I liked this YA fall love story quite a bit. I enjoyed the Stars Hollow-esque town and why the main character found herself moving there. The friendships she formed and the volunteering she did was all great! What lacked here was characterization. I was in the FMC’s head, but I knew her just as well as I knew every other character (whose heads I wasn’t in). I wish I could’ve seen more of her feelings since I was spending so much time with her. All in all-a cute fall read, but not one I’ll revisit or that’ll stick with me.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a syrupy sweet cozy autumnal small town second chance romance, I ate this book up!

Ellis has her entire life planned out, and she has spent her high school career working toward that end. Her life takes a turn, and she is forced to move from NYC to Bramble Falls, Connecticut, for what she believes to be a temporary period. Upon her arrival, she reconnects with an old friend, Cooper, and finds that they don't have the same story when it comes to what they were to each other and the reasoning behind why they lost touch.

Ellis is a mess of emotion as she grows up and finds her voice; her reactions to the jarring changes taking place in her life are very age-appropriate for a teenage young lady about to graduate from high school. Cooper is a very mature high school senior who tries to hide his feelings, but his facade has huge cracks, and eventually it breaks. He is so caring and careful with Ellis and her feelings, but he is very emotionally mature and has a good relationship with boundaries and the need for them.

Their second chance plays out so perfectly through the pages of this book that I wanted to continue reading to find out the ending. The writing style of Mysty Wilson was beautiful and easy to get through. The attention to detail when describing the town of Bramble Falls gave beautiful mental pictures, and the cast of characters added to the overall execution of the story. I felt like I was watching Dawson's Creek or a Hallmark movie. I truly enjoyed this book!

The release date for this cozy read is September 02, 2005. Do yourself a favor if you are a cozy romance lover, and go pick it up!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books, and Misty Wilson for the Advance reader's copy of Falling like Leaves.

This honest review is being left voluntarily and without coercion.

What a cute, fun read full of all the fall vibes! Any high schooler is going to eat this up. This story had a great blend of high school struggles and fun mixed with some real life challenges and big feelings. I would recommend it to the teens in my life.

The town of Bramble Falls and the fall festival was definitely the best part. All of the activities were so fun and amazing ways to move the story and provide our main characters with different ways of being thrown together in organic ways.

The characters were fun and honestly justice for Jake. What a cutie. He just wanted to have a good time and kept getting the short end of the stick. Our main couple really did him dirty and he was way more understanding than a typical teenage boy would be.

Cooper was an all over good guy. A straight up sweetie pie who bakes the world’s best cookies and that’s about it. Ellis had a mixture of good, creative traits, as well as infuriating selfish ones. Every conflict came from Ellis not being there for people and it did get a little old. I also didn’t love how she was 150% in on her dad, and then immediately changed her mind. Granted it was a good reason, it just felt sudden.

Overall a very fun and season read! Definitely worth picking up!

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson is the perfect book to curl up with on a crisp autumn afternoon. The small-town setting of Bramble Falls is as warm and inviting as a mug of spiced cider. I loved the way the autumn atmosphere wrapped around the story, making it feel extra cozy and seasonal.

The romance between Ellis and Cooper felt believable and sweet, with just the right amount of tension and heartwarming moments. It’s the kind of young adult romance that makes you smile, root for the characters, and maybe even wish you could stroll down Bramble Falls’ main street yourself.

Overall, it’s a delightful, lighthearted read—ideal for fall, especially if you enjoy small-town vibes and gentle, feel-good romance.

I really enjoyed this YA romance. It had characters you cared about, conflict, laughter and love. I've never read this author before and I look forward to reading more of her work. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #FallingLikeLeaves #NetGalley

OH MY GOODNESS I LOVED THIS!!!

This is the PERFECT fall read! I’m always looking for books with fall vibes that aren’t witchy or about Halloween and this book DELIVERED.

Set in Connecticut (love the small state rep!!!) in the (sadly fictional) small town of Bramble Falls, a town which heartily embraces autumn with a huge festival and many events throughout the season, the setting was perfect. I loved the charming town and all of the fall elements. The small town setting was so vivid and really came to life.

Ellis was such a likable and relatable character. Forced to move from NYC to small town Connecticut her senior year of high school, it was understandable that she’d be a bit offish about the town and the people in it at first. She is also a very driven and hardworking character but with a creative side as she loves to design clothes.

