2.5 Stars

Lexi Danby is trying to keep her head above water these days. Her father passed away, leaving her to worry about her grieving mother. She was on the way to being a track star in college but had to ditch her dreams once she returned home to take care of her mother. She works whatever jobs she can to try to keep food on their table. Nothing in her life right now is exciting except her encounter with Will Grand.

Will is a member of Seattle’s wealthy families. He is trying to dodge his nosey mother’s matchmaking schemes and stay out of the fray. He meets Lexi at a diner in town when she screws up his order and makes a mess of things. He finds her cute and different. When they are at a party together, things get interesting when the rumor flies that they are in a relationship. He could clear the air real quick, but he kind of likes having a buffer between him and his mother.

I enjoyed this story. It is cute and romantic, but it is a bit slow. There is not much memorable about the story despite it ticking most of my boxes. There are times when I wanted more tension between the two characters. There was barely any conflict outside of the author, showing us falling in love in their fake relationship.

Lexi and Will find themselves pretending to be engaged rather quickly. I didn’t like how the lie continued to escalate. It’s one thing to be in a relationship and another to pretend to be engaged for no reason. Lexi’s reason was that she wanted to impress people that she went to high school with, which was hard for me to believe. She is an adult, and this isn’t really labeled as a high school romance.

Will, on the other hand, is all in and more committed to the relationship. He makes the romance more palatable. I think the secondary characters all play their part, but they don’t necessarily add much bonus to the story.

Overall, fans who like the author’s previous work or need a quick contemporary romance story will enjoy Can’t Help Falling in Love.

~ Samantha

3.5 stars

This was a very cute and sweet romance that also touches on grief and healing. It has the fake dating trope, which is always fun to read!

I really liked watching Lexi and Will fall in love. Plus, I enjoyed Lexi’s journey of self-love and growth. However, I do wish that Will had some more development and we got more of his back story, especially with his family. I just felt that he was a little underdeveloped compared to Lexi’s character.

While I did enjoy this one, I also found it hard to connect to the characters, especially Will.

Overall, this is a cute fall romance that I would recommend if you’re into fake dating/fake engagements!

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” was such a fun, autumnal read! 🍂🍁

As a Seattle local and student at UW, I was immediately drawn in by the atmosphere and setting. I loved all of the autumn ambience— apple picking, drinking cocoa, galas, etc.!

I loved how Will and Alexandria’s relationship was believable; while eccentric and insta-lovey at times, their relationship still felt well-rounded. I loved their attentiveness and commitment to “knowing” each other.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Sullivan , back again with an easy breezy romance to give that little energy boost as the weather gets gloomier.

Lexi, the main girl, reminded me a lot of myself. She was witty and fun and immediately had a good aura about her. She's just an average person doing what she could to survive- and yes- I too was an awful waitress ... Then enter Will. Handsome, quick and intrigued by Lexi. By some twist of luck, they were both committed to a lie - one where they both are engaged to eachother !

Now, I've seen fake dating, and I've seen a fake engaged, but I haven't often seen fake engaged while real dating. So that was a fun twist. I'd like to say that there was a little more opposites attract, but other than their upbringing there are a lot more similarities between them than I originally thought!

This was easy to read, and in true Sophie Sullivan fashion - had you cheering on the couple. There wasn't much conflict, but there sure was a lot of growth in the characters which left the story feeling quite wholesome. And when I say wholesome I mean it, the spice level was mild .. so definitely a safe bet for book clubs with anyone with a more gentle romance preference.

I've been in a bit of a reading rut but I plowed through this in just over a day!

Thank you St Martins Press for the early copy, and for all you romance readers - you can get your copy in stores today!

4 stars

Recommend if you've enjoyed her other stories, or if you're into authors like Clare Gilmore, Erin Hahn, or Erin Sterling.

Can't Help Falling in Love is a cute , cozy, fun Fall read. I loved this book so much and all the feelings it sparked. A romance for the season thar makes you feel good out of reality is what this story embodies.

