This was a fun, contemporary, closed-door romance with relatable characters and an interesting plotline. I like that Lexi and Will had instant chemistry, and I also found Lexi's learning and growing process as she handles her grief and tries to help her mom to be realistic and interesting. The character growth was good and helped keep her from being a Mary Sue. Will is a little too perfect, but that's excusable in a rom-com. He's kind and charming, and his family troubles make an interesting challenge for him to work through. Overall, a fun and breezy book, perfect for a cozy evening in. be taking a chance on love.

A heartwarming, fake dating romantic comedy ✨

This was between 3 and 4 stars but I was pretty captivated through the whole book so I rounded up. I think I enjoyed the grief representation of Lexi working through her father's passing with her mother, who had fallen into a deep depression. Had this not been an integral part of the story line, it would have been a bit too insta-love for me.

Will was a caring and sweet MMC, the perfect comfort and support for Lexi. I loved the addition of the secondary characters and all their input into the development of both main characters.

My one last thought is I kind of wish this was a dual pov, first person read, but it ended up being enjoyable in third person!

I feel like as a girl in her early twenties I was really able to connect with Lexi in this book, given that though I don’t think my friends who are a bit older than I would be able to connect with her very well, as the things I feel like I was connecting with her on aren’t topics I discuss with my older friends. Overall I think this was a cute read! Just maybe not one I’d recommend to everyone and instead just a select group of people.

I've tried reading this author, and she just isn't for me. I personally don't like her characters and never feel invested in the story, but I do think there's an audience that will enjoy it.

A heartwarming and charming romance that captures the essence of falling in love during Autumn, amid a high profile fake engagement. I liked the characters and rooted for their happiness. Some plot points were a bit predictable but overall it was a very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was delightful! I positively loved the opposites attract. That these two met in unlikely circumstances. How it was instant love for Will. How Lexi was so awkward to Wills suredness. How we went to fake engagement for two complete strangers. The meddling family. All so good. It was a really cute, enjoyable, easy read. The story was just as cute as the cover!

Thank you for the early copy in exchange for my honest review!

I wanted to love this one because it sounded like a fall rom com, and I loved how craft breweries played a part. But while I'll loved the hero I hated the heroine and the romance. I was rooting for the hero to end up with anyone else.

I want to start by saying, fake dating/relationships are my favorite tropes! Sophie Sulivan's newest story centers on the captivating pair of Lexi and Will, who hail from completely different worlds, giving the plot an almost Cinderella-like tale. Fortunately, Lexi is no helpless damsel. She's a strong, determined heroine with a heart of gold, always prioritizing others and fiercely standing on her own two feet, never one to ask for help easily.

Lexi Danby's journey begins when she reluctantly leaves college, where she was poised to become a star athlete, after her father’s sudden death leaves her with a mountain of debt and financial ruin. As the sole provider for her grieving mother, Lexi takes on two jobs, putting her own dreams on hold just to make ends meet.

One of those jobs is waitressing—something she’s not exactly great at, but she puts in her best effort. Her life takes a twist when she waits on a charming stranger named Will, who keeps smiling even after she spills soda on his book and messes up his order. She has no idea that Will will soon reappear to save her from an uncomfortable run-in with her high school friends at the restaurant. With his help, Lexi pretends he’s her boyfriend, leading to an unexpected invitation to an engagement party—a fun, carefree evening that Lexi desperately needs.

But what starts as a harmless ruse quickly snowballs into a town-wide rumor after a gossip column misinterprets their relationship, reporting them as engaged. To her surprise, Lexi learns that her "fake boyfriend" is actually a member of Seattle's upper crust—a wealthy, eligible bachelor whose mother is relentless in trying to pair him with high-society women. Now, Lexi is caught in a whirlwind of pretending to date Will, helping him dodge his mother’s matchmaking schemes while preserving her own reputation. Yet, as sparks begin to fly, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and even Will’s family starts rooting for them.

Can Lexi and Will break through the social barriers and turn their charade into true love, despite its rocky start? This story was just so heart-warming and lovely.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Can't Help Falling in Love is a delightful, heartfelt romance that artfully blends the tropes of fake dating, meet-cute, and friends-to-lovers against the vibrant backdrop of Seattle. The story centers on Lexi Danby, a determined heroine whose dreams as a track star are derailed by her father's sudden death and the ensuing responsibilities that come with it. As the sole breadwinner caring for her grieving mother, Lexi juggles two jobs, putting her ambitions on hold.

Her life takes a turn when she meets Will, a charming stranger who becomes her unexpected ally after a mishap at the restaurant where she waitresses. Their playful pretense of being in a relationship spirals into town-wide gossip when a newspaper mistakenly labels them as engaged. Unbeknownst to Lexi, Will is a member of Seattle’s elite, caught in the crosshairs of his mother’s matchmaking attempts.

