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Fall Into Place
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Expected 8 Sep 26Kristyn J. Miller's cozy autumn romance will have you falling for its changing leaves, hot apple cider, and unforgettable characters.
Lenore’s life is falling apart. Propelled home from Manhattan to rural Vermont to spend one final autumn at her family’s historic apple orchard before it’s sold, Lenore struggles to say goodbye. Not only to French Hill Farm, but to everything that once inspired her art. Soon enough, entries in her late grandmother’s journal reignite memories of Lenore’s childhood—and the crush on the groundskeeper's son she's since tried to forget.
Callan’s path has been laid out for him for as long as he can remember: live, work, and die in Whitbury, Vermont. He’s taken over for his father as the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm, but now that it’s soon to be sold, his future has turned abruptly uncertain. The last thing he needs is a distraction—like Lenore French showing up out of the blue, looking even better than he remembered. As his best friend’s little sister, she’s always been off limits, and the last time they saw each other, he blew his chance anyway.
Lenore has long believed that her dreams are too big for the small town she grew up in—the same town Callan believes he can never outrun. But one last autumn together could paint their hometown—and each other—in a brand new light.
Lenore’s life is falling apart. Propelled home from Manhattan to rural Vermont to spend one final autumn at her family’s historic apple orchard before it’s sold, Lenore struggles to say goodbye. Not only to French Hill Farm, but to everything that once inspired her art. Soon enough, entries in her late grandmother’s journal reignite memories of Lenore’s childhood—and the crush on the groundskeeper's son she's since tried to forget.
Callan’s path has been laid out for him for as long as he can remember: live, work, and die in Whitbury, Vermont. He’s taken over for his father as the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm, but now that it’s soon to be sold, his future has turned abruptly uncertain. The last thing he needs is a distraction—like Lenore French showing up out of the blue, looking even better than he remembered. As his best friend’s little sister, she’s always been off limits, and the last time they saw each other, he blew his chance anyway.
Lenore has long believed that her dreams are too big for the small town she grew up in—the same town Callan believes he can never outrun. But one last autumn together could paint their hometown—and each other—in a brand new light.
Paperback
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Kristyn J. Miller
3 books370 followersKRISTYN J. MILLER gravitates toward telling stories with lush settings, upbeat humor, and complicated, flawed heroines. Outside of fiction writing, Kristyn earned her M.A. in history and museum studies at the University of New Hampshire. She spends her free time wandering peat bogs, antiquing, and sampling craft beers. After growing up in Southern California, she moved to rural Maine, where she lives in an old colonial house with her husband and son.
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August 14, 2026જ⁀➴ ♡ 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 .𖥔 ݁⭑🍂༘⋆
so grateful for this arc, i think this will be the PERFECT book to get into the fall 🥹
so grateful for this arc, i think this will be the PERFECT book to get into the fall 🥹
March 27, 2026
“There is a comfortable familiarity in the way we are together, like we were always a little bit inevitable, and I can't seem to get enough of it.”
Thank you Kristyn & Netgalley for inviting me to read the ARC of this incredible book that I’d been dying to read.
There’s that feeling that’s quite hard to describe in words, but one shared by many. It’s the feeling you’re left with after you finish a book that you really didn’t want to finish. That you really didn’t want to let go. This book was one of those books that left me staring blankly at my walls after I finished the very last page (well, acknowledgments).
Fall Into Place follows the story of Lenore and Callan, who complete and balance each other in every way possible. Lenore finds herself back in her hometown in Vermont to say goodbye to her grandmother’s apple orchard before it’s sold. However as everyone knows, goodbyes are never easy. Especially when they’re this complicated. One of those complications is Callan, her childhood crush who has now taken over for his father as the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm. The other complication is the mystery of the paintings she’s found in the attic, alongside her grandmother’s words that have stuck with her.
Every time I read a book from Kristyn, I think to myself that it’s the best one. Then, she drops another book and I’m left speechless. I will try to keep this brief, but then again I love this book so much, so don’t trust me with sticking to a short review.
One thing that I absolutely adore about Kristyn’s books is the fact that all of her characters are so rooted in reality. Their feelings, their motivations, their conflicts, and everything they do feels deeply realistic. It’s as if you’re listening to a friend talk about their life.
Lenore was a friend that I really wanted to hug throughout the story. She’s an artist that moved to New York to chase her dreams, but found herself working as a barista after inspiration left her. It’s after returning home that she realizes how unfulfilling and lonely her life in Manhattan was. It was impossible not to feel for her with each chapter. I absolutely loved reading how she found herself back: answers, acceptance, love, and inspiration.
Callan. I always have such a soft spot for those characters who are so selfless that you desperately wish everything good in the world finds them. He was an incredible character, and I love how he never quite initiated the first move (while his motivations were quite sad for me and frustrating for Lenore), I loved how he let Lenore take the lead. I’m so glad at the end he realized that he is indeed good enough for Lenore.
I felt like Lenore & Callan’s story was like a long game of tag. Each waiting for the other to initiate, with different motivations though. I really love romance stories where the characters are familiar with each other. In every chapter that we got to see every little detail Callan had memorized about Lenore, I just felt even more attached to them. I loved how Callan followed Lenore to everywhere she needed to go, and helped her with the mystery of the paintings (quality time as a love language you are so loved by me). The entire county fair scene was perfect. Their relationship moved at a perfect pace, and a realistic one at that.
Since Callan was best friends with Lenore’s brother, I was afraid of the confrontation scene (as I am whenever there’s a brother’s best friend plot involved). I’m so glad it was handled maturely as they are all grown up people that really don’t need permission. On that note Katie and Damien were really nice characters. I really loved the epilogue scene with everyone together. While I’m discussing side characters, I need to talk about my favorite: Rain!!! She was an absolute delight to read. I adored her friendship with Lenore.
I really loved how Kristyn handled the matter of grief, which is a main topic in the book. It starts the story, and leads it into completion. Gabrielle French (Lenore’s Grandmother) you are very loved by me. I loved how we got to read her diary entries throughout the book. I feel like they added a lot to how we view Lenore as a character. Besides the grief of a family member, there’s also grief in the context of old friendships. I’m really glad there were scenes of Lenore and Shelby, how they lost contact, and how they also found their rhythm back.
I loved everything about the mystery of the paintings. I genuinely had no idea on who they were going to connect to, and I was really impressed by the entire story. Another really important plot was Lenore’s relationship with painting, and her relationship with inspiration. I think those themes were handled very well. I always love seeing an artist find their magic back.
Lenore, who left her small town for her big dreams, and Callan, who never even dared to dream, I’m so glad you found each other again. And Kristyn, thank you for writing. I love the worlds and characters you create.
Thank you Kristyn & Netgalley for inviting me to read the ARC of this incredible book that I’d been dying to read.
There’s that feeling that’s quite hard to describe in words, but one shared by many. It’s the feeling you’re left with after you finish a book that you really didn’t want to finish. That you really didn’t want to let go. This book was one of those books that left me staring blankly at my walls after I finished the very last page (well, acknowledgments).
Fall Into Place follows the story of Lenore and Callan, who complete and balance each other in every way possible. Lenore finds herself back in her hometown in Vermont to say goodbye to her grandmother’s apple orchard before it’s sold. However as everyone knows, goodbyes are never easy. Especially when they’re this complicated. One of those complications is Callan, her childhood crush who has now taken over for his father as the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm. The other complication is the mystery of the paintings she’s found in the attic, alongside her grandmother’s words that have stuck with her.
Every time I read a book from Kristyn, I think to myself that it’s the best one. Then, she drops another book and I’m left speechless. I will try to keep this brief, but then again I love this book so much, so don’t trust me with sticking to a short review.
One thing that I absolutely adore about Kristyn’s books is the fact that all of her characters are so rooted in reality. Their feelings, their motivations, their conflicts, and everything they do feels deeply realistic. It’s as if you’re listening to a friend talk about their life.
Lenore was a friend that I really wanted to hug throughout the story. She’s an artist that moved to New York to chase her dreams, but found herself working as a barista after inspiration left her. It’s after returning home that she realizes how unfulfilling and lonely her life in Manhattan was. It was impossible not to feel for her with each chapter. I absolutely loved reading how she found herself back: answers, acceptance, love, and inspiration.
Callan. I always have such a soft spot for those characters who are so selfless that you desperately wish everything good in the world finds them. He was an incredible character, and I love how he never quite initiated the first move (while his motivations were quite sad for me and frustrating for Lenore), I loved how he let Lenore take the lead. I’m so glad at the end he realized that he is indeed good enough for Lenore.
I felt like Lenore & Callan’s story was like a long game of tag. Each waiting for the other to initiate, with different motivations though. I really love romance stories where the characters are familiar with each other. In every chapter that we got to see every little detail Callan had memorized about Lenore, I just felt even more attached to them. I loved how Callan followed Lenore to everywhere she needed to go, and helped her with the mystery of the paintings (quality time as a love language you are so loved by me). The entire county fair scene was perfect. Their relationship moved at a perfect pace, and a realistic one at that.
Since Callan was best friends with Lenore’s brother, I was afraid of the confrontation scene (as I am whenever there’s a brother’s best friend plot involved). I’m so glad it was handled maturely as they are all grown up people that really don’t need permission. On that note Katie and Damien were really nice characters. I really loved the epilogue scene with everyone together. While I’m discussing side characters, I need to talk about my favorite: Rain!!! She was an absolute delight to read. I adored her friendship with Lenore.
I really loved how Kristyn handled the matter of grief, which is a main topic in the book. It starts the story, and leads it into completion. Gabrielle French (Lenore’s Grandmother) you are very loved by me. I loved how we got to read her diary entries throughout the book. I feel like they added a lot to how we view Lenore as a character. Besides the grief of a family member, there’s also grief in the context of old friendships. I’m really glad there were scenes of Lenore and Shelby, how they lost contact, and how they also found their rhythm back.
I loved everything about the mystery of the paintings. I genuinely had no idea on who they were going to connect to, and I was really impressed by the entire story. Another really important plot was Lenore’s relationship with painting, and her relationship with inspiration. I think those themes were handled very well. I always love seeing an artist find their magic back.
Lenore, who left her small town for her big dreams, and Callan, who never even dared to dream, I’m so glad you found each other again. And Kristyn, thank you for writing. I love the worlds and characters you create.
May 12, 2026
“Maybe part of grief is coming to terms with all the pieces of a person that we’ll never get the chance to know, all the little intangible things they couldn’t leave behind.”
Fall Into Place was a highly anticipated fall romance for me and I’m so lucky I got to read it in advance of pub day! I’ve loved Kristyn J. Miller’s books since Given Our History. As soon as I finished, I was homesick for Lenore and Callan. I wanted to start the story again. Even though grief is a main theme, I found it comforting and rooted in understanding and truth.
Fall Into Place is an emotional, nostalgic, slow burn romance. Our FMC Lenore is dealing with a lot: the loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s, grappling with the sale of the family farm house, and generally feeling lost in her life and career. She comes home to French Farm, to spend three weeks there before the house is sold. As Lenore cleans out the attic, she reads her grandmother’s journals, reminiscing on her childhood, including her crush on the groundskeeper’s son Callan.
