me: it is funny; it has lovable characters, including a couple you can’t help but root for; it has an idyllic setting; and it leaves me smiling. If you are looking for a cozy, feel-good romance to read this holiday season, look no further.
Have you read Lovelight Farms? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
