Can’t Help Falling in Love is a must read for fall. The book revolves around Lexi and Will , who come from two different worlds , but find it difficult to be apart. This book is a feel good romance , with all the fall vibes. Well written , go ahead and add it to your TBR list. It doesn’t disappoint.

This books was super cute!!!!!!!! The characters are very lovable, and the side characters are outstanding. They grapple with grief, feelings of doubts, making a stand, and self-belief. The side characters form a chosen family, which I loved. The book is very easy to read and fast-paced; I couldn’t put it down, even though it’s written in third person, which is not my favorite perspective.

I especially love the male main character, Will—he’s now on my list of book boyfriends. I appreciate a man who is direct and quick to express his feelings. As I mentioned, the book is very fast-paced; from the beginning, you feel everything intensely, and events unfold quickly, making it hard to put down. I enjoyed this book.

The only reason it’s not a 5-star read for me (4.5) is that it’s not in first-person point of view. Otherwise, it’s a great fall read to enjoy from the comfort of your home while dreaming of apple picking and celebrating the holidays with your loved ones.

This is such a sweet story. It truly is about two people who have a charming meet cute, and honestly can’t help falling in love. I love the use of family here, and how they can influence your life, even unintentionally. And I appreciate that the characters acknowledge that no one has everything together in their lives at all times - so much of that is simply the image we present to the world. No one is perfect!

5 ⭐️!!!

Ugh I’m dying I love sophie sullivan’s books so much. Grab your pumpkin spice latte and apple cider donut and curl up with this book immediately.

Lexi is a 25 year old student, waitress, daughter, dreamer, track runner, friend, purchasing manager, but most of all, she’s a real representation of a woman who is scared of being hurt, who wants to be seen, and has so much love to give. And then there’s Will the CFO of the family business who has the most amazing sisters, sister in law, and family with just as much drama as the next one. Did I mention they’re both hot?? Their fake-engagement becomes the talk of the town and it’s sooooo perfect.

“It's okay to live your life. You don't have to feel guilty about letting things go and moving forward. Sometimes the next step means leaving a few things behind. That doesn't mean they're gone. Everything you go through is part of you. Makes you who you are. But you can't become who you're meant to be if you stand still.”

The backdrop of fall and Halloween make this the perfect read this September-December. I highly recommend this cozy romcom.

So cute! Will and Lexi are one of my favorites that I’ve read recently. Will was pretty perfect while Lexi was relatable. The family dynamics were so moving and many readers can connect to some of the feelings our characters went through. I found the grieving process that Lexi’s mother was experiencing was pretty on the nose for what a lot of people go through and how Lexi responded towards it was pretty on the nose as well. I thought there wasn’t going to be any third act break up to make up in this because it happened so late in the story. So when it happened I was disappointed. There was still a HEA thankfully but still I’m not a fan of super delayed 3rd act break ups. Even though I really enjoyed Will he was to perfect. I wish he was written to be more realistic with his reactions to situations happening. I also wasn’t a huge fan of how long it took Lexi to stop being a sort of Debby downer. Whether it’s toward herself or others in her life it got a little old when she had to be given the 1000th mini pep talk. Overall, it was a very good story and was very easy to binge in one sitting.

Thank you to. Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the chance to read this!

Even though this was a fake engagement romance, the relationship between Lexi and Will never felt fake to me. There was an instant connection between them that lasted the entire book. A few scenes gave me butterflies, including the truth or treat chapter.

Although I felt the chemistry between Lexi and Will, I alternated between being invested in the book and being bored. I can't really pinpoint what pulled me out of the story so many times. I just felt my mind drifting.

First off, thank you St, Martin’s and Net galley for this arc read.

Sophie Sullivan does it again, the banter in this book was well written. Lexi and will have great chemistry and are un unlikely couple that might not make sense on paper but end up working.

The side characters were just as great, Will’s sister and wife were probably my favorite side characters and played a great role in this book. Will’s patience with Lexi’s mom’s situation was very kind.

This book will be a perfect fall read, you will love this if you like fake dating, love at first sight, he falls first!

This was a super cute fall romcom! Lexi and Will were adorable and hilarious and the fake dating aspect was great. Lexi was very relatable with her fears and insecurities, but there were some nice life lessons about self acceptance and embracing change. Will was extremely swoon worthy and successful but managed to stay super sweet and down to earth. The “he falls first” trope is always a big hit with me. There were also a lot of lovable side characters who I’m hoping to see more of in the future. I’d recommend this if you’re looking for a sweet, funny, and emotional fall themed romance!

