Book Review: Dust and Denim by Harper Dale
Advance Copy Note: I read Dust and Denim in July 2026, ahead of its September 2026 publication date. I noticed several typos, errors, and instances of repeated information in my advance copy, so I hope those issues are addressed during the final editing process.
I really wanted to love Dust and Denim by Harper Dale. I enjoy second-chance romances, and I thought Laurel and Calder had great chemistry. I also really enjoyed the cute small-town setting and strong sense of community, especially seeing people come together to support one another.
Unfortunately, I felt like the story was trying to do too much. Given the length of the book, some of the plotlines began to feel overwhelming, and so much happened so quickly that I often found myself frustrated with Laurel and Calder's relationship. I kept wishing they would simply communicate instead of letting misunderstandings and assumptions build. I wanted to connect with their second-chance romance more than I ultimately did.
I also struggled at times to understand some of the characters' motivations, particularly Grant, Laurel's soon-to-be ex-husband. Some of the family revelations and backstory didn't quite work for me either. I also found some of the profanity around a three-year-old unnecessary and distracting.
One thing I did enjoy was Mercy and Tanner. I thought they were interesting supporting characters, and I would be interested in seeing where their stories go in the future.
Overall, Dust and Denim had a cute small-town atmosphere, a strong sense of community, and a second-chance romance with plenty of potential. While it didn't completely work for me, there were still elements of the story that I enjoyed, and I think readers who enjoy small-town romances may find something to appreciate here.
You can see my review for Goodreads here:
Thank you to NetGalley and RupertBossier for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Comments