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Like Falling Petals
He’s trying to heal from a loss that left him filled with hopelessness. She just wants to finally get out of the grasp of her narcissist ex. When life throws them together, can they make it work or will it all fall apart?
Galen
Seven years. It’s been seven years since my whole life fell apart and I ran away, but now I’m back in my hometown of Springboro, Ohio. I’m not the man I used to be. The only thing that’s left of me is an empty shell, a shell I’d tried to fill with alcohol all those years. Yet whoever said you can drown your misery in whiskey was wrong because it didn’t work. This town is filled with nothing but haunting memories, but that all changes when I meet a young florist with a passion for flowers, butterscotch lattes, and 80s music. But can she help me mend all my broken pieces?
Bambi
Roses are red, violets are blue, and baby breath is the best filler flower. How do I know? I gladly live, breathe, eat, and drink all things flowers since I own Falling Petals, Springboro’s oldest flower shop. I’m perfectly content to live with just my plant babies after finally kicking my boyfriend to the curb, but when a broody, extremely attractive, bearded man comes to my shop, I just might have to rethink that. I mean, how can I not when he actually listens to me ramble about flowers, brings me custard filled donuts, and looks way too good in a backwards hat? But that might all change when my ex gets wind of my new relationship and tries to stick his narcissistic nose back into my business. But will Galen stick by my side when things get messy?
Galen
Seven years. It’s been seven years since my whole life fell apart and I ran away, but now I’m back in my hometown of Springboro, Ohio. I’m not the man I used to be. The only thing that’s left of me is an empty shell, a shell I’d tried to fill with alcohol all those years. Yet whoever said you can drown your misery in whiskey was wrong because it didn’t work. This town is filled with nothing but haunting memories, but that all changes when I meet a young florist with a passion for flowers, butterscotch lattes, and 80s music. But can she help me mend all my broken pieces?
Bambi
Roses are red, violets are blue, and baby breath is the best filler flower. How do I know? I gladly live, breathe, eat, and drink all things flowers since I own Falling Petals, Springboro’s oldest flower shop. I’m perfectly content to live with just my plant babies after finally kicking my boyfriend to the curb, but when a broody, extremely attractive, bearded man comes to my shop, I just might have to rethink that. I mean, how can I not when he actually listens to me ramble about flowers, brings me custard filled donuts, and looks way too good in a backwards hat? But that might all change when my ex gets wind of my new relationship and tries to stick his narcissistic nose back into my business. But will Galen stick by my side when things get messy?
- GenresRomance
223 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2025
About the author
Millie Shepherd
9 books65 followersMillie Shepherd is a twenty-one-year-old author and second generation homeschool graduate. She has been a storyteller her whole life, but it wasn’t until after her eighteenth birthday that she began to pen down the stories that filled her mind. Creating new characters and getting to tell their stories is something that makes her the happiest. When she’s not writing or plotting out a new story, she’s likely watching old westerns or anything starring Michael Landon, sewing, reading, or dabbling into photography and digital design. Millie lives in the mountains of West Virginia with her family. You can find her on Instagram at millieshepherd.author and on Facebook at Millie Shepherd.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 4, 2025
I absolutely loved Galen and Bambi's story. I read this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. The first few chapters had me sobbing! Shepherd handled the manipulative ex and past addictions so well that I found myself rooting for the characters and their overcoming stories. This is one book you do not want to miss!
February 28, 2025
Galen and Bambi might be my favorite book couple of all time! I love the devotion Bambi has to running her family business and her fascination with flowers! Galen reminds me of my better-half in some ways with his sweetness yet having tattoos. Their love story is beautiful and realistic.
March 3, 2025
This was such a heartfelt book. I loved it. My only complaint was that it ended.
The humor balanced the heavy so well! The messages that were given were amazing - men cry, don’t jump to conclusions, and gentleman manners are super attractive!
The author is one of my favorites and I loved how real she was here. Don’t miss the acknowledgement and other sections she included, there’s a music playlist too :)
Content:
Style - Dual POV Contemporary Romance (age gap, insta attraction for the strangers to more, tattooed roofer mmc, florist fmc)
Intimacy - High (kisses, helping change clothes when sick, closed-door married couple)
Language - Mild (twice)
Violence - Moderate (domestic abuse on page)
Potential Triggers - narcissistic behavior, physical & mental abuse, alcoholism, past preterm birth/ nicu, past familial loss
The humor balanced the heavy so well! The messages that were given were amazing - men cry, don’t jump to conclusions, and gentleman manners are super attractive!
The author is one of my favorites and I loved how real she was here. Don’t miss the acknowledgement and other sections she included, there’s a music playlist too :)
Content:
Style - Dual POV Contemporary Romance (age gap, insta attraction for the strangers to more, tattooed roofer mmc, florist fmc)
Intimacy - High (kisses, helping change clothes when sick, closed-door married couple)
Language - Mild (twice)
Violence - Moderate (domestic abuse on page)
Potential Triggers - narcissistic behavior, physical & mental abuse, alcoholism, past preterm birth/ nicu, past familial loss
February 16, 2025
Galen and Bambi’s story is a sweet one. Now, sometimes I think of “sweet” stories as being lovey-dovey and googles-eyed. And their story definitely isn’t that. But their love for each other is sweet. And true. And pure. And selfless.
Both have deep pain from their pasts as well as losses, and in Bambi’s case self doubt.
Like in any relationship there are hurdles that they must overcome. Thankfully Galen is blessed with a family of coworkers who step up and help this couple in their time of need.
Millie touches on some tough topics; grief, abuse, addiction. These topics help to make the characters more real and relatable.
