Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson was filled with so much emotion that it made me feel everything all at once. Reading this book was like being wrapped up in a big, warm hug mixed with a ton of fall scents in one. The book was captivating from the first line, and I didn't feel the need to stop reading. I was so addicted, and I just wanted to keep reading more and more.
I also felt in a way connected to Ellis because I was able to relate to her and the experiences she's had or was going through at that time. It was like watching a rom-com unfold, but in your mind. It wasn't just about one thing; it was about so many beautiful disasters that happened. I'm so thankful that I got to read this book, and I can't wait for everyone else to fall in love with this book like I have.🤎
Thank you to Net Galley for giving me this ARC to read and review, and I'm so grateful to Misty Wilson for being able to create a wonderful world in my mind.

It was a super cute fall read. I loved the festival and autumn events. I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting. The ending was super sweet and I loved it. I loved the characters and the plot, too.

Originally ,i was not in the mood for an autumn romance considering it’s 95 outside right now with the worst humidity known to mankind, but reading and nature don’t always match up so you get what you get. And i got all the autumn vibes in this novel. Wilson manages to drop us in the small town of bramble falls (which is giving gillmore girls setting, ive never watching it *gasp* shocker i know) where all things fall are happening.

lowk i keep switching between autumn + fall in this review but pls ignore that! Im sleep deprived right now.

I do think we had a little tooooo many like pop culture moments and i get it but also i don’t know, sometimes i don’t want to read about it in my books haha. the vibes hit! No thoughts or complaints there.
~

third act breakup almost made me throw my kindle across the room. Well i was reading on my phone bc my kindle is dead (like rip bruh dead) but yes i almost tossed it. I absoloutly LOATHE the miscommunication / third act breakup with a passion but it redeemed itself, still hate it.

cute romance, was a little undercooked imo but the tropes and vibes hit!

~characters

Ellis // oof, okay. This one is tough because on one hand i liked ellis but on another hand she was a little bit of a brat haha, like i get it but also girl, no. she was stringing jack along and kinda…just vanished on cooper when they were younger, like i get it but as a kid that stuff hurts lol. I wish we could have had more of the issues with her dad drawn out, i think we could have gone into that a bit ! i do love her passion for fashion (ooh see what i did there) and while she’s focused on columbia for journalism, everything is kinda falling apart with being her dad’s intern when he gets a new one behind her back.

Cooper // bro was literally in love w/ her from childhood and i wish i could have gotten a little bit more of his personality? Like aside from being a “good guy” and whatnot, i just wish i had a bit more of him. But he was cute! Like he bakes and he works at a cafe, hello? What more could you ask for. Write me up one thx

Jake // honestly loved him haha

Sloane // top tier cousin, loved how she always had ellis’ back and was always there for her. Makes me wish i had that with my cousins lolll

Ellis’ dad // so i’ll be hopping on a plane to nyc to have a little chatty chat with him because i genuinely was like no siree

Read if u like
༄ gilmore girls
༄ small town vibes & all the autumn vibes
༄ pumpkin spiced lattes
༄ fun friend groups
༄ a top tier cousin dynamic thats not toxic at all !!


🤎final thoughts

All in all, a cutesy autumn romance with a fun cast of characters, a prominent town setting, and a whirlwind cutesy romance with a baking / barista mmc and a stickler / studious fmc who is back in the small town she spent one summer with. It’s childhood friends (sortof) to lovers, cafes, baking, and gilmore girls esque feeling. If you like lynn painter or kasie west’s writing, you might like this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Really liked this book. Perfect book for fall vibes and small town romance readers.

This is such a perfect moody fall romance. It sets the settings and tone perfectly. Despite it being 95 outside and having no AC in my apartment I truly was convinced it was fall while reading this. The characters are loveable and it’s just an incredibly cute story.

I'm so mad that I read this book in June only because it's the PERFECT autumn read. From the Gilmore Girls vibe to the coming-of-age heartfelt story, I was hooked instantly. I loved this book so much, and I only wish Bramble Falls were real so I could visit. Ellis was such a complex character. I completely related to her drive and determination, especially in being a people pleaser. Sloan was a great support system, and I hope she gets her own story as well! Cooper, omg, what a guy!! I loved that he bakes and makes fun drinks, while also cares so deeply for those around him. This was the perfect small-town vibe, with just the right amount of shenanigans, and reading it truly felt like a warm hug. I also teared up towards the end when the truth came out about Ellis' parents. That hit so close to home, and I really saw myself in Ellis there. The only thing that would have made this reading experience better would be a pumpkin spice latte, because I'm nothing if not a basic b**** for Fall and all the joy the season brings. This is seriously a top book of the year for me, and I always love a cozy YA rom-com. Thank you to Simon Teen for the ARC to read and review.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.