I also loved Cooper. I didn’t really like him at first because he basically just ignored Ellis, but as you get to know him better as a character I liked him a lot more. He was really sweet and cute and they had many cute moments together. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters as well, especially Ellis’s cousin Sloane. I love books that have a friendship between cousins and I hope she gets her own book because she was great!

Overall I found this charming, sweet and fun. It’s also listed as the first in a series — does that mean the second book will be Christmas themed???? I would love that so much!!!! Anyway, I can’t recommend this enough. I loved it!

(Also, that cover is so cute and perfectly captures the fall theme!!!)

This book has me hooked, Ellis has to leave everything she was working for in New York so abruptly to move to a small town with her mom since her parents are separating, to find out that, Cooper, who she thought was a friend is not happy with her. Ellis has to work at the Fall Festival with Cooper while wondering why he won't talk to her. What happened between them? Why are her parents separating?
Definitely recommend this book!

This was the coziest of cozy reads! I finished it in ONE DAY and definitely plan to reread once the weather gets cooler and the leaves start changing color! Autumn is my favorite season and this book embodied all of my favorite things about fall in such a perfect way.

The small town setting is like the perfect mix of Stars Hallow from Gilmore Girls and Bluebell, Alabama from Hart of Dixie. Honestly I related to Ellis so much and I think that’s why her decisions frustrated me so much, haha. I remember the days back in high school when grades felt SO important to me and the only thing I was focused on was getting into a good college. I saw a lot of myself in her and I have a soft spot for her and her purple pom pom pen and scented notebook paper loving self!! Cooper is perfect. The baked goods he made sound soooo delicious and made me crave pastries so badly. I love how the two characters found their way back to each other and how Ellis grew as a person.

I love Jake and he was done so dirty in the book!! I hope he gets a happy ending in a future book. Also I can’t wait for Sloan and Archer’s book?!? Hoping that comes out soon!

Ellis is a senior in high school and she’s got it all figured out - she’s going to attend Columbia University, major in Journalism and eventually work her way up the ranks at Street Media, just like her dad. But right before the school year starts, her parents announce they’re separating and her mom is taking her to stay with Ellis’s aunt and cousin in small-town Connecticut for a few months. Once in Bramble Falls, she reconnects with her first kiss, Cooper.

The author does a great job portraying Bramble Falls as a charming town and my favorite scenes in the book were the Falling Leaves Festival events. I liked the side characters including Jake, Cooper’s friend and a potential love interest for Ellis, and Sloane, Ellis’s cousin. I enjoyed how well the story was paced - I found myself wanting to keep reading and never felt bored.

That said, I had a hard time with our main characters. Ellis is, honestly, a brat. Her elitism is made clear when she manages to insult her aunt, her cousin, their house and the town within a few pages of her arrival in Bramble Falls. She admits it’s hard for her to make friends because she blows people off and she spends most of the book angry at her mom for ruining her life. I appreciate characters who are dynamic and flawed, and obviously some of this can be chalked up to teenage angst, but Ellis had few qualities that made me root for her. With Cooper, his anger towards Ellis in the beginning of the book felt overblown and he gave her a lot of mixed signals throughout the book. And I really disliked how both the characters treated Jake.

I think the story could have benefitted from some flashback scenes in order to flesh out Ellis and Cooper’s prior relationship more and show the reader another side of her, as well as foreshadow some of the events that happen later in the novel regarding Ellis’s parents and their marriage.

Overall, I would recommend this book to YA readers looking for a quick, cozy fall novel. I hope to read other books set in Bramble Falls, just maybe with romantic leads I like a little more. Jake would be a great MMC, I’m just saying…!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance copy

I absolutely loved this book. It hit a lot of areas teenagers struggle with - what is the right decision to make? The relationships built throughout the story were beautiful and heart-warming. I REALLY enjoyed reading this book and wanted to keep reading. I cannot wait to read another book by this author!

Ellis has spent her entire life working to be just like her dad, to make him proud and to be successful. When a sudden move to small town Connecticut seemingly upends all her plans, she’s initially put off by the town and its resident but soon begins to start letting them in. As casual relationships grow to acquaintanceship and later to friendship, Ellis starts to learn that what she’s wanted all along may not have ever been about her but expectations place upon her. But can she come to terms with who she truly is and the life she wants before her own stubbornness implodes everything she’s come to love?