This was really cute and fun to read. The plot, fake dating, was predictable, especially when adding in the wealthy guy and struggling female, but I still found myself looking forward to reading it at every chance I got. The characters were really well done, their chemistry was amazing and the banter was fun. I enjoyed how the both grew as individuals and together during the course of the book. They both had their family issues, that they supported one another with. Despite being a troupe that I have read a lot of, this one felt fresh and fun. Definitely pick it up if you are looking for something cute to read.
Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced reader copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me feel all the feels. Lexi was really working through some things in this one after losing her dad three years prior. She was trying to get herself unstuck and move one. Will was so sweet and so swoony. He was dealing with familial expectations and how suffocating it can be. I think Sophie Sullivan did a fantastic job of navigating those issues. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I was rooting for the relationship between Lexi and Will from the start. It was so sweet and wholesome. I can't wait to read what Sophie Sullivan writes next!

this was a sweet romantic story, set in the fall, good characters and setting. I enjoyed the book very much.

Can’t Help Falling in Love is a fun and swoony rom-com.

I always know I am in for a good time when I pick up a Sophie Sullivan book. Sophie knows how to write a rom-com bursting with charm, spice, and fun, witty banter. This book hooked me in right from the first chapter. I love it when we meet a heroine who is a bit of a hot mess, and Lexi is definitely a hot mess when she is waitressing. My instant connection with Lexi was because I knew I would be Lexi if I ever had to waitress. I would be spilling, dropping, and just making a mess out of everything. Lexi's chaotic scene at the beginning of this book instantly endeared her to me, and I couldn't wait to spend the next few hours watching her fall in love with Will.

Sophie's signature charm is evident throughout the story, with plenty of moments that will leave you smiling and swooning. However, this rom-com is not just about fun. Sophie skillfully weaves in serious themes of grief, family responsibility, and dealing with a sick parent, adding depth and engagement to the story.

Lexi and Will were fabulous characters and instantly likeable. Their chemistry was leapt from the pages right from the moment that Lexi mixed up Will's food order. I just loved them to bits. Will was a great hero and the perfect man for Lexi. Neither character is looking for love. Will is focused on work, and despite his mother's best efforts, he isn't interested in dating anyone. Lexi's life was upended when her father died, and she found herself taking care of her father's debt and her mother, who longer could take care of herself. This is a dual-POV story, and I loved getting to see it inside Will's head. Even though Will has no interest in being in a relationship, he can't help but be drawn to Lexi. It was great watching Will battle those romantic feelings. If you love a romance with a fake dating/engagement element, then you will devour this book. It is fabulous watching two characters who pretend to be in love with each other fall in love with one another. I always eat that moment when both characters realize that they have fallen in love.

Can't Help Falling in Love is a book that effortlessly draws you in and keeps you engaged. It's a delightful read that you'll find easy to love and enjoy.

When people say, amy what is your favorite type of book? I would say it's this type of book. Flirty. Romance. Comedy. All of that thrown together ugh fantastic.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Sophie Sullivan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 304 / Genre: Romcom

After her father dies unexpectedly, Lexi puts her college dreams on hold to pay off his debts and help her grieving mother keep their house. Working two jobs while taking online classes, Lexi’s life is ever so slowly getting back on track when she accidentally gets fake engaged to Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. Always the pragmatist, can Lexi finally ignore what her brain is telling her and finally listen to her heart?

This low-on-drama, high-on-romance romcom had me rooting for the fairytale all the way through. There were enough obstacles to make it interesting but not so much that it got annoying. It was just the palate cleanser I needed during my spooky readathon this month.

Thank you, @NetGalley, @StMartinsPress, and @AuthorSophieSullivan for my gifted copy.

