Jill Shalvis has done it again with another fabulous romance book. Flirty, fun and completely heartwarming with an emotional side where you won’t want to put this book down. I read this book twice in a row and immediately put on my Emotionally Attached to Fictional Characters t-shirt. Ryder Colburn may have fallen first but you’ll fall hard and fast for this cinnamon role! You’ll be rooting hard for Ryder and Penny.

He Falls First is the first book in the Colburn Brothers trilogy and this book was so good it’s going to be hard to wait for the rest of the series. This book had everything you could want in a romance. Slow burn, relatable characters, snarky banter, so much heart, hilarious parrot and the cutest niece and nephew ever ending in a heartfelt HEA. My absolute new favorite. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

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

The start of a new series, this story is about Ryder and Penny. Lots of funny, teasing moments, but also emotional as both main characters have things in their pasts that make them hesitate to get into a new relationship. Great secondary characters encouraging them to get together, which also makes me excited for the next books in the series.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for He Falls First to come out August 5, 2025.

Two words about this book: Absolutely perfect! Okay, it perfectly reflects the foibles of us every day humans but it is such a great story about how we deal with them.

Loved, loved, loved Penny Rose and Ryder Colburn! And Grandma Nell and Wyatt. And Ryder’s family. Okay, Dad could have used an attitude adjustment but I think karma did the best “enhancement”. There’s no cheating, however there is a not-so-nice ex (and I use the term loosely!) in the background that the author made so real. He did a number on Penny and most of her story is how she deals with the aftermath, life and now Ryder.

Ryder has his own family issues! All of Ryder’s family are a hoot – and I’m hoping there will be more books about them – and his twin niece and nephew, and how he interacts with them, are adorable. So much has happened to both Ryder & Penny that broke my heart. But these two? Troopers. Honest to gawd troopers! And Wyatt, Penny’s brother...such a typical smart-mouth teen, but with a good heart. He, too, is hurting with all that is going on with his life but his relationship with his sister was spot on, imho. And Grandma and her parrot, Pika-boo? Cracked me up!

There were so many lines in this story that had me laughing like a loon. And there were some that just about broke my heart. It’s smexy and fun and touching and I loved it. Can’t wait to read more about this crew!

The tropes seems so good I was down for it but let’s be honest 2 chapters in the book gave me the ick. The FMC on the first of second chapter meet the MMC and the nipple thing was a bit weird, because let’s be honest the week before that she went to her ex to pick stuff and from the bandage she has on her jaw we can guess what happen. And I don’t know I tried I push in the book but no it was meh. The relation was off and did I mention the sister of the MMC she is a b**** it was bad like how can she treat her employees like shit. And the excuse of I lost my husband come on !!!!

Penny Rose is living in California with her grandmother and tween brother. she vows never to fall in love again, but that changes when she meets Ryder, a contractor, who is taking care of his father.

What happens when two people who don’t think they’re worthy of love actually find it? With each other? HE FALLS FIRST, the newest fabulous book from Jill Shalvis, answers that question!
Both Penny Rose and Ryder Colburn are the “responsible” people in their family’s lives. Penny helps support her grandmother and her little brother, while Ryder runs a family business. Neither have time for romantic love, and in fact, neither is looking for anything in that realm. Penny’s just come out of a physically and emotionally abusive relationship and Ryder has too many other responsibilities to add a woman to the mix.
Now, if you believe in legends, the 3 shooting star legend of Star Falls, the town they live in, states that if you see 3 falling stars in a row, you’ll get your HEA.
And guess what? One of them sees the stars. I hate spoilers so I’m not going to tell you who sees them, but when it happens, a lot of things fall into place in the story.
Told with the wit and great banter that is common to a Shalvis story, the heavy themes of spousal death, grief, and domestic violence are interwoven into a very often laugh-out-loud narrative. Penny is awkward and feels she has a black cloud following her around, which may be true. An errant Cheeto tells a tale of this awkwardness ( IYKYK!)
Thanks to Netgalley, Ms. Shalvis, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a sneak peek at this soon to be released romance, the first in a new series – I can’t wait for the rest of the Colburn kids to get their HEAs!!!
5 stars for an emotional and fun read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ryder Colburn’s got a lot on his plate between running the family business and caring for his sick father. As the oldest in his family, he’s become the family protector who takes on all of the challenges and responsibilities. He doesn’t have time for anything else - much less dating.

Penny has a dark past. After moving into her grandmother’s dilapidated house to care for her and her younger brother, all Penny can think about is an earning a pay check to make ends meet and fix all of the things that are falling apart around the house. She doesn’t trust men, especially hot ones. When Penny’s grandmother asks Ryder for help with renovations around the house, she can’t resist the flirty banter. Sparks fly as the two grow closer, but will Penny finally let her guard down?