I loved everything about this book. While some of the characters’ reactions frustrated me, I can honestly say their thoughts, feelings, and actions made a lot of sense for the age of their characters. Ellis’ final confession felt a little unrealistic, but she also had a lot happen so I can forgive it. Regardless of any small details that I may or may not have considered perfection, I quite literally enjoyed every page of this book.

If you’re looking for a spice-free, coming of age, small town romance that will leave you thinking about falling leaves and sweater weather for days then this read is for you.

Not recommended for readers who prefer spice or older characters or giggling at a-dork-able rom coms that are firmly within the YA genre.

What a sweet and cozy read! I am looking forward to recommending this book to students this fall. Students who love Gilmore Girls (so many of them do!) and romantic comedies will enjoy this book!

I thought Misty Wilson did a great job bringing Bramble Falls to life. It’s both charming and cozy. I thought she also did a great job with the characters. This is a YA romance and Ellis was very much a teenager. There’s normal teenage angst here and students whose parents are divorced could certainly relate to her feelings. The romance between Ellis and Cooper was sweet— though that third act breakup was a bit intense. I guess this will give my students something to talk about! Ellis is also super driven and has important choices to make. The adults don’t make it easy for her. I think students will relate to that also.

While I am not the intended audience for this novel, I can certainly see the appeal for teenagers.

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson completely stole my heart. I picked it up hoping for a cozy fall romance, and what I got was a story that wrapped around me like a favorite sweater, warm, comforting, and unexpectedly healing.

Ellis’s struggle to balance ambition with belonging, and the quiet ache of returning to a place that holds both memories and unresolved feelings, it all felt so real. So many moments where she questions whether she’s allowed to slow down and just feel.

And Cooper? Don’t even get me started. Their dynamic had me smiling, sighing, and rooting for them with every page. It’s the kind of second-chance romance that doesn’t just rely on chemistry. It builds on history, growth, and genuine connection. I loved how their relationship unfolded with softness and depth.

But what surprised me most was how much I fell in love with Bramble Falls. The town, the festival, the family ties—it made me want to visit places I’ve never even been. Misty Wilson’s writing is so vivid and heartfelt, it made me want to linger in every scene.

This book reminded me that sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to be. I’ll be thinking about Ellis and Cooper for a long time.

Tropes:
🍂 Second Chance Romance
🍂 Found Family
🍂 Small Town Romance
🍂Self-Discovery
🍂 He Falls First

Thank you to Misty’s team and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to dive into this town and group of friends.

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this eARC!

Falling Like Leaves is your perfect YA Romance for those of you who want to curl up with a warm blanket, drink hot cocoa, and watch Gilmore Girls.

After finding out her parents may be divorcing, Ellis’s life has been uprooted and flipped around by moving to Bramble Falls with her mother. She must stay there until Thanksgiving while she starts off her senior year of high school. How will she make into her and her father’s dream school for her? Can she return to her prized internship and secure her spot in the journalism world still?

She wonders all of these things as she is Not having been to the small town in a while, she reluctantly reunites with her cousin and aunt, who welcome her with open arms. She also spots the boy, Cooper, who she spent one of her best summers with, but he wants nothing to do with her.

Cooper and Ellis are what make this story really shine. Their dynamic and the way their relationship is written evokes such a feet-kicking, smile having, hardcore giggling reaction. Throughout the book, they are shown as multilayered characters who have struggled and flaws. Not only do they work together to inspire each other, they have moments that are real and vulnerable. These moments brought these characters to life.

While the story was lovely and the dynamic between the FMC and MMC was adorable, the overall pacing and prose felt lacking. The pacing felt a little confusing. I was deep in it one moment, then feeling like it was dragging on the next. The prose was beautiful and scenic in some scenes and missing the mark in others.

A personal preference I have is that I wish the dynamic of Ellis and her mom was explored more. Once Cooper is in the picture it’s on the back burner. In the end, they have a big moment and it is such beautiful writing, but I wish it wasn’t so pushed aside.

The Book
I went into this book expecting Gilmore Girls small-town fall vibes and a cute romance, but I left with so much more. The found family and coming-of-age elements were what resonated with me most. Ellis’s character felt incredibly relatable. In fact, at times I felt like I was back in high school, having similar arguments with my mom and feeling the hurt of a complicated relationship with my dad. The way this book portrayed Ellis’s pressure and anxiety about friendships, school, and her future was spot on.

