
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Apple Tree Hardcover – January 23, 2025
Purchase options and add-ons
He's a single dad starting over in a new town. She's a relentless flirt with a penchant for trouble, ten years younger than him, and the babysitter. What could go wrong?
Eve has just graduated from high school, but she doesn't know what's next aside from working at the local motel, spying on Kyle, her neighbor, and stealing apples from his orchard. If she doesn't figure things out soon, she'll be stuck at home and treated like a child forever.
Kyle is a single dad and the new football coach who needs a babysitter for his adorable son. When he meets Eve, there's an instant connection because she reminds him of someone-himself. But Eve is the preacher's daughter, off-limits, and Kyle has already had his heart trampled by his ex.
After earning his son's affection with her homemade apple sauce and youthful spirit, Eve asks Kyle to teach her things like driving his fishing boat and shooting his hunting bow. Despite his better judgment, he agrees, but swears Eve to secrecy so no one gets the wrong idea about them.
Their playful banter and innocent flirting crosses a line, and Kyle misses the heartbreaking secret Eve's hidden in plain sight.
When tragedy strikes, can they find their way back to each other?
- Print length392 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherJewel E. Ann LLC
- Publication dateJanuary 23, 2025
- Dimensions5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101955520569
- ISBN-13978-1955520560
![]() |
Frequently bought together

Frequently purchased items with fast delivery
- “If I didn’t have the responsibility of being a father, I wouldn’t think twice about being a little reckless with you,” he said.Highlighted by 193 Kindle readers
- “I want to feel in control of my happiness. I don’t want to live my life for anyone else. And if I make mistakes, I want to find something good to take from them. I want to be fearless.”Highlighted by 184 Kindle readers
- She was like a cigarette, addictive and bad for me, yet oddly alluring.Highlighted by 167 Kindle readers
Product details
- Publisher : Jewel E. Ann LLC
- Publication date : January 23, 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 392 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1955520569
- ISBN-13 : 978-1955520560
- Item Weight : 1.42 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
- Part of series : Sunday Morning
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #556 in New Adult & College Romance (Books)
- #1,994 in Sports Fiction (Books)
- #13,459 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, walking her doodle, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.
Visit her and sign up for updates at: www.jeweleann.com, Instagram @authorjeweleann or Facebook www.facebook.com/authorjeweleann.
Drop her a message at author@jeweleann.com. She'd love to hear from you!
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy the book's witty banter and find it a deeply emotional epic age-gap small town romance. The writing is well-crafted, and customers appreciate the rich characters, with one review highlighting the author's storytelling talent. Customers find the book authentic, with one noting its genuine passion for life, and another mentioning the intense sex scenes.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its witty banter and sarcastic style, with several mentioning it made them laugh out loud.
"...Loved Eve! Loved her personality! She was witty, sharp, and compassionate, a beautifully layered character, and someone who uses humor as both a..." Read more
"...I loved their conversations because Eve is so sassy and witty, which Kyle adores because she reminds him so much of his younger self, that rebel on..." Read more
"...Great characters, witty banter, deep issues, fun, spice, laughter, and tears. Nicely done. Highly recommended." Read more
"...I was laughing, smiling and kicking my feet in the beginning and by the end I was crying, melting and swooning! I loved every minute of this book!..." Read more
Customers love the story, particularly Kyle and Eve's epic age-gap small town romance, with one customer describing it as a beautiful tale of forbidden love.
"...Jewel E. Ann continues to deliver powerful stories with rich characters and relationships that stick with you long after you turn the last page...." Read more
"...Overall, I definitely enjoyed the dialogue, story and chemistry, and can only imagine what Jewel E Ann has in store for Gabby next." Read more
"I loved Kyle and Eve’s story. It felt a little rushed at the end but still was a great read." Read more
"...I absolutely love Jewel's writing. She has such unique stories that you just can't put down!..." Read more
Customers find the book deeply emotional and heartbreaking, with several mentioning it made them laugh and cry.
