This book was a true delight - fake dating might be my favorite trope and combine the friends-to-lovers and I was squealing with delight. If you are a seasonal reader - pick this book up in the Fall! A sweet romance with none of the explicit spice!

There's a certain amount of belief I can suspend while reading books for fun. But partner in a law firm before the age of 30? Never happening I fear.

I was very drawn to the cover of this book and like every other girl I love fall. I was so excited to dive into this and it delivered. It checked the boxes of a sweet seasonal romance and set me up for a great fall.

Can’t Help Falling in Love is the definition of a swoon-worthy romance and the perfect cozy read for the fall season. With its alternating POVs—a storytelling style I adore—this book flows beautifully, making it easy to fall in love with both main characters.

The chemistry between the two MCs is undeniable, and I absolutely loved how they complemented each other, bringing laughter and warmth to every interaction. Their relationship feels authentic, tender, and heartfelt.

If you’re a fan of closed-door contemporary romances that still pack plenty of emotional depth and charm, this book is an absolute must-read. Grab a blanket and a warm drink—you’ll want to savor every moment of this delightful story.

Obsessed. The fact that Will immediately jumped in to help Lexi when he could see she wanted an out was amazing. Their fake relationship blooming into a real one was organic and hilarious how it went from fake dating to fake engaged real fast. I absolutely loved this book

Lexi is determined to get her life back on track and working multiple jobs just isn’t the best idea. She sucks at being a waitress but when a handsome guy is at one of her tables reading a book she can’t help but be interested. Will thinks that Lexi is funny and cute but is a terrible waitress. Things start to happen and lies snowball really quickly and both of them are terrified to try and get out of the mess, because maybe things are as bad or fake as they seem. I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The characters were written perfectly and you can’t help but fall for them. This would be great to read any time but be prepared to not want to put it down until you finish it. I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun romance! I loved the mix of tropes in this book and how well they worked together! Both of the main characters were so cute together and I couldn’t help but root for them! I love their chemistry and how the plot of this book developed! Definitely recommend giving this one a read!

"Can't Help Falling in Love" by Sophie Sullivan is a delightful addition to the contemporary romance genre, skillfully blending the fake dating trope with genuine emotional depth. The story follows Lexi Danby, a former college track star turned waitress, who, after a chance encounter, finds herself in a pretend engagement with Will Grand, the heir to a major Seattle company. This arrangement, initially meant to serve their individual needs, gradually evolves into something more profound.

Sullivan's portrayal of Lexi is particularly compelling. Her resilience in the face of personal hardships—balancing multiple jobs, caring for her grieving mother, and managing her own aspirations—renders her a relatable and endearing protagonist. Will's character complements Lexi's, offering a blend of charm and depth that makes their interactions engaging and authentic.

The novel's pacing is well-executed, with the progression from a staged relationship to genuine affection unfolding naturally. The chemistry between Lexi and Will is palpable, enhanced by witty dialogue and shared experiences that deepen their connection. The autumnal Seattle setting adds a cozy backdrop, enriching the narrative's atmosphere.

While the romance is central, the novel also explores themes of personal growth, family obligations, and the courage to pursue one's dreams. Sullivan's writing is both engaging and accessible, making this book a pleasant read for romance enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Can't Help Falling in Love" is a heartwarming tale that balances lighthearted romance with meaningful character development. Sophie Sullivan has crafted a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant, deserving of a solid four-star rating.

The story is fine. Totally enjoyable. I think I am just severely burnt out on rom coms because every single one I read feels more and more predictable (and not on the fun, to be expected way), boring, and rushed. There were plot points that never really got resolved or had consequences (all that lying??) and a lot of subterfuge that wasn’t enjoyable.

If this is your very first rom com, this might be for you.

Will is easy to fall for and Lexi is adorable. I loved the fake engagement trope but could have done with more of a climax / drama of their lying. Appreciated Lexi’s character development

In this fun new modern romance novel, Sophie Sullivan brings readers to Washington State where Lexi Danby, a former college track star until her father’s death, is making ends meet as a bad waitress to put herself through college and care for her mother, who is still grieving her husband’s death. When she runs into a handsome stranger named Will -- actually the heir to a major local company -- and agrees to a first date with him at a party, Lexi has no idea that she’s getting into a fake engagement with Seattle’s top bachelor. As they continue their fake engagement and explore their very different worlds, readers join Lexi and Will as they attempt a more casual relationship replete with fall activities and events and see if love is in the cards. With two very different characters from different worlds, readers will love the opposites-attract and fake engagement tropes (among many others) that Sullivan brings to life in Lexi and Will’s romance. The characters are the star of the novel, and since life is messy and complicated, Lexi and Will’s struggles really add to their characterization and make them likeable and relatable figures in this classic, tropey, autumn romance novel.

