3.75 stars, rounded to 4.

Sophie Sullivan is an author who I turn to when I need to break out of a slump and want a fun, sweet romance.

Can’t Help Falling in Love is a Hallmark movie in book form. If you want a quick read, a swoon-worthy cinnamon roll hero, a close mother/daughter relationship, and a feel good story set in the Autumn season, this book will be satisfying.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Can’t Help Falling in Love was a cute cozy read with great chemistry between the main characters, Lexi and Will.
Will they be able to find their happily ever after??????
Will past lies hold them back??????
Friends to Lovers
Closed Door
Fake Fiancée
Great Chemistry

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cute romcom book that give all the fall feels. I liked the imagery the author used to make me feel like I was inside the story.

I loved the premise but I like my romance books with a bit of spice (at least) so finding out this book was closed door just wasn’t for me.

This was a cute fall read with one of my favorite romantic tropes, fake dating/engagement. Everyone fits their stereotypes perfectly. Lexi's a mess while Will's perfect. Will's rich while Lexi isn't. He falls first and she's afraid of falling at all. He's her rescuer without being overly obvious about it. Add in the best friends and family and you've got a Hallmark movie in book form, complete with closed-door romance.
While Lexi's inner monologue mostly annoyed me, her and her mom's grief was well-represented and believable.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! First, I was excited to see that it was based in Seattle in the fall, seeing as that is my favorite time of year in Seattle, where I live. This was my first time reading a romance novel set in Seattle so that was a lot of fun for me.
Onto the story- it grabbed me right away. The first two chapters was like watching a car crash, I had to know where the disaster that Lexi created for herself was going to go! Of course it turned into an adorable meet cute and Will acted like a complete team player, going along with Lexi’s lies.
The rest of the story was adorable and filled me with butterflies. It somehow felt believable that they would fall in love in less than two months. Their familial problems added a layer of realness that I love in romance novels. I loved watching Lexi learn that it’s worth it to love and be loved.
Really, no complaints about this book! I’m excited to have been introduced to this author and will run to read her other books!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the arc in exchange of my honest review.

This was such a cute book. Really enjoyed reading this to get ready for the fall. Can’t wait to read more by this author

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by St. Martin's Press.

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 is 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. And Will turns out to be a member of Seattle royalty.

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

Can't Help Falling in Love is the perfect fall rom com. This book was super cute from the beginning. The way Lexi and Will's meet cute and the way everything unfolds. It just kept me interested throughout the whole book. I really also liked Lexi's journey and the person she is becoming, and how she needed to look past her flaws and only at her accomplishments. And throughout this how supportive Will was, but he did seem to perfect for me. The other issue was there is a fake dating trope, but there was really no drama, which kind of sucked. But it was a nice perspective to see that Lexi and Will have a healthy and open relationship/communication. The grief aspect of the book was so well done. Lexi battling her only grief but also taking care of her mother was wholesome.

This was my first fall book of the season and the perfect one to start off the season. This was my first book by Sullivan but I really enjoyed the writing. Now I need to go and read and pick up more of Sullivan's books. I recommend this one to anyone who loves a fake dating trope or want a fun fall rom com.

Rating:3.5/5

I thought this book was pretty cute. It took a bit to get used to since it’s a dual-pov written in third person and it doesn’t specify at the top whose pov it is.

The first half of the book, I was enjoying it, but in the last half, it felt like the writing style changed and it seemed to drag on.

(may contain spoilers)

It also seems like there’s a few plot holes, especially regarding the fmc’s old high school friends?

There was no real build-up between the characters’ and no tension in my opinion. Their fake dating life was also strange to me. Even in private, they acted like they were in a relationship, but the author kept pointing out via fmc’s pov that they were strictly in a fake relationship? Isn’t the whole point of being in a “fake relationship” to show the public that they’re supposedly dating? So what’s the point of continuing the act behind closed doors and still claim it’s fake, I don’t know, I thought that was weird to me.

