When Autumn Ends, by Beth Rinyu

Publication: February 19, 2018

when autumn ends About the book:

I was at the top of my game until reality hit in a way I had never imagined, forcing me to face the living hell that had become my life. The ghosts and demons that once filled the pages of my bestselling novels now flooded my mind, consuming my thoughts both day and night.

She was hauntingly beautiful, and I was drawn to her in the most unimaginable way.
She was my breath when I had stopped breathing.
She was my hope when I was drowning in despair.
She was my muse when I had lost all motivation.

But nothing good lasted—not in my world anyway.

Like the last days of autumn when the beautiful leaves are stripped away by the long winter days, lurking in the distance; her caring ways and gentle soul were only temporary. Soon it would be taken from me, leaving my heart as barren as those once majestic trees. But unlike those autumn days, she remained, giving me the courage to face the cold, dark winter of my past while uncovering secrets and lies that could be the premise of a bestseller. Only, this wasn’t fiction, this was my reality—a reality I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

My Review:

This romantic and emotional novel is about a young woman, Jenna, that has inherited and renovating her family’s home where she hopes to start her own B & B. Staying next door in another Inn is Ethan, a tortured writer who has revisited the seaside community to remember a heart-breaking event from his past. Jenna’s engaged to a man that she is having doubts about, while Ethan is mysterious and has very frequent and unexpected mood swings. Slowly, a friendship starts to build, could there be more between them when Ethan is battling so many ghosts from his past?

As soon as I started this novel, I had nothing but love for Jenna. Despite her worries over marrying her fiance, she dives in head first with renovating her aunt’s home and regardless of obstacles and challenges, she keeps such a sweet and positive attitude. As far as Ethan goes, there is nothing likable about him in the early stages of this novel. He’s angry, broken, bitter, and almost any other negative adjective you can think of. I won’t explain why, but he actually has a very valid reason and has experienced things that are unimaginable. However, he slowly begins to open up to Jenna and as he begins helping her with her renovations and as she shares more about herself, an entirely different Ethan begins to surface.

When Autumn Ends is a fabulous combination of romance, friendship, heart-breaking events, and rebuilding your hearts and families. Even with the sadness within the story, I assure you that this will leave your heart happy and full. Beth Rinyu has included plenty of twists and turns that will keep you completely addicted from beginning to end, and Ethan and Jenna are characters that you will not soon forget. I highly recommend this contemporary romance, but grab some Kleenex!

*Thanks to Xpresso Books for providing this review copy.