WHEN I TELL YOU. THIS BOOK BLEW MY EXPECTATIONS OUT OF THE WATER. I’m not usually a romance girly but I am an AUTUMN romance girly, and this is absolutely the best book of anything I’ve read in this BY FAR. I fell in love with this book before even 20% in and do you know how rare that is for me? I didn’t want this book to end. I savored! SAVORED every page. I have not fallen in love with a book like this in months. This was above and beyond anything I was expecting.

I cannot stress this enough when I say Falling Like Leaves is what The Pumpkin Spice Cafe WISHES it was. It pulled off what that TikTok viral book tried to do but missed the mark. This book actually promises EXACTLY what it advertises. And does it better than most books you’ll find in the autumnal cozy romance niche. And yes, it’s actually A LOT like Gilmore Girls. Probably more than any other book I’ve read that has made that claim.

I am in my romance girl™️ era right now (it comes and goes 🤷🏻‍♀️) and I DIE for books with settings like these. First off? Autumn is my favorite season and I crave it all year round. The crunchy leaves, maple coffees, the small towns, it’s one of my favorite things to romanticize all year round. Second, girl in a quaint small town that’s preparing for a fall festival? And her love interest in this is a BARISTA? Also the town has the cutesiest name ever, Bramble Falls? Crying because this autumn energy is everything I want right now as I’m currently suffering through the summer heat.

I not exaggerating when I say this book had everything I ever wanted. With apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin carving, events like an APPLE CIDER TEA PARTY, harvest spice lattes, coffee shop romance, this book is an autumn lover’s dream. It’s cozy, it’s wholesome, it’s ROMANTIC. I cannot begin to express how much joy this book brought me. I was practically kicking my feet. It may be July but I ran my ass to go make a maple spice cold brew before starting this (for the vibes).

Lots of books compare themselves to Gilmore Girls but this comparison is probably the most valid. Bramble Falls is not only a lot like Stars Hollow, Ellis is a wannabe journalist. She’s smart and studious just like Rory. Basically has Rory’s personality. Also, she listens to Gracie Abrams and you cannot tell that isn’t Rory Gilmore coded. There’s even a Logan type character in this. And their dynamic together is JUST like Rory and Logan it’s actually mindbogglingly similar. Ellis isn’t perfect but she’s extremely relatable for me personally, which made her likable.

I cannot stress this enough. If you’re obsessed with autumn like I am. If you like Gilmore Girls. If you love reading about coffee shop romances in small towns during fall. You must read this or you are SEVERELY MISSING OUT. There are plenty of books in this genre that you can skip out on and not miss anything. This is not one of them.

I will leave off this review with the author’s intro dedication:

To all my PSL-drinking, sweater-wearing, apple-picking, Gilmore Girls–watching, pumpkin patch–going, candy corn–eating, fall-loving readers.
This one’s for you.
May we all find our Coopers.

(Yes, may we all).

This book was a 100000/10. No notes. Misty Wilson I am your biggest fan and I am begging for a companion novel because I miss Cooper and Ellis already.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Falling Like Leaves was the sweetest little hug in book form 🍁

Ellis’s journey from Manhattan to Bramble Falls felt like stepping into a cozy sweater. The town, the festival, the romance—it was all so charming!

I adored Ellis and Cooper’s second-chance connection, and the Falling Leaves Festival gave me total pumpkin spice daydreams. Every character felt like someone you’d want to be friends with, and I honestly didn’t want to leave this world.

If you’re looking for a feel-good YA romance, this is it. 💛🍂✨

Expected Release Date: 09/02/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I am so excited to read this again with a apple cider or pumpkin spice flavored drink while the leaves change and wearing a flannel. This book is for those who wished they could visit Stars Hollow and meet Luke, Taylor and Kirk while spending the week with Loreli, Rory and Sukie.
I loved how youthful and light this was while also being so completely enchanting. Ellis deals with some real emotional turmoil over the move and divorce of her parents. The early romance between her and Cooper is so wholesome and sweet.

I really enjoyed this cozy autumn novel. It was so cute and sweet and it came with all the wonderful fall vibes. This is a medium paced read, that I found to be lighthearted, funny, emotional and relaxing. I am up for an autumn read any time of the year! I found this book to be a perfect blend of relaxation and emotional tension. It was filled with lovable characters, especially the main characters Ellis and Cooper! It came with a diverse cast of characters, all of which were strongly developed. It is heartfelt, charming and engaging! It left me feeling happy, satisfied and relaxed. This is definitely a memorable and thought provoking novel! I give this young adult novel a 4 out of 5 stars!

“Falling Like Leaves” centers around the FMC named Ellis. Ellis’s parents separate, so her and her Mom go live with Ellis’s aunt and cousin, in Bramble Falls, Connecticut. Ellis then reconnects with Cooper, her childhood best friend. A local tradition called the “Falling Leaves Festival” which is hosted by Ellis’s aunt happens and Ellis and Cooper keep bumping into each other, while doing their fun festivities! Ellis starts falling for Cooper and ultimately has to make a big decision about her location and future. You will not want to miss out on what happens in this second chance romance novel!

