In “He Falls First” by Jill Shalvis we get to meet Ryder, a take control, take care of your family and when he meets Penny, take care of Penny type of guy. But Penny is not falling for a sexy, caring man ever again. Her life is full at the moment but Ryder has other plans.

Love all the secondary characters and can not wait to see the story that comes for the next Colburn brother.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book, and this is my honest voluntary review.

💖 “Warning: This grump will melt your heart — and yes, he falls first.”

Penny Rose swore off men after her last relationship crash-landed in flames. Now she’s back in tiny Star Falls, juggling catering gigs, a spitfire grandma, and her little brother. Romance? Not on the menu. Cue Ryder Colburn — the broody oldest brother who runs the family construction empire and has no time for love… except suddenly all his time seems to be spent thinking about Penny. Poor man never stood a chance.

👨‍👩‍👧 Small Town, Big Personalities:
We’ve got meddling siblings, a mischievous grandma, a little brother who steals hearts, and a parrot with more attitude than anyone else in town. Oh, and let’s not forget some delicious slow-burn tension between our leads, with a dash of emotional baggage on both sides to keep things interesting.

🎧 Audiobook Vibes:
Lila Winters and Sebastian York? Chef’s kiss. They nailed the playful banter, the “I’m totally not falling for you” moments, and the heat level. Basically, I was grinning like a fool the whole time.

💭 Final Scoop:
This isn’t just a romance — it’s a grumpy-meets-sunshine, found-family, heart-squish kind of ride. Ryder is patient, sweet, and sneakily sexy. Penny’s strong, sarcastic, and healing on her own terms. Together? Sparks. Everywhere. Toss in quirky side characters, some laugh-out-loud scenes, and just enough spice to keep you fanning yourself, and you’ve got a Jill Shalvis gem that kicks off the Colburn Brothers series in style.

Jill Shalvis returns to her rom-com roots in He Falls First and I am here for it! I generally love all her books, but her rom-coms always give me the right vibes and this was just what I needed as I gear up for the new school year. The romance between Penny and Ryder is delightful, and I especially appreciate that Ryder recognizes that Penny has a bit of a past and that he lets her set the pace. They start off wanting nothing serious, but of course we all know that changes and I loved watching them figure it out. The strongest point for me was Ryder and his brothers and sister. Shalvis excels in building strong familial relationships. I love my family, but I would jump into theirs in a heartbeat. The banter is good and the feels are there. Highly recommend!

Jill wrote such a beautiful story that is so easily connectable. It’s heart warming and fantastic. A perfect cozy book going in to fall to wrap up with.

He Fall’s First is the first in a brand new series by the amazingly talented Jill Shalvis. This book grabbed me from the first page and I loved every page after too. I loved how relatable and flawed the characters were. Penny was off men because of an abusive ex and Ryder was still grieving the loss of his best friend/ brother-in-law/ business partner and blaming himself for his death. Neither one was looking for something, but that something found them anyway.
I loved reading Penny and Ryder’s story and was rooting for them from the beginning. I not only fell in love with the main characters, but also their families especially the bird, Pika-boo. I can’t wait to read what happens next.

He Falls First is the first story in Jill Shalvis’s Colburn Brothers Trilogy. Ryder Colburn, eldest of the Colburn siblings and CEO of Colburn Restorations, is juggling a lot. He never meant to head the business side, that was his late brother-in-law’s realm. He is more at ease in work boots than loafers and denim than suits. His two brothers, Caleb and Tucker, work for the company and are now filling more of the roles that once were Ryder’s.

Ryder tries to help his widowed sister with her three year old twins a few times a week. He has the role to caregiver for his father, now after two strokes a shadow of the heavy handed task master that terrorized the siblings. If it weren’t for Nell, who does day care for his dad, Ryder has no idea how he would cope.

With all of this, Ryder has no time for anything else in his life. That is until Ryder encounters Penny Rose, Nell’s granddaughter. Now the man that has avoided relationships his entire life has other ideas.

Penny Rose is back in Star Falls after her years as a chef in Seattle. However, falling for the wrong man seems to be a familial trait. Mitch had presented himself as too good to be true, and it wasn’t true. She is now home with scars and a protective order and working for Kiera Anderson, Ryder’s baby sister, as a chef with Hungry Bee Catering. Beginning early in the morning, Penny has a list of clients for whom she services their standing orders, one of which is Colburn Restorations.

