After she leaves an abusive relationship, Penny moves in with her grandmother and her young brother in Star Falls, taking a catering job and struggling to make ends meet. She vows never to be in a relationship again. Then one of her clients rescues her, starts to be friends with her, and feels like her safe space. Maybe if she can keep things casual...
Ryder's life is complicated. He's always been the glue that held his siblings together, CEO to his restoration company, caretaker to his nonverbal father. He doesn't have time for relationships but Penny caught his attention the first time she started delivering food to his company. And with every moment he spends with her, he falls even more for her. Will she ever trust him enough with her heart?
Both of these characters had difficult childhoods and past trauma. I love how gentle Ryder is with her, how caring and supportive with his family, especially with his father after their past! These characters felt real and in looking forward to reading more about Caleb and Tucker.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Penny is getting over a bad break up and is living with her brother and grandmother. She delivers food to Ryder’s business most days and his dad comes to her grandmother’s house during the day. ARC from NetGalley.

Jill Shalvis is back, and she’s kicking off her new Colburn Brothers series with a romance that’s equal parts swoony, heartwarming, and addictively bingeable. He Falls First feels like coming home to everything I love about her books—signature wit, small-town charm, and characters you can’t help but root for.

Ryder Colburn, the ultimate grumpy older brother with a marshmallow center, has spent his life protecting his siblings after a rough childhood. Penny, a resilient chef fresh out of a toxic relationship, is doing her best to rebuild and believe she’s worthy of love. From the very first page, Ryder is quietly, steadfastly falling for her—and watching him give Penny the time, space, and patience she needs made my heart melt into a puddle.

This story is a warm hug wrapped in crackling banter, hilarious side characters, and a found family you’ll wish you could join. I flew through it, grinning through the flirty moments, tearing up at the tender ones, and already craving more from this family—especially Caleb’s story in Free Falling.

Tropes you’ll love:
💙 Opposites attract
💙 Friends to lovers
💙 He falls first (and hard)
💙 Grumpy x sunshine
💙 Found family

If you’re looking for a sweet-and-spicy romance that will leave you swooning, He Falls First deserves a spot at the very top of your TBR.

4 ⭐️- I Love It

Thank you, Jill Shalvis and @hambright_pr, Net Galley for an ARC- all thoughts and swoons are completely my own.

What a great start to a new series by Jill Shalvis. The characters are so likeable and the story has lots of emotion throughout. This story is a great read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Another book series that I haven't read all of, but which I'm incredibly interested in. The author's writing drew me in, and the couple had surprisingly good chemistry. It was like, an instant connection. I was worried the guy would be a complete jerk to her... He was, at times, but as the title promises, he's 100% head over heels for her, even if he denies it.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC.

I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. I never read a book by Jill Shalvis before. I really enjoyed the whole book. Although I did want to a bit more of something I can’t put my finger on. Overall this book was great and I can’t wait to read the next one.

4.5 stars

I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis and was excited to read a brand-new series from her. I absolutely loved this story about oldest brother, Ryder Colburn, and skittish Penny. Their story is not hurried due to her abusive ex and his past trauma. Ryder has been wanting to date Penny for a while, but he is a patient man.

Ryder and his two brothers, Caleb and Tucker, see three falling stars and know that the Star Falls legend says that seeing three falling stars means a soulmate would enter your life. Is that Penny?

Besides Ryder and Penny's relationship, the author is a master at the world building with the secondary characters. I already can't wait for Caleb and Tucker's stories. Maybe their sister, Keira, too? Penny's lovable, quirky grandmother and pet bird, Pika-Boo, added laughter to the story.

I listened and read this story. It is narrated dually by Lila Winters and Sebastian York. Excellent job by both.

Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the advanced readers copy/advanced listeners copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great book to kick off the new Colburn brothers series. Ryder is trying to come to terms with the death of his friend and brother in law, as well as suddenly finding himself looking after his distant father. Penny, in turn, had her own complicated family dynamics - she has stepped up to look after her brother and help her grandmother, after her mother left town unexpectedly. On top of this, she is still dealing with the emotional and physical scars of a recent bad relationship. The author handles these issues with great sensitivity and gentle humour and there is a rich thread of emotional warmth running through the book. I especially loved the banter between the brothers and amusing moments when Pika-boo the parrot or Ryder’s toddler twin nephew and niece say something hilariously inappropriate. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!

I loved this book so much! Penny is adorable, dedicated, and running in circles. Ryder is tough, and protective. They are both haunted by their pasts, but together they help each other become stronger. I had so many feelings reading this book. I loved the characters, and am really looking forward to the next one.

Loved this book! From the characters to each of their storylines, this was a great read! I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

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.

Now, this is not my favorite Jill book. But y’all, I say this all the time. It does not mean the book is not good. It just means that I like others better. To me, this book is not as snarky as most. ( and if you know me, I love my snark😂) But let me tell you…the chemistry between the characters is perfect! Jill can create two characters that will keep you on your toes like no other. And Penny and Ryder….ooolala…especially Ryder. He is definitely dreamy!

Need a tale that will have you grinning and smiling…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Wow! I love this book. Penny and Ryder are both broken in their own way. Their attraction to each other works to heal both of them. Characters inteywell with the storyline. Had me hooked from the first page to the last. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review. #netgalley @netgalley #jillshalvix @authorjillshalvis #sourcebookscasablanca @sourcebookscasablanka

I eyeball read the first 65% and then listened to the last 35% on audiobook. I thought this was a great start to the new Colburn brothers series. I'm interested in all their stories and can't wait to read more.

Ryder & Penny both are dealing with past wounds and traumas. When they meet, they definitely had some undeniable chemistry. I loved how patient Ryder was with Penny. She needed time and he wasn't going to rush her. He took everything at her pace. But once she opened up, I feel like they helped heal each other. They were just SO good for each other.

This book was low on drama and full of emotional, steamy and some funny moments too.

🎧Audio:🎧
This was a dual narration by Sebastian York & Lila Winters. I listened to less than half of the book but they both did a great job. They kept me invested in the parts I listened to.

This one releases August 5. Thank you to Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casa for this e-ARC & Hambright PR for the ALC.

He Falls First
By: Jill Shalvis

Thank you to Jill Shalvis and her amazing team as well as Sourcebooks Casa and Hambright PR, for the free book #Sourcebooks #HambrightPR All opinions are my own.

“He was a walking Taylor Swift song, and I was shockingly here for it”

After a disastrous relationship Penny moves home to live with her grandmother and tween brother vowing to never fall in love again. While she may not be living the dream, she is determined to find purpose and financial security in the life she has now. The only person less interested in falling in love is Ryder. He has more responsibilities than there is time in a day. But when he saves Penny from oncoming traffic and then allows himself to be emotionally conned by her grandmother into renovating their house, keeping his heart in line is just not in the cards.

You all know how much I love Jill Shalvis! Her books melt my heart each and every time and always leave me coming back for more. I fell in love with Ryder Colburn from the very first page and watching him fall for Penny was just the sweetest. Their ability to communicate and be there for one another makes their love story one that I won’t soon forget.

He Falls First is emotional but its depth is wrapped in so much joy and humor that it is impossible to not be completely captivated. The found family that Jill creates in her stories is unparalleled and as this is only the beginning of the series I can’t wait to see how the storylines will play out.

It’s no surprise that I fell hard for this one and hope that you will too!

Read if you like:

✩ Small Town
✩ Found Family
✩ Grumpy x Sunshine
✩ He Falls First
✩ The best side characters
✩ Trilogies

Ryder Colburn, the eldest of the Colburn siblings, has always carried the weight of responsibility. The dependable one. The protector. But grief over losing his best friend and business partner still lingers, leaving him stuck in the shadow of the life they once built together.

Penny is no stranger to pressure either—she’s the rock of her own fractured family, caring for her younger brother and grandmother while picking up the pieces of a past relationship that shattered her trust in men and herself.

