The Maine Event

by Alia Smith

Rachel Holmes is a high-powered PR exec with a laser focus on success. Her life revolves around landing the next big deal.

Dan Rhodes used to be a soap opera star—now, he’s a single dad living a quiet life, far from the limelight.

When a travel mix-up leaves Rachel stranded on the wrong side of the country, her plans for a career-defining pitch go up in smoke. Instead, she finds herself navigating an unexpected connection with the charming—but stubborn—Dan and his daughter, Chloe.

Rachel doesn’t do detours, but between getting tangled up in Dan’s world and uncovering a softer side to her own ambitions, she’s facing a crossroads she never saw coming.

Her future was always clear… until now.

A swoon-worthy, opposites-attract romance about love, family, and the unexpected journeys that lead us home.


This is a low-spice romance

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Alia Smith writes heart-warming romantic comedies filled with wit, charm, and just the right amount of chaos. When she's not crafting love stories, she can usually be found curled up with a book, getting emotionally invested in reality TV, or attempting to keep Galaxy—her cat and chief muse—from sitting on her keyboard. She lives in a cosy Oxfordshire home, where she firmly believes that every great romance starts with a good cup of tea.

Reviews

[Lynda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alia's second novel is heartwarmingly wonderful. It's like a hallmark movie in a novel. Just perfect.

A big city girl "trapped" in a small town. A local boy who shows her the life that she didn't even know that she wanted.

Written beautifully, it takes the reader on a sweet journey of discovery. A seemless journey which lets you meander through the book, feeling all of the heartfelt moments as they happen. Watching the Dan and Rachel find their own paths is truly magnificent.

Congrats to Alia on showcasing your beautiful words in your second book. I look forward to reading ALL of your future books.

[Brandy Alegria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ I enjoyed this book, love the reverse grumpy sunshine. I enjoy a Hallmark feel, it's comforting, enjoyable, and so fun to take you away while you read. I loved the small town setting, one of my favorite settings. Available today, July 1st! Definitely check this one out.

[Ava Start · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review
This book was so good I really enjoyed it
Thank you to the author for gifting me the arc of this book

[Erin Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Funnel ARC: This is such a cute next addition to its series. I had fun reading it, and I hope there is more to come!

[Alanna Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel and Dan are a very cute couple. If you like sweet opposites-attract, single dad romances, then this book is for you.

[Brittney Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This is a perfect little rom com/ hallmark type of book. It is a romance book with very few open door scenes because the characters are figuring themselves out. Rachel is a high achieving PR exec who ends up taking a wrong flight to Maine due to a mix up with her assistant. While in Maine she meets Dan and his daughter Chloe. Dan is a single father to a 12 year old girl named Chloe. He is a former actor who lives in small town Maine valuing family over anything else. Overall I thought the book was good however there were parts that’s seemed off. The meat of the book happens over the course of approximately 1 or 2 weeks. The encounters were great and I loved the relationship between Rachel and Chloe but the one between Rachel and Dan seemed too quick with unresolved issues. For someone who is a “protective father” he trusted his daughter with a “stranger” a few times and then got upset when something happened.
If you are looking for a rom com with a single dad then this book is definitely for you. They do have a great connection it just happened quickly time wise (though technically it is a slow burn). But we’ve got romance, slow burns, tension, and found family that doesn’t erase Chloe’s mom.

[Kiara Sepulveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC Review✨️

Alia Smith has done it again. Everything about The Maine Event was so beautiful and emotional and one of those books that a person will just get. Because being an adult is so difficult. You have to make difficult choices, making decisions that on might be unsure about. But in the end, its about just living through it, making mistakes, having a fall out, soaring through that, falling in love.

This book has really shown all of that. We don't have to have everything figured out, like Rachel thought it should be. We shouldn't be living in fear of what has happened in the past like Dan has been doing. It does take time, but in the end, we have to live for ourselves and foe the people we love.

The Maine Event is so amazing, I don't think I'll ever stop talking about it. It is well written and has a lot of messages that I think a lot of people should hear.

The Maine Event releases July 1, 2025!! 🥰

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Small town charm, a driven city girl, and a rugged single dad? Yes please 😏
Sprinkle in some forced proximity and a dash of reverse grumpy x sunshine tension and it’s chefs kiss 🤌

While I did enjoy the story, the FMC spent a lot of time therapising herself, which I felt pulled the focus away from the romance for me. I believe I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if the FMC wasn’t so inward focused (definitely felt it more because we only get her pov)


Regardless I still enjoyed the read, it was cute, it was cosy and had tropes I do typically love.


If you want something sweet, cosy and dashed with hallmark movie charm, give this one a look.


Thank you Alia and bookfunnel for this arc, greatly appreciate the opportunity to read these sweet romances. I can’t wait for the next book you write🫶💕

[Emma Schissel · Rating 3 out of 5]

** received as an ARC

2.5 🌟
honestly i was a bit disappointed after coming from Bookish with Benefits and loving that! I enjoyed the premise and loved that it was set in Maine, but I think there were a few too many tangents where the FMC was like therapizing (not a word but you know what i mean) herself. i think it really had potential if there had been more building of the romantic relationship, less internal therapy sessions, and a longer timeline. the meat and potatoes of this book happened over the span of a few weeks, and you’re telling me you’re in love with each other now?

[Nicole၄၃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a found family trope! The love Rachel had for Chloe from the beginning is adorable. Her time with Dan and Chloe and how she loved being around such a loving father daughter relationship made me feel sad for her own family - mum and sister and her nieces. If she spent time with them she would have felt the same but of course it’s a love story.

I would have loved to know more about her new job and if that became successful or not. I do love that she realised work isn’t everything!

I felt proud for her for finally living the work life balance.

[Kylie A · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC READ: I thought this was a cute story..however it felt just a little too hallmark cliche for me.
Big city girl gets a wrong flight to a small town and meets a small town actor man, they develop a friendship that turns into feelings developed, and they fall in love. It’s super cute, and a fun easy read for the feels! It’s a meet cute for sure, and takes you in that hallmark moment!

[s.elle.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐!!!

This book had moments that gripped my attention. Overall, just a decent read.

There was maybe a bit too much focus on the FMCs career, and I'm not a huge fan of the 3rd act breakup.

This book is also quite low spice, and I'd recommend it to readers who are looking for that!