At the Core

by D Allen

Autumn Chapman is the fourth-generation owner of her family’s struggling apple orchard. Her uncles, who are co-owners, want to sell what’s left and walk away while they still can, but Autumn doesn’t want to let the legacy of her family’s business die with her. However, the finances are tight and sales are slowing year-to-year.

Braden Clinton is a young executive at a large suburban conglomerate. With the promise of a promotion, he’s been tasked with getting the Chapmans to sell their business to further expand his company’s portfolio. The problem? Autumn refuses to sell.

Not willing to take no for an answer, Braden decides to show up to the orchard every day to convince Autumn to sell. But as he learns more and more about the orchard, Autumn, and her family’s business, he starts to think that maybe he is on the wrong side of the fight. Meanwhile Autumn starts to think that maybe she can’t keep the business afloat on her own.

At the Core is a standalone sweet romance featuring rivals-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine charm, and the fight to save a family orchard.

318 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2025

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the Core by D. Allen Review

At the Core by D. Allen is a sweet, small‑town contemporary romance set among the rolling fields and crisp autumn air of a family apple orchard. The story follows Autumn Chapman, the fourth‑generation owner of her family’s struggling orchard, determined to preserve her family’s legacy even as sales dwindle and her uncles want to sell. Enter Braden Clinton, a young executive from a suburban corporate giant whose next big promotion hinges on convincing the Chapmans to sell their land so his company can expand. What begins as a classic rivals‑to‑lovers conflict slowly blossoms into something tender as Braden spends more time at the orchard, learns its value, and discovers that Autumn herself is worth far more than he ever expected. Both characters are driven by duty; hers to heritage, his to career but At the Core tenderly explores what happens when hearts shift and priorities realign in the quiet rhythm of harvest and hard work.

What charmed me most was the authentic warmth of Autumn’s world: the scent of apples in the air, the taste of cider at a fall festival, and the subtle ache of watching a family legacy hang in the balance. Autumn’s fierce loyalty to her roots and Braden’s gradual softening toward her values filled the romance with depth and sweetness rather than superficial sparks.

I loved how the author let their feelings grow amid orchard chores and earnest conversations, crafting a slow‑burn connection that felt honest and grounded. The grumpy‑sunshine dynamic; Autumn’s guarded hopefulness against Braden’s initial corporate pragmatism made their scenes together feel both playful and sincere. While the story leans into familiar small‑town romance beats, At the Core stands out because its emotional heart is rooted in community, heritage, and the courage it takes to redefine what “success” really means. By the end I felt hopeful, wrapped in orchard sunsets and the promise that love can grow in even the most unexpected soil.

Rating: 3 out of 5
Because the heartfelt characters, cozy setting, and lovingly grounded slow‑burn made this a genuinely uplifting romance.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, entertaining, quick read. Braden and Autumn are compelling characters who captured me from the beginning until the very end. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. I also liked the family dynamics that played out for each of the main characters and the impact it had. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.