"...Loved Eve! Loved her personality! She was witty, sharp, and compassionate, a beautifully layered character, and someone who uses humor as both a..." Read more
"...veers around topics of responsibility, honesty, sacrifice and unconditional love...." Read more
"...Great characters, witty banter, deep issues, fun, spice, laughter, and tears. Nicely done. Highly recommended." Read more
"...The storyline was absolute perfection—beautifully written, deeply emotional, and full of heart...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as well-crafted with incredible stories, and one customer notes how the author weaves words beautifully.
"...to not see you as an “18 year old girl” but as a grown, mature adult was artfully written and portrayed in only a way that a select few authors are..." Read more
"...Review: Oh my gosh, I loved this book so much! I absolutely love Jewel's writing. She has such unique stories that you just can't put down!..." Read more
"...The storyline was absolute perfection—beautifully written, deeply emotional, and full of heart...." Read more
"This book is so hard to rate. It was well written and the sex scenes were SO intense without being too porny...." Read more
Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, with one review highlighting its deep self-inflection and genuine passion for life, while another notes there wasn't a lot of push and pull between characters.
"...with Kyle was a slow burn, emotionally rich journey that felt so authentic...." Read more
"...The story veers around topics of responsibility, honesty, sacrifice and unconditional love...." Read more
"I couldn’t get enough of Eve’s spirit,attitude and genuine passion for life. I saw so much of Sarah in her but she was also her own, unique person...." Read more
"...was filled with lot of sassy banter, funny sarcasm , spicy scenes, struggles, pain and lots of romance...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning the protagonist's unapologetic self.
"...Jewel E. Ann continues to deliver powerful stories with rich characters and relationships that stick with you long after you turn the last page...." Read more
"...Great characters, witty banter, deep issues, fun, spice, laughter, and tears. Nicely done. Highly recommended." Read more
"...I saw so much of Sarah in her but she was also her own, unique person...." Read more
"...Kyle is Eve’s new neighbor. There’s a lot of chemistry between the main characters...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's spicy scenes, with one customer describing them as intense, while another finds them flirty and sassy.
"...I loved their conversations because Eve is so sassy and witty, which Kyle adores because she reminds him so much of his younger self, that rebel on..." Read more
"...Great characters, witty banter, deep issues, fun, spice, laughter, and tears. Nicely done. Highly recommended." Read more
"...Eve Jacobson is the 18 yr old preacher's daughter. She is fun, flirty and has a penchant for trouble...." Read more
"...The Apple Tree was filled with lot of sassy banter, funny sarcasm , spicy scenes, struggles, pain and lots of romance...." Read more
Customers appreciate the age gap in the book.
"Talk about an epic age-gap, single dad, small town romance...." Read more
"This was such a great age gap, single dad romance. The writing is just beautiful in this book...." Read more
"...Their relationship is complex and realistic for a small town, age gap love story...." Read more
"...This second book in the series is a happy, sad, heart wrenching, age gap, family drama stand alone...." Read more
Reviews with images

I absolutely LOVED this Single Dad, Age-Gap, Forbidden romance!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI am obsessed with this series. Loved Eve! Loved her personality! She was witty, sharp, and compassionate, a beautifully layered character, and someone who uses humor as both a shield and a bridge to others. I adored the way she cared for Josh like he was her own, the immediate, unconditional love she extended to him made their bond one of the most heartwarming aspects of the book.
Her relationship with Kyle was a slow burn, emotionally rich journey that felt so authentic. Watching them build their relationship with respect and vulnerability, and overcoming their hurdles, was incredibly satisfying.
Grandma Bonnie was a queen!! She brought light and wisdom to every scene she was in, and I honestly feel like she deserves a shrine of her own. Protect her at all costs!
Ugh her parents though! Their lack of empathy and understanding toward Eve was frustrating and painful to read, I couldn’t help feeling angry on her behalf.
The Apple Tree is heartfelt, smart, funny, and deeply emotional. Jewel E. Ann continues to deliver powerful stories with rich characters and relationships that stick with you long after you turn the last page. If you’re not reading this series yet — what are you waiting for?
- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThe best part about a Jewel E Ann book is that they are a whole journey. Eve and Kyle have an instant attraction but there are a lot of forbidden aspects to their romance that keep them in hiding. None of that though, is what lends the most angst to this story. There are quite a few heavy topics that come up here so be sure to check content warnings, but if you are able to read this one, I highly recommend it. The emotions are deep and the story was beautiful in the end.
The dual style narration was well done. I feel that Gregory Salinas really stole the show. During his chapters I really got lost in the story. Willa Jaymes was great at differentiating between the female characters. Her masculine voice felt a touch flat emotionally, but it was such a small thing it didn’t really hurt the overall experience.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI really love this series. While it’s not necessary to read them in order (nothing much is revealed about book one), it definitely gives perspective on a few issues. Great characters, witty banter, deep issues, fun, spice, laughter, and tears. Nicely
done. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI couldn’t get enough of Eve’s spirit,attitude and genuine passion for life. I saw so much of Sarah in her but she was also her own, unique person. The roller coaster of being an 18 year old girl and wanting everyone to not see you as an “18 year old girl” but as a grown, mature adult was artfully written and portrayed in only a way that a select few authors are capable of doing; Jewel E. Ann is one of those authors.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2025Format: KindleVerified Purchase4-4.5 stars. Eve Jacobson is as mischievous as she is curious. Being the preacher’s daughter, there are a lot of strict rules to abide by. While everyone else around her is going to college or pursuing other career goals, Eve is cleaning motel rooms and living at home. Unlike her older sister Sarah, she is not a good singer; but like Sarah, she’s adventurous. I have to hand it to Eve because she’s content to stay under the radar, yet she does just enough to aggravate her parents, but not enough to be questioned. It’s a very fine balance that she manages well, until Kyle enters the picture.
Kyle Collins is the new neighbor, but also the brother of Eve’s father’s best friend. He is a math teacher and high school football coach with an adorable son Josh. From the first meeting, Eve and Kyle have this spark that continues to fuel with each encounter. I loved their conversations because Eve is so sassy and witty, which Kyle adores because she reminds him so much of his younger self, that rebel on the inside who is eager to explore and push buttons. However, he is not just a working adult, but also a dad, so his responsibilities come first. Anything beyond neighborly friendship would be frowned upon because of the age difference, relationship between the families and opposite life chapters.
Eve is beyond smitten so she’s not going to stay away and Kyle is happy for the fun diversion. The relationship between Eve and Josh is so sweet. The story veers around topics of responsibility, honesty, sacrifice and unconditional love. Although I knew Kyle was becoming increasingly attached to Eve, it was still a bit of zero to sixty for me to recognize when he realized it and thought their relationship was worth fighting for and saving. As for Eve, she has her own personal obstacle to overcome and while it was not entirely out of left field, it was still something to process. I do see where it helped develop her character growth, particularly in relation to her family. I would’ve liked to have witnessed this character growth more with Kyle, too, to get a fuller understanding of what makes him tick besides his son. Overall, I definitely enjoyed the dialogue, story and chemistry, and can only imagine what Jewel E Ann has in store for Gabby next.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseSo I will say the first book was my favorite out of the two so far. I felt like Eve’s story was a little harder for me to relate to because of the age gap and I can’t imagine what a 28-year-old And an 18-year-old having in common, but I did appreciate that they acknowledged it and they didn’t just breeze by that huge difference in age. I felt like the whole story took a long time to actually get to the good part and then it was over. The epilogue was really beautiful and I wish we would’ve had more of their happily ever after in that 10 years span versus like a few pages. Overall I really did enjoy it and would recommend continuing the series. I’m excited to read Gabby’s sfodg
- Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is the second book in the Sunday morning series, which follows three preachers daughters. This is the middle daughter story how she overcomes the feelings of being a disappointment as she falls in love with the new neighbor who happens to be the new high school math teacher, and football coach as well as her dad‘s best friends, younger brother. He is also a single dad and 10 years or senior. But he gets her and understands her. A five star read for me.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI can’t recommend this book enough. It was a great sequel to Sunday Morning. Looking forward to the next one!
