I absolutely LOVED this (also, the artwork on this series is gorgeous.) The Colburns are an amazing family. I wish I had a family like that. The dialogue was hilarious (and heartfelt.) I love how realistic Jill's stories always are. The dynamic between the kids and their father was unique (I've never seen it in any other book) but SO realistic. I also, of course, loved Grandma and Wyatt. All of Jill's characters are so full of life. I don't know how to describe it. (Grandma also throws out some nuggets of wisdom that are helpful to everyone who reads, not just to Penny.) The ending is fantastic (and the epilogue was cute too.) I CANNOT wait for the next books in the series. (As of right now, I think Caleb is my favorite of the brothers. I love that his book is next, but I am also all sorts of impatient. I WANT TO READ IT NOW!!!)

There is also a little bit of a workplace mystery which I hope will get continued and solved in the rest of the series. (Just like the brothers, I have my suspicions about what happened and who the culprit is...I am interested to see how it plays out.)

I mean....he falls first? This one got me right from the title. Personally, I can be a pain sometimes, so when I see a patient, kind-hearted hero, I just eat it up! Ryder is a contractor and known to be the "serious" one of three brothers. What he cannot resist is Penny, a down on her luck chef who has more on her plate than she would like. I loved how Ryder fought it at first but ultimately had no chance but to adore Penny, even though she has zero interest in romance. The building of their relationship felt natural as they became slowly closer. I felt for Penny. Caring for her brother and grandmother, there was a lot going on with her. I appreciated that its as the MMC that was the easier sell, when we usually see them be the one to avoid all ideas of attachment and feelings. Part of what Shalvis does so well is create real characters with real problems. Everything is not sunshine and butterflies for these two. They really had a lot they had gone through. It was so much fun to watch them come together. The wait in the end was worth it. And the best part? This book kicks off a new series for the author. I loved Ryder and Penny's story and can't wait to read more of the Colburn Brothers. The banter, the swoony scenes, and the true growth built into a fantastic read!

Thank you to @jillshalvis @sourcebookscasa and @netgalley for the #gifted e-book.

This is the exhilarating first book in the Colburn Brothers series, and it truly exceeds expectations.

Ryland and Penny are both nursing past wounds and are determined to steer clear of love. But when their paths cross, undeniable sparks ignite. Can they set aside their histories to embrace the possibility of a new romance?

This captivating story weaves a beautiful tale of love that had me completely enthralled. The chemistry and playful banter between Ryland and Penny are delightful, demonstrating a deep connection that grows as Ryland gently allows Penny to take the lead. The dynamic among the Colburn brothers, Ryland, Caleb, and Tucker, is fantastic, filled with humor and brotherly camaraderie. Penny's spirited and feisty grandmother is fiercely protective of her family.

This heartwarming romance promises to leave you with a smile, culminating in a satisfying happily-ever-after. I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment featuring Caleb!

If you’re a fan of immersive romance stories that captivate your heart, this book is a must-read.

I love reading Jill Shalvis’s books. They are like a warm hug, but this one fell a bit flat for me. He Falls First is the first book in the Colburn Brothers series. This family of very attractive brothers run a construction/restoration company in California.


Penny finds herself back in her small hometown in California living with her Grandma and her half brother. She is working in a catering company, taking care of her brother, and she is exhausted. Life has been hard and she is barely scraping by. She meets Ryder Colburn and both are instantly smitten.


The Insta-love between Ryder and Penny is the foundation of the entire plot, but it was not very interesting to me. I was never convinced of why these two fell so hard for each other from the very first second they saw each other.


Penny and Ryder have great physical chemistry and I liked how respectful each one was and how kind they were to each other. Both were reluctant to enter into a new relationship, and I appreciated that neither character pressured the other and they took things slowly, which felt very natural. I also really loved the cover. The shooting stars on the cover reflect a legend of the small town the book is set in about finding your soulmate after you see shooting stars.


Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into this book because the connection between the main characters felt so surface level. There are many positive features to the story: healing after an abusive relationship, building a healthy and respectful relationship, and lots of family support and love. To a reader looking for a sweet small town love story, this book would be perfect.


Thank you to Jill Shalvis, Sourcebooks Casablanca Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ryder Tate Colburn is a 32 yr old and CEO of Colburn Restorations. He used to run the company with his best friend Auggie Anderson who also happened to be married to his sister Kiera. Two years ago Auggie died in a freak accident and Ryder has not been able to go on with his life because he blames himself even though no one else does. Instead he devotes all of his time between the company; his siblings...Caleb, Kiera and Tucker and his dad Hank. The past 2 years Hank has had two strokes and a craniotomy and is now nonverbal. Their entire life Hank was a hard-nosed father but now he is a happy, gentle soul and the kids are having a hard time meshing the two extremes. During the day, 74 year old Nell Rose is Hank's caregiver and has been a godsend.

When a truck almost runs over Penelope "Penny" Rose, the 27 yrs old granddaughter of Nell who also works at Honey Bee Catering, the company Kiera owns, Ryder knocks her out of the way and saves her life. Sparks begin to ignite. Penny is back in Star Falls, CA to help take care of her 12 yr old brother Wyatt since their flighty mother has taken off again. Ryder starts finding more ways to be around Penny. Because of something that happened in her past, Penny is reluctant to date. Ryder says that's fine, he will wait.

In the meantime, Ryder and his brothers are at Auggie's grave because it would have been his birthday and they see three falling stars arching together across the sky. Of course legend has it if you see this "Legend of Star Falls" phenomenon it means that your soul mate will be entering your life. Hmmm.....sounds like it working for Ryder!

The more Ryder and Penny are together, the more Penny's walls start coming down until they finally cross that line. Everything is going great until a secret is revealed and then everything blows up. It will take a lot of soul searching for Penny and Ryder to find their way back to each other but it will be done is a sweet and fun way and then these two will finally have their happy ending.

I just adored this love story with two characters both afraid to fall. I loved how cautious Ryder was with Penny and it made you love him even more. All of the Colburn siblings were so fun and I can't wait for each of their books. Pika-boo, grandma's parakeet was a hoot!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I loved He Falls First! Jill Shalvis always brings the heart and there's heat here too. Ryder and Penny are two people who have had missing or incompetent parents. On the other hand, they never let anyone down and work hard to take care of their family members.

Ryder is a contractor, works with his two younger brothers. He's very successful. He's taking care of his father, Hank, who was abusive to them when they were children. Now Hank has had a stroke and nursing homes won't take him. Ryder has never really trusted relationships.

Penny is a cook, working for Ryder's sister Kiera, doing catered meals for various people, including Ryder's construction business. She lives with her Grandmother and her 12 year old brother, Wyatt. Penny had an abusive ex. Grandma is also Hank's daycare. They get along fine. I love LOVE love the green and yellow parakeet, Pika-boo who says the darndest things. He is hilarious. " I'm a good boy. I'm the goodest of all good boys." " I don't have an attitude!" I won't spoil the rest of the fun.

They manage to spend time together with Penny delivering to his business and Ryder taking on the renovation of Penny's kitchen with Grandma and Penny, and eventually Wyatt helping. Ryder has wanted to get his work back to hands on instead of just the paperwork part of the business for awhile. Penny is skittish but Ryder succeeds by being kind, supportive and letting Penny set the pace. I love how honest they are and with open communication.

I love the two families just hanging on and mostly by Ryder and Penny working all the time. But the families are all for the relationship. He Falls First is sweet and funny and so comforting.

Unfortunately, while I understand there’s a large audience for this type of romance genre, I am not the target audience for it. There was a lot of tell and not show, and I really didn’t feel the passion or chemistry between the two characters. Ryder was almost too perfect and the ensemble secondary characters felt like it was trying to be a Stars Hollow/Gilmore Girls quirky cute but didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
There wasn’t a lot happening so at Chapter 16/48% through the book, I felt it was time to move on to something that might hold my attention for me.

Thank you to Hambright PR for the advanced copy and gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

I totally loved this book and am looking forward to this whole series. While the plot left some questions unanswered - I am hoping they will be wrapped up in future books. The best thing about this book is the characters. They all have a lot of heart and are very interesting. Ryder and Penny are swoon-worthy and their relationship is just lovable. Ryder is just a great character, he is the fulcrum upon which the whole story revolves. Their past traumas make them complicated and hesitant to start a relationship. It is a interesting journey following their love story.

The side characters are super fun and interesting. I can not wait to read Caleb's book. This is an adorable, fun, spicy romance that give you all the feels. I do wish more of the backstory for both main characters had been fleshed out a little more. But, overall this was a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC.

