Can’t Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan

A Cozy Autumn Romance That’ll Warm Your Heart

Ah, autumn. The season of crisp air, pumpkin spice everything, and curling up with a good book. And boy, do I have a treat for you, romance lovers! Sophie Sullivan’s latest offering, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” is like a warm hug on a chilly fall day. It’s the kind of book that’ll have you reaching for a cozy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and maybe… just maybe… daydreaming about your own meet-cute with a dashing Seattle heir. (Hey, a girl can dream, right?)

The Lowdown: What’s It All About?

Okay, picture this: Our heroine, Lexi Danby, is just trying to keep her head above water. Once a college track star (go, Lexi!), she had to drop out when her dad passed away. Now she’s juggling:

• Putting herself through school (you go, girl!)
• Taking care of her grieving mom (aww, what a sweetie)
• Working as a waitress (spoiler alert: she’s hilariously bad at it)

Enter Will Grand, Seattle’s most eligible bachelor and heir to a major company. He’s charming, he’s handsome, and… oops! A little misunderstanding at a party lands them in a fake engagement they can’t talk their way out of.

Cue the rom-com shenanigans!

The Good, The Great, and The “OMG, I Can’t Even”

Let’s break it down, shall we?

What I Loved:

1. Lexi and Will’s Chemistry: Holy smokes, folks. The sparks between these two could light up the Seattle skyline. Their banter is top-notch, and the sexual tension? *fans self* Let’s just say you might need a cold shower after some scenes.
2. Autumn Vibes for Days: Sullivan paints such a vivid picture of fall in Seattle that I swear I could smell apple cider and hear leaves crunching under my feet. Apple picking, outdoor breweries, Halloween prep—it’s a cornucopia of cozy fall goodness.
3. Heart and Humor: This book had me laughing out loud one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. Sullivan strikes the perfect balance between light-hearted fun and deeper emotional moments.
4. Supporting Cast: Will’s family (especially his sisters) and Lexi’s best friend Maisie are absolute gems. They add so much depth and humor to the story.

Room for Improvement:

• The fake engagement trope feels a tiny bit rushed at the beginning. I would’ve loved a smidge more build-up before they’re thrust into this situation.
• Will’s parents’ initial disapproval of Lexi feels a tad cliché. But hey, it’s a romance novel—we need a little conflict, right?

Let’s Talk Characters

Lexi Danby: Our Resilient Heroine

Oh, Lexi. I want to give this girl a hug and then take her out for coffee. She’s been through so much, but she’s still fighting. Her journey from insecurity to self-acceptance is beautifully done. And can we talk about her disastrous waitressing skills? I snorted coffee out my nose during some of those scenes (thanks for that, Sophie).

Will Grand: More Than Just a Pretty Face

At first glance, Will might seem like your typical rich-boy hero. But hold up—there’s so much more to him. His genuine care for Lexi, his sense of humor, and his own struggles with family expectations make him wonderfully three-dimensional. Plus, the man looks good in a tux AND flannel? Be still my heart!

Themes That’ll Hit You in the Feels

Sullivan doesn’t just give us a fluffy romance (though there’s plenty of fluff, don’t worry). She digs deeper, exploring:

• Grief and healing
• Finding your place in the world
• The fear of falling in love
• Family expectations vs. personal desires

It’s these weightier themes that elevate “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from a simple rom-com to something with real emotional resonance.

The Writing: Cozy, Witty, and Oh-So-Readable

Sullivan’s writing style is like chatting with your best friend over a pumpkin spice latte. It’s warm, it’s engaging, and it flows so smoothly you’ll find yourself 100 pages in before you know it. Her dialogue sparkles, and she has a knack for those little descriptive details that really bring a scene to life.

How It Stacks Up: Sullivan’s Growing Romance Empire

If you’ve read Sullivan’s previous books like “Ten Rules for Faking It” or “How to Love Your Neighbor,” you’ll find some familiar elements here—charming small-town vibes, lovable characters, and a romance that’ll make you swoon. But “Can’t Help Falling in Love” feels like Sullivan leveling up. The emotional depth is richer, the characters more complex, and the autumn setting?

For fans of authors like Emily Henry or Tessa Bailey, Sullivan is definitely an author to watch. She’s carving out her own niche in the world of contemporary romance, and I, for one, am here for it.

The Verdict: Fall in Love This Autumn

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is the perfect book to curl up with as the leaves start to change. It’s got all the cozy fall vibes, a romance that’ll make you believe in love again, and characters that feel like old friends by the end.

Is it predictable in some ways? Sure. But sometimes that’s exactly what you want in a romance novel. It’s like coming home to your favorite comfort food—familiar, satisfying, and guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Romance lovers (duh!)
• Anyone who needs a good laugh (Lexi’s waitressing adventures are comedy gold)
• Fall enthusiasts (seriously, you’ll be craving apple cider and flannel shirts)
• Readers who like their romances with a side of emotional depth

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

• If you’re looking for steamy, explicit scenes (this one’s more sweet than heat)
• Readers who dislike the fake relationship trope
• People allergic to pumpkin spice (kidding… mostly)

Final Thoughts: A Heartwarming Fall Treat

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is like the perfect autumn day in book form. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it’ll leave you with that fuzzy feeling inside. Sullivan has crafted a romance that’s both funny and touching, with characters you’ll be rooting for long after you turn the last page.

So grab your favorite blanket, brew some tea (or spike that hot chocolate, I won’t judge), and get ready to fall in love with Lexi and Will. Just don’t blame me if you end up booking a trip to Seattle or scrolling through dating apps looking for your own charming heir.

Bonus: Fall Reading Playlist

To really set the mood, why not create a cozy autumn playlist to accompany your reading? Here are some suggestions:

• “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood
• “Autumn Leaves” by Ed Sheeran
• “Fall for You” by Secondhand Serenade
• “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley (obviously!)

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a sudden urge to go apple picking and maybe run into a handsome stranger. Hey, it could happen! After all, as Sophie Sullivan reminds us in “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” sometimes the best things in life are the ones we don’t plan for.

Happy reading, romance lovers!