Thank you for pouring your heart into this book, and allowing me to read and review early!
Both have deep pain from their pasts as well as losses, and in Bambi’s case self doubt.
Like in any relationship there are hurdles that they must overcome. Thankfully Galen is blessed with a family of coworkers who step up and help this couple in their time of need.
Millie touches on some tough topics; grief, abuse, addiction. These topics help to make the characters more real and relatable.
Thank you for pouring your heart into this book, and allowing me to read and review early!
February 15, 2025
Galen and Bambi each have experienced real brokenness (in different ways). Bambi’s previous relationship has left scars, questioning of herself and reality, and an inability to see her own worth. Yet, she is full of compassion and is instantly drawn to Galen.
Galen’s loss and trauma resulted in some really poor choices, but he is starting life fresh - and wants Bambi to be part of it.
Here’s what I love. Galen and Bambi fight for each other, even when it seems impossible to fight for themselves.
Swoony moments, integrity, and staying power all show up here. My favorite scene is coming home after the hospital. 😍
Content notes: occasional references to faith, one a** word. PG heat.
Galen’s loss and trauma resulted in some really poor choices, but he is starting life fresh - and wants Bambi to be part of it.
Here’s what I love. Galen and Bambi fight for each other, even when it seems impossible to fight for themselves.
Swoony moments, integrity, and staying power all show up here. My favorite scene is coming home after the hospital. 😍
Content notes: occasional references to faith, one a** word. PG heat.
April 21, 2025
I absolutely adore Galen & Bambi's heartbreaking, sweet, caring, loving, hopeful, swoony happily ever after!!!
February 9, 2025
Grab a butterscotch latte and a box of tissues!! Millie has outdone herself with Like Falling Petals!!
How can I put this book review into words? I’ll try my best.
Bambi’s so fun and adorable with her love for flowers, her hipster fashion style, and her love for 80s music. And Galen??? I don’t think I ever read a story where the MMC is perfectly and realistically written as a blue collar man. As a blue collar wife, I was proud of Millie’s effort at portraying him so accurately with respect.
Galen reminded me so much of my husband with his kindness and patience. Galen has flaws, struggling with addiction, loss, and guilt, and I just wanted to give him a hug. Bambi too!!
Both these characters are very relatable, and they made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I highly recommend this novel! It’s the best contemporary romance I ever read! (And it’s closed door)
How can I put this book review into words? I’ll try my best.
Bambi’s so fun and adorable with her love for flowers, her hipster fashion style, and her love for 80s music. And Galen??? I don’t think I ever read a story where the MMC is perfectly and realistically written as a blue collar man. As a blue collar wife, I was proud of Millie’s effort at portraying him so accurately with respect.
Galen reminded me so much of my husband with his kindness and patience. Galen has flaws, struggling with addiction, loss, and guilt, and I just wanted to give him a hug. Bambi too!!
Both these characters are very relatable, and they made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I highly recommend this novel! It’s the best contemporary romance I ever read! (And it’s closed door)
March 22, 2025
5 ⭐️ CLOSED-DOOR Contemporary Romance
🖊️ “Like Falling Petals” by Millie Shepherd
🫑 CONTENT and ROMANCE RATINGS / CONTENT WARNINGS
* KISSING: 16&up
* FADE-TO-BLACK: none
* VIOLENCE: 16&up
* ASSAULT: 16&up
* Narcissistic ex is described in full detail
* How he treats her and the effect he has on her mind
* Child death
* One incident of a drunk character
* Child born out of wedlock
* Mentions of marital activities outside of marriage
#️⃣ STANDALONE book
🗓️ FORMAT / AVAILABILITY
* available now
* Kindle
* KU
* Paperback
♥️ TROPES:
* Gentle insta love
* Age gap
* He falls first
* Strangers to lovers
* Tatted MMC
📝 REVIEW:
This book was beautiful.
I have never read a book that felt more real. Most of the time romance books romanticize real life, but this book brought real life to romance.
It showcased the struggles, the love that grows from struggle, and the sweet moments of pure joy in the midst of pain.
Galen and Bambi’s meet cute was one that every girl dreams of at least once in her life. They both felt that instant attraction, but they also took it slow and got to know each other before taking major steps.
Everything just felt so real and I loved every blissful, painful, and joyful moment as if I was in the story with them.
🖊️ “Like Falling Petals” by Millie Shepherd
🫑 CONTENT and ROMANCE RATINGS / CONTENT WARNINGS
* KISSING: 16&up
* FADE-TO-BLACK: none
* VIOLENCE: 16&up
* ASSAULT: 16&up
* Narcissistic ex is described in full detail
* How he treats her and the effect he has on her mind
* Child death
* One incident of a drunk character
* Child born out of wedlock
* Mentions of marital activities outside of marriage
#️⃣ STANDALONE book
🗓️ FORMAT / AVAILABILITY
* available now
* Kindle
* KU
* Paperback
♥️ TROPES:
* Gentle insta love
* Age gap
* He falls first
* Strangers to lovers
* Tatted MMC
📝 REVIEW:
This book was beautiful.
I have never read a book that felt more real. Most of the time romance books romanticize real life, but this book brought real life to romance.
It showcased the struggles, the love that grows from struggle, and the sweet moments of pure joy in the midst of pain.
Galen and Bambi’s meet cute was one that every girl dreams of at least once in her life. They both felt that instant attraction, but they also took it slow and got to know each other before taking major steps.
Everything just felt so real and I loved every blissful, painful, and joyful moment as if I was in the story with them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews