Rating: 3.75/5
Can't Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan is a cute fake engagement, meet cute, friends to lovers story. Will is sweet, sexy, patient, and kind. Lexi is cautious, overwhelmed with life and responsibility.  Their story development is cute. The supporting characters are just as entertaining as Will and Lexi. Definite Hallmark vibes.  This is an adorable fall read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sophie Sullivan, for the ARC of this enjoyable book.

This book was so sweet and perfect for the fall time!! Lexi and Will’s dynamic was so wholesome and I loved the way they met. I always enjoy when the two MCs come from very different (in this case social class) difficult backgrounds but connect so deeply because they see the best in each other. Lexi’s struggles felt so realistic and relatable to me. As someone who struggles with self-doubt, and sometimes feeling like life is ending when something unexpected happens that changes your original path, this story was such an uplifting story of someone overcoming those struggles. I really enjoyed watching Lexi get her self confidence back. The way Will believed in her and uplifted her was so so sweet to read about!! I also liked how we got to see Lex’s difficult relationship with her mom and watch it grow and get better by the end of the book. This is the perfect quick, sweet, read with a fun fall background!!

Lexi and Will have such an adorable meet cute. Lexi's working as a server (and she's not really great at her job!) when Will sits in her section. Even though they don't know each other, he goes along with her and pretends to be her boyfriend. This leads to their first date where they are mistakenly thought to be an engaged couple! To keep up appearances, they agree to be fake engaged.

As they get to know each other, Will falls hard for Lexi, and he does everything he can to show her how much he cares for her. Lexi has struggled for the past few years because her father passed away, and she was left to pick up the pieces and help her grieving her mother. Lexi's mom has become reclusive, and Lexi is left to work 2 jobs and go to college too.

Lexi and her mom, Gwen's, relationship was so heartwarming and real. They grieved in different ways, but they were able to come together and find their way back to who they were before. I loved their dynamic, and it felt so real.

Will is the CFO of his grandfather's company, and his mother has expects him to marry one of the socialites that she sets him up with. Once he meets Lexi, he knows that she is the one for him.

This is a closed door romance, but it's filled with steamy kisses, forehead kisses, and even a bath for two.

This book is perfect for fall. You'll want to curl up with a blanket and a pumpkin spice latte and dive into this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.

Lexi Danby is doing her best to cope after her father’s death, which left her caring for her grieving mother. Working two jobs and trying to finish school, while also being the sole provider of income is definitely not easy but somehow she keeps going. Not that Lexi needs saving, but when Will comes to the rescue while at her serving job, she welcomes it. One minute they are strangers, the next they are being announced as engaged on media outlets. Turns out Willam Grand is Seattle’s finest bachelor and she is a “nobody”, who desperately doesn’t want to fall for him, no matter the undeniable chemistry!

Grab a warm drink, a blanket and cozy up with this wholesome fall romance. Although largely focused on the fake engagement situation, 𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 delivers so much more than just the trope. The MCs and support felt real, vulnerable and quite wholesome. An important theme of the novel was also grief, in its many forms, which I felt was very thoughtfully approached. I absolutely love reading about healthy relationships, where the MCs are supportive and encourage each other to realize their own personal worth and growth. The story left me delighted and happy with its ending! Definitely looking forward to reading more of Sullivan’s novels!

✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖲𝗍. 𝖬𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗇'𝗌 𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌 ＆ 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐.✵

ARC Review: Can’t help falling in love by Sophie Sullivan ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Can’t help falling in love is a fake dating, millionaire romance, set during the autumn season in Seattle, WA. Lexi is a hot mess - literally. She’s working 2 jobs to finish her business degree and helping keep a roof over her mom’s head as she struggles with depression after her dads death. Will is the opposite, a polished businessman and member of the Grand family - one of Seattle’s elite family business empires. Lexi and Will have instantaneous chemistry, but are forced into a fake engagement scheme when their first kiss is plastered across the media. Soon their feelings become anything but fake, and they must decide how long to keep up their charade.

I really really wanted to love this book. The beginning was fantastic, I loved that we met both Lexi and Will within the first chapter and that they had their meet cute almost immediately. It seemed like a nice change of pace from the recent romance reads I’ve seen that take too long to establish the characters individually before they collide. But from there, the story’s pacing went way too fast. I love a ‘he falls first’ romance, but Williams had an instalove obsession with Lexi after their first fake date and it wasn’t for me.

I appreciated the attention spent on Lexi’s character development and exploring the relationship with her mom. I really related to how Lexi’s fears and views on love and attachment were shaped by her parents relationship, and how her mom handled the loss of Lexi’s father.

Overall this was still a cute and heartwarming read, I for sure can’t wait to continue reading Sophie Sullivans’s books to see if there is a story more my speed! Can’t help falling in love will be published September 17th 2024!