Told in dual POV between Lenore and Callan, the story also has journal entries weaved in throughout. The underlying tones of grief and reckoning with what you want in life, Miller has truly outdone herself with the sentimentality in Fall Into Place. Anyone who has ever lost a grandparent or family member to Alzheimer’s will feel this story deeply. I liked Lenore rediscovering her hometown through Cal’s eyes, from a man who hasn’t left. Everything they felt is written so intimately, it was hard not to fall in love with Lenore and Cal as a couple.
Miller’s writing is extremely beautiful and vulnerable. Her metaphors are stunning and, at times, heartbreaking. I so deeply felt so many of the things Lenore thought to herself, about herself, and about her grandmother. The story also explores complex family situations: Lenore and her brother Damien were raised by their paternal grandmother. Their dad was a deadbeat and their mom abandoned them on the grandma’s doorstep. This interesting plot line is explored thought the story.
As Lenore and Callan spend more time together, they fall back into old habits and feelings. There is also a layer of mystery surrounding antique paintings Lenore finds in the attic. As she and Callan begin to fall for each other, Lenore has to grapple with the impending sale of the house and where she will land. She also has to decide what’s next for her career wise.
Don’t miss this tender story, out September 8, 2026. Perfect for fans of Ellen O’Clover. I can’t wait to come back and read this story again in the fall.
Thank you to Kristyn J. Miller, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fall Into Place was a highly anticipated fall romance for me and I’m so lucky I got to read it in advance of pub day! I’ve loved Kristyn J. Miller’s books since Given Our History. As soon as I finished, I was homesick for Lenore and Callan. I wanted to start the story again. Even though grief is a main theme, I found it comforting and rooted in understanding and truth.
Fall Into Place is an emotional, nostalgic, slow burn romance. Our FMC Lenore is dealing with a lot: the loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s, grappling with the sale of the family farm house, and generally feeling lost in her life and career. She comes home to French Farm, to spend three weeks there before the house is sold. As Lenore cleans out the attic, she reads her grandmother’s journals, reminiscing on her childhood, including her crush on the groundskeeper’s son Callan.
Told in dual POV between Lenore and Callan, the story also has journal entries weaved in throughout. The underlying tones of grief and reckoning with what you want in life, Miller has truly outdone herself with the sentimentality in Fall Into Place. Anyone who has ever lost a grandparent or family member to Alzheimer’s will feel this story deeply. I liked Lenore rediscovering her hometown through Cal’s eyes, from a man who hasn’t left. Everything they felt is written so intimately, it was hard not to fall in love with Lenore and Cal as a couple.
Miller’s writing is extremely beautiful and vulnerable. Her metaphors are stunning and, at times, heartbreaking. I so deeply felt so many of the things Lenore thought to herself, about herself, and about her grandmother. The story also explores complex family situations: Lenore and her brother Damien were raised by their paternal grandmother. Their dad was a deadbeat and their mom abandoned them on the grandma’s doorstep. This interesting plot line is explored thought the story.
As Lenore and Callan spend more time together, they fall back into old habits and feelings. There is also a layer of mystery surrounding antique paintings Lenore finds in the attic. As she and Callan begin to fall for each other, Lenore has to grapple with the impending sale of the house and where she will land. She also has to decide what’s next for her career wise.
Don’t miss this tender story, out September 8, 2026. Perfect for fans of Ellen O’Clover. I can’t wait to come back and read this story again in the fall.
Thank you to Kristyn J. Miller, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 12, 2026
Title: Fall Into Place
Author: Kristyn J. Miller
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Lenore (FMC) & Callan (MMC)
What to expect:
*Brother’s best friend
*Friends to Lovers
*Small town Slow burn
Safety:
No OW/OM drama, no third act breakup. Death of parents/grandparents off page. Grandparent with Alzheimer’s. Mentions of a side character with postpartum depression.
Review:
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it a lot! I am always a fan of a small town romance, especially when it includes the best friend of the FMC’s brother!
Our FMC, Lenore is returning home to finalize the sale of her grandmothers house after her passing. While there, she reconnects with her brother’s best friend, and her long time crush, Callan. Our MMC has been taking care of the grandmothers house and land for years, always hoping that Lenore would return home one day.
FMC was engaged to OM for a little while, he was not in the story at all. MMC mentions a few hookups over the years, but says it was not a regular occurrence at all, and they were not local women.
This is a slow burn, closed door romance but still very touching and romantic! There were no games between the two main characters, they talked through what they both wanted out of the relationship and worked together to get their HEA!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title!
Author: Kristyn J. Miller
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Lenore (FMC) & Callan (MMC)
What to expect:
*Brother’s best friend
*Friends to Lovers
*Small town Slow burn
Safety:
No OW/OM drama, no third act breakup. Death of parents/grandparents off page. Grandparent with Alzheimer’s. Mentions of a side character with postpartum depression.
Review:
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it a lot! I am always a fan of a small town romance, especially when it includes the best friend of the FMC’s brother!
Our FMC, Lenore is returning home to finalize the sale of her grandmothers house after her passing. While there, she reconnects with her brother’s best friend, and her long time crush, Callan. Our MMC has been taking care of the grandmothers house and land for years, always hoping that Lenore would return home one day.
FMC was engaged to OM for a little while, he was not in the story at all. MMC mentions a few hookups over the years, but says it was not a regular occurrence at all, and they were not local women.
This is a slow burn, closed door romance but still very touching and romantic! There were no games between the two main characters, they talked through what they both wanted out of the relationship and worked together to get their HEA!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lenore returns home to say goodbye to her childhood home and put her grief over her grandmother to rest as best as she can. Selling the house and property is the only thing they can do when it's falling apart and they don't have the funds to keep up with it. Callan, her brother's best friend, has worked at the property for years and has his own goodbyes to manage. Facing the other after so long brings up a lot of history and feelings that are hard to ignore.
Perfect book boyfriend incoming! Adored every moment reading and savored all of the humor, bits of history, autumnal Vermont setting, the letters, and the, of course, romance. The whole thing felt so accessible and relatable while still having a special sort of something that will make this a top read for me this year. It feels completely cozy and makes me yearn for apple cider, comfy sweaters, and cool temps. I adore Kristyn's way with words and how she pulls emotions through. I already want to reread!
Thank you SMP for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Perfect book boyfriend incoming! Adored every moment reading and savored all of the humor, bits of history, autumnal Vermont setting, the letters, and the, of course, romance. The whole thing felt so accessible and relatable while still having a special sort of something that will make this a top read for me this year. It feels completely cozy and makes me yearn for apple cider, comfy sweaters, and cool temps. I adore Kristyn's way with words and how she pulls emotions through. I already want to reread!
Thank you SMP for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 16, 2026
FALL INTO PLACE (ARC) | ★★★★☆.5 | KINDLE
lenore’s life is falling apart. she has one final goodbye to make. one that sends her out of manhattan and back to vermont.
the families historic apple orchard farmhouse is up for sale. and with the sale looming, lenore only has so long before it will be gone from her life for good.
except lenore can’t seem to find the right words. her grandmother who raised her and her brother, poured her heart and soul into the home. and left tidbits of history through letters, letters that lenore is slowly trying to make her way through.
the more truth uncovered the more that lenore starts to hang in the balance.
and her childhood crush, just happens to be the groundskeeper.
this book was like a warm, breezy autumn day. it felt lush and beautiful and told such a wonderful story that had me encapsulated. i adored the aesthetics of this book, it felt so homey and welcoming. the grief aspect was really well done and it really hit home for me. it made me feel connected to lenore and her character. i also found myself absolutely loving callan, the way he balanced lenore and showed that freeing side to her. i like that he made her question herself and what it was that she truly valued and wanted from life.
the way lenore would react made a lot of sense for her character who is consumed by grief. especially in the short amount of time that we get to know the characters and their history. i actually wish that this book was longer because i became very attached to the characters and their story. i wanted a longer time to have been able to sit with them.
@kristynjmiller thank you for this beautiful book and beautiful story. it really hit me hard in my heart and there were points where i definitely had tears falling.
thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e-arc.
this is the perfect romance with a little bit of mystery and healing in all the best ways! fall into place releases 09.08.26!
lenore’s life is falling apart. she has one final goodbye to make. one that sends her out of manhattan and back to vermont.
the families historic apple orchard farmhouse is up for sale. and with the sale looming, lenore only has so long before it will be gone from her life for good.
except lenore can’t seem to find the right words. her grandmother who raised her and her brother, poured her heart and soul into the home. and left tidbits of history through letters, letters that lenore is slowly trying to make her way through.
the more truth uncovered the more that lenore starts to hang in the balance.
and her childhood crush, just happens to be the groundskeeper.
this book was like a warm, breezy autumn day. it felt lush and beautiful and told such a wonderful story that had me encapsulated. i adored the aesthetics of this book, it felt so homey and welcoming. the grief aspect was really well done and it really hit home for me. it made me feel connected to lenore and her character. i also found myself absolutely loving callan, the way he balanced lenore and showed that freeing side to her. i like that he made her question herself and what it was that she truly valued and wanted from life.
the way lenore would react made a lot of sense for her character who is consumed by grief. especially in the short amount of time that we get to know the characters and their history. i actually wish that this book was longer because i became very attached to the characters and their story. i wanted a longer time to have been able to sit with them.
@kristynjmiller thank you for this beautiful book and beautiful story. it really hit me hard in my heart and there were points where i definitely had tears falling.
thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e-arc.
this is the perfect romance with a little bit of mystery and healing in all the best ways! fall into place releases 09.08.26!
July 21, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for access to this arc.
After her life unravels, Lenore returns to her family’s Vermont apple orchard for one final autumn before it’s sold. While sorting through her late grandmother’s journal, she reconnects with childhood memories and old feelings for Callan, the farm’s groundskeeper and her brother’s best friend. As the two face uncertain futures and revisit their shared past, they discover that home, love, and the dreams they once held may not be what they expected.
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but I really wish there was more of a connection between Lenore and Cal. I like them together, but it was hard for me to see the full picture into their relationship. It felt as though there could have been separate plot lines, there was a lot going on at once. It was a cute story, but I wish it had a bit more depth. Overall, it was a cute and easy read.
After her life unravels, Lenore returns to her family’s Vermont apple orchard for one final autumn before it’s sold. While sorting through her late grandmother’s journal, she reconnects with childhood memories and old feelings for Callan, the farm’s groundskeeper and her brother’s best friend. As the two face uncertain futures and revisit their shared past, they discover that home, love, and the dreams they once held may not be what they expected.
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but I really wish there was more of a connection between Lenore and Cal. I like them together, but it was hard for me to see the full picture into their relationship. It felt as though there could have been separate plot lines, there was a lot going on at once. It was a cute story, but I wish it had a bit more depth. Overall, it was a cute and easy read.
July 25, 2026
5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to St Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for a gifted advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I know when I’m in for a very special read when I stop after the first chapter and immediately want everyone to read this book. The way I devoured this book and forfeited a full night of sleep for this story speaks to how tightly it held me in its grasp. This story is so delicious and tender, I was clutching my chest and kicking my feet for the majority of my read.
