Once Upon a Time in Dollywood: A Novel by Ashley JordanPublication Date: August 5, 2025
Pages: 448
Add on: Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating: ★★★★
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Publisher: Berkley / Penguin Random House
“A moving, captivating, beautiful debut! I can’t wait for the whole world to read it."—Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of Flirting Lessons
A playwright must grapple with her difficult year and writer's block while falling for the single dad living next door in this emotional debut novel from Ashley Jordan.
Eve Ambroise may be a rising star playwright, but her personal life is falling part. Desperate for a fresh start, she breaks up with her fiancé, cuts off her parents, and heads to the Tennessee mountains. But keeping up the lie that she’s just on a writing retreat becomes near impossible when faced with the well-meaning townspeople and a neighbor who has just as much baggage as she has.
Coming off a contentious custody battle, Jamie Gallagher is restructuring what his life looks like as a single dad, and spending more days at his cabin makes his new “free time” a little less empty. Especially when he meets the beautiful—and prickly—woman next door. The last thing he needs is a new romance to shake up his family dynamics even more, but there’s something about Eve.
What starts out as a fling quickly becomes more serious, and it’s not long before Eve is running scared once again. She’s loved and lost in every possible way, and risking it one more time could finally break her. But like the fireflies that fill the mountains around them, Jamie's and Eve’s lives keep falling into sync. A fairy-tale ending could be in the cards, but only if the new couple can get out of their heads and put their hearts first.
“An entertaining, sexy novel that boldly explores trauma and healing yet still manages to be laugh-out-loud funny”—Library Journal STARRED review
Story Locale: East Tennessee
REVIEW
Ashley Jordan’s Once Upon a Time in Dollywood isn’t just another romance; it’s a warm, soulful journey through heartbreak, hope, and the messiness of starting over. The story centers on Eve Ambroise, a playwright reeling from loss and writer’s block, who seeks refuge in her late grandmother’s Tennessee home. She’s not looking for company, but fate has other plans: her neighbour, a single dad with his own scars, pulls her into a slow-burn friendship that blossoms into something deeper.
What sets this book apart is its honesty and emotional intelligence. Eve and her neighbour’s dynamic, grumpy meets sunshine, never feels forced. Their chemistry builds quietly, filled with awkward moments, laughter, and those small, aching steps toward trust. Jordan paints Eve with depth and vulnerability, making her struggles and triumphs feel personal. The single dad is more than just a love interest; he’s a fully realized character wrestling with his own baggage, and together, they navigate the tricky terrain of forgiveness and healing.
The setting, nestled in the shadow of Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains, adds a nostalgic, almost magical layer. It’s not just background, it’s woven into the soul of the story, grounding Eve’s journey in a real place with real history.
Jordan’s prose is sharp and empathetic, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with gut-punch insight. Her focus on Black women’s experiences in romance is refreshing, and she brings a specificity and heart to her characters that stays with you. Some readers might wish for a snappier pace in the middle, but the payoff is worth the wait; the final chapters deliver an emotional punch that lingers long after the last page.
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is for anyone who loves character-driven romance, second chances, or just a good story about finding joy when you least expect it. With this debut, Ashley Jordan proves she’s a writer to watch.
Rating: 4 out of 5