I know when I pick up a Jill Shalvis book that I am going to fall in love with the couple. Ryder and Penny, our two main characters are so lovable but likable people as well. The rest of the characters in this book are amazing too. I loved this book and Penny and Ryder’s journey to their wonderful HEA. This is such a sweet and heartfelt story and I felt all of the emotions! I am so happy we will be getting all of the brothers books! I can’t wait!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading He Falls First by Jill Shalvis. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis is the first in the Colburn Brothers series. I adore series about siblings, so I was all in. This first story belongs to the oldest brother, Ryder, and Penny, who has moved back home to live with her grandmother and teenage brother. Swoons, laughter and more await you in this heartfelt novel.

The story is set in a tiny town in California. From the start I loved Penny, her feisty grandmother and little brother. Penny has left an abusive relationship and come home to help her grandmother. She’s employed as a caterer now. Although less glamorous than her chef position, it’s functional.

Ryder is the oldest Colburn and has some baggage thanks to his abusive father. I couldn’t help but have a soft spot for him and his brothers and their sister. Their father has recently been kicked out of his latest retirement home and has since suffered a stroke that has changed the once violent man into a docile, simple man. Unable to care for himself, the brothers agree to take him in. Ryder has him first and employs Penny’s grandmother to care for him during the day. This is how he bumps into Penny.

I loved their cute meet and the instant chemistry. One quickly denied because the two are relationship shy. So they attempt friendship, and I loved watching the slow build, and almost kisses unfold. The story was delightfully paced as Shalvis introduced characters and allowed for meddling as chemistry gave way to feelings and heat.

He Falls First tackled some big subjects while highlighting loss and wrapped it into a swoon-worthy romance, the power of family and community. I cannot wait for the next siblings story.

Penny is recovering from a difficult relationship that has her swearing off all men and relationships, that is until Ryder Colburn shows up in her world. He's sweet and kind and interested in Penny -- but she's not ready.

The story is built around the "legend" of seeing three shooting stars that will foretell someone falling in love. I won't spoil it, but the legend brings a cute aspect to this story that will just have your heart melting! The Colburn brothers are just adorable in that manly, sexy way that make romance novels a reader's choice! Swoony, gorgeous men with character! Yum!

There isn't any doubt that Ryder and Penny are made for each other -- it's just a matter of time before they get there, with a little help from friends and family.

The secondary characters are interesting too, especially the Colburn patriarch who is dealing with health issues of his own, and Penny's family of grandmother and younger brother. This author knows how to construct a family that works together to get through life.

You can't go wrong with a Jill Shalvis romance. The main characters are guaranteed to be likable and the story is entertaining and sweet! I enjoyed He Falls First and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Colburn brothers stories!

I enjoyed reading Jill's newest lighthearted romance. She supplies a fun group of characters including a swoon worthy male lead and a heroine who is trying to get her life together. Not too much angst but enough poinancy to make you feel for the characters. Loved the bird Pika-boo for a bit of comic relief. If your looking for a light summer read with a HEA this book should satisfy you!

He falls first
What do you do when your life is literally falling apart at the seams? If you’re Penny, you go back to your hometown to help your grandmother raise your teenage brother and ignore your problems like it’s your job. Penny is holding it together, barely, when she comes face to face with local contractor/hero Ryder. Ryder is the eldest brother who is also trying to keep all his people and his business running. This book is a delightful opening to Jill Shalvis’ newest series. It’s emotional, sexy and heartwarming. I can’t wait to read what she has in store for the other Colburn brothers!

If you’re talking about irresistible book boyfriends, I think Ryder Colburn might just top the list. I don’t even know if I have anything constructive to say because I haven’t stopped swooning yet. His life is stuffed with responsibilities—looking after his disabled father, running the family business, protecting and looking out for his siblings, mourning the loss of his best friend—yet he knows the moment he meets Penny that she might be exactly what his life needs. I loved his honesty with Penny. He noticed everything and was gentle and thoughtful with how he treated her and got to know her. He never pushed her; he always let her take the lead. He never tried to hide how he felt or pretend something wasn’t happening between them. The man killed me with how he complemented Penny in the best way.

I loved Penny too. Talk about a woman with grit. She doesn’t let many people close but once she does, she loves fiercely, like with her grandmother—such an adorable character—and younger brother Wyatt. Her last relationship was abusive, and I really appreciated how Shalvis handled the topic.

I could probably gush about this book for hours. Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis. Her stories, this story included, have so much heart and emotion, layered with laughter and depth of character, as well as a cast of people who lift one another up. I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in early 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Jill Shalvis for an advanced reader copy (eARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I finished He Falls First and yep, he sure does!