This was a sexy and heartfelt read. I’m actually really excited for the series and am already looking forward to reading more about the Colburn siblings. Ryder is a strong and caring man, who puts his family and business first. He’s got a complicated history with his father that he’s coming to terms with and is still dealing with the death of his best friend. I loved how Penny took him by surprise. She was his breath of fresh air, and it was lovely to see him fall in love. He was patient and kind, and always made sure that Penny knew that she was in control of the speed in which to take their relationship.

Penny is such a great FMC. She’s warm and funny and a hard worker. Having been abandoned by her mother at a young age, she wants to make sure her younger brother has a stable home with family he can count on. Despite a toxic relationship in her past that led to domestic violence, she doesn’t lose her fight. She’s guarded at first, which is understandable, but she communicated her fears and concerns with Ryder so that they were always on the same page. This is so refreshing! I’m so over the miscommunication trope and am all on board for the era of communication. It’s sexy!

I loved the banter between the two and the heat! There were some very spicy scenes. The dynamic between the brothers and sister are so fun. I’m excited to read their stories as well.

While I liked the characters and small town romance, it just didn't leave a lasting impression for me.

I just wanted to hold Penny and keep her safe. I cheered her on as she ogled Ryder and fought her attraction. I loved her grandmother and brother and even the poop obsessed bird!

Also...I LOVE RYDER!!! He is just the sweetest cinnamon roll! He is so thoughtful and kind and gentle and patient and hurt too.

This book dealt with some difficult topics in an incredibly thoughtful and gentle way. Truly, Jill Shalvis is one of my auto-read authors - whatever she writes, I know I will love. And I did!

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis is one of those rare books that manages to wrap you in a warm hug even as it tugs at your heartstrings. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and the author for my ARC. This is an enthusiastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me.

When I first picked up this book, I expected a light, comforting small-town romance. What I didn’t expect was the depth of emotion Jill Shalvis would weave into Ryder and Penny’s story. I’ve been a fan of Shalvis’s work for years—her books never fail to bring a smile to my face—but He Falls First feels like one of her most emotionally resonant stories to date. It hits you right in the heart with its themes of healing, self-worth, and the courage it takes to trust again.

Penny Rose is a heroine I instantly connected with. She’s been through hell and back, having escaped an abusive relationship, and now lives with her grandmother Nell and tween brother Wyatt in a falling-down old house. She’s trying to piece her life back together while juggling the demands of her job as a chef for a local catering company. Penny’s independence, her fierce love for her family, and her dry sense of humor make her a joy to read. She’s not the type to wallow in self-pity, even though no one would blame her if she did. Instead, she pours herself into caring for others—sometimes at her own expense.

Ryder Colburn is equally compelling, if not more so. He’s the eldest of the Colburn siblings, a skilled contractor running the family restoration business while also taking care of his father, Hank—a man who abused him and his siblings when they were younger. The complexity of Ryder’s emotions surrounding his father is beautifully portrayed. He doesn’t forgive the past, nor does he pretend it didn’t happen, but he feels a deep obligation to care for the man his father has become post-stroke. I admired Ryder’s moral strength and his ability to carry so much on his shoulders. He’s a protector at heart, though he often struggles to care for himself with the same devotion he gives to others.

What really sets this book apart is how these two characters, each dealing with profound emotional wounds, find solace in one another. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, but it’s the slow, careful way their relationship develops that I loved most. Penny is understandably wary of trusting a man again, and Ryder instinctively recognizes this. He doesn’t push. He listens. He offers steady, patient support and allows Penny to move at her own pace. Watching him fall for her first—and fall hard—was both heart-melting and refreshing. It’s rare in romance to see the male lead so openly vulnerable and emotionally available without sacrificing strength.

One of the most delightful aspects of this story is the vibrant cast of secondary characters. Grandma Nell is a force of nature—meddling, wise, and hilarious—and her parrot, Pika-Boo, provides many laugh-out-loud moments. Wyatt is a typical smart-mouthed teen, but his relationship with Penny is touching and authentic. The dynamic between the Colburn siblings is another highlight. I loved the glimpses we get of Ryder’s brothers, Caleb and Tucker, and their sister Kiera. Shalvis lays excellent groundwork for future books in this series, and I, for one, am already counting down the days.

The setting of Star Falls itself deserves a mention. Shalvis brings the small town to life with her signature warmth and charm. The local legend of the three falling stars adds a lovely touch of whimsy and hope to the story, underscoring the idea that sometimes fate really does have a hand in bringing the right people together at the right time.