The honest hesitancy and eventual connection between Callan and Lenore is so delicious. Tenderness, sweetness, and loving your people HARD are the name of the game in this story. The relationships and dynamics of returning back to your small hometown in the wake of tragedy and loss are explored with such straightforward honestly that this feels so believable and relatable, even if you’ve never held those experiences.
The writing is so beautiful, rich, and lush in its own right without being gratuitous that I felt drawn in, connected, and rooted to cozy Whitbury, Vermont. I wish I could visit and pick some apples on the French Farm. ❤️
Thank you to St Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for a gifted advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I know when I’m in for a very special read when I stop after the first chapter and immediately want everyone to read this book. The way I devoured this book and forfeited a full night of sleep for this story speaks to how tightly it held me in its grasp. This story is so delicious and tender, I was clutching my chest and kicking my feet for the majority of my read.
The honest hesitancy and eventual connection between Callan and Lenore is so delicious. Tenderness, sweetness, and loving your people HARD are the name of the game in this story. The relationships and dynamics of returning back to your small hometown in the wake of tragedy and loss are explored with such straightforward honestly that this feels so believable and relatable, even if you’ve never held those experiences.
The writing is so beautiful, rich, and lush in its own right without being gratuitous that I felt drawn in, connected, and rooted to cozy Whitbury, Vermont. I wish I could visit and pick some apples on the French Farm. ❤️
July 4, 2026
Arc read from net galley. Thank you net galley and the author for the opportunity to read the advanced copy, I am leaving a review voluntarily.
This book did start off a little slow but once you really get into it you instantly fall in love with the story. The characters side stories and how everything all comes together in the end really made me appreciate the book. I do wish that I could have got more on Lenore and cal so hoping for a sequel. My favorite part is looking back on the grandmothers life through the journal entries just really made me attached to a character without them actively alive in the story.
This book did start off a little slow but once you really get into it you instantly fall in love with the story. The characters side stories and how everything all comes together in the end really made me appreciate the book. I do wish that I could have got more on Lenore and cal so hoping for a sequel. My favorite part is looking back on the grandmothers life through the journal entries just really made me attached to a character without them actively alive in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Fall into Place is about city gal Lenore who returns to her sleepy hometown post broken engagement and grapples with the latent grief of her grandmother (and primary parental figure)'s passing to Alzheimer's. In the meantime, romantic tensions build as she finds comfort in the arms of her childhood crush (not to mention, older brother's best friend) while scouring the town's history to uncover the stories behind some very old paintings she uncovers in her attic.
This novel was a very sweet read and felt like the better version of a fall hallmark movie. The novel alternates between excerpts from her grandmother's journal that Lenore is reading and the present day, with chapter titles counting down the days till her grandmother's farmhouse is officially sold. The latter adds a nice layer of suspense and urgency that kept me reading, along with the little historical mystery subplot. But, in all, the story centered on Lenore and Callan's re-introduction to each other and their feelings for one another. Their romantic build up had enough tension to compensate for perhaps a less developed backstory of their supposed romantic back and forth growing up.
The novel is a dual POV between Lenore and Callan, and Lenore is the clear protagonist with Callan's POV centered around her more than anything, but strangely without more reflections or memories about his feelings for her in the past or their interactions as kids other than the very last time that they saw each other. This made me feel a little like I was looking into a window and catching a moment in time between two people across the street, filling in more in my head of how they ended up that way. Usually this wouldn't have been a huge issue since this is clearly Lenore's story, but because Callan had a full POV to build up their history from his side, and instead was mostly just pining and longing for her in the present day while just stating that he's always carried a torch for her in the past.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the development of their relationship in the present day, w/butterflies, etc from his POV too, but he states he's had latent feelings for her since they were young with not very much to show for it other than a mini-self emollition/sabotage moment at her brother's wedding in the past. I am a little curious of why he also couldn't have just fully developed his feelings more so when they met again (present day) or even not had as much of an emphasis on the fact that he *always* loved her. This is really small but consequential to the ultimate romantic payoff enough to seem more surface level than it should have. It worked well enough for me, but I did keep waiting for more of his historical yearning since he had a full POV rather than just mentions of him noticing she really likes mythology.
In Lenore's POV there is not much more of their history either other than just declarations of a girlhood crush and aforementioned last interaction, which I think bugged me less because Lenore had more interiority and relationships falling under the category of "things I left behind or fell a part after I left town" she was parsing through that make her journey more engaging while Callan's pretty much just centers Lenore. Her backstory and relationship with Shelley, a best friend she had growing up, even had more of past to present conflict and payoff that felt more raw and genuine then the origins of Callan and Lenore, despite being a pretty small subplot --if it can even be called that. Callan's POV doesn't even have any evidence of the depth of his relationship with Lenore's brother Damien, his supposed best friend and a huge reason why Callan was holding back from succumbing to his feelings for Lenore. Callan's lack of characterization and personality depth in anything outside of his attraction to Lenore took the wind of the sails of any big plot moves or obstacles he went through--even in their relationship. It took a chunk out of the emotional impact of novel's final resolution and my investment in their relationship/how deep it was, despite their present day build up being very cute and engaging.
All that to say, Fall with Me was still a treat to read and the epitome of whatever you call the autumn version of a light beach read. I'd recommend this as a light, heartwarming read with a hearty romance that you could enjoy in one night-- maybe with some apple cider courtesy of the French family orchard, which somehow runs itself well enough to pay for a full groundskeeper, thanks to the fall magic that allows us to suspend our belief a bit for the sake of romance.
Fall into Place is about city gal Lenore who returns to her sleepy hometown post broken engagement and grapples with the latent grief of her grandmother (and primary parental figure)'s passing to Alzheimer's. In the meantime, romantic tensions build as she finds comfort in the arms of her childhood crush (not to mention, older brother's best friend) while scouring the town's history to uncover the stories behind some very old paintings she uncovers in her attic.
This novel was a very sweet read and felt like the better version of a fall hallmark movie. The novel alternates between excerpts from her grandmother's journal that Lenore is reading and the present day, with chapter titles counting down the days till her grandmother's farmhouse is officially sold. The latter adds a nice layer of suspense and urgency that kept me reading, along with the little historical mystery subplot. But, in all, the story centered on Lenore and Callan's re-introduction to each other and their feelings for one another. Their romantic build up had enough tension to compensate for perhaps a less developed backstory of their supposed romantic back and forth growing up.
The novel is a dual POV between Lenore and Callan, and Lenore is the clear protagonist with Callan's POV centered around her more than anything, but strangely without more reflections or memories about his feelings for her in the past or their interactions as kids other than the very last time that they saw each other. This made me feel a little like I was looking into a window and catching a moment in time between two people across the street, filling in more in my head of how they ended up that way. Usually this wouldn't have been a huge issue since this is clearly Lenore's story, but because Callan had a full POV to build up their history from his side, and instead was mostly just pining and longing for her in the present day while just stating that he's always carried a torch for her in the past.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the development of their relationship in the present day, w/butterflies, etc from his POV too, but he states he's had latent feelings for her since they were young with not very much to show for it other than a mini-self emollition/sabotage moment at her brother's wedding in the past. I am a little curious of why he also couldn't have just fully developed his feelings more so when they met again (present day) or even not had as much of an emphasis on the fact that he *always* loved her. This is really small but consequential to the ultimate romantic payoff enough to seem more surface level than it should have. It worked well enough for me, but I did keep waiting for more of his historical yearning since he had a full POV rather than just mentions of him noticing she really likes mythology.
In Lenore's POV there is not much more of their history either other than just declarations of a girlhood crush and aforementioned last interaction, which I think bugged me less because Lenore had more interiority and relationships falling under the category of "things I left behind or fell a part after I left town" she was parsing through that make her journey more engaging while Callan's pretty much just centers Lenore. Her backstory and relationship with Shelley, a best friend she had growing up, even had more of past to present conflict and payoff that felt more raw and genuine then the origins of Callan and Lenore, despite being a pretty small subplot --if it can even be called that. Callan's POV doesn't even have any evidence of the depth of his relationship with Lenore's brother Damien, his supposed best friend and a huge reason why Callan was holding back from succumbing to his feelings for Lenore. Callan's lack of characterization and personality depth in anything outside of his attraction to Lenore took the wind of the sails of any big plot moves or obstacles he went through--even in their relationship. It took a chunk out of the emotional impact of novel's final resolution and my investment in their relationship/how deep it was, despite their present day build up being very cute and engaging.
All that to say, Fall with Me was still a treat to read and the epitome of whatever you call the autumn version of a light beach read. I'd recommend this as a light, heartwarming read with a hearty romance that you could enjoy in one night-- maybe with some apple cider courtesy of the French family orchard, which somehow runs itself well enough to pay for a full groundskeeper, thanks to the fall magic that allows us to suspend our belief a bit for the sake of romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of ARC received from NetGalley
I was completely caught off guard by Fall Into Place. Going into this book thinking it was simply a slow burn romance, I instead got a beautiful story intricately weaving generational trauma and grief into something much deeper — a story about how love lives in our DNA.
Lenore left Whitbury and her grandmother's generations old home and apple orchard, French Hill, eight years ago with big dreams of becoming a gallery artist in New York City. She returns weeks before the sale of the estate, quietly broken, carrying guilt and shame over a life that did not turn out the way she planned and a grandmother she was not there for at the end. What she finds waiting for her is Callan, the groundskeeper, her brother's childhood best friend and the boy she always had feelings for. Their reunion is anything but warm. Callan's concern comes out not as a warm welcome but as a practical observation about tick season. Kristyn J. Miller captures the particular texture of New England personalities perfectly in that first exchange:
"His voice has that curt quality that so many New Englanders have, caring about you in a cut-and-dry way that doesn't spare your feelings."
As a New Englander myself, I appreciated how precisely the author captured that quality.
The slow burn between Lenore and Callan is patient and earned. Two people who have been quietly circling each other for years, both convinced they are not enough, finally forced into the same space at a moment when everything is about to change. The push and pull between them feels real because their doubts feel real.
What truly sets this book apart is the generational love story woven through it. As Lenore reads her late grandmother's journal and sorts through the attic of French Hill, she discovers a series of old paintings with a barely legible signature. The search for the painter unravels a love story that has been waiting centuries to be finished. The author weaves two original families of Whitbury together across generations in a way that is quietly breathtaking. There is a quote that sits at the heart of this story:
"Love means holding on to something because it's sentimental, rather than because of any particular usefulness. Love isn't meant to be useful. It's only meant to be."
That line alone is worth the read. Lenore's grandmother once told her that "love is kept in the attic." By the end of this book you may find that it can also be found above the mantle.
Underneath all of it run themes of abandonment, grief, self worth, and what it means to finally stop waiting for permission to take up space in your own life. This is a beautifully written, emotionally satisfying story that I highly recommend for readers who love small town romance, multigenerational family stories, and books that remind you that some love stories just take a little longer to find their way home.
I was completely caught off guard by Fall Into Place. Going into this book thinking it was simply a slow burn romance, I instead got a beautiful story intricately weaving generational trauma and grief into something much deeper — a story about how love lives in our DNA.
