Thank you @simonteen #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

📖✨First in the Bramble Falls series!

Calling all pumpkin spice lovers!! ☕🍁 I’ve been craving fall since basically July 1st, so when this book showed up I immediately grabbed my PSL, a blanket, and pretended it wasn’t 90 degrees outside. 😂 The vibes? Cozy small town, fall festivals, coffee shops, and corn mazes—basically everything I want in a seasonal romcom.

This one follows a city-loving girl who unexpectedly moves back to Bramble Falls, the small town she left as a kid. It’s not exactly on her terms (her mom moved her suddenly, away from her dad, which she’s still carrying some feelings about), and to top it off she runs into Cooper. He is her old love interest and he doesn’t exactly greet her with open arms. The tension between them had me wondering what happened between them! I loved the push-pull of reconnecting with a first love while also finding yourself again.

It’s sweet, cozy, a little nostalgic, and sprinkled with all the fall goodness I can’t resist. If you’re a sucker for small-town romances and want to be fully immersed in autumn vibes, add this to your fall TBR ASAP. 🍂🧡

Bramble Falls is Starts Hollow 2.0! Reading Falling Like Leaves made me yearn for a small town New England style fall. The cast of characters was well done and loveable to boot.

Cooper and Ellis were adorable, even though miscommunication tropes can drive me nuts, and I loved this returning venture back into YA for me as a reader. I wish Ellis and her Mom had more growth together throughout the book instead of just at the end, but overall a fun, cozy fall read.

This was incredibly cute. The aspects of small town charm and romance made this the perfect cozy read as we're heading into fall. I loved the growth between the characters, and the characters themselves. It was problematic people written well. I loved the small town charm but would say I wouldn't equate it to Gilmore Girls. I think Gilmore Girls on this book gives it extremely high expectations and did this book a bit of a disservice. I really enjoyed this book, but it wasn't Gilmore Girls, it was is own unique cozy story that I'd read again. My favorite part of this book was the reference to practical magic. I watch that movie at least twice a year, have the soundtrack memorized and listen to the soundtrack on Spotify regularly for comfort. Overall I really liked this book and can't wait to see it when it comes out. I will be reading more books from this author.

Www.goodreads.com/lizsbookcoven
Instagram: @lizsbookcoven

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC!

I enjoyed this YA coming-of-age read - I'm definitely feeling ready for fall!

One of the highlights, aside from the budding romance between childhood friends Ellis and Cooper, was the memorable cast of supporting characters in the small town of Bramble Falls.

I loved that, after initial hesitation, Ellis learns to make the most of her senior year: partaking in fall events, making new friends, rediscovering her hobbies. She also patches up her relationship with her mother, but I wish scenes with her mother occurred throughout the book and not just at the end.

Overall, a cozy, quick read perfect for fall!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review

After the sudden news of her parents separation, Ellis and her mother take to Bramble Falls, a small town in Connecticut, leaving New York City and the life as she knew it in the rearview. Ellis had always known what her future held, following her dad’s footsteps and becoming a journalist and getting into Columbia by any means necessary. Except she soon came to realize that these weren’t her dreams at all, but that journey was anything but smooth. And Cooper, the boy that proves to her that she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to is the same one that left a similar impression many years prior.

I could not put this book down and I seriously need a cookie and harvest spice latte immediately after finishing this. It gave me all the fall feels and got me right in the mood for colder weather and autumn activities. The plot of this story was great and the character growth throughout was giving me everything I needed. The characters were so well thought out and I don’t feel that there was anything lacking for me. The relationship between Ellis and Cooper was beyond adorable and I really enjoyed the ups and downs of them navigating their feelings and figuring out how to be what each other needed. Overall, Falling like leaves by Misty Wilson is the epitome of a what a fall romance should be and i cannot wait to see what she has in store next.

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson is such a cozy, heartwarming read. As the description promised, it gave me Gilmore Girls vibes—maybe a little strongly at first—but it quickly grew into its own story with the charm of Bramble Falls.

I loved following Ellis as she prepared for her senior year while navigating the challenges of starting fresh in a new town. Her growth felt authentic and relatable, and I was fully invested in her story.