Neither Ryder nor Penny is in a place to fall for anyone, but fate (and a meddling grandma) has other plans. Despite their walls, the tension crackles, the connection deepens, and Ryder's quiet patience chips away at Penny's defenses.

This story is heartfelt and healing, packed with raw emotion, complicated family dynamics, and tender romance. You’ll laugh, cry, and swoon as these two guarded hearts learn that maybe love shows up exactly when you stop looking for it or could it be the Legend of Star Falls.

Don’t miss this emotional kickoff to the Colburn Brothers series—it’s small-town romance with depth, charm, and a whole lot of heart. 💛

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis is just a great read. The novel made me laugh in several places and get angry (at people’s stupidity) in other places. The main characters of Alice and Ryder (oldest of the Colburn brothers) felt so real and authentic when reading. I loved the scene when Alice found Ryder on the floor bleeding and knew just to take care of him. I loved all the parts when the Colburn brothers were dishing out insults and acting like overgrown teens.

Alice works for a caterer and her first job every morning was setting up breakfast at the Ryder’s business. Ryder couldn’t help but notice and enjoy Alice. At first I wasn’t sure they would find their way to each other but I was relieved when I read how they flirted and pushed each other.

Ryder is holding together so much which would kill a less determined person. He is taking care of his infirmed father, running his business, keeping secrets from his sister and trying to be patient with Alice as she finds her way to him. I love how patient he was with Alice’s younger brother and grandmother. I love how Alice slowly began to let him in and then pulled back - going back and forth between the positions.

Jill Shalvis is a go to author. I enjoy her books and how she lays out the story. He Falls First is the beginning of a new series about the Colburn brothers. I am quite looking forward to the rest of the books. He Falls First by Jill Shalvis is a great read.

Shalvis always know is it out of the park with her books!
In this new series a family that is thick with each other but who endured a lot of trauma is headed up by luscious Ryder.
I was his ride or die as soon as I read he was dreamy and could fix anything with his hands! YUM!
Penny also takes care of her off the wall grandmother, mouthy brother, and a foul mouthed parrot.
I will never look at a laundry room the same after one scene, IYKYK!
Jump into this book head first because you’re going to leave your heart behind with the Colburn Club!

Yet another wonderful book by Jill. The cover is phenomenal and the title is intriguing. Jill is such a talented writer. I’ve read her books before and saw this one on NetGalley, and knew I had to request it.

Once again, great writing, world building and character development. Penny and Ryder both had rough situations and events in their lives that caused trauma. Gloomy, but light shines when they are together. Fleeting at first and the light grows as the story progresses.

What a wonderful story of not only healing, but taking a chance on love again- and what a healthy love can look like. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book.

dnf @ 67%

Oh man, I really wanted to like this one. I love a "he falls first" romance book. But there was just something missing from this one. While they have their backstories, I felt like their pasts spoke for way too much of their character. Even with as far as I got, there didn't really seem like there was any character progression. Also, their relationship felt kind of surface level. Like the attraction was there from the beginning, so I made it feel like it was kind of insta-lovey. I just felt like I was reading and nothing was happening. I was more invested in the side characters than these MMC's, so I will read the next book.

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

Penny Rose is done with love and paying the price for past mistakes. Consequently, she is sharing a rundown house with her grandmother and younger brother, juggling plumbing fixes, and scraping by with her catering gig. For her, romance is not a consideration; however, when Ryder Colburn literally saves her from an oncoming car, her ideas on a relationship begin to change. Meanwhile, Ryder has enough to consider with the family business and a complicated relationship with his ailing father, but there's something about Penny that makes him want to break through her walls.
The romance here is a slow burn that feels grounded and real. Both characters are dealing with their own pasts and emotional baggage, but what I loved most is how they don’t try to “fix” each other. Instead, they give each other space to grow and slowly learn how to let someone in. It’s tender, messy, and honest. Penny is strong and stubborn yet very authentic, and Ryder is a real softie, who is genuinely kind. This is a refreshing romance where the man falls first and isn’t afraid to show it. A sweet romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.