Lenore left Whitbury and her grandmother's generations old home and apple orchard, French Hill, eight years ago with big dreams of becoming a gallery artist in New York City. She returns weeks before the sale of the estate, quietly broken, carrying guilt and shame over a life that did not turn out the way she planned and a grandmother she was not there for at the end. What she finds waiting for her is Callan, the groundskeeper, her brother's childhood best friend and the boy she always had feelings for. Their reunion is anything but warm. Callan's concern comes out not as a warm welcome but as a practical observation about tick season. Kristyn J. Miller captures the particular texture of New England personalities perfectly in that first exchange:
"His voice has that curt quality that so many New Englanders have, caring about you in a cut-and-dry way that doesn't spare your feelings."
As a New Englander myself, I appreciated how precisely the author captured that quality.
The slow burn between Lenore and Callan is patient and earned. Two people who have been quietly circling each other for years, both convinced they are not enough, finally forced into the same space at a moment when everything is about to change. The push and pull between them feels real because their doubts feel real.
What truly sets this book apart is the generational love story woven through it. As Lenore reads her late grandmother's journal and sorts through the attic of French Hill, she discovers a series of old paintings with a barely legible signature. The search for the painter unravels a love story that has been waiting centuries to be finished. The author weaves two original families of Whitbury together across generations in a way that is quietly breathtaking. There is a quote that sits at the heart of this story:
"Love means holding on to something because it's sentimental, rather than because of any particular usefulness. Love isn't meant to be useful. It's only meant to be."
That line alone is worth the read. Lenore's grandmother once told her that "love is kept in the attic." By the end of this book you may find that it can also be found above the mantle.
Underneath all of it run themes of abandonment, grief, self worth, and what it means to finally stop waiting for permission to take up space in your own life. This is a beautifully written, emotionally satisfying story that I highly recommend for readers who love small town romance, multigenerational family stories, and books that remind you that some love stories just take a little longer to find their way home.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you are looking for a contemporary romance that reads like a warm flannel blanket, a hot cup of apple cider, and a crisp autumn afternoon all rolled into one, Fall into Place needs to be at the top of your TBR list. What makes this book stand out from the endless sea of small-town romances is its deep, resonant emotional core. Kristyn J. Miller balances a genuinely cozy aesthetic with a poignant exploration of grief, the sacrifice of the creative spirit, and what it truly means to move forward when your foundation crumbles. It’s far more than just a sweet love story; it’s a beautifully written meditation on home.
The story introduces us to Lenore French, an artist whose life and career in New York City are currently fracturing. When she is called back to her rural Vermont hometown, it’s for a bittersweet reason: she has exactly three weeks to say goodbye to French Hill Farm, her family’s historic apple orchard, before it is officially sold. The farm holds everything that once inspired her, alongside the memory of her beloved grandmother. While packing up the attic and sorting through old journals, Lenore is forced to confront her past—including Callan, the groundskeeper's son, her brother's best friend, and her childhood crush. Callan has spent his life working the orchard, and with the impending sale, his own future is suddenly thrown into complete uncertainty. As the days count down to the property sale, the two are forced to figure out if their paths can finally align.
The positive aspects of this novel absolutely shine. Miller excels at creating a visceral sense of place. You can practically smell the woodsmoke and the fallen apples on the morning mist. The dual perspective between Lenore and Callan is expertly handled, allowing readers to see how two people can look at the exact same small town and see two completely different things: a cage to escape versus a sanctuary to protect. The integration of the grandmother's journal entries adds a lovely, nostalgic layer to the plot that keeps the pages turning without ever disrupting the slow-burn chemistry between the leads.
If there is any critique to be made, it lies in the structural pacing of the final act. Because the book functions as a literal countdown to the sale of the house, the ultimate resolution felt a bit rushed in comparison to the beautifully slow, intentional burn of the first two-thirds of the novel. The transition from the heavy, complex family dynamics and career crises to the final happily-ever-after wrapped up a little too neatly, leaving a few lingering emotional threads that could have benefited from a few more chapters of breathing room.
Ultimately, Fall into Place is a tender, heart-tugging, and atmospheric romance that handles heavy themes like grief and displacement with an incredibly gentle touch. It is a perfect second-chance, best-friend's-sibling romance that will completely capture readers' hearts.
The story introduces us to Lenore French, an artist whose life and career in New York City are currently fracturing. When she is called back to her rural Vermont hometown, it’s for a bittersweet reason: she has exactly three weeks to say goodbye to French Hill Farm, her family’s historic apple orchard, before it is officially sold. The farm holds everything that once inspired her, alongside the memory of her beloved grandmother. While packing up the attic and sorting through old journals, Lenore is forced to confront her past—including Callan, the groundskeeper's son, her brother's best friend, and her childhood crush. Callan has spent his life working the orchard, and with the impending sale, his own future is suddenly thrown into complete uncertainty. As the days count down to the property sale, the two are forced to figure out if their paths can finally align.
The positive aspects of this novel absolutely shine. Miller excels at creating a visceral sense of place. You can practically smell the woodsmoke and the fallen apples on the morning mist. The dual perspective between Lenore and Callan is expertly handled, allowing readers to see how two people can look at the exact same small town and see two completely different things: a cage to escape versus a sanctuary to protect. The integration of the grandmother's journal entries adds a lovely, nostalgic layer to the plot that keeps the pages turning without ever disrupting the slow-burn chemistry between the leads.
If there is any critique to be made, it lies in the structural pacing of the final act. Because the book functions as a literal countdown to the sale of the house, the ultimate resolution felt a bit rushed in comparison to the beautifully slow, intentional burn of the first two-thirds of the novel. The transition from the heavy, complex family dynamics and career crises to the final happily-ever-after wrapped up a little too neatly, leaving a few lingering emotional threads that could have benefited from a few more chapters of breathing room.
Ultimately, Fall into Place is a tender, heart-tugging, and atmospheric romance that handles heavy themes like grief and displacement with an incredibly gentle touch. It is a perfect second-chance, best-friend's-sibling romance that will completely capture readers' hearts.
May 17, 2026
Lenore returns to her hometown after ending things with her fiancée, where she reconnects with Callan — her brother’s best friend and childhood crush. Life hasn’t turned out the way she planned, and while being home begins to reconnect her with old parts of herself, she has to decide whether this is somewhere she actually wants to stay.
I’m not going to say I didn’t enjoy reading this book, because I definitely did. Kristin J. Miller’s prose is genuinely strong, and the chemistry between Lenore and Callan was absolutely there. The sparks were sparking. But overall, I found myself strangely disconnected from the story.
I think my biggest struggle was with Lenore herself. She felt oddly flat to me, and I never fully connected to her POV. We’re told she feels lost and uncertain about her future, but I never really felt her hopes, dreams, or desires beyond what the story explicitly stated.
Which made for an interesting contrast with Callan, who actually had strong emotional development, but whose character motivations also confused me. He seemed deeply insecure and hesitant about pursuing Lenore, which to me suggested someone who wanted more out of life — yet he also seemed completely content staying exactly where he was forever with little ambition outside of the relationship. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a quieter or slower-paced life, I never fully understood what personally fulfilled him outside of Lenore.
I think that disconnect was what kept the story from fully working for me. The characters’ emotions often felt disconnected from their actual storylines and motivations. By the end, I also found myself growing frustrated with how long Callan’s insecurities dragged on despite the very obvious chemistry between them.
Maybe part of this is simply that I’m too much of a career girlie for this story to fully resonate with me. But I also think there’s a difference between not wanting to be defined by your career and not having anything that feels personally motivating at all. I don’t think fulfillment has to come from ambition or career success specifically, but I do think people tend to feel most complete when they have passions, goals, or interests outside of their responsibilities and relationships. Lenore had that through her art, but I never fully felt that from Callan.
That said, I still enjoyed the reading experience overall, even if the characters themselves left me with more questions than answers.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not going to say I didn’t enjoy reading this book, because I definitely did. Kristin J. Miller’s prose is genuinely strong, and the chemistry between Lenore and Callan was absolutely there. The sparks were sparking. But overall, I found myself strangely disconnected from the story.
I think my biggest struggle was with Lenore herself. She felt oddly flat to me, and I never fully connected to her POV. We’re told she feels lost and uncertain about her future, but I never really felt her hopes, dreams, or desires beyond what the story explicitly stated.
Which made for an interesting contrast with Callan, who actually had strong emotional development, but whose character motivations also confused me. He seemed deeply insecure and hesitant about pursuing Lenore, which to me suggested someone who wanted more out of life — yet he also seemed completely content staying exactly where he was forever with little ambition outside of the relationship. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a quieter or slower-paced life, I never fully understood what personally fulfilled him outside of Lenore.
I think that disconnect was what kept the story from fully working for me. The characters’ emotions often felt disconnected from their actual storylines and motivations. By the end, I also found myself growing frustrated with how long Callan’s insecurities dragged on despite the very obvious chemistry between them.
Maybe part of this is simply that I’m too much of a career girlie for this story to fully resonate with me. But I also think there’s a difference between not wanting to be defined by your career and not having anything that feels personally motivating at all. I don’t think fulfillment has to come from ambition or career success specifically, but I do think people tend to feel most complete when they have passions, goals, or interests outside of their responsibilities and relationships. Lenore had that through her art, but I never fully felt that from Callan.
That said, I still enjoyed the reading experience overall, even if the characters themselves left me with more questions than answers.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2026
Advanced copy provided by St. Martin's Griffin, NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
4⭐️ this had all my favorites — brothers best friend romance, fall in small town new england, and kristyn j miller! needless to say i was super excited to get my hands on this.
while i love-loved all the major plot points of the story (the pining!! the fall fair and orchard setting!! the concept of love and memory woven throughout!! loosing yourself and finding yourself back at home!!), i felt that some areas did feel a little rushed.
one thing i absolutely love about kristyn j miller is the details — every landscape and every character is described in crystal clear imagery. while this is great, it does make the points that aren’t as detailed stand out even more. take duke for example… don’t give me a dog in a cozy autumn romance if he isn’t AT LEAST a side character?!?
another area the lack of detail really stands out to me is shelby. yes she’s lenore’s former best friend, but other than one insignificant coffee shop scene, we don’t get a ton of closure on what brought them together and why they can’t move past the events if something that took place nearly a decade prior. also, rain proposing friendship but nothing ever happening??? what a strange addition.
then there’s the issues of money that are continually brought up especially at the beginning of the story. you’re telling me she can survive in the financial district of nyc on just a barista’s salary AND take three weeks unpaid vacation AND drive around a rental/afford to eat/rekindle a hobby? on top of that, the barely functioning farm somehow supports a full time groundskeeper and his father? and this dude is just willy-nilly forking out cash at the fair to win her a stuffed animal that wont even fit in her nyc apartment. it’s all for love.. i get it. and that’s why i’m willing to suspend a little bit of disbelief. but seriously, i thought there was going to be a bigger plot point surrounding thomas’ overdue bills?
is this perfect? no. but i think, to some extent, that kind of matches the feeling of this story (that sounds bad but i promise i mean in a good way). lenore is just like any twenty-something at the crossroads of who they always wanted to be and where they are meant to go. things are messy and dealt with as they come. combining this with navigating love and loss is obviously a huge feat that i think miller tackled well without bogging us down is the nitty gritty specifics that would’ve ultimately taken us away from the romance at the heart of the book.