This was my first book by Sophie, but it won't be my last. This was such a cute, feel good romance, I am absolutely smitten with Will. He was the sweetest MMC. I loved everything about his flirty, forward demeanor. You knew exactly where you stood with him and that was so refreshing. I also loved Lexi's character. She was determined and kind, even with all the difficult situations that were thrown her way. Despite this being closed door, I was surprised how steamy the kissing scenes were, which in my opinion was a positive! Sophie is clearly adept at creating that tension and sexiness without having the door be fully open. I wouldn't have minded that either, but this was a good alternative. There was a good balance overall of humor and depth throughout the book.

Can't Help Falling In love by Sophie Sullivan
Pub Date:September 17th, 2024

This is exactly the HEA story I needed in my life at the moment!!

I'm giving this book ALL the stars as it was such a romantic feel good fairy tale story.

Will and Lexi had a total "meet cute" moment in a restaurant where she was working. She was feeling very down in life, like nothing at the moment was going her way. In walks her two best friends from high school that look like they were 'winning' at life and had their $hit together.

Lexi's dad passed away and she was living at home with her mom, trying to support her as much as she possibly could. She was also working two jobs just to be able to pay for her tuition as a mature student.

She couldn't let her friends see her like this so during her shift she sat down at Will's table and pretended that that there were together.

Things snowballed and suddenly everyone assumed they were engaged. And while their engagement was fake, the feelings they were experiencing weren't.

For a long time it was Lexi and her mom, struggling to make ends meet and suddenly her world is turned upside down.

Can Lexi trust her heart and life to take a chance on love?

*I received this arc from Net Galley for an honest review.*
Ok, let me start by saying this book had excellent fall vibes. The meet cute was perfect. And, of course, I love fake engagement stories. It was hard reading about the grief of a loved one. But the way the heroine and her mom persevered for each other warmed my heart. Overall, this book was cute with a likable cast of characters. There was a great closed door romance that was just what I needed to move into fall. You should read this book. You'll love it for fall vibes!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! This book was so cute and sweet. Will was a great MMC and I loved how both the characters communicated with one another. I loved Lexi and Will’s group of friends and how they supported one another. This is overall a cute and quick read!

I have been honored and thankful to have read a few of Sophie's books as arcs, and they never disappoint me. Perfect for this upcoming fall season, she brings festive vibes in the background of Seattle, cooler temperatures (which this girl from FL always appreciates!), apple picking, along with a memorable Halloween costume party. True to Sophie's writing, she makes you fall in love with her characters and you cannot help but root for the HEA. Lexi was a high school track star on full-ride scholarship to college when tragedy struck. Now trying to dig herself out and struggling to get her life back on track while supporting her mother, she meets Will in the restaurant where she is literally the worst waitress ever. Old friends, miscommunications, and suddenly there's a fake-dating/fake-engagement scenario, but what if you want to date your "fake?" This was a little different take on the classic trope, and so addicting. I really like that she brought more focus into grief, healing, and mental health references, as it is something that always needs more mainstream attention. For those that have read Sophie's books, you already know how talented she is, and those that haven't should definitely check them out! Also love the standalone aspect, so you aren't specifically tied into a series when you pick it up. So very thankful to Sophie Sullivan, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc!

This was a very cute and cozy read! Fake engagement trope made it for a fun and entertaining time too!

For the most part, the story kept me intrigued all the way through. Just really wish Lexi wasn’t constantly bringing up the same internal thoughts and reasons why she lacked confidence so much. It got very repetitive.

I did like Lexi’s mom and how her grief was shown in the story. We saw all sides of it, the good and the bad. Especially when Lexi isn’t understanding why anyone would choose to love someone so much.

This is a closed door romance and wish there had been an extra oomph to show why our main characters fell in love so quickly and how they felt that spark.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC an exchange for an honest review!

thank you netgalley for sending me this arc!

what an amazing fall read :)
this book followed lexi, a girl who’s life got turned upside down after her dad passed away and throws her off path she meets will, an heir of a high profile family business, while working one of her multiple jobs. she runs into some old friends and they fall into a fake dating situation which leads to a fake engagement situation! along the way, they are attempting to trial a relationship themselves despite the mess they’ve gotten themselves into & the book follows them navigating this.

i loved it! what a good romance. sometimes i feel like fake dating tropes are so forced & they so unnaturally fall for each other - but i felt these two falling.

i LOVED will so much he truly became a favourite of mine. & i had a lot of empathy for lexi and her confidence issues & family struggles.

i really enjoyed the romance and felt the chemistry between these two

the plot was so interesting and had me wanting to know more and more. i feel like the book also opened so many opportunity for other books from these highly developed side characters.

such a good book! it put me in a fall mood

I am an avid fake relationship trope reader and I will say this one gave me everything i love about the trope while also making me feel like there was something new and revitalized about the trope. Will and Lexi stole my heart. I was not sure about Lexi when the story began but as the story progressed I fell more and more in love with her character. The chemistry between her and Will is unmatched and kept me turning the page. I will be reading more books by Sophie Sullivan in the very near future!