As they navigate this ruse, what begins as a charade slowly evolves into something deeper. Their relationship, rooted in genuine affection and mutual respect, beautifully illustrates the nuances of love and personal growth. The dynamics with Will’s supportive sisters and Lexi’s friendships add richness to the narrative.

This sweet and refreshing story not only showcases romance but also addresses themes of grief and healing, making it a poignant read. Lexi and Will’s journey is a joy to follow, leaving readers rooting for their happiness. Perfect for a cozy fall read, this book promises laughter, tears, and a warm heart—just like Sullivan’s previous works.

Thank you to everyone for this early gifted copy of Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan.

This was a sweet book, that was fairly clean and would be considered an easy read. Characters were likable for the most part. I just found that I felt like it needed something more. I felt bored through most of it, and the fake dating turned real dating very quickly was almost unbelievable at times.

I think this would be the right book for some people, but it wasn’t all there for me.

This was a cute, feel good romance. The author made me laugh at the main characters awkwardness, but I did enjoy this book overall.

I really enjoy Sophie Sullivan, she has the cutest heart felt stories. This book has some great tropes and they were well written. From fake dating, and friends to lovers this delightful read will give you all the feels. As always I enjoy the dual POV. Following along their sides of the story and witnessing their chemistry grow made my heart melt. I don't always enjoy closed door romance but the genuine storyline makes it worth the read.

This is your typical rich guy/poor girl modern Cinderellaesque romance, but it's not without its charm. The disapproving MMCs family is a little bit cliché, but the FMCs character does make up for a lot of it.

Overall, it's a good book and I would pick up another title from this author--I just wouldn't rush to pre-order it.

I ate this up in a matter of hours. So cute! I loved the supporting characters. I would love to read a book on Maisie and/or Gwen. I feel like we just scratched the surface of their characters and I enjoyed them so much.

My only wishes for this book were
1. MORE SPICE PLZZZZZZ
2. It felt too easy. I was hoping for some sort of trial / tribulation that the couple would have to go through but it seemed the only things that went wrong were quickly and painlessly resolved in like 4 pages

Oh man, I loved this one! I was invested from the beginning. There were so many layers to this one, and each one added to another. I loved the authenticity of the characters and found their “flaws” to be relatable. This was delightful!

This book started our very good but then sort of slows down and I lost my initial interest. It was a little far fetched but I guess when you are in love you know it?

After her father passed away Sophie finds herself trying to finish school, be there for her mother and keep them from being financially destitute by working multiple jobs. While working as a waitress she gives Will less than stellar service but rather than being deterred he comes to her rescue and invites her to a night out.

Will’s lifestyle could not be more different from Sophie’s as he tries to prove himself worthy of his place in the family business. He is intrigued by Sophie, so he invites her to an event that he is attending however the evening did not unfold as expected when public perception is that they are a couple. It seems like a win-win for them both but what happens when their hearts get involved?

As Sophie tries to handle all of life’s challenges Will allows her to take a step back and see all that she has accomplished. The romance between them was heartfelt and the story brings both humor and heat.

The perfect and adorable fall read! Apple picking, crisp air, and dress up fun!

I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie Sullivans books, and this one was no exception! I really enjoyed the meet cute between the two main characters, and the hilarity that ensued with their fake engagement. The book also held a fun cast of side characters that I hope we get to see in future books.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

There were a lot of cute things about Can't Help Falling in Love in theory- and I'm always a sucker for a fake dating, or fake engagement plot line. However, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural at times (especially with the secondary characters).

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this lovely ARC!

Lexi is doing her best of finishing up school, working two jobs, and trying to get her mom back into the world after the loss of her husband. While Lexi is working her waitressing job, she sees a handsome man, Will, sitting at one of her tables. You can say there were some sparks of attraction from both. 🙂‍↕️ During this time, she happens to see some old friends from high school walk in and she has to help them. But she doesn’t want them to know she works at this establishment, so she sits with Will. Her friends happen to see her and they catch up and they end up being invited to an engagement party.

During this party, there may or may not have been a mix up and everyone thought they were engaged as well. They just kinda go with the flow, and the aftermath… she finds out he is basically Seattle’s royalty. And his parents do not approve. How will they get out of this mess? Do they even want this “mess” to end? 🤫

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the rom-commy feel, the fall vibes, and it was just a sweet read and perfect for this time of year. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who’s in the mood for a cute fall read. I was even thinking of getting the physical book because I enjoyed it so much. 🥰

Thank you again NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early read!