Don't Fall in Love With Me

by Paige Toon

What if the person you love the most is the one you can’t have?

Grace has loved Jackson since she was fifteen – when they spent every childhood summer exploring France's breathtaking Ardèche region together. They were best friends, until life took its course and Jackson married someone else.

Years later, Jackson re-enters Grace’s life with an irresistible her dream job in the very town where their story began. And he’s newly single.

As memories from those idyllic summers flood back, Grace encounters an old friend Étienne, who proposes a plan to help make Jackson jealous. But as their scheme unfolds, Grace finds herself questioning if the sparks between them might not be so pretend after all…

Unbeknownst to Grace, Étienne is harbouring a secret that could shatter her world.

Will learning the truth finally set her heart free?

Or is this the beginning of a love story bigger than she ever imagined?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 9, 2026

About the author

Paige Toon grew up between England, Australia and America and has been writing books set in sun-drenched locations around the world since 2007. She has written fifteen novels, a three-part spin-off for young adults and a collection of short stories. Her books have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. She loves hearing from her readers so get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PaigeToonAuthor or visit her website and sign up to her free newsletter The Hidden Paige.

Reviews

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when the boy who holds your heart is getting married… but you’re not the one walking down the aisle… someone else is.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

Grace has spent her summers in France since she was a little girl, where she grew up side by side with Jackson—the boy who became her best friend and the one she secretly fell in love with. But while her feelings deepened over the years, his never seemed to match hers, and when he chose someone else, it broke Grace’s heart and forced her to push him away. 💔💔

Years later, Grace has built a life of her own when Jackson, newly single, suddenly reaches out, asking for her help over the summer. She agrees, though it means reopening old wounds. Just when it seems like the timing might finally be right between them, someone else from her past unexpectedly reappears: Étienne, a boy she once shared a fleeting but meaningful connection with. What begins as playful jealousy soon turns into something Grace never saw coming.

From there, everything unravels. Old emotions collide with new desires, tempers flare, and the fight between the two men for Grace’s heart reaches a breaking point. (i LOVE a good alpha male showdown with attitude ngl 😝 like YES be jealous) In the middle of it all, long-buried family secrets come to light, forcing Grace to confront not just who she loves, but what she believes about the people closest to her. Her journey is messy, raw, and impossible to look away from. And as the lines blur, one question burns through it all: after everything, who will she truly end up with?

I’ll be so honest… I had SUCH mixed feelings in the beginning, but eventually, I realized I was 100% Team Étienne. (idc what anyone says i liked him more 🙄) The tension between them all had me on edge, my heart pounding with every interaction. The teasing, the slow burn, the back-and-forth… it was pure torture in the best way. And then that plot twist near the end? I wanted to scream, cry, and throw my book across the room because why.

Paige Toon delivered an emotional rollercoaster that had me anxious, swooning, and aching all at once. Don’t Fall in Love With Me is angsty, heartfelt, and completely addictive.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

"Je t'aimais aussi." I liked you also. "Je te voulais aussi." My scalp prickles. I wanted you too. He leans in close. "Je te veux," he says into my ear. I want you. Present tense.

─────

"Mon coeur bat pour toi,” he whispers. My heart beats for you.”

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

🩷 childhood friends-to-lovers
🩷 love triangle
🩷 second chances
🩷 single pov (hers)
🩷 slow burn

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Putnam, and Paige Toon for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

──────────

・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

Kinda anticipating that this one will make me cry… I love Paige Toon 🤞🏼❤️‍🩹

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything Paige Toon writes; I love the way she builds her characters and tells love stories.

Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars. Grace was such a relatable character for me, not in the pining for her best friend kind of way, but in the way she felt lost in life. I liked the way things unfolded between Grace, Jackson, and Étienne, it was full of missed moments and unspoken feelings. The part that I loved most about this book was how Grace found herself and her own path forward. I really liked the different types of friendships within this story too; it was really sweet and heartfelt.