I think fans of Gilmore Girls will definitely enjoy reading this cozy novel! Content warnings are extremely minor, separation of parents, young romance (PG 13 - no explicit scenes), emotional tension and miscommunication.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Misty Wilson and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!

The was an enjoyable and heartwarming read. The romance was cute and I loved all of the fall events it talked about. Overall a good read that made me excited for fall.

This book was SO sweet and cozy!! A small town obsessed with all things fall? I was sold from the beginning! The plot started out with a whirlwind of things happening, and for reasons we didn’t know why, but eventually, everything began to make sense. And while my heart was torn apart, put back together, and then torn apart again by Ellis and Cooper’s whole thing, they finally… get this… communicated and everything is great by the end. I also adored all the side characters that made up the perfect little friend group!! I really am rooting for Sloane and Asher— book two anyone?

Falling Like Leaves is a warm, cozy YA romance that feels like wrapping yourself in a flannel blanket on a crisp autumn afternoon. Set against the backdrop of a charming small town, it’s a heartfelt story about finding yourself in the quiet moments and unexpected places.

The book captures the essence of fall with its vivid setting and nostalgic atmosphere. The romance unfolds gently, with soft tension and meaningful glances, offering a comforting slow-burn connection that feels just right for the season. Perfect for fans of self-discovery, second chances, and small-town charm, Falling Like Leaves invites readers to pause, reflect, and maybe even fall in love along the way.

Thank you for the eARC!

Such a cute book! Great fall time vibes and Misty absolutely nailed the small town feel and how close you get with everyone when you live in a small town. Cooper was such a cutie and I loved how soft he seemed with Ellis especially because that girl can get intense haha. I did struggle when she had her little freak out and left alone but I think thats just me being 25 now 😅 Really loved it and cant wait to read more of this authors work in the future!

Loved the vibes written beautifully and will be recommending it to everyone. There wasn’t a part I didn’t love

I loved Falling Like Leaves, a young adult novel about Ellis, a born-and-bred New Yorker going into her senior year of high school. When her parents separate, her mom moves her to a very Gilmore Girls-esque town in Connecticut, something she’s expecting to be temporary. She absolutely does not want to be there and makes no secret that she thinks New York is better than fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. What she’s not expecting is Cooper, the boy she hung out with all summer when they were around 13/14 and who was the first boy she kissed. Cooper wants nothing to do with her though, and she can’t figure out why. They can’t avoid each other in a small town where both are working on local events and realize they both still have feelings for each other. Ellis is determined though, that she’s on the first train back to New York as soon as possible when she finds out why her parents split up and lashes out, hurting Cooper in the process.

This was such a good young adult novel, cozy and perfect for fall!

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

4.75 stars. A very near perfect autumn read for anyone looking for a cozy romance. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

~Tropes~
🍂 Childhood friend to lovers
🍁 Small town romance
☕️ He fell first AND harder 😍

Overview: Ellis is a city girl through and through. She lives in bustling New York City and goes to a prestigious school. But then her parents decide to “take a break” and Ellis and her mom go to Bramble Falls. Staying with Ellis’s Aunt Naomi as well as her cousin Sloane, Ellis starts school in a small town in Connecticut. Then, she runs into Cooper, a guy she had spent all of her summer before her freshman year of high school being inseparable with. But now, he hates her for something that Ellis can’t figure out. Forced into helping with the annual Falling Leaves Festival, the notorious autumn festival held in the small town, Ellis and Cooper are tossed together more than they would like. As they warm back up to each other, Ellis realizes she can’t have distractions that bring her harvest spice lattes and look even better than they did three years ago, but her heart has other plans.

Favorite character: Honestly, I can’t pick. I adore (almost) ALL of the characters. I love Sloane, Ellis, Aunt Naomi, Ellis’s mom, Cooper, Jake, and pretty much everyone else. I feel sooo bad for Jake though #justiceforjake maybe a Fern x Jake sequel? But only after the Sloane x Asher one 😉

Thoughts: This book was AMAZING. Kept me up until one am as all good books do. The romance is great, the vibes are better, and I love the characters. It also felt pretty realistic too. Cooper and Ellis having history together really made it all the better. I wish we could’ve had a few more childhood memories though. This book even made me cry, which I did not expect, but will not be entirely mad about. I even related to Ellis way more than I thought I would, and everything that happened to her elicited a feeling in myself, which doesn’t happen often honestly. Ellis was a bit teenager-y every once in a while, but I feel like most of her decisions were warranted. Also, Ellis’s character arc was really good. It got a little intense there near the end, but it ends so beautifully. Definitely go read this adorable autumn romance bundled up in a blanket with a PSL for me, from a girl in a desert state who read this book in the heat of summer. 🧡

the cutest autumnal vibes just fall out of the page (hehe get it), i want to drink a harvest latte wrapped in a blanket carving jack o'lanterns too!!

second chance would've hit so much harder without the love triangle thrown in (doomed from the start so whyyy) and i really wish her relationships with her parents had been explored more bc it wrapped up in a very fast unsatisfying lopsided bow

fun friend group & fall vibes carried

Falling Like Leaves is a cozy, heartwarming YA romance perfect for autumn lovers and fans of small town charm. The story captures that magical in between feeling of being young, ambitious, and not quite sure where you belong.