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

Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan is so freaking cute and hilarious! I think this is one of my fave contemporary rom-coms — I could not help falling in love with Lexi & Will!!

Lexi Danby was known as “Alexandria The Great” in high school - a track star destined for success… until her world fell apart after the passing of her father. Lexi was forced to take on multiple jobs to help her grieving mother out with the bills and put her own dreams on hold. One day she’s waitressing and some old friends from high school walk into the restaurant….she sits down with a handsome stranger which leads to a fake engagement. She has no idea that Will Grand is Seattle Royalty, his family is very well off as the owners of the Grand Babies business. Will is more than willing to keep up this charade and ends up falling head over heels with Lexi… Lexi has a tendency to self sabotage, thinking it must be too good to be true.

Throughout this novel there is a strong theme of grief and mourning - Lexi’s mom Gwen has a hard time even leaving the house, her husband was her entire world and without him she feels like a shell of who she used to be, a part of her missing. Lexi absorbs this and puts up her own walls, fearful of what could happen if she allowed herself to be vulnerable, not wanting to ever feel that level of heartbreak.

The side characters in this piece are so much fun as well - Will’s best friend Ethan is a hoot and gives Lexi some promising options for her own career. Lexi’s best friend Maisie is a true friend showing up for Gwen as well as Lexi. There’s also a scene in the book where Lexi is trying on beautiful expensive gowns with Will’s sisters along with Maisie, and I think that’s one of my favorite parts of the book.

This book is the perfect fall read so if you’re a romance lover make sure to cozy up and grab your copy once this book debuts on September 17, 2024!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I cannot wait to read more from Sophie Sullivan!!

Lexi’s life changed when her father died three years ago. Forced to drop out of college and take up two jobs to pay back debts, and take care of her grieving mother, she is looking for some fun. That fun lands directly in her lap, when her terrible waitressing leads her her fake dating Will. A single fake date, a misunderstanding among friends and now they are fake engaged and her life is taking a turn since it turns out Will is uber-rich Will Grand. Not only that, Will is interested in Lexi and convinces her to carry on with the fake engagement, and date. All these dates create feelings Lexi didn’t expect and wondering if she can fall in love and open her heart like her mother did.

Lexi and Will’s story held a lot of humour, grief and pain. Will was 100% boyfriend goals. His empathy and acceptance of Lexi and everything she had gone through was great. Even more, I loved how he built Lexi up and got her to believe that she was the amazing person that he saw. I enjoyed Lexi’s character so much. She was strong and independent, not wanting anything given to her. She works hard and has been struggling through it.

I thought this was a great story. Sophie Sullivan created a great story with humour allowing you to connect with the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read if you like: fake engagement, friends to lovers, insta-love

A very sweet romcom where the stakes are clear and the character development is deep and feels earned! The premise sounds a little extreme, even to the main characters, but it never gets in the way of the plot or character development.

Can’t Help Falling in Love was a bit outside of my usual genre, but what a cute story! We jump right into it with Lexi, a not-so-great server (who is juggling a few jobs to help with her depressed mother and to put herself though school). When two of her old high school buddies come into the restaurant, Lexi is too embarrassed to admit she works there. She’d been making eyes at the hottie in her section, which really paid off, because he jumps in and pretends to be her boyfriend and of course Lexi is there “on a date” and definitely not working.

When rumors start to spread that they’re not only dating, but ENGAGED, everything gets thrown for a loop. Oh, and Lexi’s handsome faux finance just so happens to be Seattles hottest and most eligible bachelor of one of the wealthiest families.

I absolutely loved the beginning and the epilogue. It was fairly predictable - but that’s on me. I typically read thrillers, and am always guessing the big twist. Can’t Help Falling Love was definitely a rom-com with lots of adorable moments.

I really enjoyed this one!

4.5 stars

Does Sophie Sullivan ever miss?

This was one of her best books so far! I loved the MCs, and the fake engagement leading to real dating. Lexi and Will just worked so well together even though maybe they shouldn't have.

The grief was also well done. Lexi's mom & best friend were fantastically written, as was Will's best friend and sisters. His sisters just taking Lexi in without question 🫶🏻

Huge thanks to NetGalley & St Martin's Press for an advance copy!

I am so happy that this is my first experience with an ARC because this was an absolute treasure of a read! And I absolutely cannot wait to read more by Sophie Sullivan!