*Friends to lovers
*Found family
*Family secrets

Format: ebook

Thank you NetGalley, Paige Toon, and Putnam for the ARC!

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down.

Grace heads back to a beautiful town in France to work with her old crush Jackson. She also surprisingly reconnects with her long lost friend Étienne. This story of love, family, and secrets hooked me immediately and kept me wondering what would happen next. The ending was perfect!

I highly recommend this book and thank NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced reader copy.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the plot of this romance book. The story between Grace and Jackson is so relatable and the story of their past is a tale as old as time. I love the way they were put back in each other’s lives. The career drama, old feelings, and newly single situation are the perfect catalyst for where the story goes next. Grace is a great character and I was rooting for her the whole time. There were so many ups and downs in this book, it was so hard to put down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

Grace is overworked and exhausted. She eagerly takes a dream job offer that happens to be in the south of France marketing mineral water. It also happens to be Jackson, the man she loves but who married someone else, who has offered her the job. But now he is divorced, and she is hopeful he might see her as something more than just a friend. She also bumps into Etienne, whom she met during a summer in France. Etienne knows she likes Jackson and wants to help her out by flirting with her in order to make Jackson jealous. However, will this flirtation turn into something more, or will Jackson finally see her as more than a friend...

This is my first read from Paige Toon and won't be my last. I couldn't put this book down. The plot, pacing & vibes were amazing and this book was so immersive that partway through, I was ready to hop on a plane, go market some mineral water, and have a summer romance in France. This book explores so many dynamics: family, friendship, grief, and romance. I don't want to give too much away as I feel this is best going into without knowing too much more than the blurb. I feel like many times love triangles can be difficult to handle, but I really liked the direction it took and who Grace ended up with in the end. The tension, angst, and slow burn were so good. Some of the lines at the end had me swooning.

Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gianna Guido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam books for the early copy of this book.

This book was so beautiful. I loved the entire story from start to finish. I love a childhood friends to romance story and this one was so unique and beautifully written.

I was hooked from the first few pages and was giddy throughout the early scenes with Etienne. The chemistry and angst between them was on another level.

Once the story of Etienne’s history progressed, it was really sad but it all made sense and the ending really wrapped everything together really well.

I would’ve liked a better ending for sand time, seems like she didn’t get any repercussions for her actions.

Aside from that, I loved the everything else. This is my second book by Paige Toon and I’ve loved them both. There easy to read and follow and tv stories are gripping

[mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

So while I didn’t feel too connected in the beginning of the story, it all makes sense now. the middle/ending really got me, and I will probably be thinking about this story for a while. Étienne was everything to me. while the storytelling felt a little disjointed in the beginning, the rest of it played out beautifully and the chemistry & tension were off the charts between the main characters. That is all I will say for now to avoid giving too much away.🩷

thank you netgalley & putnam books <3

[Olivia R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5 stars (rounded up for GR)

I absolutely loved this!! Grace has been in love with Jackson since she was 15. Now she has the opportunity to work for his company, and possible win over his heart? That’s all before she catches sight of an old friend Étienne.

At first I thought, hmmm this may be a love triangle, and to some it may be, but I knew whose side I was on from the start. Étienne is a mystery in the best way possible. He is kinda grumpy and tells Grace he is not looking for a relationship… that’s what they all say! But as the story goes on he gains depth as a character.

There is some miscommunication between all of the characters which can be frustrating at times, but knowing the reason why there was miscommunication helped me to understand a little more.

I absolutely loved this and recommend to any who like an emotional romance. The ending was bittersweet and that’s all I’ll say.

Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and with my own opinions.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC

3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Don’t Fall in Love With Me by Paige Toon was just okay for me. I usually enjoy Toon’s writing, but this one didn’t hold my attention the way I hoped. I found myself getting bored throughout the story, and the love triangle between Jackson, Grace, and Etienne honestly drove me crazy. Instead of feeling invested, I was just frustrated watching it play out. There were a few sweet or emotional moments that reminded me why I like Toon’s books, but overall this one just didn’t click for me.

