This was a cute, quick read that hit the spots of a sweet romance and gave me the warm fuzzy feelings inside. I think this will be a great fall read or a good romance read for anyone who wants a fantasy palette cleanser! I loved the PNW setting in the fall and I felt like the setting gave the storythe charm that I think will have readers finding a soft spot for the two characters.

Will and Lexi’s story was cute, but I got a little hung ip on why they went with the fake engagement instead of correcting anyone when the rumor started, it felt a little forced. I did like the depth of the family dynamics and Will’s family business being a baby stores.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the character growth that the FMC goes through throughout the book and found the author's writing style to be very refreshing! I had a hard time putting this book down and once I got caught up in it (about two chapters in) I had to read until I finished!

3.5 ⭐️ I’m always here for the fake dating trope and overall I enjoyed the story. I think Sophie Sullivan wrote in some good real life challenges and emotions. However, it was just missing that spark for me. Since this trope is done pretty often I feel like authors need to figure out a way to make it unique/special and I just didn’t find that here. Overall it was a good book though, so I think people will enjoy it, it just wasn’t my favorite.

"Can't Help Falling in Love" by Sophie Sullivan is a delightful romance that pulled me in with its charming characters and heartfelt story. The book follows Will, the CFO of his family's company, and Lexi, a waitress working hard to find herself after losing her dad. Their paths cross in an unexpected way, leading to a fake engagement that quickly feels all too real. What I loved most about this story was the genuine connection that develops between Will and Lexi; their chemistry is undeniable and truly heartwarming. Sullivan does a fantastic job of weaving humor and emotion into the narrative, making the characters' journey feel both relatable and touching. Watching Will and Lexi support each other and grow together was such a joy. This book is a perfect reminder of how love can come from the most unexpected places and how it helps us heal and find our true selves.

This book is really a cozy, feel-good read that will have you swooning. The romance is so sweet and the writing is great. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for sending me a copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Sullivan and publishing team for allowing me an ARC of this book. I love the fake dating trope, but have seen it go poorly in so many books… this book however did not disappoint me! The character development was amazing, the fake dating trope was played out excellent and the characters are so cute! Such a feel good book, I ate this up so quickly!

I reviewed on Goodreads- will publish review to Amazon once it is released!

**3.5 STARS**

Lexi is in her mid-20’s and is struggling a bit through school, jobs and keeping everything together after her dad passed away. I really felt for Lexi because you can see she is trying hard and she’s patient with her mom who is in a period of grieving to the point she doesn’t want to get out of bed sometimes. When Will comes into her life accidentally and they agree to fake date, I felt like everything seemed to work out well for them like their chemistry, their attraction and there wasn’t really any conflict between them besides Lexi being fearful of falling in love and losing that love.

This was a cute, quick fluffy read and perfect for the holidays! I love how the story happens around fall but I thought even if this was a Christmas holiday romance, it would have worked because by the end I was left with happy feelings as they celebrated Thanksgiving. I really liked the insightful things about life, love and loss that we get from the story. Lexi doesn’t have it all together and she thinks everyone around her does until she finds out everyone is struggling with something. I think that was really relatable.

I do think because there isn’t much conflict between them it felt like too light a read at times in the beginning, but I think we get some depth when Lexi gets fearful as things get more serious between her and Will. Also this happens in a span of six weeks – the fake dating to falling in love, so not exactly insta-love, but kind of.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I thought this was a fun, sweet, quick, fluffy romance! This story is heart warming with family and friendship themes and I think perfect for the fall holiday season.

Can’t Help Falling in Love
Sophie Sullivan
Pub: 9/17
4☆


If you’re in the mood for a fun, low angst, no drama rom-com, here you go.

This was so cute and cozy. Lexi and Will’s story was full of humor, heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance, and the perfect PNW setting to play up all of those fall vibes. I love rom-coms that don’t shy away from showing the messier, relatable, real life aspects.

What I enjoyed;
🍂 The Meet Cute
🍂 Opposites Attract
🍂 Found Family
🍂 He Falls First
🍂 Open Communication

I’m guilty of judging a book by its cover and how could you not with this gorgeous cover. I cannot wait to see it in real life. This will be the perfect romance read to add to your fall TBR.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for an early copy of this St. Martins!

This is a closed door romance, but still so full of love that I hardly noticed.

One of my favorite things about this genre is that while there's a happy ending surrounding love, there's almost always an aspect of growth and self discovery and that's what I find so much more enjoyable about them. That if these FMC's, fictional or not, can overcome themselves and be loved, that maybe I can too someday. (also here's to hoping he's rich).

I don't have a lot to even breakdown, this was sweet and sometimes sad but the family, and found family and reconnections in it warmed me so much that I hope it does the same for you.

Loved.