🎃Blurb🎃
"Ellis has a plan: spend her senior fall prepping her application for Columbia, get into their journalism program, and set the foundation for a respectable career. So when her parents announce that not only are they separating, but Ellis has to move with her mom from New York City to Bramble Falls, Connecticut, to live with her aunt and cousin, it couldn’t come at a worse time.

From past summers spent in Connecticut, Ellis knows Bramble Falls is idyllic and charming. But it also seems to be full of distractions. There’s local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis’s one-time best friend and first kiss who now wants nothing to do with Ellis. And then there’s the Falling Leaves Festival, a local autumnal celebration run by Ellis’s aunt where people from all over come to see Bramble Falls’s beautiful foliage. The house is stuffed with decorations, and every conversation seems to center around the festival.

Dragged to every oh-so-charming event from apple picking to pumpkin carving, Ellis can’t stop bumping into Cooper…or falling for the quaint town and its quirky residents. As her return to Manhattan gets repeatedly delayed, Ellis finds herself caught between two very different places—and the futures they represent."

🍂My Thoughts🍂
I was not expecting to be so charmed by this book. I finished it in one day, so that says a lot because my attention span is getting worse by the day. 😂

I haven't seen <i>Gilmore Girls</i> (I know! I need to watch it! 😭), so I don't know how cute the town is in that show, but Bramble Falls sounds like a place where dreams are made of. And it's no surprise that city-girl Ellis is quickly bewitched by the beauty of the small town and its citizens, not to mention the fact that there is a cute boy behind the counter of the local cafe who seems to hate her guts. Why? You're going to have to read the book to find out. 😉🍁

The story was great. I was hooked from page 1, and I was shocked yet not so shocked at what unfolded at the end. The characters were relatable, flawed, and funny. I enjoyed them all, except for Ellis's dad. He was a pain. 😅 And I definitely loved the fall vibes and activities mentioned in every chapter. Ugh, it was so good! I don't think I've liked a book so much, especially a YA novel. This was a fun read that I desperately needed, and I highly recommend it. 🧡

Falling Like Leaves is a cozy, heartwarming teen rom com that perfectly captures the magic of fall, small town charm, and the bittersweet tension of growing up. It’s the kind of book that wraps you in a fuzzy sweater of emotions with crisp autumn air, crackling leaves, and just the right touch of teen angst and romance.

The story follows a city girl thrown into a slower-paced world where everything feels unfamiliar except for one boy from her past and the tug of memories that never fully faded. Set against the backdrop of an enchanting fall festival, this story gently explores change, first love, and the difficult choices that come with chasing your dreams while discovering new ones along the way.

Filled with witty banter, heartfelt moments, and nostalgic fall traditions, this book is a perfect pick for fans of cozy coming of age stories. It’s a story about finding yourself when everything around you shifts and learning that sometimes, the detour becomes the real path forward.
A charming autumn read full of warmth, heart, and the sweetness of first love.

This book is a great light read! Cooper and Ellis are such a cute couple, and I really found myself relating to Ellis. She embodies the painful worries that a high achieving 17 year old girl gets, and coupled with the cute fall vibes (that are ABSOLUTELY Gilmore Girls coded) it was so awesome to read.

The book was slightly predictable, and I didn’t truly feel attached to any characters enough to feel emotionally attached to the book. However, it’s a great read that’s worth your time, for the cozy romance lovers. 🫶🏽

Thank you for the chance to read this early

This was a really cute read- I mean look at that cover! Making my autumn loving heart happy. This book really relies heavily on the autumn vibes, and I was for it. I loved the small town, Bramble Falls. It is a place I'd want to live! I would happily read more about this town and its residents. This was a love tension, fast paced, fun read that really is the perfect fall read. The romance was really cute and there was definitely character chemistry. I really loved seeing Ellis reconnect with the town and learn about her own aspirations for her life. The story was predictable which honestly is nice in a read like this. Perfectly comfy and cozy.

5⭐️ | The book felt like Stars Hollow in October 🍂💛
If you told me this was ghostwritten by a Gilmore Girls writer during a leaf-peeping trip through Connecticut, I’d believe you. Falling Like Leaves gave me cozy town charm, first love butterflies, and all the fall festival magic I dream about every September 1st.

Ellis is the perfect mix of determined city girl and soft-hearted teen figuring it all out. Watching her reconnect with her past (and maybe the boy she left behind 👀) while navigating big life changes hit hard—as a mom of a teenage daughter, I loved how real and tender it all felt.

It’s warm apple cider in book form, with a sprinkle of Jenny Han heart and a dash of Rory Gilmore ambition. I adored every pumpkin patch, awkward run-in, and unexpected moment of growth.

Perfect for teen readers, nostalgic moms, and anyone who wants to live in a town where fall leaves drift like confetti and first kisses still matter. 🍁📚

This was such a cozy story. I'm not usually a romance reader but I am so glad I gave this a chance. I think anyone could enjoy this book and I would definitely recommend it.

A Delightful Autumn Escape Filled With Heart, Humor & Small-Town Charm!