Bramble Falls itself completely stole my heart. Between the small-town traditions, fall-themed festival, and overall cozy atmosphere, it felt like the perfect autumn escape. The writing was strong and engaging throughout, with no lag in pacing.

Fans of YA contemporaries—especially those who enjoy Gilmore Girls or The Summer I Turned Pretty—will love this sweet, seasonal story.

Thank you Netgalley and Misty Wilson for this arc!

This book truly shocked me with how much fun I had. I’m normally not a YA reader anymore but I was truly emersed in this story! I felt that it had everything I not only wanted but needed to get into the fall spirit. No longer excited for a PSL now I need a harvest spice latte.

Such a cute story and while at times predictable, just really was drama filled and fun. I love every character (excluding the obvious) and really bonded well with the characters.

Definitely had me nervous on some decisions bc I really couldn’t tell what Ellis would do next at times, but kept me on my toes in a good way.

Def would recommend !

Thank you @simonteen @simon.audio for the ARC & ALC the most charming YA fall romcom #simonteeninfluencer #simonaudio

Release date: September 2, 2025

Ellis never planned to trade Manhattan for Bramble Falls, but after her parents’ separation, she’s stuck in small-town Connecticut. Between her aunt’s relentless Fall Festival plans and constant run-ins with Cooper—her middle-school summer fling and first kiss—Ellis just wants to escape. Yet the longer she stays, the more she wonders if her future lies right where she least expected.

If Gilmore Girls taught us anything, it’s that nothing beats a small-town fall festival in Connecticut. Bramble Falls delivers all the charm, and this cast of high school seniors brings all the heart. The Summer I Turned Pretty—but make it cozy.

Immaculate setting:
✨ Lovable friend group
✨ Senior year traditions
✨ He bakes (!!)
✨ Saving the town festival
✨ Harvest spice lattes
✨ Warm chemistry
✨ A top-tier cousin
✨ Atmospheric romance

Immaculate inspiration:
✨ Gossip Girl goes to Connecticut
✨ She listens to Gracie Abrams
✨ Stars Hollow level gossip
✨ Practical Magic on repeat
✨ Gilmore Girls glow
✨ A Taylor Swift fanboy
✨ Perfect ‘90s nostalgia

Perfect for you if you like:
Self-discovery
Vivid + heartfelt settings

Similar to:
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
By the Book by C.A. Steinhaus
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

⛔️closed door romance (kisses only)
⚠️infrequent explicit language, separation of parents, selfish father, sleeps in a boy’s bed (not the love interest), mother says she’ll put condoms in her nightstand

Tropes: Friends to lovers, small town romance, forced proximity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so amazing! I’m absolutely in love with the writing and characters!

Setting 🍂: This book had the best setting that I have ever read in a romance book. Seriously, the autumn vibes were so perfect and the small town where everybody knows everybody…!?!?! I think I’m in love.

Plot 🍁: This book had me hooked the entire time. I absolutely loved reading about all the fun Autumn events, it was just a completely perfect read going into Fall.

Romance 🥮: AHHHHHH!!!! Reading about Cooper and Ellis was so entertaining! I loved them together! Cooper is just such a sweet character! I mean, come on!?! He brought her lattes and cookies! Literally the dream guy! Plus, he’s best friends with his mom! 😊

This book was so amazing! I would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you like books by Lynn Painter, or Jenny Han. Just please read it! It’s amazing!

🤎💛🧡

This was cute! The characters felt very much like high school students, attitudes and all! The pacing was a bit slow and there was a lot of miscommunication/lack of communication that held the story back from progressing. I know it’s a romance but I was really hoping for more from Ellis and her mom. It felt like that was a missed opportunity. Overall, definitely feels like a read for the young end of YA!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for giving me an ARC to this book for an honest opinion.

Ugh it had all the fall vibes! I love big city girl goes to small town. Her acknowledgments said it all, Gilmore girls and Hart of Dixie.

I loved the story of Ellis learning that she does not have to follow in her dad’s footsteps. You get to see her become herself and fall in love and high school drama with fall festival vibes.