[Lauren Kotrys · Rating 4 out of 5]

-One of my most anticipated arcs of the year! After LOVING Seven Summers and What If I Never Get Over You I was chomping at the bit to get this!

And I really liked it! It’s a love triangle set in France, and it reads VERY European: rich descriptions and atmospheric. The plot was interesting and I was invested in the outcome.
The romance was not as all consuming as her last book, but I was satisfied with the ending.
I will always recommend Paige Toon books.
Thank you NetGalley!

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally tangled, heartbreakingly real, and beautifully written. This is Paige Toon at her best.

This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It’s a deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, and the messiness that exists between the two. I didn’t expect to feel so seen by a love triangle, but here we are.

At its core is Grace, a woman caught in a complicated tangle of feelings that spans a decade and two continents. Torn between Jackson, her lifelong best friend, and Etienne, the boy from a sun-drenched French summer (cue the nostalgia), Grace returns to France hoping for clarity… and instead walks straight into emotional chaos. Honestly, same.

What I loved most was how raw and real this story felt. Grace’s longing, her hope, her heartbreak. I felt every bit of it. She’s a character you just want to hug even while knowing exactly why she keeps holding on. There were moments where I found myself nodding along, thinking, yep, been there, and others where I wanted to shake her gently and say, girl, please don’t do this to yourself.

Neither Jackson nor Etienne are perfect, far from it actually, but that’s what made the dynamic so engrossing. Each chapter had me flipping back and forth between who I was rooting for (a dangerous game, honestly), and the emotion was addictive. I went from swooning to side-eyeing in a span of a few pages…
more than once.

Yes, there were moments that made me want to scream into a pillow, miscommunications, secrets, and betrayals that cut deep, but that’s part of what made the payoff so satisfying. This story doesn’t shy away from the gray areas of love. It leans in, pulls you close, and dares you to sit with the discomfort.

And when the truth finally came out? I felt like the characters personally PUNCH my heart. I gasped. I cried. I definitely muttered, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” out loud, alone, to no one.

The technical details around Grace’s job and the house renovations were a bit slower for me, if I never read about drainage issues again, it’ll be too soon, but even those parts gave the story weight and realism. They were the calm before (and during) the emotional storm.

As always, Paige Toon’s writing is heartfelt, vivid, and emotionally intelligent. Her ability to capture the ache of wanting someone and the bravery it takes to walk away when it isn’t right is unmatched. Definitely some advice I will be taking for myself.

This is a story about knowing your worth, choosing yourself, and realising that love, real love, doesn’t require you to lose yourself or settle just because you think you have to.

Thank you to Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC. I’m still thinking about this one and not over everything that went down.

[Malaury · Rating 4 out of 5]

That’s a tough one, because I adore the author, but I have to admit ‘real’ love triangle are usually not my favourite trope. And even if Paige does them in the most natural and heartwarming and heartbreaking way, that one didn’t hit the spot as much as I expected.
First of Grace is a bit all over the place, felt like the typical girl that chase love and man over trying to grow and evolve. She felt a bit flat and without any depth which is usually not the case for Paige’s FMCs. And Jackson let’s talk about him please what a red flag, I mean girl he didn’t pick you over and over because he fell ‘in love’ with an image and a ‘sexy’ woman so why will he does now, specially that let’s be honest he knew well enough that you loved him.
I’m thorn about Etienne because the guy was my first choice but damn the cold and hot actions and the emotionally unavailable put me off. Let’s not forget he used Grace to get back at Jackson and she actually forgave him very very quickly. I don’t know if I’m too petty but damn you do that to me you will have a lot to prove and a lot of grovelling to do before I give you the time of the day.
But I loved the found family, because god Grace didn’t have an easy life and the poor one doesn’t get much love from her mother.
The plot was great I guessed it but it was brilliant to go in that direction. And if I have to be honest I cried over Albert I felt so sorry for that poor old man. He just had a hard life in terms of emotional rollercoaster. Losing so many people but finally being able to meet his other grandson was very sweet. I love Paige so it wasn’t my favourite but I still really liked it. And I’m glad they got all their happy ending.