One morning, as Penny unloads the Colburn Restorations order and tries to cross the road to make her delivery she is nearly run over by a truck but saved by Ryder. From this point forward it is a cat and mouse game because of each of their troubled pasts and Penny’s difficulty dating again after Mitch.

As Ryder and Penny spend time together, either when he brings or collects his father from Nell’s house or when she makes her deliveries, perhaps difficulties can be overcome. This first novel of a sequential series is well plotted with well developed characters. While the main plot proceeds, there are several intertwined subplots that are woven through including a local legend and a possible inside company issue. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it. I also look for to the next book in the series, Free Falling.

Having loved Jill Shalvis’s writing for years, this book is epitome Jill. Her way with conversations and snarkiness between characters is so enjoyable. I love this new series and can’t wait for the next one. Penny and Ryder are both broken souls, closed off and unavailable but there is an attraction there. As the book unfolds, we learn who the Colburn family is, and why Penny is so completely closed off. He is the oldest in the family and feels he must take care of everyone, while Penny has been burned emotionally and is continually trying to stop her feelings for Ryder. It was such a fun book to read; I thought the characters were wonderful and I want more of the whole family, grandma, Hank and Wyatt included.

Thanks Sourcebooks and Hambright PR for the gifted copy of He Falls First! I’m so glad this is the start of a series because I am not ready to say goodbye to Star Falls.

I love the whole premise — the Legend of Star Falls claims that if you see three falling stars arching together across the sky, you’re about to meet your soulmate. The three Colburn brothers are visiting a friend’s grave when, sure enough, they see the stars. The title, He Falls First, is a nod to both Ryder being the first brother to fall in love and to the classic “he falls first” trope featured in the story (and mannnn does he fall hard!).

Ryder and Penny’s romance is tender and sweet — exactly what they both need. Also, he LEANS. The family dynamics might be my favorite part of the whole book (outside the romance of course!) — Penny’s found family (her meddling grandmother and tween brother) and Ryder’s relationships with his siblings. It’s all very warm and cozy and it just feels NICE to get lost in the story.

Read for:
🩷 Small town with a side of sass
🛠️ Hot contractor
🏡 Found family
🙆🏻‍♂️ He falls first (and hard)
☀️ Grumpy x sunshine
🤫 Is it fake dating when only one of you knows it's fake?

This is definitely my new favorite by Jill Shalvis and I can’t wait to dive into book 2 in February!!

I like the romantic elements of Jill Shalvis novels because they are funny and cozy, What's harder for me in Jill Shalvis novels is when she gets serious. In this book, the heroine has just left an abusive relationship to go to the small town of Star Falls and help with her grandmother and younger brother who have been left to fend for themselves when her flighty mother left them. Lots of emotion in this novel. Penny is very wary of romantic relationships when she starts to fall for Ryder, who also belongs to a complicated family. He grew up with an abusive father who has had two strokes. Ryder is also busy dealing with his grief after his business partner and brother-in-law died tragically. I enjoyed the way that Penny and Ryder got to know each other, and how Ryder gave her all the time in the world to determine if/when she would be ready to be in another relationship. There are some lovely and steamy sex scenes between them. If you're looking for a cozy romance with lots of fun, small, town characters, this one goes down easily,

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review,

Ryder appears to have it all. He is wealthy, has a family who shows up to support each other, and a company he runs (and loves), but looks can be deceiving. Penny is his opposite, she works too hard, takes care of everyone but herself, barely sleeps, and just got out of a relationship that ended badly. He has guilt and a father who is a completely different person than he was when Ryder was growing up. Penny brings light and happiness to his world.

I really enjoyed watching the attraction between Ryder and Penny grow into something more. They both were scared for different reasons, but he showed her that he would be patient, thoughtful, and kind to her and her family. She took a while to trust him and believe that he actually wanted to be with her, but slowly they opened up to each other. I loved how he supported her choices and built her up and she showed him that what happened in the past doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve to be loved.