4⭐️ this had all my favorites — brothers best friend romance, fall in small town new england, and kristyn j miller! needless to say i was super excited to get my hands on this.
while i love-loved all the major plot points of the story (the pining!! the fall fair and orchard setting!! the concept of love and memory woven throughout!! loosing yourself and finding yourself back at home!!), i felt that some areas did feel a little rushed.
one thing i absolutely love about kristyn j miller is the details — every landscape and every character is described in crystal clear imagery. while this is great, it does make the points that aren’t as detailed stand out even more. take duke for example… don’t give me a dog in a cozy autumn romance if he isn’t AT LEAST a side character?!?
another area the lack of detail really stands out to me is shelby. yes she’s lenore’s former best friend, but other than one insignificant coffee shop scene, we don’t get a ton of closure on what brought them together and why they can’t move past the events if something that took place nearly a decade prior. also, rain proposing friendship but nothing ever happening??? what a strange addition.
then there’s the issues of money that are continually brought up especially at the beginning of the story. you’re telling me she can survive in the financial district of nyc on just a barista’s salary AND take three weeks unpaid vacation AND drive around a rental/afford to eat/rekindle a hobby? on top of that, the barely functioning farm somehow supports a full time groundskeeper and his father? and this dude is just willy-nilly forking out cash at the fair to win her a stuffed animal that wont even fit in her nyc apartment. it’s all for love.. i get it. and that’s why i’m willing to suspend a little bit of disbelief. but seriously, i thought there was going to be a bigger plot point surrounding thomas’ overdue bills?
is this perfect? no. but i think, to some extent, that kind of matches the feeling of this story (that sounds bad but i promise i mean in a good way). lenore is just like any twenty-something at the crossroads of who they always wanted to be and where they are meant to go. things are messy and dealt with as they come. combining this with navigating love and loss is obviously a huge feat that i think miller tackled well without bogging us down is the nitty gritty specifics that would’ve ultimately taken us away from the romance at the heart of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This didn't hit the way that I thought it would, unfortunately. I liked the general premise and set up -- you generally can't go wrong with a small town brother's best friend romance, after all. I think, though, the fact that the non-romantic/B plot didn't really get going till halfway into the book, the story just felt a little one-dimensional for a good portion of time. Lenore was a relatable FMC for sure, and I think that her battle with her grief made her story really heartrending -- her opening internal monologue literally made me tear up because it was such a sad and beautiful way of looking at grief and love. I think her coming back to her old small town and living in her grandmother's house made a lot of sense for the confusing feelings swirling through her, but the plot with trying to learn more about the house's history and, to some extent, finding a way to continue living there felt odd at times. That part of the plot felt a little half-hearted, almost. It felt like an afterthought, compared to the romance.
I think, usually, I wouldn't mind that so much if the romance was so strong to keep me entertained despite the lack of an equally strong B plot. However, I think the romance fell a little flat for me too. It started off great, with the mutual pining and yearning that had spanned years. But in a lot of ways, I feel like Lenore and Callan never really got past that early stage feeling of love that stemmed from their childhood feelings for each other. There just didn't feel like there was quite enough of them actually communicating to bring their relationship from something that they had put a pedestal for years to something that would actually persist. It almost got there, for me, with the fair scene, but it just ultimately felt like it skimmed the surface rather than feeling full of depth.
I wish I liked this more :( I think the autumnal vibes were definitely stellar -- it had me wanting to go to a cider mill so badly, even though today felt like the first day of spring where I live! But, besides that, I just felt like I was missing something.
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Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
I think, usually, I wouldn't mind that so much if the romance was so strong to keep me entertained despite the lack of an equally strong B plot. However, I think the romance fell a little flat for me too. It started off great, with the mutual pining and yearning that had spanned years. But in a lot of ways, I feel like Lenore and Callan never really got past that early stage feeling of love that stemmed from their childhood feelings for each other. There just didn't feel like there was quite enough of them actually communicating to bring their relationship from something that they had put a pedestal for years to something that would actually persist. It almost got there, for me, with the fair scene, but it just ultimately felt like it skimmed the surface rather than feeling full of depth.
I wish I liked this more :( I think the autumnal vibes were definitely stellar -- it had me wanting to go to a cider mill so badly, even though today felt like the first day of spring where I live! But, besides that, I just felt like I was missing something.
--------------
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)
Fall into Place by Kristyn J. Miller tells the emotional but heartwarming story of Lenore French, an artist in a rough patch struggling with what feels like her failing career and the recent loss of her beloved Gran, and Callan Bradford, her brother's best friend and the childhood crush she never quite got over. Lenore decides to return home seeking clarity for her next steps in life and maybe closure for the relationship with her Gran that she's still grieving. Not long after her arrival, she finds Callan there -- still working as the property's groundskeeper til the very end, apparently. Their reintroduction sets a series of events in motion that helps get her on the path to exactly where she never knew she'd be going, but needed to go.
Where do I start? This book has my heart. It was so incredibly well-written; a thoroughly considered plot, an incredible cast of characters, descriptions of scenery and landscapes and foods and smells that had me picturing the story in my head like it was a movie. It's one of those books you can just feel yourself getting immersed in, not only for the setting but for the characters. I felt like I really knew them, each and every one, even the characters who had only very little background information conveyed; not an easy thing for an author to do.
I love when an FMC and MMC have history, and I love that the author was able to give us a sense of that history without the use of flashbacks. Lenore and Callan had chemistry from the start and it only got better as the pages wore on!
I loved Lenore. I ached for all the ways she'd been hurt in life, and I admired her for staying true to herself, even when fitting into the mold would have been easier. And I loved Callan. A true good guy who would do anything and everything for Lenore.
This book didn't leave me wanting for anything, other than for the story to keep going and never end! I loved it. I wish there were better words to explain it, but I loved it. An instant classic and favorite for me. I couldn't put it down. And yes. I've found another auto-buy author!
Fall into Place by Kristyn J. Miller tells the emotional but heartwarming story of Lenore French, an artist in a rough patch struggling with what feels like her failing career and the recent loss of her beloved Gran, and Callan Bradford, her brother's best friend and the childhood crush she never quite got over. Lenore decides to return home seeking clarity for her next steps in life and maybe closure for the relationship with her Gran that she's still grieving. Not long after her arrival, she finds Callan there -- still working as the property's groundskeeper til the very end, apparently. Their reintroduction sets a series of events in motion that helps get her on the path to exactly where she never knew she'd be going, but needed to go.
Where do I start? This book has my heart. It was so incredibly well-written; a thoroughly considered plot, an incredible cast of characters, descriptions of scenery and landscapes and foods and smells that had me picturing the story in my head like it was a movie. It's one of those books you can just feel yourself getting immersed in, not only for the setting but for the characters. I felt like I really knew them, each and every one, even the characters who had only very little background information conveyed; not an easy thing for an author to do.
I love when an FMC and MMC have history, and I love that the author was able to give us a sense of that history without the use of flashbacks. Lenore and Callan had chemistry from the start and it only got better as the pages wore on!
I loved Lenore. I ached for all the ways she'd been hurt in life, and I admired her for staying true to herself, even when fitting into the mold would have been easier. And I loved Callan. A true good guy who would do anything and everything for Lenore.
This book didn't leave me wanting for anything, other than for the story to keep going and never end! I loved it. I wish there were better words to explain it, but I loved it. An instant classic and favorite for me. I couldn't put it down. And yes. I've found another auto-buy author!
August 13, 2026
I spent part of my evening with Kristyn J. Miller’s Fall into Place, and honestly, a Vermont apple orchard in autumn sounded like exactly the escape I wanted. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted advance copy. Have you ever picked up a book where you loved the setting more than the romance itself?
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lenore heads back to her family’s historic apple orchard after her grandmother’s death, knowing this will be her final autumn there before the property is sold. She’s grieving, her art career has stalled, and she’s carrying that uncomfortable feeling of wondering whether the life she chased in New York is actually the life she wants anymore.
And then there’s Callan.
He’s her brother’s best friend, the boy she once had a crush on, and now the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm. On paper, this had so many things I normally love: childhood history, brother’s best friend, small-town Vermont, an apple orchard, family secrets, old paintings in an attic, and enough fall atmosphere to make me want cider immediately.
Lenore was easily my favorite part of the story. I really connected with her uncertainty, her grief over her grandmother, and the way coming home forced her to look at the pieces of herself she’d left behind. I also loved the mystery surrounding the paintings she discovers and the journal entries from her grandmother. Those parts gave the story an emotional layer I wasn’t expecting.
Where this one lost me a little was Lenore and Callan together. I wanted to feel that big, years-in-the-making pull between them, but their romance never completely clicked for me. I liked both of them individually, especially Lenore, yet I kept waiting for that chemistry to hit me…and it just didn’t.
Still, Miller absolutely nailed the autumn atmosphere. Whitbury felt cozy without being too sugary, and French Hill Farm made me want chilly mornings, sweaters, apple trees, and absolutely no California heat for at least a week.
Sometimes a book can give you exactly the setting you wanted even when the romance doesn’t quite steal your heart.
What’s a book where you loved the setting or overall story more than the couple?
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lenore heads back to her family’s historic apple orchard after her grandmother’s death, knowing this will be her final autumn there before the property is sold. She’s grieving, her art career has stalled, and she’s carrying that uncomfortable feeling of wondering whether the life she chased in New York is actually the life she wants anymore.
And then there’s Callan.
He’s her brother’s best friend, the boy she once had a crush on, and now the groundskeeper at French Hill Farm. On paper, this had so many things I normally love: childhood history, brother’s best friend, small-town Vermont, an apple orchard, family secrets, old paintings in an attic, and enough fall atmosphere to make me want cider immediately.
Lenore was easily my favorite part of the story. I really connected with her uncertainty, her grief over her grandmother, and the way coming home forced her to look at the pieces of herself she’d left behind. I also loved the mystery surrounding the paintings she discovers and the journal entries from her grandmother. Those parts gave the story an emotional layer I wasn’t expecting.
Where this one lost me a little was Lenore and Callan together. I wanted to feel that big, years-in-the-making pull between them, but their romance never completely clicked for me. I liked both of them individually, especially Lenore, yet I kept waiting for that chemistry to hit me…and it just didn’t.
Still, Miller absolutely nailed the autumn atmosphere. Whitbury felt cozy without being too sugary, and French Hill Farm made me want chilly mornings, sweaters, apple trees, and absolutely no California heat for at least a week.
Sometimes a book can give you exactly the setting you wanted even when the romance doesn’t quite steal your heart.
What’s a book where you loved the setting or overall story more than the couple?
