Can't Help Falling

Sweater Weather #3

by Courtney Walsh

Sometime all it takes to start a fire is a 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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Rom Com, Fiction, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

350 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2023

About the author

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes low spice romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. She is also a Carol award winner and Christy award finalist.

A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.

Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.

Reviews

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRST 5 STAR OF 2024!

A totally sweet, clean, giggly romance!

Emmy is the most relatable book nerd main character who has loved her best friend's brother since high school. LOVE that trope.

Don't even get me started on Owen. SWOONY firefighter. Misunderstood. Softy when it comes to Emmy. So cute.

I loved the dialogue and the use of text messages and emails. There wasn't a ton but I think they were used well. There were some parts of Emmy's podcast that I skimmed over, but still a fun time!

Totally recommend. It is set in the fall time, but very mild vibes so I didn't feel weird reading it now.

There was no language, only kissing, and some language about physical appearance, but it was all tasteful in my opinion.

[BookLoverAmanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Help Falling - Courtney Walsh - New Favorite 5 Star Rom-Com!
Blog Post and Review Graphic Here: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

Ya'll - this was SUCH AN AMANDA BOOK! I really enjoyed my time with this book. EMMY & OWEN FOREVER!

🍂Best Friend's Brother
🍂Opposite's Attract
🍂Childhood Crush
🍂Firefighter Rescue
🍂Bookish FMC
🍂Clean Romance
🍂Disability Representation (Dyslexia)
🍂Dual POV
🍂Small Town and Fall Vibes

The story starts off with Emmy getting started to work on her "secret" bookish podcast where she gives romance advice to those who call in or leave messages with questions (Reminds me of that awesome old radio talk show - Delilah! LOVE IT). Her house catches fire and she is rescued by Owen - the handsome firefighter who was her best friend's brother and the guy she had a crush on many years ago. Owen and Emmy haven't seen each other in 8 years and start to reconnect through this rescue process.

I really related to Emmy in SO many ways! She preferred books and pajamas over partying any day and was a hopeless romantic - SO me! I also loved her love for Pride and Prejudice and the movie - ME! She just wanted her hand-flexing Mr. Darcy and we LOVE TO SEE IT. And the funny 2 Outlander references made me laugh so much! (Look here, "Chad" ain't no JAMMF LOL)

All the bookish references were GREAT! Owen was such a protector and I loved his complex character and learning about his life with dyslexia. Emmy truly cared for Owen and saw him as no one else did - and the fun secret letters/e-mails/chats that happened were the BEST. Loved Emmy's secret podcast and how Owen and her grew to really know each other again. The opposite's attract made me so happy - he was so practical and she was a hopeless romantic. It was done so well!

Overall, such a great rom-com that made me laugh and have the romance giggles! Pick this up! You will love it!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was such a sweet and cozy read. Felt like watching a Hallmark movie. Bookstore owner, firefighter, best friend's brother. I liked it and would read more from this author!

[LaurenLoveReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a giggle while you kick your feet, all the butterflies kind of book. Also…there’s a firefighter. So.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all the bookish girlies who are holding out for the “perfect” romance, and who are proud of our slight weirdness…this one’s for us!

Emmy & Owen were just the sweetest, most wholesome couple to read about. This really went from friends to more and I loved how it was done!
The best friend’s brother, unrequited love was a fun little tidbit to throw in the mix.

I loved the flashbacks to them on the dock, and seeing how that young friendship really molded them into who they became as adults. And the maturing they both did in the 8 years they hadn’t seen each other, and even in the weeks they were together again.

I loved the podcast angle and watching Emmy’s views on “real, perfect, romance” change! Seeing her mind work in literary and romance movies made me chuckle, because what bookworm doesn’t see the world in tropes now?!

Owen was a great, broody, stoic, character! And I really enjoyed getting his POV and knowing his struggles with growing up and having a learning disability.

Seriously, romcoms aren’t just fluff and nonsense! They are heart and home and just…loveliness! (And some GREAT insults!)

That bookstore scene was *chefs kiss*
4.5/5 stars

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an idiot. Know why? Because this is the first Courtney Walsh book I've read. Why have I not read any before? I have no idea.