With a great set of friends and family to support them, and that I need to know more about, this book had me flipping pages well into the night. His brothers are characters that intrigue and bring the humor but can also be serious when needed. His sister, who my heart hurt for, has so much to live for and move on for, but she is in a rut. I can't wait to read more in this series. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

He Falls First is exactly the kind of small town romance that pulls you in and makes you care. Penny is focused on keeping her little family going and has zero interest in letting anyone new into her life. Ryder is steady, thoughtful, and the kind of man who shows up without needing to be asked. Watching her slowly trust him and let her guard down felt earned and really emotional. The tension between them builds at a perfect pace, and once things start to shift, I was all in.

The Colburn family is such a fun group! I already have a soft spot for Caleb, and I need his book immediately. Their dynamic adds so much charm and heart to the story. Penny’s grandma is bold, protective, and wildly entertaining. I loved every scene she was in. And Ryder fitting into their lives so seamlessly gave the story even more warmth.

If you love small town settings, found family, and a romance that makes you feel something, He Falls First is an easy yes. I am already looking forward to my next trip back to Star Falls.

Audiobook:
Lila Winters and Sebastian York made this story even better. Lila gave Penny just the right mix of strength and vulnerability, and Sebastian brought Ryder to life with a calm, caring presence that felt really grounded. Their voices played off each other in a way that made every scene land just right. This was such an engaging listen, and I am so glad I went with an immersive experience.

Thank you @sourcebookscasa, @jillshalvis, and @hambright_pr for my #gifted book, ebook and audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a cute, classic romance!! Things I loved:

-Fully formed, well developed characters with a believable romance.
-She sets up the town and characters that (I’m guessing) will be main characters in the next books really well. It’s a great intro to a new series and I’ll definitely be looking out for the second one.
-Hilarious pet bird (I’m a sucker for a lovable pet in a book)

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC!!!!

3.75 stars. This was a good book. He Falls First is Penny and Ryder's story. Penny leaves an abusive relationship and moves back home to live with her fiesty grandmother and teenage brother. She works as a chef and delvers food to businesses, one of which being Ryder's family contracting business. Sparks fly between them when they meet, but Penny is reluctant to begin a relationship due to her past. Ryder is patient and they become friends first, which leads to deeper feelings and they fall for each other.

This was a sweet, simple book with a good story and nice chemistry. I liked Penny and Ryder together. It was an easy read with a cute ending. There was a few "pushing away" moments from Penny but overall, this was an enjoyable read. I can see the potential for books from Ryder's brothers and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Shalvis comes up with!

Penny is just trying to keep her head (and her little brother's and her grandmother's) above water and a non-leaky roof above all of their heads. Ryder is a successful CEO who's still wrangling his younger siblings, battling guilt and grief, and dealing with ghosts of the past. Both big sibs are just trying to keep their families together like they always have... and just maybe they're ready to find each other.
I enjoyed this one. Both Penny and Ryder have their own demons, but they also have loving families and strong backbones to keep them marching on and growing. I appreciated that the tension in this book really arose from both characters needing to sort out their own problems rather than miscommunication, meddling outsiders, etc. I also enjoyed all the side characters (who will continue to feature in their own books! Yay!). This is a good one for folks who like Lucy Score, but a bit less zany and slightly less spicy. My only quibbles are that the chemistry between Penny and Ryder didn't quite hit for me in places (but was bang on in others), and some of the secondary characters felt a bit flat. I also would've appreciated a clearer look into Penny's past; its mostly referenced in passing glimpses.

3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4. This isn't destined to be one of my emotional support novels, but it was a really nice beach read. The title doesn't lie; he does fall first! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

He Falls First was pretty formulaic and a little over the top in the perfect hero department, but was still enjoyable. There's something comforting in a small town romance with troubled heroes, it's just always going to hit the spot.

Like I said, Ryder was a bit too perfect, erring on the side of unbelievable. Penny was damaged and understandably hesitant. But they brought out the best in each other.

Honestly. what I'm most excited about what I hope are books to come about Ryders family!

✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆✨

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again...