June 4, 2026
This wrapped me into a hug 🥹 this book feels like a warm hug (what are the best) I absolutely loved this story and I’m forever grateful for getting an early copy!! I don’t know where to start first of all the whole small town vibes I loved it was so cosy and I was drawn to it! Lenore my precious girl she’s so sweet I feel like she is a little lost but when she returns to her home town it’s like she can’t help but fall back in love it with after losing her grandmother you can see she’s not herself but when she bumps into Callan which is her brother BEST FRIEND 🤭 something changes you can tell there’s tension and also a bit of yearning Lenore I love her journey throughout the book and character development is everything 🥹 Lenore reminds me of herself with her thoughts so I connect so much with her and Callan I don’t know what to tell you I swear all this man does is yearn you can tell he’s always had a thing for Lenore however he keeps his secret safe and watches from the sidelines however when Lenore starts to reach out for help of course Callan won’t turn her down Callan helps her and then they start to get close and it’s the best thing watching their feelings spark like fireworks Callan will do anything for Lenore and he’s always been their for her also all the little outings he takes her on was so sweet I love the side characters I think they all had a special part and this book is just so wholesome I love it 🥰
Quotes I loved:
“Lenore kisses the same way she does everything else: devastatingly well, so good it threatens to ruin me for anyone who comes after her.”
“I do want you, for however long I can have you. Even if it's only for now. Even if it's only for a night."
“I can't even focus, my entire life is in shambles, but all I can think about, all I want.. is you.”
Tropes:
🍎 Brothers best friend
🧡 Opposites attract
🍎 Family Apple orchard
🧡 Small town (New England)
🍎 Cosy mystery subplot
🧡 Big old house with secrets in the attic
🍎 Eccentric townsfolk
Quotes I loved:
“Lenore kisses the same way she does everything else: devastatingly well, so good it threatens to ruin me for anyone who comes after her.”
“I do want you, for however long I can have you. Even if it's only for now. Even if it's only for a night."
“I can't even focus, my entire life is in shambles, but all I can think about, all I want.. is you.”
Tropes:
🍎 Brothers best friend
🧡 Opposites attract
🍎 Family Apple orchard
🧡 Small town (New England)
🍎 Cosy mystery subplot
🧡 Big old house with secrets in the attic
🍎 Eccentric townsfolk
August 7, 2026
Kristyn J. Miller's upcoming romance, FALL INTO PLACE, is full of emotion, slow-burn tension, and so many feelings—all wrapped up in the perfect fall setting.
Nothing beats fall in New England (and yes, I am biased, and I don't care), and in this story we follow Lenore back home to Vermont as she prepares to finalize the sale of her late grandmother's farmhouse. But it isn't that simple. Her entire life feels like it's falling apart. She left small-town life behind to chase bigger dreams in New York City, but now she feels stuck. The one person who always grounded her is gone. Returning home also brings her back into the orbit of her older brother's best friend, Callan. As the groundskeeper of Lenore's family property, Callan has always believed he was meant to stay in their small town forever. But with Lenore back, they both begin to wonder if there's a different future waiting for them—and if that future includes each other.
There's something about Kristyn's writing that just warms the soul. This story makes you ache for both Lenore and Callan, then fills you with so much joy when these two finally figure things out. Their journey isn't easy, but that's exactly what makes it feel so rewarding. They both need time to discover who they are before they can truly find their way back to each other—Lenore especially.
I also loved the way Kristyn explored grief and all of the complicated emotions that come with it, particularly through Lenore's relationship with her grandmother and her Alzheimer's. Grief is rarely straightforward, and Lenore and her brother's complicated family history only makes that loss more difficult to navigate. The journal entries from Lenore's grandmother were such a beautiful touch, gradually revealing pieces of Lenore and Callan's shared history while giving us an even deeper appreciation for the relationships at the heart of this story.
I really, really loved this book. It was emotionally tender, achingly beautiful, and full of hope. I adored Callan and Lenore, and watching them find their way back to each other was everything I wanted it to be.
FALL INTO PLACE releases September 8, 2026.
Thank you to St. Martin's for the advanced reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nothing beats fall in New England (and yes, I am biased, and I don't care), and in this story we follow Lenore back home to Vermont as she prepares to finalize the sale of her late grandmother's farmhouse. But it isn't that simple. Her entire life feels like it's falling apart. She left small-town life behind to chase bigger dreams in New York City, but now she feels stuck. The one person who always grounded her is gone. Returning home also brings her back into the orbit of her older brother's best friend, Callan. As the groundskeeper of Lenore's family property, Callan has always believed he was meant to stay in their small town forever. But with Lenore back, they both begin to wonder if there's a different future waiting for them—and if that future includes each other.
There's something about Kristyn's writing that just warms the soul. This story makes you ache for both Lenore and Callan, then fills you with so much joy when these two finally figure things out. Their journey isn't easy, but that's exactly what makes it feel so rewarding. They both need time to discover who they are before they can truly find their way back to each other—Lenore especially.
I also loved the way Kristyn explored grief and all of the complicated emotions that come with it, particularly through Lenore's relationship with her grandmother and her Alzheimer's. Grief is rarely straightforward, and Lenore and her brother's complicated family history only makes that loss more difficult to navigate. The journal entries from Lenore's grandmother were such a beautiful touch, gradually revealing pieces of Lenore and Callan's shared history while giving us an even deeper appreciation for the relationships at the heart of this story.
I really, really loved this book. It was emotionally tender, achingly beautiful, and full of hope. I adored Callan and Lenore, and watching them find their way back to each other was everything I wanted it to be.
FALL INTO PLACE releases September 8, 2026.
Thank you to St. Martin's for the advanced reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was such a cute, cozy small-town romance that felt like the perfect book to pick up heading into fall. While it didn’t completely blow me away, there was a lot about this story that I enjoyed.
After the death of her grandmother, Lenore returns to her hometown in Vermont to prepare her grandmother’s apple orchard for its sale. She’s also coming off a broken engagement, feeling stuck in her career as an artist & realizing the life she built in New York might not be the one she actually wants. And waiting back home is Callan, her brother’s best friend & the childhood crush she never quite got over.
Lenore & Callan were really sweet together. I loved the familiarity between them & watching their relationship slowly develop as they spent more time together. Callan has been quietly carrying feelings for Lenore for years, so there was plenty of pining, but I did wish we had gotten more of their history to make that longtime yearning hit a little harder.
Where this story worked best for me was everything surrounding the romance. Lenore discovers old paintings in her grandmother’s attic, giving the story a little mystery to unravel, while entries from her grandmother’s journals weave the past into the present. I loved how those pieces tied into Lenore’s grief, her complicated feelings about home & her struggle to find inspiration again.
This is definitely a slower, quieter romance, & it took me a little while to fully get into it. But once I did, I enjoyed watching everything come together. It’s sweet & full of fall small-town vibes, a childhood crush, family history & an FMC figuring out where she truly belongs.
While this didn’t leave a huge emotional impact on me, I had a good time with the charming romance & enjoyed the cozy fall vibes.
🏡 Small Town
💕 Childhood Crush
❣️ Brother's Best Friend
💋 He Falls First
🔥 Slow Burn
💔 Grief & Healing
🚕 City Girl x Small Town Guy
🍂 Cozy Fall Vibes
✌🏻 Dual POV
After the death of her grandmother, Lenore returns to her hometown in Vermont to prepare her grandmother’s apple orchard for its sale. She’s also coming off a broken engagement, feeling stuck in her career as an artist & realizing the life she built in New York might not be the one she actually wants. And waiting back home is Callan, her brother’s best friend & the childhood crush she never quite got over.
Lenore & Callan were really sweet together. I loved the familiarity between them & watching their relationship slowly develop as they spent more time together. Callan has been quietly carrying feelings for Lenore for years, so there was plenty of pining, but I did wish we had gotten more of their history to make that longtime yearning hit a little harder.
Where this story worked best for me was everything surrounding the romance. Lenore discovers old paintings in her grandmother’s attic, giving the story a little mystery to unravel, while entries from her grandmother’s journals weave the past into the present. I loved how those pieces tied into Lenore’s grief, her complicated feelings about home & her struggle to find inspiration again.
This is definitely a slower, quieter romance, & it took me a little while to fully get into it. But once I did, I enjoyed watching everything come together. It’s sweet & full of fall small-town vibes, a childhood crush, family history & an FMC figuring out where she truly belongs.
While this didn’t leave a huge emotional impact on me, I had a good time with the charming romance & enjoyed the cozy fall vibes.
🏡 Small Town
💕 Childhood Crush
❣️ Brother's Best Friend
💋 He Falls First
🔥 Slow Burn
💔 Grief & Healing
🚕 City Girl x Small Town Guy
🍂 Cozy Fall Vibes
✌🏻 Dual POV
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 ⭐️
This beautifully written slow-burn explores themes of love, longing, grief, and dreams left unrealized.
Lenore returns to the family farm one last time, six months after the death of the grandmother who raised her. With the property set to be sold in a matter of weeks, she hopes the stay will help her come to terms with her loss. When she arrives, she discovers Callan—her former crush and her brother’s best friend—is the farm’s groundskeeper.
It doesn’t take long for quiet, mutual pining to resurface between Lenore and Callan, each believing their own feelings are unrequited. As the story progresses, the admiration they hold for one another is clear, and the chemistry is excellent, filled with both sharp banter and tender moments.
Beyond the romance, this story is an excellent exploration of the messy, unresolved feelings that come in the wake of grief. Lenore is still processing her grandmother’s death and the unanswered questions it left behind. In more ways than one, she’s at a crossroads. As she works through her feelings about her grandmother’s death—with Callan’s help—she begins to realize her dreams aren’t dead, only taking on a different shape. Meanwhile, Callan is finally allowing himself to dream at all.
I cannot speak enough about how strong the writing is here! It’s exceptionally strong prose, the kind that had me highlighting so many beautifully expressed sentiments. That said, the story didn’t really linger for me, which is why this fell just short of five stars.
All things considered, this thoughtfully written novel, with dimensional, relatable characters and a well-handled exploration of deeper themes, is one I would recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This beautifully written slow-burn explores themes of love, longing, grief, and dreams left unrealized.
Lenore returns to the family farm one last time, six months after the death of the grandmother who raised her. With the property set to be sold in a matter of weeks, she hopes the stay will help her come to terms with her loss. When she arrives, she discovers Callan—her former crush and her brother’s best friend—is the farm’s groundskeeper.
It doesn’t take long for quiet, mutual pining to resurface between Lenore and Callan, each believing their own feelings are unrequited. As the story progresses, the admiration they hold for one another is clear, and the chemistry is excellent, filled with both sharp banter and tender moments.
Beyond the romance, this story is an excellent exploration of the messy, unresolved feelings that come in the wake of grief. Lenore is still processing her grandmother’s death and the unanswered questions it left behind. In more ways than one, she’s at a crossroads. As she works through her feelings about her grandmother’s death—with Callan’s help—she begins to realize her dreams aren’t dead, only taking on a different shape. Meanwhile, Callan is finally allowing himself to dream at all.
I cannot speak enough about how strong the writing is here! It’s exceptionally strong prose, the kind that had me highlighting so many beautifully expressed sentiments. That said, the story didn’t really linger for me, which is why this fell just short of five stars.
All things considered, this thoughtfully written novel, with dimensional, relatable characters and a well-handled exploration of deeper themes, is one I would recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Advanced Copy received via NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Summary: Lenore returns home to rural Vermont to spend one final autumn at her family’s historic apple orchard before it’s sold. But between her late grandmother’s journal and an old crush who she can’t seem to avoid, she begins to see her hometown in an entirely new light.
Thoughts: Oh, this was such a lovely fall read with so many unexpected layers to it.