Anyway, I was just going to rate this book, and not leave a review (I know, I'm a horrible reader!), but I just couldn't do that. Yeah, it's a wonderful swoony romance, and I'm here for all of that. But what's making me review is Owen's dyslexia. One of my girls has dyslexia (and dysgraphia and dyscalculia), and seeing how hard it is for Owen to ask for accommodations helps me to understand my daughter better. In fact, I plan on pulling out a couple of his quotes the next time I need to help her see that it's ok. We wouldn't begrudge a person in a wheelchair using a ramp, right?

So, Daughter, this review's for you. I love you more than I could ever possibly say, and maybe I understand your view of things just a tiny bit better now.

[Evelyn (Ev’s Novel Delights) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Clean Romcom)

SO GOOD!!!! Ahhhh I’m just fangirling at this point 😆😆
made me want my own bookshop like Emmy 🥹🥹
and Owen?!! 😍😍🥰🥰🤭🤭🤭

5 stars

RTC later 🧡

[Keisha | A Book Like You · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies and gentleman, she's done it again. I'm convinced Courtney Walsh can't write a bad book. 👏

I was squealing, swooning, and kicking my feet reading this sweet slow burn featuring a quirky bookstore owner and a misunderstood firefighter. There were so many things to love and so many noteworthy scenes and quotes.

📚Things I loved about Emmy:
- She was a "Hopeful Romantic" // aren't we all?
- She owned a bookstore/cafe.
- She was a little quirky and unsure of herself at times, but such a light and encouragement to those around her.

🔥Things I loved about Owen:
- His "protect her with my life" attitude.
- He was thoughtful and truly cared about Emmy.
- I sympathized so much with his battle with dyslexia and the way people treated him because of his disability.

🩷Things I loved about them both?
- Their undeniable chemistry.
- Their friendship.
- And the way they always saved each other. 🥹

I highly recommend checking this one out!

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positively wholesome and sweet!! Always love Courtney’s writing and character development.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word: firefighter.

Full review coming soon

[Dana Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Made Me Happy!!

Y'all! I stayed up past midnight, finishing this adorable romantic comedy. I enjoyed every page. The hero is a misunderstood broody firefighter, and the heroine is a sweet romantic idealist who owns a Bookshop. OH MY!! I love everything about this story. I fell in love with the characters and the town. This book is a feel-good-make-me-happy book, and I highly recommend it. I ended this story with a sigh of contentment.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the Sweater Weather series but Courtney Walsh's contribution is by far my favorite. This gave me all the feels and I highlighted my favorite parts whether it's because I swooned or laughed out loud. There are so many great moments in this book and I loved the heroine so much, I want to be her when I grow up.
Another great read from Ms. Walsh and I can't wait for her next book.

[Modern Miss Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely GONE for this romance. 🤍 Thank you so much @courtneywalsh for sending me a copy of your amazing new book 🤍

Courtney has done it again with this absolutely swoony, wonderful, love story.

I am a sucker for a romance that gives me second chance vibes, and Owen and Emmy definitely did. Plus, this book just felt like a warm hug.

One of my favorite parts of this book was how different Owen and Emmy’s love languages were. The practical and the romantic. I loved that neither was more valued than the other 🤍 but each were special in their own way!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kissing
.
TW: a fire, bullying over a learning disability

[cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 :)

[Reading in Brussels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emmy's whole thing is books. She constantly thinks of books/fiction situations and builds things up in her mind.
Being a big reader myself, I get it.. however, not to this extent. It was a bit too much for me. And she seemed to be completely gone for Owen, even though he had left. All he had to do was turn up for her to start envisioning their future together. She had no self-preservation. I didn't like that.
I am dnf'ing, but I still liked the author's writing.

[ChildOfGod💜🙌🏽 (for God I live and for God I die) ~ in my Christian pop era · Rating 5 out of 5]

First reaction:

Super cute 🥰 fall read 🍂. I do have some mixed thoughts tho that I’ll share soon. Still loved it tho!

FRTC

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute banter, at times felt a bit repetitive, but a delightful read overall.

[Leslie - Shobizreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright - I’m not a fall girl but dang it Courtney Walsh, you made me love the fall atmosphere of this adorable RomCom.