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

He falls First is the first book in the Colburn Brothers series by Jill Shalvis. I found this book to be extraordinary; it hooked me completely, and I couldn’t rest until I finished it. Ryder was truly remarkable for me. Not only was he patient and considerate of Penny and her boundaries, but he also showed immense care for those around him, ensuring they were well taken care of. What struck me the most was the profound emotional depth this book explored in relation to trauma and the journey of healing through everyday experiences, ultimately leading to the ability to open up and trust someone to support you. Jill did an exceptional job portraying Ryder and Penny, capturing their individual traumas in a way that allowed readers to connect with their experiences, which is often one of the most challenging aspects of writing about such sensitive topics. I also appreciated the bond Ryder and Penny shared with their families. I was genuinely surprised by how deeply I became immersed in this book and how moved I felt by it.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

He Falls First in a trope that I love. I could not wait to see how Penny and Ryder’s story would play out. Neither were looking for each other but they just could not stay away from each other.

While this is their story, their families are so important to the story. They are hilarious but even more they are nosy, supportive, over involved, and only want the best for each other. They are the perfect families for Penny and Ryder. I am so excited to know that Ryder’s siblings have their stories still to come.

I devoured this book. Jill Shalvis is a must-read author for me. The romance always gets me with the heat and the romance. But the development of the characters are what keep me reading. I become invested in their stories, needing to know how it will all come together.

An absolutely delightful romance with characters who will steal your heart. Ryder and his siblings survived a very rough childhood with a military father who didn’t spare the rod. After their mother passed away, and as soon as they could leave, they did. After his father’s current health issues, he is now docile, but needs care and is living with Ryder. Penny Rose is back living with her grandmother and her younger brother after leaving an abusive situation. Working as a chef at Honey Bee Catering, she meets Ryder when making a delivery at his company. She has no idea that Hank, the man her grandmother cares for during the day, is Ryder’s father. Still trying to deal with the emotions from her previous relationship and although aware of Ryder as an attractive man, she is not ready to be with anyone. Ryder has his own issues as he is still reeling from the death of his best friend and brother-in-law. There is an attraction between them, but with their personal issues can they trust the growing feelings between them? Ryder finally admits that he is falling for her, but will Penny ever feel the same way about him? I enjoyed everything about this book…the story, the often laugh out loud camaraderie between Ryder and his siblings, her slightly eccentric grandmother and Penny’s desire to care for everyone. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Thanks netgalley for an arc of this! Can we first admire that cover 😍 I really enjoyed the book! I absolutely love Ryder he’s everything we could ever hope for in a man! I also love his little family dynamics. The romance while it’s obvious it was still so cute to read. I’ll definitely be checking out the second book when it’s released.

Before I talk about the romance in this book, I want to talk about the way the Colburn brothers had to deal with their abusive father in the present. It’s set up in the prologue that Hank Colburn was not a forgiving or affectionate man, and that all of his children had both internal and external scars to prove it. Yet, over the last couple of years, Hank has had two strokes. The last stroke had required a craniotomy, which had affected Hank’s personality. Now, not only was Hank mostly non-verbal, but he also seemed to be a happy-go-lucky and affectionate person. The way these relationships are handled in this book is fantastic. There are so many complicated emotions to this element of the story. It doesn’t overtake the main part of the book, but it’s something that adds more depth to the narrative.

I’m going to assume the thing that will tie the books in this series together (other than the fact that the MMCs are brothers) is the Legend of Star Falls. A legend about seeing three falling stars together and finding your soulmate. It’s a cute legend and gives the brothers something to razz each other about.

As for the romance in this book, between Ryder and Penny, I loved it. They have a heart-melting connection, but both are so weary. With good reason. Penny’s caution doesn’t frustrate Ryder; he is patient and flirty and doesn’t ever take for granted that what she wants from him one day may not be the same the next day. He’s a tough, no emotion showing, works with his hands type of guy. He also not only understands boundaries, but he also helps to set those boundaries so Penny feels safe and in control. Their banter, flirting, and opening up to one another gave me the warm fuzzies I love. Penny and Ryder built a solid friendship as they fell in love. It’s amazing what patience and empathy can accomplish.

This story doesn’t bash you in the face with the feelings, but it’s also more than a simmer. I always loved the time the main characters spent on page together. I loved the sense of peace they gave each other. I loved it when they gave in, but I also loved it when they held back. It was wonderfully romantic.

On top of the brilliant love story, there is a great cast of characters that will have me going back for more. From Ryder’s siblings to Penny’s grandma and brother to Penny’s friends. Every character brought something to the table.