I cannot express what a joy it was to read CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE by Sophie Sullivan. Yes, a fake romance BUT one written with a depth of character, wonderful prose, and feeling for real people and real life that resonated so powerfully that I stayed up way too late reading from the moment of meet cute through the realization that the feelings were no longer fake and the improbable matchup of terrible waitress and Seattle's most eligible bachelor and heir to a family business empire. The setting, the plot twists and turns, all of it were a true delight. I'm giddy with reader delight having found a writer who writes sweet, relatable, and heart-catching stories. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Sophie Sullivan’s Can’t Help Falling In Love is a quintessential fall rom-com that masterfully balances humor, heart, and the intricate dance between personal struggle and romance. The novel excels at the "meet cute" trope with Lexi Danby, a former track star turned struggling waitress, and Will Grand, the heir to a Seattle empire, crossing paths under delightfully chaotic circumstances.

Lexi’s journey is rich with emotional depth, as she navigates the grief of losing her father while juggling her mother’s care and her own aspirations. Will, on the other hand, is a compelling foil—Seattle’s most eligible bachelor, yet vulnerable in his need to balance professional expectations with personal fulfillment. The fake engagement trope is executed with both wit and authenticity, adding layers of complexity to their burgeoning romance.

Sullivan captures the cozy, flirty charm of autumn in every scene, from apple-picking dates to Halloween festivities, grounding the love story in a season that perfectly mirrors the warmth and unpredictability of falling in love. The chemistry between Lexi and Will is palpable, their journey from strangers to something deeper feels earned and authentic, making this a truly captivating read.

Sullivan’s writing is fresh and engaging, and the slow-burn romance amidst a backdrop of family obligations, grief, and societal expectations adds real substance to the fluffier moments. If you're looking for a story with depth, humor, and heart, this novel is a must-read.

🍂 Fake Engagement
🍂 Closed Door Romance
🍂 Strong Friendships
🍂 He Falls First
🍂 Adorable Meet Cute

Lexi is probably "the world's worst waitress," but she's trying to help her family financially after the passing of her father. She's independent and strong, but doesn't give herself enough credit after all that life has thrown at her. Love is nowhere on her radar and it's the last thing she could possibly want.

Will seems to be the total opposite of Lexi. He's Seattle's most eligible bachelor, an heir of the very successful family business, and he's never had to struggle for money. But he's also compassionate and the sweetest man Lexi has ever met.

After an adorable little meet cute, everything snowballs between Lexi and Will. Will is so caught off guard with his feelings, that his main focus is getting to know the real Lexi and spending as much time as he can with her. With many fake engagement tropes, the MC's aren't into each other from the beginning. That's where this book stands out and gives us something a bit different.

This book flowed together seamlessly from beginning to end and the character developments were well done. Now I need stories for the side characters! Lexi's BFF Maisie was her biggest cheerleader, but she also knew when to call her friend out and give sound advice. And Will's sisters were perfection!

Can't Help Falling In Love is the perfect choice for a fall romance book, especially paired with a beverage and a blanket on a rainy day. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read what Sophie Sullivan writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for providing my with an ARC of this book.

A delightfully sweet and effortlessly soft romance. I think it’s the perfect book for September because reading it felt like the beginning of fall - the weather getting slightly cooler and comforting, a respite from the sweltering heat. I think this story has one of the loveliest meet-cutes. The chemistry was palpable and the relationship development in the first few chapters felt genuine and not insta lusty which I feel is a testament to Sullivan’s writing. While I found some of the FMC’s internal reflection to be repetitive (like girl, life is tough, sometimes you just gotta pivot), overall it was a charming and hopeful story. Highly recommend it (but check content warnings!) if you’re in the mood for something fun and particularly to fans of Josie Silver, Falon Ballard, and Lauren Forsythe.


🍂 fake engagement
🍂 dual pov
🍂 forehead kisses
🍂 closed door romance
🍂 he falls first
🍂 found family elements

This one didn't work for me! I loved the premise (I'm a sucker for fake dating!) and appreciated the book's meditation on grief. I just didn't connect with the writing style, and was particularly distracted by Sullivan's descriptions of her characters' body language (e.g. "Gwen's hand flew to her mouth as she sucked in a breath"). Something about it felt stilted and awkward, which took away from my reading experience. I hope to give this author another try!

