Accidentally Falling

Sapphire Falls Orchard #2

by Shannon O'Connor

A single mom, her new nanny, and an attempt to mask their feelings.

HATTIE:
The best thing that ever happened to me, besides having my son Ollie, was moving onto Sapphire Falls Orchard. Now it's almost eight years later, and the man who left me pregnant and alone comes knocking on my door looking to get to know his son. It's the last thing I want, but who am I to deny my son his family? Of course this comes at the busiest time in my career, so it would only make sense to hire the most qualified nanny until she walks through my front door…

EMMY:
All I need is one more year to graduate and I'll have my master's degree in childhood education completed. But after my father unexpectedly dies and the tuition money turns into paying for his funeral, I'm scrounging for a way to pay for school. When an overpaying nanny position opens up, I'm the first to apply. But when I show up to the house, it looks surprisingly familiar, only to be the home of the woman I spent the weekend prior with.


Accidentally Falling is a spicy single mom/nanny, halloween themed, Sapphic apple orchard romance set in Sapphire Falls, New York. This is book 2 in a new interconnected standalone apple orchard series. You do not need to read Sweater Weather to enjoy Accidentally Falling, but there will be some spoilers.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Femme Femme

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Shannon O’Connor is a twenty something, queer, self published author of over a dozen sapphic romance novels and counting. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found traveling or sitting with an iced coffee at a random coffee spot in New York City. She is currently a full time mom and full time author.

Currently repped by Beck Literary Agency.

She has a 100% NO AI policy. Her books are edited and proofread by human editors and her covers are designed and illustrated by human artists.

Reviews

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this novel a lot! There is a lot to offer in a very easy-reading and enjoyable package. This is part 2 in a series and although it could be read as a standalone I highly recommend that you read the novels in order.

Things I Liked:
-An awesome small-town setting, that specifically features a sprawling orchard which embraces the festive season.
-Great introductions to the characters and their backgrounds without infodumping.
-The stream-of-consciousness style writing (idk if that’s the best term but it works for me) which is incredibly easy to follow and flows so, so smoothly.
-A fun and lighthearted novel, that also tackles the serious and complicated topic of handling grief.
-Competent and capable single-mom vibes.
-Masquerade party! Halloween Vibes!
-Trunk Or Treat (I have never heard of this before but I liked it)
-Great spice
-Wonderful found family vibes
-Soup!
-Semi-forced proximity
-Great communication (sometimes, lmao)
-Realistic yet convoluted trope usage, which is a great combination.
-Sweet relationship moments, and a relationship that grows gradually and organically.
-Messages from beyond the grave (non-spooky)

Room For Improvement:
-There were a few little inconsistencies (either that or I didn’t read well enough; nothing significant)
-A few plot points were a little underwhelming, or otherwise less than what I had expected them to be.

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book that feels like being wrapped in a cozy blanket. I am ready for cooler weather! I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sapphire Falls is a small town and I wish it was a real place to visit (or live!). I love the friendship and support of the community and especially the orchard. I loved Bells and Tilly, and Lina, being so much in the story <3.

Hattie is one of the three best friends that live on the orchard. She is a single mom of Ollie and the only Vet around. She homeschools as well, so she finds that she needs some help. Enter Emmy, the one night stand. Emmy is in town to pack up her late father’s house and sell it so she has the money for her master’s degree. She sees the add for a nanny position and applies.

Naturally both women can keep it professional and ignore any chemistry and desires. ;). Due to circumstances, they end up living in the same house. Of course being professional reins and those looks and touches don’t mean anything. Definitely not. Well….maybe….

Recommend!

[-ˋˏ ༻ Persie ༺ ˎˊ- (TheSapphicStorybook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, Cozy, Pearl Clutching Spice… But WHERE Was the Rest of the Ending?!
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
I have been in the WORST reading slump this year, but I always come out of reading hibernation if it's a Shannon O'Conner book. Accidentally Falling is a cute and cozy read that is the perfect way to ring in the start of Fall!

I am conflicted on this one, yall!! I did really enjoy it, but I have an issue with the ending and it's a pretty big issue to overlook without mentioning.