[Britt Foister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige Toon just delivered the ultimate “follow your heart… even when it’s complicated” story, and I am still not okay.

Don’t Fall in Love With Me follows a woman caught between the life she thought she wanted and the love she never saw coming.

She fell in love with Jackson, her best friend years ago, then he got married and so she put distance between them. Years later, he reconnects to let her know they got a divorce and has a project he needs her help on in Paris where they both have family.

When she flies to Paris for a project with her best, she also ends up reconnecting with someone from her childhood. Someone who eventually tells her one thing: don’t fall in love with me.

Naturally… she does.

What starts as a nostalgic slow burn spark turns into a full emotional spiral with some hidden family drama and history. Then Paige Toon drops the reveal of something I didn’t see coming, but that’s something you’ll just have to wait and find out about when you get the chance to read it!

This isn’t just a love triangle. It’s a story about finally choosing the relationships that choose you whether that be family or romantically. There is definitely some romance here but also a lot of heart!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Putman for the ARC. Publication date : 4/14/2026

[Alex Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Putnam Books for the ARC of this one! I have always been a huge fan of Paige Toon and I was so excited to read this one! I saved it for my vacation and read it cover to cover on the plane. It had me captivated from the very beginning. This book was a second chance romance but it definitely surprised me with the direction it took! The book follows Grace as she returns to the Ardeche Region of France, where she spent many of her childhood summers with Jackson, who she has loved her wh0le life. She has taken a job helping to market the product that Jackson's family owns. It is an opportunity for her to take a break and also spend time with Jackson , who she hasn't seen since he married someone else. He is newly single and plans to make her move. What she doesn't expect is to run into Etienne, and old friend from her teenage years. I loved the push and pull of this one and the wondering who Grace would end up with and what type of life she would carve out for herself. The love story was beautiful, the setting was incredible and the emotions that tied it all together were exactly what makes me a fan of Paige Toon's writing for life. This one was five stars and I loved it so much! If you love emoti0nal romance, definitely pick this one up!

[Julissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge childhood-friends-to-lovers fan, I was excited to dig into this one! I know the love triangle trope isn’t everyone’s cup-of-tea, but I think Toon put a unique twist on this trope through the intertwining past events and family secrets. I have to admit that both male love interests frustrated me at one point or another, and I wanted the FMC to snap out of it and stop playing their games. That said, their choices certainly created tension and angst, and kept me hooked. One thing I wasn’t particularly invested in was the business project, and the first half felt overly focused on that plotline. But once it picked back up, I was invested through the end.

I think of Paige Toon as the queen of character-driven stories with so much yearning. She’s also great at describing picturesque settings and this French setting is no exception. This story absolutely hits these characteristics. Overall, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend this and her last few years’ publications. There’s a reason she’s been an auto-read author for me since I discovered her a few years ago!

Thanks to Putnam Books & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy! All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 4/14/26

[Lupita_333 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a sweet romance but the characters were mostly dull and not much happens other than romantic feelings between characters. I hated how immature all the characters were. They were way too old to be treating each other that way and having a lack of communication.

I loved Etienne for the most part. I loved his storyline especially the ending. He was the most detailed. I stoped liking him towards the end when one of his secrets was revealed.

Jackson’s character is very bland and there’s almost no information about who he is other than Grace was in love with him. I didn’t like his character. He claimed to want Grace but he didn’t do anything to prove it. It felt like he only wanted to be with her when he was jealous of Etienne.

Grace was kind of a plain character. We only get to know about her love interest and her emotions towards the 2 love interest. I would have loved to get to know more about her and who she is.

I loved the setting being in France.