This was such a cute story! I love how they met. I love how they just tried to play off the engagement and really try to date. And I loved how supportive Will was. He was so sweet, and they had just such a fun, cute, sweet relationship. This was a fun, enjoyable read, and I hope to see more from this author!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from the publisher and author through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

This book was one of the swooniest closed door romances I have ever read! I have always said that as someone who likes books with spice, the sign of a great closed door romance is one where you don't find yourself missing the spice or needing it to feel all the feels. Lexi is definitely in a transitional stage of her life, where she wishes she was a lot further along with her plans. Unfortunately the death of father sidelined most of her plans as she helped to care for her grieving mother. Luckily her terrible waitressing skills and her fear of being judged by some old friends put her nearly in the lap of Will Grand. Their meet cute is one for the books and starts off with a white lie about him being her boyfriend, to them fake dating and woops, a fake engagement too. Will is the type of MMC that will have you kicking your feet....he is just the swooniest and so so perfect for Lexi! The only thing fake about this relationship and their chemistry is the actual engagement. I loved that they both actually liked each other and wanted to date in "real life". They are so supportive of each other and the things they dealing with in their personal lives with family. I loved Lexi's personal journey and the way Will is there to support her along the way. Their relationship is fast, but so so good!

Absolutely Hallmarky, saccharinely sweet (and slightly spicy) autumn romcom. Like the guy was so. darn. perfect. It was unrealistic from start to finish. Don't get me wrong, I loved him. No guy can attain his level of perfection though. Especially considering he was a RICH dude who didn't care about money all that much......

Who doesn't love the trope of "fake fiance?" Heck, that's one of my favorite films. LOL Lexi and Will quickly discover that their fake relationship is one that deserves to be real. But Lexi doesn't find herself worthy of it. Well that, and she's also afraid to love and open up since she has seen the pain it had on her mother losing her father. It does get annoying watching the girl be the one who "self sabotages" the relationship. I have had that quite a bit this year in other books I have read.

One thing I did appreciate is this book, despite how romcom like it was, did have moments of authentic grief. Watching Lexi, and more so her mom heal from grief was really sweet and raw and tender. It is nice to have an actual storyline juxtaposed with the meet cute ;)

But....if I were Hallmark casting....Kevin McGarry is Will and Autumn Reeser is Lexi. Fight me on this ;)

Thank you Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review

💕📚ARC Review📚💕 Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC!

Over the weekend, I read an ARC of Can’t Help Falling In Love by Sophie Sullivan and it was so adorable! If you like a cozy fall Hallmark movie in book form, this is for you! 🍂🍁🍂

This is the story of Lexi, a former track star and 25-year-old who’s trying to get her life together after the loss of her father years prior. She’s working two jobs, finishing up school, and trying to take care of her mother who is still drowning in grief. She meets Will at her waitressing job, an heir to a baby goods company in Seattle, who is currently handling a merger with another company. Will pretends to be her boyfriend in front of some former high school friends dining at her restaurant, which then turns into a fake dating situation and a fake engagement. 💍

I really enjoyed the story, the fun fall vibes, and both of the main characters. It was sweet, they had great banter, and it was nice to see both of their worlds and who and what was important to them. Some of my favorite parts of the book were the secondary characters, including Lexie’s best friend, Will’s best friend, and Will’s younger sister. Would love a second book in this world! 🍂🍁🍂

This was a fun read that had a great meet cute and some fun Fall activities thrown in. That being said, I didn't find there to really be any kind of storyline. It kind of followed their lives after they met but nothing really developed beyond that.

I know not all books can be smutty and I usually lean towards liking them not being too smutty but the PG scenes where they walk into the room, the door closes and the reader just gets "it was the next morning", didn't sit right with me. There needed to be more there. It really left a big gap in the book for me.

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

This book was pretty good. I'll be honest I rated it higher the first time around, but by the time I got around to writing this review, I have forgotten most of my thoughts on it. But the story follows Lexi who is a struggling waitress, and one of her struggles lands her right in front of Will. Will is the heir to a major Seattle company and he instantly likes Lexi upon their first meeting. After a small mix-up at a company event, the two get embroiled in a fake engagement that happens to be mutually beneficial. However, through cutesy fall dates, the pair realizes it might not be so fake after all.

"Actually, the best thing about today was and still is the promise of you,"

My thoughts on this aren't super extensive. Like I said before, I feel like I forgot a lot of my feelings about it but I remember enjoying it a lot.