There’s something irresistibly cozy about a story that captures the magic of autumn—crisp air, golden leaves, and the promise of new beginnings—and Falling Like Leaves does exactly that, wrapping readers in the warm, inviting atmosphere of Bramble Falls. When Ellis’s carefully constructed New York City life is upended by her parents’ separation, she finds herself reluctantly transplanted to the quaint Connecticut town she once visited during summers past. But what was once a temporary escape now feels like a roadblock to her future—until the town’s quirky charm (and a certain brooding barista) start to make her question everything.

Ellis is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for—driven, witty, and just vulnerable enough to make her journey feel real. Her struggle between chasing the prestigious future she’s always planned and embracing the unexpected joys of Bramble Falls is beautifully written, full of relatable growing pains and moments of self-discovery. And then there’s Cooper Barnett, her childhood best friend turned first kiss turned distant stranger, whose lingering glances and reluctant smiles had me utterly hooked. Their slow-burn reunion is packed with delicious tension, playful banter, and just the right amount of teenage stubbornness to keep things delightfully messy.

But what truly makes this book shine is its setting. Bramble Falls isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing world of pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, and gossipy locals who feel like family. Ellis’s aunt’s Falling Leaves Festival brings the town to life in vivid detail, making every page feel like a stroll through Stars Hollow (with all the Gilmore Girls-esque charm that implies). The side characters—from Ellis’s sweet cousin to the town’s nosy but well-meaning residents—add layers of warmth and humor, making it impossible not to wish you could visit for real.

While I would’ve loved a deeper exploration of Ellis’s relationship with her father (their strained dynamic had so much potential!), the heart of this story lies in Ellis’s personal growth and her slow realization that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never saw coming. By the end, I was fully invested in her happiness—both in love and in life—and the satisfying, heartfelt conclusion left me grinning.

Perfect for fans of small-town romances, enemies-to-lovers tension, and all things autumn, Falling Like Leaves is the kind of book you’ll want to read in one sitting, preferably with a pumpkin spice latte in hand and a cozy blanket nearby. Sweet, funny, and full of heart, it’s a story that lingers like the last golden rays of fall sunlight.

An enormous thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing me with an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I’m so grateful to have experienced this enchanting story—it was an absolute joy from start to finish!

Even though it is the middle of summer this book had me craving a pumpkin spice latte! Ellis has a very relatable plot and has many common flaws among people her age especially being a perfectionist. The cozy setting of Bramble Falls helped add the warm vibe to the storyline! I enjoyed this book very much will be recommending once released!

This was such a cute little romance that is perfect for fall. I loved the city girl moves to small town trope and I adored watching Ellis figure out her dreams and passions. I do think she can make some dumb decisions at times, but that’s just what teenagers do.

I also really loved Ellis and Cooper together. I liked seeing them work through their miscommunication and get to know one another again against the backdrop of Bramble Falls.

This book was full of autumnal imagery and cozy vibes. It made me want a PSL (or a harvest spice latte) so bad!!! I will definitely be rereading it this fall!

So stinking cute! I loved the setting and the characters, and immediately felt the comfort of fall in a small town. This was marketed SO well, as it truly is perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls!

I just moved from NY to CT, so I had a lot to connect with the main character about. This was a very cute romance, though the main character trying to find her future passion was really frustrating me, especially the way it impacted the other elements of her life. However, I could see this being a thing teenagers might struggle with even if I didn't as a teen.

An autumn romance between a baker and a fashion designer? SIGN ME UP. As the daughter of an influential journalist, Ellis has never really had a say for herself in terms of her future. When her parents separate and her mom drags her back to the idyllic town of Bramble Falls, Ellis feels like her life is ending— except for her reunion with her first kiss, Cooper Barnett. But he hates her? It’s too bad they keep bumping into each other as Ellis is dragged around planning and attending cozy fall activities… right?
I am addicted to the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope. Even better when he’s been obsessed with her this whole time. Bramble Falls is the cutest town and I loved living out Ellis’ designer dreams along with her and her friends. I was rooting for them so hard the whole book, especially Ellis, though she did some questionable things sometimes while searching for her true desires. The romance is just too cute, and the character development was so satisfying. I would love to return to Bramble Falls— perhaps for Sloane???

Thank you Simon teen and netgalley for the arc. All thoughts are my own. This was such a cozy fun read. Definitely wishing fall vibes to come faster and that I could experience bramble falls

This YA romance follows Ellis as she reluctantly moves with her mom from New York City to the small cozy town of Bramble Falls where she’s spent her past summers. Ellis experiences a mixture of feelings and confusion from this due to her parent’s separation. Cue a loving aunt and cousin, new friends, wonderful residents and a sweet love story, ‘Falling like Leaves’ is a delightful story with the right amount of heart, warmth and humor that makes you not want to put it down!
P.S. a Harvest Spice Latte sounds delightful!

Thank you to Netgalley and SimonTeen for this arc!