This was such a soft, heartwarming read with just the right balance of tension, vulnerability, and slow-burn sweetness. Jill Shalvis knows how to write characters you genuinely root for the kind of people who carry their emotional baggage right on the page, and who somehow find peace in each other.

The chemistry? It’s there. The emotional payoff? Also there. I loved Ryder and Penny, can't wait to read more about them.

I really loved how the relationship unfolded. It felt mature, grounded, and still filled with just enough swoon to make me smile into my book.

I loved this book from the first page to the end because of the story and the down to earth characters.  I enjoyed getting to know them better.  Both Ryder and Penny are struggling with their pasts.  Ryder with his dad who has had two strokes which have totally changed his abusive character and Penny with her ex-boyfriend who was also abusive.  They were like two lost, hurt souls who together were not lost or hurt anymore if they could just trust and open up their hearts to each other.
The flirting and banter was so  much fun.  Ryder's brothers really added charm and fun moments to the story.  You could tell they were really close because of what they had gone through with their dad  and also the loss of their sister's husband, Auggie.
Looks like there was some truth to the Legend of Star Falls and it was funny to see how the three Colburn brothers would react to it.  I am so glad there is another book in the series featuring one of Ryder's brothers.  I would give this book more than 5 stars because it is one of my favorite books that I have read this summer. It would be a great summer beach read story and parts of it are really funny. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Penny and Ryder are both carrying heavy emotional loads-trauma, disappointment, complicated family ties…and neither of them is in any shape to be looking for love. But love, of course, doesn’t wait for perfect timing.

What I really appreciated is how real their connection feels. It’s not insta-love or forced tension. It’s two people slowly figuring out that maybe, just maybe, they don’t have to go it alone anymore. They challenge each other, open up, and ultimately help each other start healing. There’s heartache in their pasts, sure, but there’s also hope, humor, and warmth in every interaction.

Ryder’s gruff but golden, and Penny-she’s been through it. She’s a survivor, and watching her slowly let her guard down is incredibly satisfying. Add in a town of colorful side characters you’ll absolutely want more of, and this book becomes way more than just a small town romance- it feels like the start of something bigger.

The town legend also adds just the right bit of charm and magic to keeps you wondering if fate had a hand in all of this. I’m definitely ready for a sequel!

Shalvis always delivers on heart, humor and honest emotion! I'm hooked already on the Colburn family, their drama and their love for each other. I can't wait to see the other two brothers get a story, and hopefully their sis will find love again as well. The main characters of this story were quick to catch my attention, and their supporting casts of humorous family members kept me reading even more. I loved the depth of emotion that each character had going on with family obligations, personal strength and their friendship along the way even while she fought her feelings. Her background could have maybe used a hair more development in places, but overall the story was well laid out with a solid plot to carry it forward organically. I can't wait for more to come in the series!

My favorite character had to be Grandma Nell. She was spunky, sweet and sincere all rolled into one. She was there to step forward for her grandkids without a doubt, yet she still kept her sense of humor and goodwill throughout to offer her witty opinions on life to anyone she could wrangle into her inner circle. Great foundation of love right there!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a character who has family obligations they never slip on and who knows how to love hard regardless of life's ups and downs. Family centric, humorous and sweet.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for early access to this book in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

He falls first by Jill Shalvis is a cozy, small town, sweet romance. As the title suggests, our hero, Ryder falls first for Penny just from their first interactions. He is a thoughtful hero that communicates well and is mature enough to know what he wants…and what he wants is Penny😋 I liked how Ryder was confident in his feelings for Penny, but also compassionate about her hesitation to give ger heart to someone after a recent heartbreak.

Our fmc Penny is a hard working, caring heroine who has returned to her hometown to be with her grandmother and help her take care of her brother Wyatt. In the past, Penny trusted some wrong people who broke her heart and now she’s lost confidence in herself to make good choices when it comes to love and relationships💔. I thought Penny was a relatable character with her vulnerability and need for a supporting environment that will help her heal from her abusive ex.

I love books with mmcs’ who repeatedly, tirelessly try to prove to the heroine they are worth trusting and loving. And that is exactly what Ryder did until he got his Penny. I have to say though my absolute favorite character in this book was Penny’s parrot… he was absolutely hilarious with all the crazy things he said in the most tension filled moments…he has no filter and I’m here for it. And one last shout out to Penny’ grandma for her meddling and matchmaking skills 🤩 She was awesome!