I was very charmed by the banter and chemistry and care between the two leads. This book involves themes of survivors guilt and grief, anxiety, insecurity, etc. They are handled with care but I do feel like there was a little too much going on in the book.

Lexi has had a difficult time in having to sacrifice her college scholarship and running to take care of her mother and see to the resolution of her father's debts. She has some resentment built in there for her mother who is standing still and has given her an excuse to stand still also. When she meets Will Grand when she's serving as his hapless waitress, a series of events follow that get increasingly ridiculous (not completely derogatory). The fake engagement of convenience is cute - Will clearly adores Lexi and you know there's no way she can just "have some fun" with him. She's averse to a grand love of any kind because if she loses Will she doesn't want to end up like her mother.

On Will's side of the fence, the family business succession drama was just very surface level for me. I hated his parents' attitude towards Lexi even though that's to be expected between people from ~different worlds~. I wasn't pleased at the mom's about face at the end of the novel to being so happy for Will and Lexi...I enjoyed Will's relationship with his sisters. Not sure if the option is for Kyra to be the MC in a future novel in a series but she's a lot of fun.

I loved Ethan's whole deal and could probably enjoy a book with him and Maisie being a couple if that's where signs were pointing...Lexi coming into her own through working for Ethan was good. I do feel like there was a good separation of Will actively bringing that offer into being and overstepping versus him just putting the bug in Ethan's ear but Lexi actually earning the job on her own merit too.

I did relate to Lexi's feeling of being stuck and feeling like she had nothing to show for her life. The pacing at the end was a little rushed and the Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fam read as slightly cliche to me but I did finish the book.

CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE - Sophie Sullivan

MEET CUTE! - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - 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.

Writing - 4 stars - Sullivan's strength is to create relatable characters--people you'd want to hang out with. Her easy-to-read style keeps the story moving forward and builds an empathy between the characters and the reader.

Characters - 4.5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Will is a wonderful hero. He's rich and handsome, of course, but those are not his best points. He's also kind and caring and really looks below the surface to see the real person. He actually doesn't care at all who you are or what Lexi does for a living--he just recognizes honesty and wants to build a real relationship. Lexi is a little more complicated. She's strong and capable and has overcome some devastating losses, both monetarily and emotionally. But she's built herself up again and is just now coming out of the hole. But she also has a lot of self-doubt, and that's where the relationship problems arise. She's too worried about taking a chance on love and friendship because she doesn't believe herself worthy.

Title - 4 stars - The light-hearted title gives the impression that the two main characters are meant to be together, despite their differences and the circumstances of their meeting.

Cover - 4 stars - Although I'm not a big fan of the current trend of cartoony covers, this one has nice colors and a sense of the whirlwind romance that is featured in this book.

Overall - 4 stars - I loved the message that I think the author is sending--taking chances on love and friendship can be scary but worth it. You don't have to have it all together right away because other people don't either. Everyone is struggling through something, even if they don't show their problems on the outside.

Lexi Danby is looking for some no-strings, fall fun. Will Grand is heir to a major company, and Seattle’s most eligible bachelor. What happens when they get put in a fake engagement by mistake and can't get out of it? This is a fake dating, friends to lover's romance. What happens when things stop feeling fake and start feeling real. This is a cute contemporary romance, I absolutely loved it.

MY THOUGHTS: This was my first book by Sophie Sullivan and I’m officially a fan! I loved her writing and her characters. Lexi and Will had the most unlikely yet sweetest relationship. I was rooting for them to work it out despite the obstacles and meddling family members in their way.

Read for:
💍 Fake Engagement but Real Dating
💖 Meet Cute
🔗 Opposites Attract
🌀 He Falls First
🍂 Fall vibes!
🚪 Closed Door Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice Level: 🧼 Squeeky Clean

I received an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of this book.

This may be my first book from Sophie Sullivan, but it won't be my last. Sophie delivers on a fake engagement where one character has it all together and the other, well, she is doing the best she can.

Lexi and Will don't seem to have any problems convincing people they are now engaged! People didn't even know Will, a high profile Seattleite was dating, let alone engagement ready. As the story unfolds Will and Lexi learn a lot about themselves, their families, and what they need to do to be happy.

A quick and easy read that makes you root for that happy ending we all crave in a rom-com!