What I liked:
- The characters
- The found family vibes
- The cozy fall festival/bookstore/orchard vibes
- THE SPICE (lord have mercy i am clutching my pearls)
- No 3rd act breakup/talking like mature adults

There are SO many good things compared my one gripe. the cozy fall, small town vibes are so lovely, we get to visit the orchard once again too which is so fun! Hattie and Emmy are so cutie and likeable as character and i just freaking love that ok yeah, maybe they got a little short and petty but they talked thru things without the drama of a third act breakup. I also usually don't love kid characters, but I was pleasantly surprised by how likeable + sweet Ollie is! I also LOVED Bells in Sweater Weather so I loved getting to see her again.

What I didn't Like:
- THE ABRUPT ENDING

Literally that's it! That's the problem. There are loose ends that don't get tied up and that's what makes this really cute, cozy, spicy read feel like a bit of a let down at the end.

A couple of things that DO NOT get resolved:
- Ollie’s dad, Christopher, feels like he’s being set up to be a major source of conflict throughout the book, but that storyline kind of just… stops? We see signs that Christopher might actually be putting in the work to become a more present parent, but we don’t really get to see where that goes.
- The book ends without Hattie and Emmy even telling Ollie that they’re together!!! This felt like SUCH a huge missing moment to me, especially considering how important Ollie and their little found family are to the story.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Tropes:

Fem x Fem
Age Gap
One Night Stand
Close Proximity
Dual POV
Nanny x Boss
Found Family
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Trigger Warnings:

Grief
Character Death (off-page, but frequently discussed)
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Spice Level:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5 Spice

Giving this a 5!! it's a Shannon O'Connor book, so you should always expect EXCELLENT spice.
Multiple open door scenes. I was clutching my pearls at chapter 27 cuz BRUH?!?!
There's an annotation somewhere that just says "damn."

That’s the spice review. Moving on.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Technically, I’m giving Accidentally Falling a 3.5/5, but I’m rounding her up to 4 stars because I really do love this little series. This was a cute read and perfect for the start of Fall, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite Shannon O’Connor read.

This is book 2 in the Sapphire Falls Orchard, but it can also be read as a complete standalone. I will say, I do prefer book 1, Sweater Weather, but I did still enjoy Accidentally Falling a lot, and I am STILL over here hoping Lina gets book 3. PLS I NEED IT!

I received an ARC from BookSirens and the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Solely Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Duel 1st Person POV. 4.5🌟 3🌶️. 252 pages
5 Spicy Scenes

If you know me, you know I’m an absolute fiend for a single mom trope and I don’t think we have enough of them in sapphic books. And this book was so damn cute!

Accidentally falling included all of the fluff and small town cuteness that Sweater Weather offered and combined that with a slight age gap and a single mom / nanny pairing and I ate it up.

Not to mention the autumnal / Halloween aspects of the book and the characters love for horror movies. You can bet it had me hooked!

Honestly what’s not to love about a cozy little small town romance, a hot mom, cute kid and delicious sprinkles of spice throughout. And I’m excited to see what Shannon does with Gigi’s story next.

Accidentally Falling is out now and I’d highly recommend checking it out, but maybe read Sweater Weather first.

Things to LOVE:
📚Book 2
🏡Small Town
💔Grief & Healing
💕Age Gap
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩Femme / Femme
❤️‍🔥Boss / Employee
🎃Autumn Setting

#contemporaryromance #lesbianromance #lesbianbooks #sapphicbooks #sapphicromamce

[Jackie D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was going ok but then it abruptly ended after the first date…..you get no ending to what happened with Ollie’s dad. They never tell Ollie that they are dating. I haven’t been this angry/ disappointed by a book in such a long time. Only gets 2 stars because it was enjoyable up until 45%ish. It feels like more of these reviews should talk about the lack of ending.

[Ana Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. The spicy scenes were great. Not used to the single mom trope, but I did like the nanny/single mom thing more than I thought I would.

There were some grammar errors but I’ve gotten used to this with Shannon O’Connor books. I actually liked this book so much I went backwards and am now reading Sweater Weather, the first book of this series.