Top reviews from other countries
- MarianeReviewed in Brazil on May 26, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI thought it would not be possible surpass the level of anguish and love of the first book (Sunday Morning), but she did it! I love Ann’s writing and the series is perfection!
- My Introvert BookishLifeReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite contemporary romance author!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseJewel E Ann writes romance just the way I love it. For a while I thought I wouldn’t need tissues but I should have known better— I would have been disappointed if I didn’t! I laughed until I cried.
This story will make you take you on a roller coaster of emotions— in the best way! I loved everything about Eve and Kyle’s forbidden age gap romance… especially Josh and Grandma Bonnie. I’m not always a fan of young kids in a romance novel but Josh had my heart from the start. The 80s setting felt nostalgic and I could relate to so many parts of the story having grown up in a strict Christian home myself.
I took my time reading this and I never wanted it to end and left me craving homemade applesauce.
5/5 Applesauce stars 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
- Kőszegi BiankaReviewed in Germany on January 24, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Another beautiful and emotional book by Jewel
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI sound like a broken record whenever i review a book by Jewel but I can’t help it 🤭 She’s my auto-read author. She writes it, I read it, I love it. That simple. I’m obsessed with her books.
Gosh, this book 🥺🍎 where do I start??
This was more emotional than I expected because of some elements I didn’t see coming 🥺 it was so heartbreaking to realize what Eve was going through. I didn’t always understand her actions, i knew something was off but I didn’t realize she was struggling.. 🥺
She was only 18, and yes sometimes she did act like an 18 year old.. childish and immature but at the same time she was such a good character and so real!!! I loved her dry humor and I loved it even more that it was her humor which her parents didn’t appreciate at all, that stole Kyle’s heart. 🥹
Kyle.. ahh my heart ❤️ single dads are my ABSOLUTE kryptonite 🫶🏽 and Kyle is one of the bests I’ve ever read. He’s 10 years older than Eve and he SAW HER. He saw her for who she was and not just an 18 year old girl. I said it already but I’ll say it again: Jewel writes the BEST male characters 🫶🏽
And my favourite: 5 year old Josh ❤️🥹🫠 i was a puddle every time he was around Eve or Kyle. He was so damn cute, i wanted to hug him 😭
The banter was as amazing as ever!!
One thing I know for sure when I pick up a JEA book is that the banter will be incredible, (meaning original and funny) the story will be one of a kind, (because we’re talking about Jewel, her books are just so unique and emotional) I will bawl my eyes out, (always) and that I will fall hard for the MC. 🫠 (okay 4 things.. I know 4 things for sure)
Usually Age gap romances are not my top choice because they usually lack the deep connection between the characters and i only feel surface level attraction. That is not the case in The Apple tree. Even though Eve was immature and childish sometimes, she had such a strong chemistry with Kyle and she was so so good with Josh.
- MeganCReviewed in Canada on June 18, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI don’t know the last time I read an almost 400 page book in one day, but I did it.
I loved this.
It frustrated me.
It made me swoon.
I didn’t expect it to make me cry for 70ish pages, but it did.
I can’t recommend it enough.
- Bex_bookstagramReviewed in Australia on February 10, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars The Apple Tree
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase18 year old Eve, middle daughter of the Devils Head pastor is a rebel at heart. She’s carefree, fun and wants to live her life on her terms. Not the easiest feat when living in a small town in the 1970’s where there is so much expectation and everyone knows who you are.
But then Kyle Collins, the younger brother of the Pastors best friend, and his son Josh move to the property next door Eve instantly has a crush. Eve babysits 5 year old Josh and gets close to Kyle who is 10 years older than her.
There’s a bit more to the story and the challenges they face-both individually and together. there was also a few chapters there that had me sobbing. I really enjoyed this book, equally as good as the first one; Sunday Morning and I look forward to reading the 3rd book when it’s released. Jewel E Ann is quickly becoming a favourite author of mine; I love her stories and style of writing 🩷