If you love RomComs - not only is this story adorable but it gives nods to all the big romantic gestures you’ve grown to love in RomCom movies and books. I’ve been a fan of romcoms pretty much my whole life, so I loved all those references.

Read this if you loved You’ve Got Mail, Gilmore Girls, Gilbert Blythe or if you’ve ever had a crush on your best friend’s older brother.

In all seriousness, this book will just make you smile. Oh and did I mention the best friend’s brother is a fireman who literally saves Emmy from a house fire.

[ੈ✩‧₊˚ faithreads *ೃ༄ (inactive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWWW! I’m so obsessed!!! I love this book! It’s so sweet and sincere and just adorable! I loved Owen and Emmy together since like the first page!! ❤️ I love the bookstore setting! I also loved that Emmy loves books and the podcast thing is my new favorite thing in a book!! I love how Owen made Emmy realize what true romance is🥹 They make the most amazing couple!!!!!! Anyway I love this book if you can’t tell😂 Definitely recommend!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Length of book: 360 pages
Language/TW: 3/10
Format I read: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Romance Clean
Would I recommend to others: YES!

Tropes: Childhood friends to lovers, he falls harder, grumpy x sunshine, small town.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t Help Falling
Courtney Walsh
Pub Date: September 14, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courtney Walsh has stolen my heart again! If you are looking for the perfect fall book, THIS IS IT! Can’t Help Falling is part of the Sweater Weather series, with each book written by a different author, all taking place in the same town, Harvest Hollow. All books in the series can be read as a standalone.

Emmy, the owner of a local bookshop and the person (secretly) responsible for a podcast, The Hopeful Romantic, bases all of her advice on romance novels she has read. When her house catches on fire while recording an episode of her podcast, she is saved by none other than Owen Larrabee, a firefighter, her best friend’s brother, and the love of her life who she has not seen in eight years. Owen was known in the town as being the bad boy and was always getting in trouble at school. However, the rescue leaves Owen as a hero puts him, along with Emmy, in the spotlight. Owen and Emmy always had a special, and somewhat secret, relationship. Seeing Owen back in town brings back so many feelings for Emmy that she told herself she would never feel again, especially after he left town on his wedding day after she confessed her love to him. Can’t Help Falling will have you falling for Emmy and Owen and rooting for them until the end!

One thing I really loved about this book was the disability representation. I felt like this was done so well, and I loved how it was intertwined into the storyline and appreciated the concept of creating a level playing field for Owen.

I found the characters to be so relatable and authentic and I just adored the entire storyline. On top of that, I loved the book and movie references throughout the book. Everything flowed so well and I just found this to be such a fun read!

🍂Best Friend’s Brother
🍂Opposites Attract
🍂Small Town Romance
🍂Childhood Friends
🍂Secret Emails
🍂Disability Rep
🍂Slow Burn Romance
🍂Dual POVs

If you are looking for a cozy fall read that will leave you with a smile on your face, this one is for you!

Thank you, Courtney Walsh, for providing me with a #gifted copy of Can’t Help Falling!

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book full of humor and heart! This author always brings the feels for me, even in her more light-hearted plots. So much to love here- Unrequited love, best friend's brother, friends to more, bookstore owner, firefighter, secret identity! I loved being able to read Owen's perspective as he comes home and faces his past, unexpectedly but inevitably falling for Emmy, despite her (hilarious) awkwardness and attempts at avoidance. He is so compassionate to her and shows through his actions and words that he understands and validates her feelings from losing her home. The small town setting is so fun, and the friends and family were vibrant and had depth as they root for their new favorite (potential) couple. Owen grows and softens as he is influenced by Emmy's views on romance and love, while he balances out her fictional romance knowledge with some real-life loving that is less about show and more about intention. I just loved their angst and chemistry!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't help falling, run the other way

Okay. I could not get into this book. Emmy was so very distracting. An over the top romantic. She was too caught up on her labels (I'm weird, a nerd, not pretty, romance), and acting too dramatically, and may I ask who can be that clumsy?

Another piss-me-off moment...to actually tell someone to dump another person because they weren't over the top, in your face, romantic enough. Never mind all the things that person DID do to show you his love language. Yeah, I was livid!

