Title: Among Wildflowers (Among Wilds #1)
Author: C. Ellan Rose
Genre: Small-Town Romance, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Synopsis
Ali Bennett had it all.
Money, status, luxury vacations, designer clothes and a carefully curated life that looked perfect from the outside.
Then she lost everything.
After a disastrous breakup and the loss of her job, Ali retreats to the only place she can think of: a small cottage left to her by her grandmother in Lakeside, Wisconsin.
The town couldn't be more different from the life she left behind. It's small, quirky, obsessed with wildflowers and full of people who know everyone's business.
Including Jake Elliott, the town's beloved veterinarian.
As Ali slowly rebuilds her life, she discovers that sometimes the things we never planned for end up being exactly what we need.
My Thoughts
I went into this book hoping for a cozy small-town romance and for the most part, that's exactly what I got.
After losing both her job and her boyfriend in spectacular fashion, Ali finds herself escaping to a small Wisconsin town where she quickly realizes that designer heels and country roads don't mix particularly well.
Watching her adjust to small-town life was one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
The "fish-out-of-water" moments were genuinely funny, and I enjoyed seeing her navigate a world that couldn't have been more different from the one she was used to. While Ali doesn't make the best first impression, she gradually becomes a character that's very easy to root for.
What I appreciated most was her growth.
At the beginning of the story, she's still carrying a lot of assumptions about herself and the world around her. But as she settles into Lakeside, builds friendships and starts contributing to the community, she begins to discover who she is without the lifestyle that once defined her.
The transformation felt natural and was easily my favorite aspect of the book. (I think I said it 3 times already, sorry :D)
And then there's Jake.
First of all, if you know me, you will also know that if a book features a veterinarian, there's a very good chance I'm going to pick it up.
It's basically a rule at this point. 😅
Jake was kind, dependable, patient and exactly the sort of person you'd want living next door. I also appreciated that despite the strong attraction between him and Ali, the romance wasn't rushed. The relationship was allowed to develop over time, which made it feel more believable.
For a large portion of the book, I really enjoyed the two of them together.
That said...
Jake and I had a brief disagreement near the end of the novel.
By "brief disagreement," I mean I wanted to sit him down and have a very serious conversation about some of his decision-making skills.
Without getting into spoilers, I felt he could have used a little more groveling afterward. I understood what the author was trying to do, but I wasn't entirely convinced he earned forgiveness quite as quickly as he did.
My biggest issue, however, wasn't Jake.
It was the pacing.
For the first half of the book, I was completely invested. I loved the setting, the characters, and Ali's journey. But somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn't quite as emotionally engaged as I had been at the start.
The story remained enjoyable, but the spark that initially hooked me never fully carried through to the ending.
That's not to say the book became bad, far from it. It remained a pleasant, easy read throughout. I simply found myself less invested in the outcome than I expected to be.
Final Thoughts
Among Wildflowers is a sweet small-town romance filled with charming characters, personal growth, and plenty of cozy atmosphere.
While I wish the second half had maintained the same level of engagement I felt at the beginning, I still enjoyed my time in Lakeside and especially appreciated Ali's character development.
If you're looking for a feel-good romance featuring a fish-out-of-water heroine, a lovable veterinarian, and a small town full of quirky residents, this is definitely worth checking out.
⭐️ 3.5 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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