Cooper 😭😭 I love him, such a sweet baby. Absolute peeta vibes cause baker boy. I could not put this book down, I finished it almost in one day. I had to stop to sleep of course but I read all the way to 80% before I made myself stop. You can absolutely read this in one sitting though, it’s paced greatly.

10/10 recommend, cute YA book.

emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
relaxing
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for sending me an eARC of this book for an honest review!
This is the perfect fall romance for young adults and teens. It's filled with Taylor swift, Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic and so much more. It's the perfect read to get you ready for fall.
Ellis's development was so pure to see, l loved watching her chase her passions and make the most out of her senior year.
The yearning from Cooper is what every young girl dreams of. Everything about this book was picture perfect and the pacing kept the story moving but still gave enough to feel like you stepped into Bramble Falls.
This is a must add book to your fall TBR!

Falling Like Leaves is a teen-age rom com.
Picture this, Ellis is a total city girl. More comfortable with the blare of traffic, sirens and the congestion of people everywhere. New York City is home, she's happy there and looking forward to her senior year there of high school and already has her college planned out there as well.
So, when her mother says they must move to Bramble Falls, Connecticut because she and her father are separating, she feels like she's been hit by a truck as the surprise is so great.
Sure, she's been to Bramble Falls to spend the summer a few times but to move there for good is just unimaginable.
Bramble Falls to me sounds idyllic, with its country charm, quiet, peaceful small-town vibes and everyone into decorating for Fall it sounds superb.
When the guy she had a crush on previously wants nothing to do with her she shouldn't be surprised as she wasn't the nicest to him.
She adores her father and will do anything to win his approval even though they live separately now, she also finds her mother most annoying. As the story progresses, we see some hard truths come to light as she realizes things may not be exactly as she had assumed.
She does make some pretty rash decisions, and I believe this is because she's a teenager and doesn't have the maturity to think of the long-term consequences of her actions.
I enjoyed this fun book and will continue with the series as it releases.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

In this book we follow Ellis, a girl who has to move to a small town with her mom because of her parents' separation and Cooper with whom she used to be friends with.

The main tropes are small town, friends to lovers, and a second chance romance.

For the characters, at times I found Ellis to be a bit too childish, some of her reactions were too much, I also think that she was a bit pessimistic by the way she would talk about certain things.

Now, for Cooper's character, he was a sweetheart with a kind heart, but I didn't like the way he communicated, there would be times when he would just stop talking to Ellis and just wait for her to try to find out why he stopped talking to her.

For their relationship, I liked that they had past history together, but it wasn't developed enough in my opinion. I always like some miscommunication in books, but there was way too much in this one, so many things could have been resolved by talking.

I feel like the first chapter was a bit rushed trying to get the readers the most information to set the story, there were some typos in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Heartwarming, fun, and charming are the three words I would use to describe Falling Like Leaves. This young adult story had all the makings of a great story for young adults and high schoolers. It hit on all the right emotional notes and the angst we may have felt as a teenager. But it also explored the ideas of learning and discovering who you want to be and how it can be confusing to match that with the expectations to those around you (i.e. your parents). This is also the perfect book to read in the Fall. I could see myself reading this book under a warm blanket, with a warm drink, and curled up by a fire. The author does a great job of putting you in the Fall mood, if you aren't already there.

In our story, we meet Ellis. Who seems to be living her dream life with her parents in New York. But that quickly comes crashing down when her parents decide to separate. In the wake of the separation, Ellis (against her will) and her mom move to Bramble Falls, Connecticut. It's a small town with a lot of charm. Think One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls, or Dawson's Creek. Ellis has no desire to be here. She is itching to go back to New York and live the life she thinks she wants. But the charm of the town and her family, start to change Ellis' mind. It begins with Ellis helping out with the Fall Festival the town puts on every year. With every event that Ellis attends and/or participates in the more, she falls in love with the town and begins to perhaps find herself. This also wouldn't be a small town love story without a cute boy. Enter Cooper Barnett. The boy she met when she was younger and visiting for the summer. They were friends who drifted apart, at least that is what Ellis thought. What follows is story about love, self discovery, and friendship.