One thing this story excelled at was being age-appropriate. In a lot of newer romance books depicting high schoolers, the themes can be extremely heavy and characters are sometimes oversexualized or aged up. In this book, the romance felt realistic for their age, and the characters actually acted like teens. Not that I don't enjoy books with heavier topics or content, but this book was able to touch on real emotions and experiences without becoming overwhelming or depressing.

➳Ellis Mitchell
fmc, 17 years old
I love Ellis, probably because she reminded me so much of myself. Her thoughts on friendship really stuck with me: how having friends can feel overwhelming but having none can feel lonely. In group situations, her inner monologue often made me feel for her. I'm glad she realized she could rely on the people who cared for her.

Her relationship and idealization of her father also stayed with me. Sometimes we hope for someone to be a certain way so badly we convince ourselves they are, only to be disappointed. It was really heartbreaking to watch Ellis realize her father wasn’t who she imagined, and that the person she had been diminishing—her mom—had been in her corner all along.

➳Cooper Barnett
mmc, 17 years old
Golden retriever vibes, Cooper is extremely sweet and caring. I love how he encouraged Ellis to follow her true dreams and never gave up on her. While both Ellis and Cooper pushed each other away at times, they communicated surprisingly well for their ages, especially Cooper, who wasn't afraid to be in touch with his feelings.

Tropes
found family, second chance romance, he falls first, small town, found family, high school romance, fall vibes, clean romance

FALLING LIKE LEAVES is a beautifully written, light-hearted but meaningful book about self-discovery that I dare you to try to read in more than one sitting. The perfect novel for those who loved watching Gilmore Girls and dreaming of a book that captures some of the Stars Hollow magic.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster, for this awesome chance to read Falling Like Leaves before the release date!

Disclaimer for other readers: I read purely for vibes, and I super vibes with this book. I hope anybody that picks up this book after me enjoys it as much as I did, if not more.

Oh me, oh my. This book really hit all the spots for me. As a reader, it had me feeling the heartbreak, hope, and confusion of the world around the FMC. I even felt unbearably uncomfortable when the FMC didn't and definitely should've, but it is what it is.

Another great palate cleanser that I would recommend to anybody looking for a change of pace. A great selling point would be the autumnal season in a small town, and all I have to do after that is reference Gilmore Girls.

One thing I wish we had more of is the epilogue. Did she pass? What about the relationship with her father? I kind of hoped to read about another fall festival in the end.

All in all, thank you so much, author, for putting everything you had into this wonderful story that made me wish I was reading a small town with a strong gossip mill.

Definitely would recommend this YA romance! The female main character Ellis is very relatable. Loved the small town aspect of this book as well. I would agree that it does feel very Gilmore Girls esque. Perfect for a fall read! Overall, just a very sweet YA romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC.

I was so pleasantly surprised by how not-cringey this was, despite it being a YA contemporary romance! Misty Wilson NAILED the small-town autumnal vibes that I've been craving, and the romance is super cute! Cooper's little gestures made me say awww out loud, and the coming-of-age/familial drama really made for a good, relatable story. I love a big city gal turned small town girlie storyline so much, and I have Hannah Montana & Hart of Dixie to thank for that haha.

As soon as I saw that there was a description that said Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han, I immediately wanted to start reading this. I was in a TSITP slump, waiting week to week for the next episode, so I needed something to fill my Conrad obsession.

Ellis is a straight-A student, with hopes of attending Columbia to study journalism, to be just like her father. On the side, she likes to design clothes. When her parents suddenly decide to separate, she moves with her mother to her aunt’s house in Bramble Falls, where she spent many summers growing up. To say that she isn’t excited to move here is an understatement. There, she reunites with Cooper, her best friend and first kiss from those summers before. He is cold to her at first, but can they be friends again, and why does he seem so upset with her? Will Ellis fall in love with the charming town, and maybe fall in love with someone….

My goodness, I devoured this book. Though it was told in first person, I could feel the yearning from Cooper for Ellis. It is hard to write a book where the reader can feel the yearning, especially when it isn’t told in their POV. I kept cheering for them to kiss, and for Ellis to accept living in Bramble Falls. Once she embraces the magic of the small town, she becomes the person she is meant to be. But will it be enough? 5/5 (I would give a higher rating if it was possible).