Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan

Imagine a cozy cabin in the misty hills of Tennessee, where the air hums with new possibilities and the faint glow of Dollywood’s lights feels like a Diwali sparkler in the distance. That’s the vibe of Once Upon a Time in Dollywood, a cracking debut by Ashley Jordan, a millennial writer from Atlanta with Brooklyn roots. A Spelman College grad and former Reese’s Book Club fellow, Jordan spins a 320-page romance that’s as heart-tugging as a Bollywood love song and as funny as a late-night chai session with mates. Released in August 2025, this novel is a proper mix of love, loss, and laughter, set in the warm embrace of a small town.

I’m here to tell you why this book is a total must-read, not just for its swoony romance but because it dives deep into the messy bits of healing and starting over. For Indian readers, especially the youth, and folks across the globe, it’s a story that hits home, reminding us that love can mend even the most shattered hearts. With a lively summary, a solid analysis with examples, and a heartfelt case for why Indian readers will love it, this review will show why Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a book you’ll want to curl up with like a monsoon evening with a good cuppa.

The story kicks off with a soulful line: “The mountains didn’t care about my broken heart; they just stood there, steady and silent” (Jordan, 2025, p. 1). Eve Ambroise, a playwright and college professor, bolts from Brooklyn to her granny’s cabin near Dollywood, nursing the pain of two miscarriages and a breakup with her fiancé, Leo: “I couldn’t keep pretending with Leo; every loss carved a new hole in me” (Jordan, 2025, p. 10). She calls it a writing retreat to fix her writer’s block, but the nosy locals see right through her: “This town’s got a way of poking into your soul” (Jordan, 2025, p. 15). Enter Jamie Gallagher, her next-door neighbor, a single dad and woodworker who’s just come through a rough custody fight for his eight-year-old son, Jack: “Custody fights strip you bare, but Jack’s worth every scar” (Jordan, 2025, p. 20).

Their first meet is pure drama: “She looked at me like I was a problem she didn’t have time for” (Jordan, 2025, p. 25). Eve’s all sharp edges, clashing with Jamie’s easy-going vibe, but evenings under firefly-lit skies soften things up: “Fireflies danced like they knew something we didn’t” (Jordan, 2025, p. 30). A bond forms when Eve helps Jack with a school project: “Kids see through the walls adults build” (Jordan, 2025, p. 40). Soon, their friendship turns into a proper fling: “Her touch was a spark, and I was kindling waiting to burn” (Jordan, 2025, p. 50). But Eve’s scared of getting hurt again: “I’ve loved and lost too much to try again” (Jordan, 2025, p. 60). Jamie’s cautious too, thinking of Jack: “Jack’s my world; I can’t let love mess that up” (Jordan, 2025, p. 70).

As their romance heats up, Eve grapples with her past, including bitterness toward her Haitian parents’ strict expectations: “My parents wanted a perfect daughter, not a broken one” (Jordan, 2025, p. 80). Jamie deals with his own family baggage: “My family taught me love hurts, but I still want it” (Jordan, 2025, p. 90). Maya, a bubbly local, brings some much-needed laughter: “Maya’s laugh could light up these mountains” (Jordan, 2025, p. 100). When a buried childhood trauma of Eve’s comes up, she does a runner: “Running’s easier than facing the truth” (Jordan, 2025, p. 120). Jamie, smitten and stubborn, chases after her, leading to a raw showdown that bares their hearts: “Love doesn’t fix you; it makes you want to fix yourself” (Jordan, 2025, p. 150). The climax, set against Dollywood’s dazzling lights, sees them embrace vulnerability, carving out a path to love and healing.

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is an absolute dhamaka, blending the fizz of a Bollywood rom-com with the depth of a family drama. Jordan’s writing is lush and warm, painting the Tennessee hills like a vibrant rangoli: “The mountains didn’t care about my broken heart; they just stood there, steady and silent” (Jordan, 2025, p. 1). This 320-page novel is a proper page-turner, mixing tender moments with laugh-out-loud banter, like a chai-time chat with your best mates. The setting, with its firefly glow and small-town charm, feels like a character itself: “Fireflies danced like they knew something we didn’t” (Jordan, 2025, p. 30), adding a magical spark to the story.