I really loved the tone of this one. It was almost melancholy at times, with its characters carrying grief and pieces of lives that hadn’t unfolded quite as expected. But underneath it all was this beautiful spirit of rebuilding and finding the courage to begin again. It made the entire story feel quietly hopeful and so incredibly comforting.
The setting was absolutely wonderful. I genuinely felt like I was escaping to a cozy farmhouse in Vermont, surrounded by crisp fall air and all the charm of a small town. The author created the perfect atmosphere for this kind of story. It was incredibly immersive.
There’s also a mini mystery woven throughout, and I loved watching the characters set off on a bit of a quest to uncover the truth. It added such a fun and unexpected element without taking away from the emotional heart of the book. I especially loved how everything eventually came together and wrapped up in such a satisfying way.
This was just such a heartwarming and entertaining story. Such a lovely read for fall.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy. My feedback is given voluntarily and honestly.
Favorite quotes:
“You can wonder all day whether you should’ve followed the other fork in the road, but that doesn’t change where things already ended up.”
“I’ve never been one to run away, but even if I was, I can’t outrun you.”
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️
Summary: Lenore returns home to rural Vermont to spend one final autumn at her family’s historic apple orchard before it’s sold. But between her late grandmother’s journal and an old crush who she can’t seem to avoid, she begins to see her hometown in an entirely new light.
Thoughts: Oh, this was such a lovely fall read with so many unexpected layers to it.
I really loved the tone of this one. It was almost melancholy at times, with its characters carrying grief and pieces of lives that hadn’t unfolded quite as expected. But underneath it all was this beautiful spirit of rebuilding and finding the courage to begin again. It made the entire story feel quietly hopeful and so incredibly comforting.
The setting was absolutely wonderful. I genuinely felt like I was escaping to a cozy farmhouse in Vermont, surrounded by crisp fall air and all the charm of a small town. The author created the perfect atmosphere for this kind of story. It was incredibly immersive.
There’s also a mini mystery woven throughout, and I loved watching the characters set off on a bit of a quest to uncover the truth. It added such a fun and unexpected element without taking away from the emotional heart of the book. I especially loved how everything eventually came together and wrapped up in such a satisfying way.
This was just such a heartwarming and entertaining story. Such a lovely read for fall.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy. My feedback is given voluntarily and honestly.
Favorite quotes:
“You can wonder all day whether you should’ve followed the other fork in the road, but that doesn’t change where things already ended up.”
“I’ve never been one to run away, but even if I was, I can’t outrun you.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fall Into Place 🍎🧺🍂🛻👜
5 🌟
3 🌶️
*Beta review*
📖Tropes and TWs:
🍎 Brother’s Best Friend
🧺 Friends to Lovers
🍂 Self-Discovery
🛻 Open-door spice
👜 Moderate language
🍎 Death of a relative/grief
This book lives in my head 100% rent free. There are times during the day that I think about it, and I forget that it wasn’t a movie that I watched because my memories for it are *that* strong. I loved everything about Lenore, Callan, and their relationship. This was the perfect mix of a small-town setting with the fall season, and it made me feel like I was stepping into an alternate Gilmore-Girls-Stars-Hollow universe.
Lenore and Gran’s relationship was so realistic, and I think it was portrayed beautifully. I really loved the dynamic between these two. I got the same feeling reading about Lenore and Gran as I did when I read The Seven Year Slip, and that’s really special. The balance of grief display with preservation of memory was a really touching way of presenting the story.
The relationship, both platonic and romantic, between the two main characters was *so* good. I liked that there was good communication between Cal and Lenore, and I think that their ability to talk to one another, (once everything was out on the table,) made their relationship just a little bit more real and tangible. I LOVE when romance feels a little bit like it mirrors real life and real relationships, and Fall Into Place definitely brought that to the table.
The ending of this book left me a blubbering mess, and I immediately had to message Kristyn and complain about emotional damage, LOL (don’t let this scare you— good tears, very good tears). If she writes it, I will read it, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience this wonderful masterpiece of a novel.
5 🌟
3 🌶️
*Beta review*
📖Tropes and TWs:
🍎 Brother’s Best Friend
🧺 Friends to Lovers
🍂 Self-Discovery
🛻 Open-door spice
👜 Moderate language
🍎 Death of a relative/grief
This book lives in my head 100% rent free. There are times during the day that I think about it, and I forget that it wasn’t a movie that I watched because my memories for it are *that* strong. I loved everything about Lenore, Callan, and their relationship. This was the perfect mix of a small-town setting with the fall season, and it made me feel like I was stepping into an alternate Gilmore-Girls-Stars-Hollow universe.
Lenore and Gran’s relationship was so realistic, and I think it was portrayed beautifully. I really loved the dynamic between these two. I got the same feeling reading about Lenore and Gran as I did when I read The Seven Year Slip, and that’s really special. The balance of grief display with preservation of memory was a really touching way of presenting the story.
The relationship, both platonic and romantic, between the two main characters was *so* good. I liked that there was good communication between Cal and Lenore, and I think that their ability to talk to one another, (once everything was out on the table,) made their relationship just a little bit more real and tangible. I LOVE when romance feels a little bit like it mirrors real life and real relationships, and Fall Into Place definitely brought that to the table.
The ending of this book left me a blubbering mess, and I immediately had to message Kristyn and complain about emotional damage, LOL (don’t let this scare you— good tears, very good tears). If she writes it, I will read it, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience this wonderful masterpiece of a novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very cute fall read!
In the weeks before her family’s house is officially sold, Lenore French returns home to Vermont with her bags in tow feeling a little lost. She recently ended her engagement and has been working through the grief of losing her grandmother, the person who raised her. The last person she expects to see is her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush, Callan Bradford, who has been working as the groundskeeper. To distract herself from both the sell of the property and Callan, Lenore begins to clean out her grandmother’s attic and discovers some unique artwork. With Callan’s help, Lenore sets out to find out the history behind the paintings and soon learns a lot about herself, her family, and love along the way.
I was a big fan of Kristyn Miller’s previous novel and was so excited to jump into this one. I love Kristyn’s writing style, which always feels very poetic and atmospheric to me. Despite reading this in the spring, I could feel the small town fall vibes throughout the book.
Grief was a central theme in Fall Into Place and I enjoyed how it was handled through Lenore’s character growth. I also appreciated Lenore’s return to art and its symbolism as her return “home”, to the place where she belongs.
Additionally, I found Gabrielle’s, Lenore’s grandmother, journal entries to be so fascinating. This was a dual POV novel, which I find adds another level of depth to the story. But what I would have loved more were some chapters of Lenore and Callan’s past growing up from their points of view, and not just through her grandmother’s journal entries.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that will be perfect for the fall. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!
In the weeks before her family’s house is officially sold, Lenore French returns home to Vermont with her bags in tow feeling a little lost. She recently ended her engagement and has been working through the grief of losing her grandmother, the person who raised her. The last person she expects to see is her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush, Callan Bradford, who has been working as the groundskeeper. To distract herself from both the sell of the property and Callan, Lenore begins to clean out her grandmother’s attic and discovers some unique artwork. With Callan’s help, Lenore sets out to find out the history behind the paintings and soon learns a lot about herself, her family, and love along the way.
I was a big fan of Kristyn Miller’s previous novel and was so excited to jump into this one. I love Kristyn’s writing style, which always feels very poetic and atmospheric to me. Despite reading this in the spring, I could feel the small town fall vibes throughout the book.
Grief was a central theme in Fall Into Place and I enjoyed how it was handled through Lenore’s character growth. I also appreciated Lenore’s return to art and its symbolism as her return “home”, to the place where she belongs.
Additionally, I found Gabrielle’s, Lenore’s grandmother, journal entries to be so fascinating. This was a dual POV novel, which I find adds another level of depth to the story. But what I would have loved more were some chapters of Lenore and Callan’s past growing up from their points of view, and not just through her grandmother’s journal entries.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that will be perfect for the fall. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fall into Place follows Lenore as she spends a few weeks in her grandmother's home before it is sold and Callan, the groundskeeper/her older brother's best friend. Lenore has recently called off an engagement and taken unpaid lead from her barista job that isn't quite paying her art school loans. Her brother is her only living relative that's actually in her life. He's married, living in another state, and about to have a baby. Damien asks his best friend/kind of employee to keep an eye out for Lenore as he's worried she's not in a great place as she grieves their grandmother that raised them for half their lives. Callan's father was the groundskeeper for the French family before an accident left him too injured to continue on. Callan took over the job and is living with his dad trying to manage their expenses.
The reasons they were selling the house and the land weren't entirely clear to me aside from the upkeep on the house, but they had a lot of land that Callan was managing and probably could have gotten creative with a solution that wouldn't have put his income in jeopardy. I think him being kind of beholden to her family and thinking he'd have to go work at a hardware store after they sold kind of put the romance in a bit of weird spot.
There really was a LOT going on here. Almost too much? I really liked the mystery with the paintings and the inclusion of the grandmother's journal entries, but it also felt like Lenore was using them as a crutch to avoid her life and actually communicating with Callan. I would have liked a bit more from them on the relationship front. I really like the historical angle that Kristyn J. Miller takes though.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for ARC access, all opinions are my own 💕
The reasons they were selling the house and the land weren't entirely clear to me aside from the upkeep on the house, but they had a lot of land that Callan was managing and probably could have gotten creative with a solution that wouldn't have put his income in jeopardy. I think him being kind of beholden to her family and thinking he'd have to go work at a hardware store after they sold kind of put the romance in a bit of weird spot.
There really was a LOT going on here. Almost too much? I really liked the mystery with the paintings and the inclusion of the grandmother's journal entries, but it also felt like Lenore was using them as a crutch to avoid her life and actually communicating with Callan. I would have liked a bit more from them on the relationship front. I really like the historical angle that Kristyn J. Miller takes though.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for ARC access, all opinions are my own 💕
June 29, 2026
I’m a mess. But in a good way?? I’m going to collect my thoughts and come back to this.
Well… this book emotionally wrecked me.
I finished the last sentence, stared at my Kindle for a solid minute, hugged it to my chest, and cried. This is my first five-star read of the year, and I don’t think it could have come at a better time.
I knew this book would have some small-town nostalgia, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would resonate with me. I grew up in a small town, moved away to work in New York City, and while I absolutely love the city, there’s a part of me that’s always homesick for the version of home that only exists in memories. This book captured that feeling so perfectly.
I’m incredibly close with my grandma, so her journey felt like it was written specifically to make me cry. {Mission Accomplished}
What completely caught me off guard was how much I saw myself in the main character. I’m an artist too, and somewhere along the way I lost my connection to that creative part of myself. Watching her wrestle with that felt incredibly personal. It wasn’t just relatable, it felt like someone had quietly reached into my own life and put it on the page.
Yes, there’s romance, and it’s sweet. But this book is so much more than a love story. It’s about grief, identity, family, coming home, and figuring out that sometimes “finding yourself” doesn’t mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means remembering who you were before life got so loud.
If you’ve ever left your hometown, loved your grandparents with your whole heart, felt creatively stuck, or needed a reminder that healing isn’t linear… please pick this one up.
Excuse me while I go call my grandma.
Well… this book emotionally wrecked me.