I didn’t like how it ending and I didn’t like the epilogue. It felt unnecessary. The story was predictable.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[marelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

after reading this, i have a strong urge to move to a town in southern France. the imagery and setting were so pretty. i had to look up pictures of Ardèche because my imagination couldn’t conjure up something that beautiful. the story itself was engaging, and the characters felt real. Grace was very relatable in a sad way—she is always the one chasing the person she loves, and the people she cares about have not always treated her fairly. that was difficult to read at times, because Grace had a pattern of accepting less than she deserved. this story was more than just a love triangle though. the lore of the town and the families in it spanned generations, which added depth. the overall message was to appreciate and cherish time with your loved ones, however limited that time may be.

thank you NetGalley and Putnam for providing this arc!

[Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, emotionally heavy and a satisfying end. From the very beginning, I had my hopes for the ending. Was I disappointed? Well... no, but I guess your feelings will be determined by who you want Grace to find love with.

Will it be Jackson? The best friend who broke her heart when he fell in love and married someone else.

What about Etienne? The boy who gave her a perfect summer then ghosted her, never telling her goodbye.

Staying with her grandmother Mellie, Grace is trying to find her place in the world, a job that makes her happy and a balanced life.

I loved the revelations, the bonds that grew, and the realisations that Grace comes to as she gets to know the people in her life.

A great read and not at all what I was expecting.

[Jillian Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love a deep, complicated love story and Paige Toon knows how to write them!
I enjoyed this story of Grace, Jackson and Etienne. Beautiful French mountain setting and a long friendship with a slow burn + fake dating wrapped into this layered story.
Thank you you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect love triangle storyline, with a touch of friendship, family, secrets and romance all tied up in a book which leaves you with a warm glow.

This was an easy read for me. I was swept away to the beautiful setting, I was invested in the characters and hoped they would find their happy ending. If you love a feel good romantic novels then I’m sure you will love this one .

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have access to this ARC! Paige has done it again. Dont Fall in love with me is an emotional rollercoaster. I have read Paige's books since the first and cannot wait to see what she comes up with next

[Emily Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent romance by Paige!!! I loved being back in France, I loved the love triangle aspect. Excellent all around

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always a lighthearted fluffy read, paige never disappoints

[Amanda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book was just ok. I was a little bored for most of it as not much happened, and the characters weren't strong enough to carry the book on their own (for me at least). Jackson in particular was completely two-dimensional, I didn't feel like we got to know him at all and it didn't make much sense that Grace had been in love with him for years, as there didn't seem to be any chemistry there.

The French setting was lovely, and the grandparents Mellie and Albert were sweet. For me, the second half was stronger than the first, and I did start to be drawn into the story at this point.

Overall, this book was a bit twee for my tastes, but I did get on board with the romance towards the end.

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I had the best time with this book. I need it on a movie screen—now. Give me the love triangle, the French setting, the heartbroken man, the yearning that hurts in the best way, the loving grandmother, and that dramatic plot twist that made my heart skip a beat. Paige Toon writes with such tenderness and emotional pull that I found myself savoring every page. My heartstrings were tugged again and again, and I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook next, and I’m officially manifesting this story on the big screen.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
This book follows a love triangle between Grace, Jackson, her best friend, and Etienne, a boy she had met one summer while vacationing in France. They all reunite a decade later when Grace returns to France to work with Jackson after his divorce. Still in love with him, Grace feels like this is her chance to finally get together with Jackson, and her reunion with Etienne is a perfect opportunity for her to make Jackson jealous. As their ruse goes on, Grace finds herself with feelings for Etienne, but there are deeper connections and motives between the three of them that threaten all of their relationships.

Honestly, I felt bad for Grace throughout this story - she just wants to be loved by the guy she loves, whether it's Jackson or Etienne, and neither of those relationships are simple. Throughout the book, she is kind of used as a pawn in the middle of a larger war, and she definitely didn't deserve how she was treated by either man. It was hard to pick a side - sometimes a MMC would do one thing that was nice, the next chapter he would do something that was completely eye-roll worthy. The ultimate reveal would have been a dealbreaker for me personally, and I felt like there should have been at least more groveling. Overall, communication could have been MUCH better all around - it just seemed like everybody was hiding or avoiding something.

Sometimes, the technical aspects of Grace's job and the house remodeling throughout the book got boring and made the book unnecessarily longer, and I was eager to flip through to get to the juicy parts. But as usual, I really like Paige Toon's writing, with this book focused on revealing hard truths and knowing when to let go and move on.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Leighann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Don't Fall in Love With Me will be released in the United States on April 14, 2026, and I suggest you pre-order.
I LOVE every book I have read by Paige Toon. I discovered her books this summer and read three of them in one week, and then I read some more after that!
That’s why I LITerally squealed! OUT LOUD when I opened my email with the ARC approval for Don't Fall in Love with Me! And lucky me, because this was her best romantic and emotional novel yet! I loved it so much, I will probably read it again before release date (despite my towering TBR, LOL), and then pre-order copies for my friends, and then start a book club just so I can make my entire book club read it, too.
Paige Toon's romance books are always real, and they don't shy away from grief, tragedy, or real life, but it makes each love story even more evocative and realistic while still being swoony and steamy. That is why her books are characterized as women’s fiction in addition to romance, in my opinion. The identity and potential coming-of-age (or midlife coming of age) storylines, depending on the book, are central storylines, layered with the romantic plot. Her storylines about friendship and family accompany and even deepen or complicate the romance and the setting is always stunning, and Don't Fall in Love with Me did not disappoint. This novel took everything I loved about her books to the next level.
In Don't Fall in Love With Me, Grace returns to the Ardeche for a short-term job and to become part of a love triangle full of second-chance romance and one who got away tropes! As I read the book, I fell in love with the Ardeche (almost as much as Etienne—just wait).
For 15 years, Grace has visited a gorgeous region of France, leaving her home in England to spend time with her grandmother in the Ardeche. While there, she meets Jackson, who becomes a friend and playmate when they are children. During their teen years, their friendship stays strong, but is tested by Chloe, Jackson’s on-again, off-again girlfriend who is not quite right for him. (The childhood parts are told in flashback).
Cut to the opening of the novel: Grace has been out of touch with Jackson since he married Chloe, for reasons of self-preservation, because she was in love with him on his wedding day (and for years before), but he never acknowledged it. Personally, I think he liked having Grace on the hook (good for the ego and to have a wonderful lady waiting in the wings for you for years). Anyway, Grace is at a pivotal point in her life and needs something new, because she’s feeling miserable and stressed by her job and missing her yearly trip to France.
Jackson calls to offer Grace a short-term gig in marketing for the rebranding of family’s French spring-water company. It seems like a win-win-win, because Grace can see Jackson, visit her grandma, and quit her miserable job for something she is more passionate about AND go to the lovely Ardeche region in France. I would be packing my bags and hopping on a plane if I had even ONE of those reasons to go to France, btw.
Grace thinks Jackson just might be the “one who got away,” and this might be her chance to kindle their romance. Jackson, well, we don’t know what he really thinks. But he is going to sit up and take notice when Etienne enters the scene.
And now for the REAL second chance romance. Grace and Etienne have instant chemistry—they became friends for one summer, years earlier, but the potential for love was there. When they run into each other again, Etienne is kind, a good listener, and sexy as hell. He is filling in as a bartender, yet he owns his own business as a mechanic and restores and sells antique cars AND he is restoring his childhood home AND is emotionally vulnerable AND he is good at kayaking! SAY LESS! The only problem is he doesn’t want to catch feels and warns Grace “don’t fall in love with me!” I do not want to tell you anymore, but you need to read this if you want to believe in TRUE love.
I devoured the book in two days, and I was almost sad that I read it so fast. Fun fact: now I am daydreaming every day about buying a plane ticket to France.

[rizzo.readsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!Don’t fall in love with me is a beautiful story of love all around.
Ever since they were kids It’s always been Grace and Jackson they come from two different worlds but spend every summer together in a little town in France being best friends with the possibility of more until things changed…3 years ago Jackson broke her heart and they haven’t seen each other since.

Focusing on work and moving on Grace has kept herself busy in her job but hasn’t had much time for anything else and is looking for a change. Out of the blue Jackson reaches out to Grace with a irresistible job opportunity. Throwing Grace and Jackson back into the French countryside together for another summer. Sparks fly as they see each other again and Grace wonders if things will finally change between them…

Then Grace runs into Etienne. A handsome local man who she was friends with for the summer they were 17. Having lost contact with each other over the last 10 years she has no idea what to make of it. As they rekindle their friendship Etienne comes up with the idea to use their friendship to try to make Jackson jealous. As Grace and Etienne flirt and pretend there is more going on Grace starts to feel maybe it isn’t pretend….Grace is stuck in the middle of Jackson the man she’s loved her whole life and Etienne the mysterious man who is exciting and has more depth then she once thought.

This book is so beautifully written.It deep dives different types of love and family bonds as well.We see the two different connections Grace has with each male character and how things from the past can intertwine and become messy. This is a beautiful love story with lots of slow burn ,chemistry and depth.

The setting for this story is also beautiful. While I was reading it felt like i was swept away to a beautiful countryside town in France. All in all this was a amazing book. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Madeline Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Don't Fall in Love With Me is a contemporary romance following Grace, Jackson, and Etienne. Jackson is her childhood crush who she never seemed to get over; they could spend every summer in France. Etienne is a friend that Grace met ten years ago in France, and she rekindles her friendship with him in present day. A love triangle sort of emerges, and Grace has to figure out who she loves.

Wow, I HATED Jackson so much for majority of this book. Right away, he rubbed me so wrong. He was stringing Grace along, and it felt like he didn't even care about their friendship since he was doing this. He only wanted Grace when it was convenient for him. He also acted as though he didn't know she had feelings for him?? From what we read about the past, it seems blatantly obvious that Grace was in love with him. However, Jackson did redeem himself at about 80% of the way. Love the character development there!!

France as a setting for his contemporary romance was a great choice. This was because Paige Toon didn't just randomly choose a place. Instead, she purposely used it as a way to connect with the characters, memories, and experiences. This made it that much more meaningful and enticing.

One part of the novel I did not love was the writing style. It felt a little too simplistic for my liking. It did allow for a quick read though. I couldn't envision the environment well because there was not any description. Even though the writing wasn't for me, I still didn't want to put it down in a weird way. I wasn't too keen on the story for the first half, but then the second half reeled me in. Etienne was so much more likeable than Jackson, so that played a role into it when he was a more prevalent part in the story. The drama also made you want to finish!

Thank you NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, & Paige Toon for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Don't Fall in Love With Me is released on April 14, 2026!

[Aamira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Grace has been in love with her childhood best friend since they were 15. When he marries and moves back to the states she decides to put some distance between them in order to mend her broken heart. Three years later, he’s back and newly divorced and with a proposition for a new project for his family company. Grace sees this as an opportunity to finally see if there’s a chance for them to be together. When Etienne a boy she befriended one summer comes back into her life and suggests they make Jackson jealous, she agrees. The more time she spends with Etienne the more she begins to fall for him. Etienne has felt great loss in his life, and never wants to fall in love again. What happens when Grace begins to fall even though he’s warned her not to?

I really liked Grace and honestly she deserved better. She’s a caring and loyal person who just wants to be loved, and I felt that neither of the male love interests treated her the way she should’ve been treated. It’s more understandable that Jackson would take their friendship for granted as he’s very self-involved, but I wasn’t crazy about Etienne’s treatment of her. I will say, Jackson does have a bit of a character arc towards the end of the novel that redeems him a little bit.

I loved the descriptions of the French village, and really felt like I was there alongside Grace. Toon paints a very vivid and lovely picture, and you can’t help but feel the lazy afternoon sun on you or taste the crisp rosè.

The plot moves along fairly quickly, though the plot twist at the end is pretty predictable. The romance left so much to be desired, that I honestly would’ve been fine if the story ended with a single Grace starting fresh in France with her new consulting business. She was such a lovely character and really deserved better.