The Book:
Can’t Help Falling by Courtney Walsh
Published: September 14, 2023 (indie)
Date read: September 19, 2023
The Characters:
Emmy and Owen
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
All it takes to start a fire is one single match. . . Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate. He wasn’t when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn’t now. I should probably say that I wasn’t the bride when that happened. I don’t have the best timing. He’s got a temper, he’s moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes. I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel and long to be kissed in the rain. Owen is my best friend’s older, off-limits brother and the only boy I ever thought I loved. Which is laughable because he only ever saw me as his kid sister’s dorky friend. But that was a long time ago. And I’m over him. Mostly. Until he comes back to Harvest Hollow like some kind of hero, showing up just in time to pull me out of my burning house and make me feel all the things I told myself I’d never feel again. Darn him and that brooding, intense way he looks at me. But I have questions. Why is Owen back? And does he remember our secret friendship or the day I’ve spent the last eight years trying to forget? I know better than to get hung up on Owen again. Especially now, when he’s sworn off relationships and thinks romance is a farce. And I’m something of an expert—at least to the people who listen to my podcast, The Hopeful Romantic. Never mind that nobody would guess their local bookshop owner is the one doling out popular weekly relationship advice. Never mind that I’m basing all that advice on the hundreds, (thousands?) of romance novels I’ve read over the years and not on personal experience. And especially never mind that Owen is making me question everything I believe about all of it. Can’t Help Falling is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, opposites attract sweet rom-com with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.
My Review:
Can’t Help Falling by Courtney Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Courtney Walsh is the reason I know about the Sweater Weather series, so it’s only fitting that I’ve liked her book the best so far! I mean, she definitely picked the best characters…the bookseller and the firefighter? Who could resist. And I love epistolary/unwitting correspondence elements. Add in the baking, the book references, and the best friend’s brother trope and there was almost too much to love!
Emmy is a sweet, clever introvert, and I loved her secret romance podcast. I started my bookstagram as a secret and could definitely relate! I love a character I can see myself in.
Owen was a sweetheart. I loved his secret pining and the dyslexia rep. One scene with the firemen reminded me of the guys from Bromance Bookclub, with their love of Emmy’s podcast.
This book is the slowest of burns (get it), but the ride is delicious. Courtney writes the best holiday romances!
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Check out all the books in the Sweater Weather series:
Just Don’t Fall
The Fall Back Plan
Can’t Help Falling
Faking The Fall
Easy As Pie
A Not So Fictional Fall
Absolutely Not in Love
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