I finished the last sentence, stared at my Kindle for a solid minute, hugged it to my chest, and cried. This is my first five-star read of the year, and I don’t think it could have come at a better time.
I knew this book would have some small-town nostalgia, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would resonate with me. I grew up in a small town, moved away to work in New York City, and while I absolutely love the city, there’s a part of me that’s always homesick for the version of home that only exists in memories. This book captured that feeling so perfectly.
I’m incredibly close with my grandma, so her journey felt like it was written specifically to make me cry. {Mission Accomplished}
What completely caught me off guard was how much I saw myself in the main character. I’m an artist too, and somewhere along the way I lost my connection to that creative part of myself. Watching her wrestle with that felt incredibly personal. It wasn’t just relatable, it felt like someone had quietly reached into my own life and put it on the page.
Yes, there’s romance, and it’s sweet. But this book is so much more than a love story. It’s about grief, identity, family, coming home, and figuring out that sometimes “finding yourself” doesn’t mean becoming someone new. Sometimes it means remembering who you were before life got so loud.
If you’ve ever left your hometown, loved your grandparents with your whole heart, felt creatively stuck, or needed a reminder that healing isn’t linear… please pick this one up.
Excuse me while I go call my grandma.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review
Fall Into Place by Kristyn J. Miller
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some books don’t just tell a love story they quietly heal a piece of your heart.
Equal parts nostalgic, emotional, and beautifully romantic, Fall Into Place is a slow-burn romance wrapped in grief, healing, family history, and the magic of coming home.
After her grandmother’s death, Lenore returns to her family’s apple orchard to prepare the property for sale. There she reconnects with Callan, her brother’s best friend, longtime crush, and the man who has quietly cared for the farm for years, hoping she’d one day return.
Lenore and Callan’s romance is everything I love in a slow burn. Their history feels authentic, the chemistry is undeniable, and every moment between them feels earned. Callan is the kind of genuinely good hero that’s impossible not to love.
But this story is about so much more than romance. As Lenore uncovers her grandmother’s journals and mysterious paintings hidden in the attic, a generations-old love story begins to unfold, adding a beautiful layer of mystery and heart that completely captivated me.
The portrayal of grief especially after losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s is handled with such tenderness and honesty. Combined with the cozy small-town setting, vivid descriptions, and unforgettable cast of characters, I felt completely immersed from beginning to end.
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last.
🍎 What to Expect:
• Brother’s best friend
• Childhood crush
• Slow-burn romance
• Small-town charm
• Family secrets
• Generational mystery
• Apple orchard setting
• Healing after grief
❤️ This is the kind of story that lingers long after you turn the final page.
Available on September 8, 2026. A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fall Into Place by Kristyn J. Miller
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some books don’t just tell a love story they quietly heal a piece of your heart.
Equal parts nostalgic, emotional, and beautifully romantic, Fall Into Place is a slow-burn romance wrapped in grief, healing, family history, and the magic of coming home.
After her grandmother’s death, Lenore returns to her family’s apple orchard to prepare the property for sale. There she reconnects with Callan, her brother’s best friend, longtime crush, and the man who has quietly cared for the farm for years, hoping she’d one day return.
Lenore and Callan’s romance is everything I love in a slow burn. Their history feels authentic, the chemistry is undeniable, and every moment between them feels earned. Callan is the kind of genuinely good hero that’s impossible not to love.
But this story is about so much more than romance. As Lenore uncovers her grandmother’s journals and mysterious paintings hidden in the attic, a generations-old love story begins to unfold, adding a beautiful layer of mystery and heart that completely captivated me.
The portrayal of grief especially after losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s is handled with such tenderness and honesty. Combined with the cozy small-town setting, vivid descriptions, and unforgettable cast of characters, I felt completely immersed from beginning to end.
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last.
🍎 What to Expect:
• Brother’s best friend
• Childhood crush
• Slow-burn romance
• Small-town charm
• Family secrets
• Generational mystery
• Apple orchard setting
• Healing after grief
❤️ This is the kind of story that lingers long after you turn the final page.
Available on September 8, 2026. A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do you ever watch those house hunting shows where the lady makes art out of gum wrappers and the guy makes hats out of recycled bags? This whole book felt like that mixed in a Hallmark movie. Lenore has a fine arts degree but has been working as a barista in New York City. Callan works as the groundskeeper on a historic apple orchard in rural Vermont. Somehow neither one has any real money problems, they talk about being broke, but never about being in debt. It seems so very unrealistic. I can suspend my disbelief to read an alien romance, but a book where a barista can just take weeks off work to close up her deceased grandma's house in rural Vermont and barely worry about money? In this economy?
This book is a dual POV book with flashbacks from the Grandma. I didn't love the flashbacks, I get that they were meant to help Lenore process her grief, but it didn't really add anything. They were such mundane flashbacks, and I don't think they really inform the plot. There was some stuff in the flashback that talked about Lenore's dad, but not enough to really get into why he was absent. It felt like little, tiny breadcrumbs that led to nothing. Callan also seemed like the epitome of boy who never left hometown and just putters around. There is nothing wrong in staying in your home town, but Callan doesn't really have a strong personality outside of that. Even as Lenore and Callan are getting to know each other, there isn't much there.
I've read Kristyn's other books and they're okay, I just really didn't love the plot or characters in this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the gifted ARC, all opinions are my own.
This book is a dual POV book with flashbacks from the Grandma. I didn't love the flashbacks, I get that they were meant to help Lenore process her grief, but it didn't really add anything. They were such mundane flashbacks, and I don't think they really inform the plot. There was some stuff in the flashback that talked about Lenore's dad, but not enough to really get into why he was absent. It felt like little, tiny breadcrumbs that led to nothing. Callan also seemed like the epitome of boy who never left hometown and just putters around. There is nothing wrong in staying in your home town, but Callan doesn't really have a strong personality outside of that. Even as Lenore and Callan are getting to know each other, there isn't much there.
I've read Kristyn's other books and they're okay, I just really didn't love the plot or characters in this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the gifted ARC, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fall into Place by Kristyn J. Miller is the perfect cozy autumn romance. Between the apple orchard setting, small-town charm, crisp fall atmosphere, and emotional second-chance love story, this book feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cider.
Lenore and Callan were incredibly easy to root for. Their shared history, unresolved feelings, and personal struggles gave the romance real emotional depth beyond the swoony moments. I especially loved the tension between Lenore’s desire to chase bigger dreams and Callan’s feeling of being tied to the town he’s always known. Their journeys felt authentic and relatable, both individually and together.
The Vermont setting absolutely shines here. Kristyn J. Miller captures the beauty of autumn so vividly that I could practically smell the apples and fallen leaves while reading. The orchard, the family history, and Lenore’s grandmother’s journal added a nostalgic and heartfelt layer to the story that made it even more emotional.
While the romance is definitely the heart of the book, the story also explores grief, identity, family expectations, and figuring out where you truly belong. The pacing is gentle and character-driven, which worked perfectly for the cozy atmosphere.
This is an ideal read for fans of small-town romances, second chances, and books that fully embrace the magic of fall. I already know this will be a comfort read for a lot of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Fall into Place by Kristyn J. Miller. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lenore and Callan were incredibly easy to root for. Their shared history, unresolved feelings, and personal struggles gave the romance real emotional depth beyond the swoony moments. I especially loved the tension between Lenore’s desire to chase bigger dreams and Callan’s feeling of being tied to the town he’s always known. Their journeys felt authentic and relatable, both individually and together.
The Vermont setting absolutely shines here. Kristyn J. Miller captures the beauty of autumn so vividly that I could practically smell the apples and fallen leaves while reading. The orchard, the family history, and Lenore’s grandmother’s journal added a nostalgic and heartfelt layer to the story that made it even more emotional.
While the romance is definitely the heart of the book, the story also explores grief, identity, family expectations, and figuring out where you truly belong. The pacing is gentle and character-driven, which worked perfectly for the cozy atmosphere.
This is an ideal read for fans of small-town romances, second chances, and books that fully embrace the magic of fall. I already know this will be a comfort read for a lot of people.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Fall into Place by Kristyn J. Miller. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2026
I really loved the atmosphere of this book. The house, the farm, the orchard... everything about it sounded so peaceful and almost whimsical. It made me want to disappear into the story and live there for a while.
I also loved the dual timeline. I was really hoping it would help Lenore process the grief of losing her grandmother, and I think that added so much to her story.
Lenore is the FMC, and Callan is the MMC, and this is a brother's best friend romance where Callan was basically tasked with keeping an eye on her. Except he's also spent years pining after her while knowing he can't have her, so obviously the tension is GOOD.
I love Callan's POV. There is just something about being in his head and seeing how long he's been carrying these feelings for Lenore that made me want to yell at him a little.
Also, I have to appreciate that Lenore still reluctantly did the tick check. 😂 Priorities.
The journal entries were another favorite of mine. They added so much to the story, although they definitely made me sad at times.
These two have some deep conversations, too. The Sunday brunch conversation especially had me sitting there like... okay, we're really getting into it now.
And those kids had some nerve.
Also, Callan is a grown man. The entire town can mind their own business. 😂
I loved how encouraging Shelby and Rain were, especially when Lenore was trying to figure everything out. It was also really brave of Lenore to confront Shelby and ask what happened. That wasn't an easy conversation, and I was proud of her for doing it.
The tension between Lenore and Callan was so good. You can really feel all those years of feelings sitting between them, and I loved watching them finally start to deal with it.
There is definitely a lot of grief being processed throughout this book, but I never felt like that took away from the beauty of the story. The orchard, the house, the farm, the whole atmosphere felt almost magical and gave the story this really comforting quality.
And that ending with the painting?? I loved how everything came together. It was such a beautiful way to tie everything together, and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to the author and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
I also loved the dual timeline. I was really hoping it would help Lenore process the grief of losing her grandmother, and I think that added so much to her story.
Lenore is the FMC, and Callan is the MMC, and this is a brother's best friend romance where Callan was basically tasked with keeping an eye on her. Except he's also spent years pining after her while knowing he can't have her, so obviously the tension is GOOD.
I love Callan's POV. There is just something about being in his head and seeing how long he's been carrying these feelings for Lenore that made me want to yell at him a little.
Also, I have to appreciate that Lenore still reluctantly did the tick check. 😂 Priorities.
The journal entries were another favorite of mine. They added so much to the story, although they definitely made me sad at times.
These two have some deep conversations, too. The Sunday brunch conversation especially had me sitting there like... okay, we're really getting into it now.
And those kids had some nerve.
Also, Callan is a grown man. The entire town can mind their own business. 😂
I loved how encouraging Shelby and Rain were, especially when Lenore was trying to figure everything out. It was also really brave of Lenore to confront Shelby and ask what happened. That wasn't an easy conversation, and I was proud of her for doing it.
The tension between Lenore and Callan was so good. You can really feel all those years of feelings sitting between them, and I loved watching them finally start to deal with it.
There is definitely a lot of grief being processed throughout this book, but I never felt like that took away from the beauty of the story. The orchard, the house, the farm, the whole atmosphere felt almost magical and gave the story this really comforting quality.
And that ending with the painting?? I loved how everything came together. It was such a beautiful way to tie everything together, and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you to the author and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
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