This was SUCH a cute read! I resonated so closely with Lexi and her struggles, and loved this entire cast of characters. Will was so wonderful and supportive and everything I love to see in a male love interest. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can't wait for more from Sophie Sullivan!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read! I love the fake romance trope, and this one was a success. It's nice to have a HEA but not see every plot point in advance.

This book is the perfect fall romance! I loved Will and Lexi, both. Will was charming and kind and Lexi, while self deprecating, is a hard working, determined, head strong and while on her guard, she still went with the flow. And I loved that about her because most FMC’s resist, resist, resist the MMC and their feelings. I loved the progress of their friendship into relationship. I thought the bride and groom costumes were a little cheesy but I get it. Their relationships with their parents was heartbreaking and relatable. I would love to hear more about her mother’s story and maybe more about the side characters some day.

This was such a lovely read! And it begins with probably one of my favorite meet-cutes ever between leads.

Although our lead Lexi may not think it was too cute with how frazzled her life was going at that moment! Faced with a seemingly lose-lose situation in which an off-kilter Lexi sees her old school friends at her new job, Lexi looks to run away, as she is ashamed of seeing her classmates blossoming while she remains stagnant in life. But instead of running away to avoid an ever-impending conversation with those friends, she is rescued by Will, who she had been clumsily tending to as a waitress. They quickly weave a tale that eventually implodes into the promised fake dating relationship, that of course leads to a sweet, sweet love story!

Their connection is so immediate and electrifying, without it ever delving into insta-lust or love. The narrative walks a fine tightrope along that insta-something, and it does it beautifully that while you can feel their chemistry ignited from the onset, there is still the promise to build more from it.

I will say everything between the leads is just so very lovely and pleasant and drama-free for almost/over half way of the book that I must admit my attention waned, I wanted more motivation comprised of hurdles and angst to get through. I suppose I am weak for drama, haha! However, this feels like a delightful of a slice of life romance and if you’re in the mood for very low stakes drama and low angst, I so truly recommend this read. Because above all else, it’s a comfort read. And I think we all need those in our lives. I loved seeing these two leads constantly have each other's backs, I love how their communication was always open and sincere, and I love how they never denied their feelings-- in fact they embraced them from the start.

There's a lot to fall in love with in this one. I'm glad to have been part of its journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins for providing me a complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

3.5/5 ⭐️. I didn’t have faith in it but it was so cuteeee, super fast and easy to read, definitely worth a try.

This book is like a cute Hallmark movie. No real stress or threats. People fall in love and put up with behavior that would have real adults thinking twice. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I appreciate that this book seemed like a love letter to romance novels (great name dropping of Alexa Martin and Helen Huang), but I don't know of it stands as tall as those. Thanks to St. Martin's Giffin and Net Galley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.25 stars

This is a very sweet romance. You can tell from the get go that Will is just smitten with Lexi and I couldn't get enough of that.
Lexi's fears of intimacy is very relatable. I admired her work ethic and determination.
I would recommend this for sure.

New troupes I haven't read before! I thought it turned out really good having fake engagement but real dating! The setting of the Pacific Northwest and it being fall was giving such cozy vibes for me! Definitely a Fall Romance read! I would totally recommend this book for a fun fall time read!

I liked this book. There were some parts that I felt a little bored in. Like especially during the beginning. I overall like fake dating and this definitely checked all those boxes I look for in a fake dating story. I really likee Lexi and Will's relationship. I would say if this book sounds appealing to you, you should definitely check it out. Tha ks NetGalley and Publisher!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of Sophie Sullivan’s Can’t Help Falling In Love in exchange for an honest review. I requested the book knowing nothing about the author or what the book was about. I saw the title and the cover of the book and it caught my attention so I decided to give it a shot, I’m so glad I was chosen for the book!

This book hooked me from the start. Lexi and her mom have been struggling since her father’s sudden death, especially her mother. Lexi is doing everything in her power to make things easy for her mother, including working 2 jobs while also finishing school. One of her jobs is being a waitress, which she is HORRIBLE at. While at that job, she meets will who is seated in her section. Will is a wealthy, well-known businessman from a successful family. He has problems of his own, overbearing parents, and a merger in the family business that he is against. They meet, instantly click, and end up in a fake engagement, which, of course, becomes more.

For me, this book was everything. It was relatable, funny, and sad. It explored friendships, family, generational relationships, spousal relationships and work relationships. The characters all grew and learned from each other and learned that it was ok to be scared of the future. There were many wise quotes throughout the book including: “We judge ourselves through pretty harsh lenses” and “You can’t predict the future. It’d be boring if you could. You Take the moment you’re in and make the most of it, honey. If it doesn’t work out or something happens, you fall down, let yourself hurt, and then get back up.“

I think more could have been done with the storyline between Will’s mom and the woman she kept trying to set Will up with. Then again, it wasn’t necessary since I did enjoy this book so much.