Thanks to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for early access to Can't Help Falling in Love in exchange for my honest opinion. I usually enjoy the author's books, but this one was a bit of a miss for me. The plot was slow, and I set it aside for a few months before returning and finishing it. I will continue to read the author's work, as I hope this was a one time occurrence.

A Fall Fake-Engagement Romance That’s Big on Heart

Sophie Sullivan does it again, delivering a heartfelt romance that balances laugh-out-loud moments with touching emotional depth. Set against a cozy Seattle backdrop full of fall vibes,Can't Help Falling in Love is packed with everything I love: fake dating shenanigans, a Cinderella-esque charm, and two endearing characters you can’t help but root for.

Lexi Danby is my kind of heroine—tough, determined, and juggling a million responsibilities while putting her dreams on hold to care for her grieving mom. She may not be a perfect waitress (and honestly, who is?), but she gives it her all. Her meet-cute with Will Grand—a kind, charming stranger who takes soda spills like a pro—is the spark that sets everything in motion.

When a misunderstanding at an engagement party leads to a headline-worthy fake engagement, Lexi learns Will isn’t just a charming guy—he’s Seattle’s most eligible bachelor and heir to a major company. What starts as a mutual favor to navigate their respective worlds turns into something much more. The chemistry between Lexi and Will is undeniable, and their journey from pretending to falling feels so natural, even if it starts with a lie.

Sullivan weaves in so many fall moments—apple-picking dates, flannel outfits, and even Halloween fun—that perfectly set the tone for a romance that’s as warm and comforting as your favorite fall sweater. And let’s not forget the emotional depth: Lexi’s journey of learning to trust and lean on someone while Will navigates the pressures of his elite world adds layers to their love story.

My one (tiny) critique is that I wanted just a bit more exploration of Lexi’s challenges outside of their romance, but the swoon-worthy moments and humor more than made up for it.

If you’re a fan of fake dating, cinnamon roll heroes, and fall-centric romances, this one will leave you smiling and full of warm fuzzies. Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC—it left me all in my feels! 🍎🍂

I really enjoyed this love story between Lexi and Will. It was an easy and cute read, and while it was predictable most of the way through, I sometimes think it's similar to why I choose to watch a "Hallmark" movie. There's something comforting in knowing you'll get to the happy ending, and the dialogue and plot in the process of getting there was creative and kept me engaged to the end. Overall an adorable romance that I was able to breeze through in a few hours.

DNF at 63 pages

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of Can't Help Falling Love. All opinions in this review are my own.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one. There was too much about how bad Lexi is as a waitress in the beginning and then by the time it got to the actual story, I couldn't understand why she cared so much about people from high school. When I realized I was skimming more than reading, I knew it was time to stop.

Meet-cute leads to fake dating in this delightful romance by Sophie Sullivan. Lexi, a down-on-her-luck, hardworking woman, accidentally spills a drink in handsome Will's lap right before her high-school friends appear and mistake the situation for something else. Lexi lets them, and Will plays along. I laughed out loud at several parts of this book, including Lexi's waitressing skills. Sullivan does a great job at making the characters likable and relatable in a way that you can't help rooting for them. I recommend this for anyone looking to escape into a silly, fun read.

What a fun one this book is! A series of unfortunate events lead to a fake engagement which will eventually lead to love! It was fun watching these two go from strangers, to fake fiances to so much more!

Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! I’m usually not a fan of friends to lovers but the way this was executed was flawless. Will is such a golden retriever and I loved him.

If you love fake dating/engagement like I do…this one is for you!!

I love a good fake dating trope and this was a sweet one. This is a heartfelt story with a little bit of swooning that left me smiling!

This was a cute and cozy friends to lovers read. I enjoyed the premise of a fake engagement. It was a bit slow in parts but overall an adorable book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.