The characters are the heart of the book, crafted with love and realness. Eve’s raw pain, “I couldn’t keep pretending with Leo; every loss carved a new hole in me” (Jordan, 2025, p. 10), makes her a heroine you root for, broken yet hopeful. Jamie’s warmth, “Custody fights strip you bare, but Jack’s worth every scar” (Jordan, 2025, p. 20), makes him the kind of guy you’d want as a friend. Their chemistry, “Her touch was a spark, and I was kindling waiting to burn” (Jordan, 2025, p. 50), is pure filmi magic, with romantic scenes that balance passion and heart. Maya’s energy, “Maya’s laugh could light up these mountains” (Jordan, 2025, p. 100), brings humor, while Jack’s innocence, “Kids see through the walls adults build” (Jordan, 2025, p. 40), adds emotional weight.

The themes—grief, identity, and healing—are the soul of the story, handled with care and honesty. The focus on talking things out, “Love doesn’t fix you; it makes you want to fix yourself” (Jordan, 2025, p. 150), lifts the romance above the usual, showing characters who grow through real conversations. Eve’s Haitian background adds a rich layer: “My parents wanted a perfect daughter, not a broken one” (Jordan, 2025, p. 80), tackling family expectations with depth. The way it weaves in faith and its complexities gives the story a thoughtful edge, making it resonate far and wide.

Even this gem has a few cracks. The pacing, while lively, can feel a bit rushed in the love story: “Her touch was a spark, and I was kindling waiting to burn” (Jordan, 2025, p. 50) hits fast, leaving you craving more of that slow-burn filmi tension. Eve’s prickly vibe, “She looked at me like I was a problem she didn’t have time for” (Jordan, 2025, p. 25), might put off some readers before her softer side shines through. Jamie’s too-nice nature, “Jack’s my world; I can’t let love mess that up” (Jordan, 2025, p. 70), can feel a tad flat, making his growth less exciting.

The heavy stuff—miscarriages, family rifts—can weigh the story down a bit, with lines like “I’ve loved and lost too much to try again” (Jordan, 2025, p. 60) hitting hard without enough lighter moments to balance. Maya, though a riot, feels like a sidekick who doesn’t get her full due. The ending, while warm and fuzzy, leans a bit too filmi: “Love doesn’t fix you; it makes you want to fix yourself” (Jordan, 2025, p. 150) ties things up a bit too neatly for such messy pain. Eve’s Haitian roots, while beautifully done, could dig deeper for those wanting more cultural flavor, leaving some bits feeling a tad light.

Why Indian Readers Must Read This Book

This book is a total treat for Indian readers, especially the youth, as it captures the ups and downs of growing up in a world full of pressure and heartbreak. Eve’s struggle, “I couldn’t keep pretending with Leo; every loss carved a new hole in me” (Jordan, 2025, p. 10), feels like the pain of bombing a JEE exam or facing family drama over not settling down. Her fight with her parents, “My parents wanted a perfect daughter, not a broken one” (Jordan, 2025, p. 80), is like those tense moments when your folks push for a “proper” job while you’re dreaming of startups or writing.

The focus on healing, “Love doesn’t fix you; it makes you want to fix yourself” (Jordan, 2025, p. 150), speaks to Indian youth juggling big dreams with family duties, like rushing home for Diwali but wanting to chase your own path. Jamie’s single-dad life, “Custody fights strip you bare, but Jack’s worth every scar” (Jordan, 2025, p. 20), hits home for anyone who’s seen parents sacrifice everything, from single moms in metros to joint families in small towns. The idea of opening up, “Kids see through the walls adults build” (Jordan, 2025, p. 40), pushes Indian readers to tackle those unspoken family tensions, like the ones bubbling up at Rakhi gatherings.

Eve’s Haitian background is a mirror for Indian readers navigating their own identities, whether it’s caste, region, or religion in a globalized world. The romance, “Her touch was a spark, and I was kindling waiting to burn” (Jordan, 2025, p. 50), is pure Bollywood magic, perfect for Indian hearts that love a good love story. Globally, the themes of loss and second chances, “Running’s easier than facing the truth” (Jordan, 2025, p. 120), connect with anyone from Delhi to Dubai. For Indian youth, this book is a call to embrace their messy selves and find healing, making it a must-read that’s both fun and soul-deep.

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan is a sparkling debut, a romance that glows like a Tennessee firefly and tugs at your heart like a monsoon melody. Its warm prose, “The mountains didn’t care about my broken heart” (Jordan, 2025, p. 1), and lively characters, “She looked at me like I was a problem” (Jordan, 2025, p. 25), weave a story that’s both swoony and soulful. Despite a few rushed moments and heavy themes, its emotional depth, “Love doesn’t fix you; it makes you want to fix yourself” (Jordan, 2025, p. 150), makes it a gem. For Indian youth tackling life’s challenges and global readers craving a heartfelt romance, this book is a treasure. Grab it, cozy up with a cuppa, and let Dollywood’s magic sweep you off your feet.