DNF 🧊

What to expect:
• Fall in Seattle
• Fake engagement
• Slower pacing

This was one of my most anticipated reads for fall but unfortunately, it just didn't work for me! There were some cute parts but I couldn't get into this book, no matter how hard I tried.

The pacing felt very slow — like 25% in we were still on day 1 of the story. I also felt like it lacked a bit of intrigue, and I didn't really care about the conflict, which was based around the FMC feeling like she peaked in high school and wanting to impress her old friends. Just not my taste.

It also felt like there were a lot of odd comments about other female characters in the story. It was giving 'not like other girls' energy.

But there are lots of great reviews for this book — this wasn't for me but you might enjoy it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC

such a cute fall romance!! i loved the fake dating vibes and the chemistry between the characters. Another sweet romance by Sophie Sullivan.

This was a decent read. It was heartfelt and had really great tropes. However, I was left feeling that this book is a lot like others in the market. I felt it wasn’t genuine or something I haven’t read before. Therefore, I probably wouldn’t reread or recommend.

Title: Can't Help Falling in Love
Author: Sophie Sullivan
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: September 17, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Delightful • Simple • Redemptive

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Lexi Danby is looking for some no-strings, fall fun. Once a college track star, she was forced to drop out when her father passed away. Now she’s trying to make ends meet while putting herself through school and caring for her grieving mother. When her comically bad waitressing lands her directly in the path of a handsome, charming stranger named Will, Lexi may just have found the distraction she’s been looking for. Their first date looks promising until a misunderstanding at a party thrusts Lexi and Will into a fake engagement they can’t talk themselves out of.

Will Grand is heir to a major company, and Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. But he’s been placed in charge of an important merger with a company that values family above all else, and needs to show them that he’s settled down. While a fake engagement is advantageous from a business standpoint, it’s not so great for a budding relationship with a woman who’s wary of commitment. With a woman who Will is beginning to care about much more than he could have anticipated.

As Lexi gets a taste of Will’s glamorous world and the pair keeps up the pretense of their fake engagement for the press, they decide to see where a more casual relationship takes them out of the spotlight. And amid apple picking in comfy flannels, outdoor breweries in the crisp air, and fun Halloween preparations, Lexi starts to realize the scariest part of the season might just be taking a chance on love.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'd read and enjoyed Love, Naturally by the same author earlier in 2024, so it was easy to add Can't Help Falling in Love, her newest release, to my 2024 anticipated releases. Supporting Canadian authors is a goal of mine, so it was awesome to receive a copy ahead of publication. The cover with all of the fall vibes seemed like the perfect way to kick start my reading in September.

Told in dual third person POVs, the chapters alternate between Lexi and Will, which allows the reader a genuine and in depth glimpse into the evolution of their relationship. I really liked their meet-cute, the idyllic Pacific Northwest setting, and the characters, including the supporting cast of friends and family. The quiet plot unravels very slowly and not a lot actually happens, yet it's the thread of healing weaved through the entire narrative that kept me along for the ride.

Overall, Can't Help Falling in Love was a fun fall read, even though it wasn't anything overly memorable. I wouldn't classify this one as a rom-com, as there really isn't anything comedic in it. Rather the theme of grief and learning to live again are the main threads. Sophie Sullivan remains a Canadian author I will read and support and I looked forward to her next release in February 2025.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• fake dating
• light romance
• fall vibes

⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, death of partner, grief, cursing, sexual content, mental illness, depression, cursing

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Life changed in seconds. She'd forgotten some of them could be good."

"Having a membership somewhere doesn't really make a person belong."

"Therapy is for everyone. Broken, glued back together, sagging in the middle, whatever."

"Pushing harder didn't always equal progress."

"Everything you go through is part of you. Makes you who you are."