by Jeannie Chin
ASIN/ISBN: 9781538753668
Publication: March 7, 2023
Series: Blue Cedar Falls #3

**I was provided a copy of the book through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.**

When I found the Blue Cedar Falls series, I was ecstatic to have an Asian American female lead in a small-town romance. I grew up in what was a small city but often felt like a small town, so it was nice to read about a somewhat diverse small town. I found a part of myself in each sister and loved each one a little differently, but Elizabeth and Graham’s story in House on Mulberry Street is probably my favorite. There’s just something about unrequited love paired with friends-to-lovers that gets me nearly every time. 

Chin flips different stereotypes that may be familiar to her Asian American readers by not only making Elizabeth an artist but also the “troublemaker” in the family. She’s never lived down riding in the back of the sheriff’s car. It also does not help that she is the “unsuccessful” sister when compared to her older sisters. Additionally, with a name like Elizabeth when her sisters are June and May, she really is the black sheep of the family. Hopefully, she can change things a bit with her plans for an arts festival even though her best friend is upending their relationship by moving out.

Graham is the best friend who has been in love with her for nearly as long as they have known each other. After being best friends for over a decade and living together nearly as long, he is finally trying to move on from his unrequited crush. As much as I loved Graham, it was hard for me to fault Elizabeth for not seeing him in a different light because he just kept waiting for her to see something more between them. Sometimes, a nudge is necessary, and this might be the one he has always needed.

Elizabeth and Graham are opposites but balance one another nicely with Elizabeth being more outgoing and willing to try new things while Graham is dependable and likes staying in the background. They have wonderful chemistry, and the transition from being friends to lovers was one I enjoyed. Although there is a focus on Elizabeth and Graham redefining their relationship, I appreciated the exploration of their personal insecurities. I loooooved this one a lot.

Pick this up if you like reading (hahaha), but if that’s not enough to convince you, read this if you’re a fan of friends to lovers, small-town romance and he falls first.