If I had to point out any minor flaws, I’d say that a couple of plot threads felt a bit rushed toward the end, and there were some emotional beats I would have loved to see explored in more depth—particularly regarding Penny’s healing process and Ryder’s ongoing struggle with his father. That said, these are very small critiques in what is otherwise an incredibly satisfying read.

He Falls First is a masterclass in balancing humor, heart, and healing. Shalvis handles difficult subject matter—abuse, trauma, complicated family relationships—with sensitivity and grace, never minimizing the pain of her characters but always allowing hope and love to shine through. I laughed, I cried, and I closed the book feeling uplifted and eager for more.

If you’re a fan of small-town romance with emotionally complex characters and a slow-burn love story that feels both real and deeply rewarding, you will adore He Falls First. It’s everything I want in a contemporary romance and then some. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here impatiently awaiting Caleb and Tucker’s stories. Jill Shalvis, please don’t make us wait too long!

Beautiful! This was a beautiful story. It was a story of overwhelming love, acceptance, and overcoming our past in whatever form it takes. I am always amazed at how deftly crafted this author's stories are. She has the ability to create such an engaging story from what would normally be all-encompassing sadness, making it a story of joy and triumph. Ryder was such a sweet and good man, tempered by some of the salty that Penny had to offer. I devoured this book, practically in one sitting. This whole book was such a joy to read that I know I will read it again and again. Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

It is rare that I get gobsmacked by a book, but I am so in love with everything on every page of this book. I definitely fell first – and hard. The slow burn angst, the snarky banter, the raw pain of conquering serious issues, the family dynamics, the trust, the patience, the love, the characters, the plot, the HEA. There isn’t a pirate but you get a parrot! Every character has a story and yet, it isn’t too much. The most profound thing I can say is you have to read it for yourself. My absolute new favorite.

Penny has been through a lot, and has decided to put all of her focus on her family and the career moves she hopes to take after making sure that her young brother and grandmother are more stable. Ryder seemingly has it all in the career area, but his personal life is not as happy as it may seem from the outside. His family means everything to him, and he is always trying to make sure his siblings are taken care of first. These two may have more in common than you would think, and the sparks they generate are more than enough to light up their little town. Filled with Shalvis' trademark humor and deep family ties this book is a wonderful first entry to the Colburn Brothers series.

This is a romance with lots of clever dialogue. It has a predictable ending but the journey is fun. There will be more books in this series and I look forward to reading them. Thank you to net galley for n advanced readers copy.

I loved this book and all the characters. She has an unusual brother and he has 2 brothers so I’m sure this is the start of a new series. Also he has a sister so lots of people to have the next books about and I’m anxiously awaiting them. Penny lives with her brother and Grandma and also a funny bird. And Ryder has his non verbal Grandfather. Quite the cast of characters. Also this book is quite steamy.

Absolutely loved Ryder & Pennys story. Jill has such a talent in writing that you feel like you are right there along with them on their emotional ride. Can’t wait for the next book. Will also say that Pika-boo the parrot was quite the character.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Penny has moved back home to help her grandmother raise Wyatt, her younger brother. She's a chef at a catering company, and one of her biggest accounts is the Colburn account . Ryder Colburn lives a hectic life running a thriving business, keeping track of his three siblings, and looking after his father Hank. Penny has caught Ryder's eye, but both of them have a lot of heaviness and darkness in their past that is preventing them from having a future.

This is one of my favorite Jill Shalvis books in a while, and I really like her books. No notes, this one was a great read.

Jill Shelvis begins a new series with the themes she holds dear: small town romance and a series of brothers with a little sister who will find the love of their lives one by one. Nothing particularly amazing or innovative, but it's something she knows how to do and she writes it well, so for me it means a momentary return to my comfort zone and I have no intention of giving it up.

Jill Shelvis comincia una nuova serie con i temi che le sono cari: small town romance ed una serie di fratelli con una sorella piccola, che troveranno uno dopo l'altro l'amore della loro vita. Niente di particolarmente stupefacente od innovativo, ma é una cosa che lei sa fare e la sa scrivere bene, quindi per me significa tornare momentaneamente nella mia confort zone e non ho nessuna intenzione di rinunciarci.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

There is always laughter and warm hugs when reading a Jill Shalvis book. Anytime I need to be lifted, I grab one of her books. This is an engaging story of Penny and Ryder, the first of the Colburn Brothers stories. Penny, who moved in with her grandma and young step brother after a relationship that went horribly wrong and Ryder, the oldest Colburn brother who feels the obligation of taking care of his family while dealing with guilt from a prior event. But when these two come together, the chemistry is there as well as the banter that Jill is a master at writing. Her female characters are always strong and sassy and Penny is no different and Ryder, you fall for him instantly. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.