Lexi Danby's life has completely stalled. She went from being a superstar collegiate athlete to working two dead end jobs after tragedy struck her family. She's trying to figure out waitressing, when a group of friends from her past come in to the restaurant - each of them incredibly successful now - and assume she's there on a date with her customer. Embarrassed and panicked, Lexi goes along with the lie and within minutes, her customer is now her fake boyfriend - quickly turned fiancée. Little does she know her customer is Will Grand, heir and CFO to the Grand Babies empire and fortune, and he's all too happy to play along with the ruse to get his meddling mom off his back and spend time getting to play fiancée with knockout Lexi, who he just can't get out of his head. Now they are struggling to answer the age old question: when did playing pretend become real?
——————
What to Expect:

🧡The cutest romance!
🧡Fake Dating
🧡Meddling Families
🧡Grief representation
🧡Closed Door
🧡Dual POV

I enjoyed this romance so much! It is the perfect fall romance. The characters had depth, the grief representation was beautiful, and I just loved Will Danby so stinking much. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this one. I thought the love story evolved at a nice pace and I loved all of the tropes! I loved their cute banter, fun texts, and general love story. I highly recommend for a fall feel good read!

🍂 He falls first
🍂 Fake dating
🍂 Autumn vibes

dnf at 60%

i have liked this author's writing in the past, but this book felt very surface. i never for a sense for this relationship or what drew these characters to each other, beyond initial physical attraction.

First off, I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderfully written book by Sophie Sullivan! Thank you.

RATING: 3 STARS (read below for review)

Meet Lexi Danby, aka Alexandria. Waitressing may not be her best skill, but it allowed her to meet the man of her dreams. Will Grant. Dark-haired and handsome this CFO and Lexi seem to fall for each other at first glance, or at least that is how I viewed it. Beautiful and ex-track star Lexi has a run-in at work with some old (and rather preppy) friends from high school. She and Will are invited to this party where it is said they are...fiances! That is the first rather big twist of the story and this is where the plot builds from. It's a fake married trope with curves and twists for around 300-ish pages.

I have mixed feelings while reading this novel. I enjoyed the romance and I very much enjoyed the characters. However, I felt it was too fast-paced. Under 20% of the book, they have already started to develop romantic feelings for each other. It seemed to have happened rapidly without much build-up. That was one of the things that knocked a star off for me. I enjoy slow-paced romance novels.

As for the plot in general, I found it to be cute. I thought the concept was executed nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed when Lexi and Will would chat with each other. It was heartfelt and romantic at every turn! However, I found the route that the author took to irk me. I believe the book would have ended on a better note and left a better taste in my mouth had it been written a different way.

With that being said, this book was written exceptionally well and I loved it. Would I recommend this to my fellow readers when it comes out? Yes! Would I reread it? Yes, but this feels like a seasonal book to me. I would most likely reread it next year during the fall. All in all, this was a pleasant read!

Most definitely cute! I've been gravitating toward this genre lately and I don't regret picking this one up. Simple enough to be a breezy read but still enough depth to be worth it. An enjoyable read.

4/5⭐️ – A delightful fall rom-com that will sweep you off your feet!

When a struggling waitress crosses paths with a Seattle-based corporate heir and finds herself in a fake engagement, how could you not want to dive in?

Lexi and Will were adorable together! Will’s charming words and laid-back nature had me swooning throughout, and don’t even get me started on the apple-picking scene – the ideal fall date!

This book will leave you longing for your own autumn romance with a successful businessman who's ready to be your biggest supporter. The banter was top-notch, and the chemistry between them was absolutely swoon-worthy!

This book had so many of my absolute favorite romance tropes.

🍁 slow burn
🍁 fake engagement
🍁 he falls first
🍁 anxiety rep
🍁 opposites attract

“Don’t do that. Don’t diminish how amazing you are”

That line had me standing up clapping for every women in the world who has ever doubted herself in her head for one bit!

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an ARC copy of this cute romance!

I want to start by saying a HUGE thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was super cute!! For a fake dating, it managed to keep me interested and engaged while keeping the story unique and different. I was worried going into the book that I'd just be reading another fake dating with the same story of them falling for each other after realizing they enjoy each other's company, however, Sullivan managed to keep the book exciting and kept me coming back for more!