I think my one and only complaint for this story is the lack of interaction between Ellis and her mom. We get several scenes but I do wish we had been able to see their relationship develop more organically. At times it felt as if the growth between the two characters came as a way to simply move the story forward.

This book filled all my Gilmore Girls needs! The fall vibes are great, and I loved the book being centered around a fall festival with enough events to rival even Taylor Doose's planning!

I really enjoyed seeing the character growth of both Ellis and Cooper and how their relationship blossomed. I also thought it was interesting to see a character like Ellis who is already so caught up in the corporate world in high school. She's definitely giving Rory level intense but on a whole new scale. I feel like we don't see this as much in YA, so it was sweet to see how Cooper could encourage her to do teenager things.

Definitely read this while drinking a PSL (or a harvest spice latte 😎). It's the perfect fall, cozy read!

During her parents' separation, Ellis is reluctantly brought to Bramble Falls, a quaint and cute town. While there, Ellis is reconnected with Cooper Barnett, her first kiss and former best friend. The only problem? Cooper wants nothing to do with her, yet as Ellis participates in Bramble Falls fall activities, she finds herself getting closer to Cooper. Ellis finds that the more she falls for Cooper and the town of Bramble Falls that maybe what she wants is not what she originally imagined.

I really enjoyed this book. It has great fall vibes for readers who want that feeling. The pacing was good, and there was never a point in the story that felt like it dragged. The romance in this book was cute and wholesome, ultimately appropriate for what it is: young adult. I liked all of the side characters and can tell that there are more stories to be told about Bramble Falls. Lastly, I am glad that the focus was not just the romance, and there was the plot of Ellis deciding on a future for herself and not the future her dad wanted.

This was truly everything I was craving in an autumn romance novel !!

Falling Like Leaves follows Ellis, a girl who’s heart is set in staying in New York City and attending Columbia for college. When her mother suddenly declares they’re visiting Ellis’ aunt and cousin in Bramble Falls, Manhattan for a few months, Ellis’ whole life is uprooted. When she arrives, she’s set on hating every minute of it, but the longer she stays, the more she falls for Bramble Falls. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for her childhood friend now turned barista, Cooper.

This was so cozy and screamed autumn in all the perfect ways. I truly haven’t felt this immersed in a small town since Gilmore Girls, and Bramble Falls captured every charming aspect of Stars Hollow which made it so welcoming. The characters, the found family, the romance was all so delectable. I loved Cooper and Ellis so much, and was genuinely screaming and kicking my feet at every interaction between them. I loved the community Ellis found herself surrounded by- her family as well as her friends made this so heartwarming. If anything, this book has solidified my love for an autumnal small-town romance. (Ellis was also so painfully relatable.)

Thank you Simon Teen for the review copy!

In the wake of her parents' separation, the FMC leaves the Big Apple to metaphorically pick apples in the small cozy town of Bramble Falls. Think Bella gets sent to live with Charlie and a whole Gilmore Girls' episode ensues amongst the crisp cool air of fall. In this little autumnal romance, you get more than just a hint of Fall, Bramble Falls literally is FALL. Pumpkins, festivals, leaves, the whole she-bang. The couple is adorable together, and you don't have any of that sour aftertaste in your mouth with their personalities. Then, throw a little bit of clean tension in there, and you have the perfect fall recipe for a cozy little second chance romance. Don't forget your sca

This was an adorably charming YA romance that had all the Gilmore girls, small town perfect Fall vibes I could have hoped for. When Ellis learns her parents are getting divorced and her mom is taking her away from NYC and all her college prep plans, she's less than pleased.

After landing in Bramble Falls and moving in with her aunt and cousin she makes the best of starting high school during her senior year in a whole new town. I loved the second chance romance that rekindles between her and swoony, baker Cooper, the found family vibes and all the Fall festival activities.

Highly recommended for fans of Lynn Painter's Fake skating (which has lots of similar small town, second chance YA romance vibes except takes place during the Christmas holidays). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!