For Emmy to constantly talk about romance, wanting romance like in one of her many, many novels or shows and being swept off her feet, blah, blah, blah. I was done and started skimming. I was actually hoping she wouldn't get the guy because of the way she acted! She didn't deserve him!

Well, this is just my opinion.

[Megan | Megan.Reads.Romance · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 30%. Owen is worried about Emmy leaving the bookstore prior to being interviewed but the next chapter starts with "the interview aired last night." The first third of the book was overly quippy and referenced a lot of variety in regards to characters from romance novels. This book just didn't hit for me. The internal angst was too much. Emmy clearly still loved Owen but we have no reason to believe for one second in the first 30% of the book that Owen has any feelings whatsoever for Emmy. There is no pining or tension. Just a lot of internal pining (from Emmy) and older brother concern (from Owen).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. These are my honest thoughts.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very cute!

If you enjoy…
✨ slow burn
✨ dyslexia representation
✨ bookish, hopeful romantic heroine
✨ reforming misunderstood firefighter hero
✨ literature references
✨ fun smallish town vibes
…definitely check this one out!

The message was my favourite part—hopeful & practical romance can reach a balance. Grand gestures aren’t the pinnacle of romance. But genuine thoughtfulness is. 🥰

[Patricia Rupell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was set in fall at a book store in a small town. As if that weren't enough, it was full of romance and humor and book references. It was such a sweet, enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to more by this author.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sweethaven Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

not crazy about it

I just finished reading chapter 23…. and I’m annoyed.. she’s do damn in love with him when he only sees her as a friend (she needs to move on).. but now all of sudden he thinks he might like her more than just as friend just because Lindsay said so… whatever.. if he couldn’t figure it out on his own.. his love for Emmy sucks

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! Can’t Help Falling by Courtney Walsh was adorable and pulled me in right from the beginning!

I loved Owen and Emmy! Emmy was so real and relatable to me. I really relate to someone who likes to stay home in her pjs and read as opposed to going out! She dreams of finding true love, and has read countless romance novels, watched countless romcoms, and thinks she knows exactly what she wants. Owen is a broody and swoony firefighter from Emmy’s past who has returned to Harvest Hollow. He has a learning disability and has been misunderstood most of his life because he has had a hard time showing his intelligence. Emmy has always been the friend he needed, she sees the real Owen. She has had an unrequited crush on him for years.

One thing I loved about it was the discussion about romance. Does being romantic always have to mean grand gestures like in the movies or can it be something more practical like just showing you care in little every day ways. Emmy and Owen may have different takes on that but the conclusion made my heart so happy!

Other favorite moments :
⁃ best friend’s brother trope
⁃ Owen taking care of Emmy
when she was sick ❤️
⁃ The photo shoot
⁃ Owen walking Emmy to her car
at night (swoon)
⁃ Leonardo DiCaprio, hulk, and black widow
references
⁃ Emmy’s chat with her mom about romance
⁃ Sharing the Twix bar
⁃ That first kiss

I’ve always enjoyed a good best friend’s brothers trope and Courtney pulled out all the stops with this one. I couldn’t get enough. It was funny and heartwarming. This book just had me smiling big! Definitely add it to your TBR!
5/5 ⭐️

Content Awareness - Emmy has a house fire at the beginning of the book and suffers panic attacks dealing with the aftermath of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Brenna (brennas_book_corner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was just the cutest book and my new favorite from Courtney! What I loved most was that it highlights that romance isn’t all sweeping grand gestures. Romance is in the little things we do for the people we love. It’s in the acts of service we provide for them. THAT is realistic love and marriage.

Set all that with a bookish heroine, firefighter hero with dyslexia, text messages, anonymous emails, a romance podcast and the cutest small town during the Fall, and you have a recipe for an adorable romance that made me grin from ear to ear. ❤️

Bravo, Courtney! 👏🏻 This book is a winner!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I enjoyed the story. I wish that they figured out their feelings sooner, the whole book is them denying themselves of their feelings. we get both of their backstories a little bit, which was nice at the same time he took so long to figure out what they wanted and where they wanted to go. There is no spice in this book, but it was definitely a slow burn.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was a cute, fall romance.
I’ve read a couple other holiday books by this author (Christmas and Valentine’s Day), and she does a nice job with seasonal romance vibes.