Jill Shalvis is an auto buy author for me. Her latest, He Falls First, was a five star read, as I expected. It’s available this fall!

Jill Shalvis has mastered the art of funny small-town romance, and He Falls First is no exception. Star Falls feels new and familiar at the same time, as does the dynamic between the Colburn siblings. It's cozy and comfortable and funny and sweet. Ryder immediately recognizes the care he needs to take with Penny, and (zany grandma shenanigans notwithstanding) consistently does it. This is definitely a healing sort of book all the way around.

One consistent quibble I have had with Shalvis's books over the years is her treatment of weight- and food-based shame. It's not as prominent in this book as it is in many of her other books, but if you are triggered by things like a character just casually saying that she can't eat until she loses X amount of weight, this might not be the book or the author for you.

⭐ 4,5

Penny and Ryder both have their own struggles regarding grief and past abuse, but they way they support eachother through it all felt real and touching.

The legend of Starfall added a cute and magical touch to the story, that is if you believe in fate and soulmates.

I absolutely loved all the characters, mainly Pika-Boo, and I cant wait to read the rest of the Colburn Brothers series to read more about them.

The last chapters did feel slightly rushed regarding Penny and Ryder's relationship.
Also some issues that were mentioned earlier on remained unresolved, which I hope will be addressed in the rest of the series.

Overall He Falls First was a very enjoyable read and I can't wait to read more about the other brothers.

I'm so glad this was one of those instant approve ARC's because then I was able to dive right in. Okay, review time:
3.5 stars (I'll round up)
Let me start by saying that this rating is strictly because of my personal opinion. I had nothing against the writing. In fact, I thought the writing was really well done and kept me hooked the whole time. My problem was with the nosy grandmother. Now please forgive me because I'm about to disrespect my elders here.....
In any other situation, the grandma secretly setting their granddaughter up would be sweet. However, Penny was JUST abused a WEEK earlier. Yes, she had gotten out of the relationship months ago but, to go through something traumatic like that and then have your grandma try setting you up with a guy behind your back......like she was still bruised up and twitchy around the MMC.
I think she meant well but, it was really hard for me to like her when she should've been placing her in therapy, not with a man.
Oh and, speaking of therapy, I'm not a fan of when characters are showing clear signs of trauma from past abuse and their mentality is "I'm fine on my own". It's okay to need help. In fact, it's sexy when a character asks for it.
Anywho, I know it seems like after all that I may not have liked the story but I enjoyed it. With the meddlesome grandmother aside and lack of mental health help, I'd probably still recommend this!

He Falls First is classic Jill Shalvis: heartwarming, funny, and packed with just the right amount of steam and emotion. I went into this expecting a sweet, small-town romance with lovable characters and came out completely satisfied.

From the first few chapters, I was hooked by the chemistry between the leads. The hero (yes, he definitely falls first!) is charming but layered, and the heroine has just enough grit and vulnerability to make her feel real. Their banter felt natural and often had me smiling, if not outright laughing. Shalvis does such a great job of balancing lightness with deeper emotional arcs, and that shines here too.

The setting, like many of her books, is cozy and vivid—I could picture the town and the supporting characters, It’s the kind of place you want to escape to after a long day.

That said, a few plot points felt a bit predictable, and there were moments where I wanted just a little more depth from the side characters. But honestly, those are small things in an otherwise really enjoyable read.

If you’re already a Jill Shalvis fan, this one won’t disappoint. And if you’re new to her books, He Falls First is a great place to start. It’s swoony, feel-good romance done right.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A seriously fun spicy romance with a morally gray hero whose love language is stalking. This book takes you on a ride you won’t want to leave with an ending that has me so pumped for the next book!

I wasn't expecting to cry but here we are, I'm so glad Jill was kind enough to stitch my heart back together by the end though.

This was such a solid start to the series. He Falls First was emotional, sweet, and genuinely heartwarming. I really loved Penny’s strength and resilience, and Ryder was the perfect match for her. I adored how patient and respectful he was with Penny. He gave her the space she needed and was willing to wait for her to open up, which made their relationship feel so real and meaningful.

Their chemistry was really good, and the tension between them kept things interesting without being too much. I also appreciated that the miscommunication didn’t drag on forever. The story flowed well, and I enjoyed watching them slowly heal together.

The side characters were a lot of fun, especially the siblings. They brought just the right amount of humor to balance the more serious moments. I’m really looking forward to continuing the series and seeing the other siblings find their HEAs too.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ish

I definitely enjoyed the characters and the romance in this book, but it didn’t blow me away by any means. There was a bit too much focus on some of the side plots and too much back and forth/will-they-wont-they in the second quarter of the book (so much so it felt like reading the same chapter multiple times).

I just finished Ryder and Penny’s story, but I’m already impatient for more! These two both had some healing to do. They’ve had huge hurts in their lives. One of them is now faced with the hurt every day, as well as the knowledge that the source of the hurt likely has zero recollection of those times, while the other is trying to figure out how to breathe without worrying about the walls falling down. And yet, they’re perfect. For each other. For their respective families. For this town.

Ryder doesn’t shy away from his feelings for Penny. In fact, he’s so smitten that he’s more than willing to go at her pace, no matter what that pace is. No lie. He’s seen the chaos of her life and hasn’t run. Instead, he’s stepped in to be part of it. And Penny’s done the same with Ryder and his life.

Even when some well-meaning, yet not smart, meddling is aired for all to know, these two find their way. Between finding their way together, healing their hearts and minds, and remembering that family can taunt and love so fiercely at the same time, I am wholeheartedly in for whichever brother falls next. Or sister. I’m here for that, too.

It was a super sweet and emotional love story. And I really enjoyed all of the family members and side characters that gave this story so much more. I look forward to the next book in the series.

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis will immediately pull you into a small town full of charm and chaos!This book follows Ryder, a contractor with way too much on his plate, and Penny, a fiercely independent chef who’s been burned hard by life and love. Neither of them is looking for romance, which, of course, means it hits them like a freight train! Penny’s chemistry and dynamic with Ryder is everything. He’s broody, but still sweet and patient. Their banter is so good and the slow burn is delicious! This book is warm and witty with the perfect amount of angst.