She had such likable characters, from Lexi and Will to all the other friends and family members!

It has some of my favorite tropes: fake dating, unequal social status, he falls first and hard!

Will is a complete gem of a book boyfriend! Sexy, confident (but humble), funny, calm, understanding, and just all around perfect!

Lexi is extremely relatable, especially if you’ve ever felt like you already “peaked” or are not living up to ridiculous societal expectations (or even your own).

Highly recommend if you want an adorable (and at times heartbreaking) romance read!!

This was like a cozy cup of coffee on a fall day, snuggled up on your couch, windows open with the fall breeze blowing in and leaves slowly falling to the ground.

This book is heartwarming, engaging and the characters are so relatable. It gives off Hallmark vibes and I adored it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a cute story about Lexi and Will. They were thrown into an unexpected engagement and have to navigate their growing feelings for each other. Personally, I felt like it was a bit too much instant love on Wills part. There was a lot of talk about Lexi being a track star but I didn’t really fit into the narrative. Overall, it was a cute read.

Thank you to NetGalley andSt. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Sullivan’s Can't Help Falling in Love is a delightful autumn romance that hits all the right notes for a cozy fall read. The story follows Lexi Danby, a struggling waitress with a heavy heart, and Will Grand, a charming Seattle heir who finds himself in a fake engagement with Lexi. What starts as a clever ruse to avoid social embarrassment quickly evolves into a genuine connection as the two navigate their faux relationship amidst the picturesque fall backdrop of apple picking, outdoor breweries, and Halloween festivities.

Sullivan skillfully blends humor and heart, giving us a romance that feels both lighthearted and deeply touching. Lexi’s journey through grief and Will’s struggle to balance his high-profile life with real emotions are portrayed with sensitivity, adding depth to their budding relationship. The characters are engaging, and their chemistry is palpable, making it easy to root for their love story.

While the fake engagement trope is familiar, Sullivan adds her own twist, making the narrative feel fresh and entertaining. The fall setting and festive activities enhance the charm, making this a perfect read for those looking to indulge in a sweet and comforting romance.

This was cute, quick read with all the fall vibes. With a fake engagement and a restaurant meet cute this is so such a heartfelt romance.

I love the chemistry between Lexi and Will. Lexi's struggles make this book relatable for most people. She is fiercely independent while Will is just the sweetest character.

Sullivan tackles the hard topic of grief without it letting it drag the whole story down. You see Lexi and Gwen's struggles and you also get to see them grow and start to push through the grief.

Can't Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan is the perfect binge-read for fall! I couldn’t put it down from the moment Lexi and Will’s lives collided in this charming, flirty rom-com. The story beautifully captures the cozy vibes of autumn, with apple picking, outdoor breweries, and Halloween fun adding a delightful seasonal touch.

Lexi, a struggling waitress with a lot on her plate, unexpectedly finds herself in a fake engagement with Will, Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. Their chemistry is undeniable, and what starts as a pretense quickly turns into something more as they navigate the challenges of his high-profile life and her wariness of commitment. A quick note to readers, this sweet story deals with parental loss and as someone who has dealt with that in the past couple of years, I always appreciate knowing that up front.

This book is an absolute joy to read, especially for this fall. If you’re looking for a romantic, feel-good story with all the right autumnal touches, Can't Help Falling in Love is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Read if you like:
🍁 Fake Engagement
🍁 He Falls First
🍁 Love at First Sight
🍁 Cinnamon Roll Hero
🍁 PNW Setting

This book was so sweet. We had a classic case of “he falls first, fast, and all the way down” here and I will eat that up every time. While fake engagement is a popular/common trope, I felt like this one had a different spin on it than I’ve read before. Will and Lexi embrace their very real feelings throughout their fake engagement, though the depth they’re willing to admit to themselves is different for each of them.

Lexi was a very admirable character. A bit of a hot mess, but determined and focused on finding a way to keep her (and her mom’s) head above water. With everything she had faced, it was understandable that she held a deep-rooted fear about getting attached to someone. Her whole character arc also lent itself to a deeper commentary on how harsh we can be in our self-perceptions compared to how others see us.

Will was utterly charming. I loved the way he saw Lexi and the way he spoke up to defend her against herself whenever she would downplay or discount her life. He had a natural way of understanding her and knowing how to approach a situation. The way he handled the whole event that was their meet cute had me already half in love with him.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, quick read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.