The main character’s journey feels real and relatable as she’s pulled from the fast pace of city life into a slower, more sentimental world filled with crisp air, colorful leaves, and unexpected emotions. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, she’s faced with questions about her future, her identity, and her heart.

With a strong sense of place and seasonal atmosphere, the book shines in its small town setting, festive fall traditions, and a romance that’s soft, slow burning, and full of nostalgia. The writing is heartfelt and honest, blending light humor with emotional depth in a way that keeps the pages turning.

This is a perfect read for those who enjoy stories about self discovery, second chances, and the beauty of slowing down.

Oh, how I wish I saved reading this book for the Autumn time. If you’re a fan of Lynn Painter’s YA books and also need a dose of Gilmore Girls all in one book.. this one’s for you! It takes place in a cozy, idyllic town called Bramble Falls which feels like a character in and of itself. The young romance is also charming and sweet! Will be recommending this one when the leaves start falling!

4.5⭐️

This is the PERFECT Autumn read!!! (I say after I just binged it mid Summer)

I loved the majority of this book, but I just got annoyed from time to time with our main character, Ellis. The conflicts she created drove me crazy, but it was pretty realistic! And I think it was supposed to make me mad, lol!

Cooper is TO DIE FOR!! Send me one! *writes address on a note card*

He was such a sweet heart, like what do you mean he is best friends with his mom, wants to bake for a living, and is a hopeless romantic? Sign me up. (and he's brunette! EEEEE!)

Thank you, NetGelley.com, for the ARC!! Pick this perfect Autumn rom com up when it comes out September 2nd!! 🍁🍂

Loved this rom-com that makes you want to visit Bramble Falls. Mom and Ellis go there to stay with her aunt and cousin for the fall because her parents have separated. When Ellis goes to the local coffee shop she sees Cooper who was her first kiss years ago. They haven’t spoken in years. Cooper seems distant, and eventually they talk and he tells her she ghosted him.The town gets ready for a multitude of fall events, and it seems Cooper and Ellis are always put together to help. Jake seems to like Ellis, and Ellis always sees Cooper with Chloe. Ellis thinks I can’t like Cooper because we’re leaving in a month. The two talk and work out their differences, and Cooper tells Ellis that the future is what you make it. Cooper tells Ellis you’re leaving, and we can’t get involved. Then something happens that changes everything. Will Ellis see Cooper again?
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Maybe a 2.5?

Honestly, this wasn't my favorite read. I love Gilmore Girls, so I was excited to read something with the same vibes. While the fall vibes were there, the execution wasn't great. The pacing was off, and everything was happening faster than expected. I understand that this is a Young Adult book, but oh my goodness I was getting annoyed with the teens and their decisions (which is accurate with how I feel watching Gilmore Girls). Now, I did love Cooper. Him and his cookies made me smile.

10 star read! New Favorite Fall Couple goes to Ellis and Cooper. This is a great coming of age book that handles who am I going to be so perfectly. Pumpkin spice anything and Taylor Swift is a huge part of this book. It is just nothing but sweetness and cuteness overload. No spice and it doesn't need it. Small town romance that does a great job handling the ups and downs of life plus a relationship. Friendship and family is a major part of this book. I highly recommend everyone to read this book and be prepared to have a smile on your face throughout the whole book plus be prepared to laugh a lot.

*Arc review*

If you want a cozy fall themed romance book then this is the one for you! I enjoyed the character growth of Ellis and loved the side characters and was happy they all got happy ever afters. I would love to see Asher and Sloane if they have a little love story or even Fern and Jake. The family dynamic and finding a new family of this book was just perfect and I had a fun time reading it. Thanks so much for the arc!

I loved this. I felt so many emotions when reading this book, surprisingly I read it in less than 12hours? It’s crazy. Reading about Ellis reminded me of my own anxiety about college applications and such. But of course her circumstances were way different. Having her life upended like that, I really felt angry for her. But then seeing her in that small town, finally being a teenage girl was wonderful. It really is a cute autumn teenage love story. I liked knowing that it was a second chance and he falls first. I loved all the characters and yes at the end I cried. I think past me cried along with Ellis. It just took me back and then that feel-good ending was what I needed. So glad I got to read this one.