I received this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

No names, anonymous one night we know never is going to be one night or remain anonymous. I rarely enjoy the intimate scenes when no chemistry has been seen first or built up. I am taking lust at first sight as something different. This scene for me doesn’t buck the trend. Not the authors fault…. Or mine. I really did not enjoy the first long intimate scene and found the language choices pulled me out.
Language choices elsewhere also didn't work for me. I don't know if it's my age but sometimes I just find the writing too blunt. Others will absolutely look on that as a plus.
This is the second in an adjacent series. I don't think you need to have read the first and the author is doing catch ups but they can be a wee bit repetitive, not from I read the other and know the background but I don't know if she forgot she practically put the same paragraph in before.
There is a plot point that although the ground work was laid earlier, is so familiar that if this wasn't an arc I would be sure I had already read this book.
Plot device of interrupted passion followed by not communicating does not endear this book to me. However I do like the way the author wrote the aftermath..... It wasn't dragged out and the reasoning worked.
For me, the book just sort of ends. No unresolved things really but a couple of..... I wonder how that went. I'm not bothered about not knowing which perhaps says a lot.
It's fine and actually if you are closer to the writers 20 something age it may be right up your street.

[Jae Alistar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accidentally Falling is equal parts cozy, spicy, and emotionally grounding. It’s the kind of story that wraps you up in crisp autumn afternoons, magical small-town charm, and characters who make love feel like coming home. Between the hilarious and fiercely protective found family, a romance brimming with undeniable chemistry, and heartfelt emotion woven throughout, Shannon O'Connor creates a story that's as comforting as it is captivating.

Hattie has spent the last five years doing everything she can to give her young son Ollie the happiest life possible, even while carrying more than her fair share of responsibilities. When the recent loss of a beloved family figure leaves Hattie and Ollie learning how to move forward through their grief, they’re faced with a new life that feels fundamentally different. After feeling like she has to hold everything together for so long, one anonymous night with a stranger is meant to be nothing more than a moment of escape. She never expects that mystery woman to reappear almost immediately as Ollie’s new nanny. Emmy, meanwhile, is navigating her own complicated relationship with grief while trying to find her place in a life that suddenly feels a little more empty and a lot less certain. From the moment she enters Hattie and Ollie’s world, it’s clear she brings something they both needed.

The chemistry between Hattie and Emmy is undeniable from the very beginning, but the beauty of their relationship lies in watching that fiery attraction grow into a connection defined by trust, compassion, and the feeling of truly being seen. Their connection is unbelievably steamy without ever feeling like spice for the sake of spice; the heat only intensifies as their relationship grows from lust and infatuation into trust and compassion. I loved watching them learn how to truly see each other, offering comfort and understanding without trying to erase the other person’s struggles. Even when life gets messy, they communicate with honesty and maturity, making every step of their relationship feel authentic and natural.

Ollie was so special – he’s clever, funny, and endlessly lovable without ever feeling unrealistic, and watching the bond he builds with Emmy while seeing how deeply he’s loved by everyone highlights just how important he is to both Hattie’s life and the story as a whole. Seeing Emmy seamlessly become part of both his and Hattie's lives made this romance feel even more meaningful. Mix in a found family that's equal parts chaotic, protective, and endlessly supportive, and every interaction feels absolutely filled with warmth. These relationships don't just surround the romance, they strengthen it, reminding Hattie that she has never truly had to carry everything on her own.

Both Hattie and Emmy are navigating grief in very different ways, and I appreciated how thoughtfully the story handled both journeys. Their sadness is given the room to exist without allowing it to overshadow the warmth and love woven throughout the story. Hattie’s grief comes from losing someone who was a foundational part of her and Ollie’s lives, while Emmy is navigating the complexity of grieving someone she never fully knew and wondering if she’s allowed to feel the way she does. The story never treats grief as something that can simply be fixed; instead, it uses those moments to deepen connections and show how healing can happen alongside the people who support us.

With sizzling chemistry, heartfelt emotional growth, and a found family that feels like home, Accidentally Falling is ultimately a story about the people who hold us up when we need it most and those who help us find our way back to ourselves. It’s a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to navigate life’s hardest moments alone, and that sometimes the greatest gift is finding someone who makes the weight we carry feel a little lighter.

Thank you SO much to the author for the chance to read this ARC!

Favorite Quotes:
" I keep thinking it’ll get easier over time, but I think that’s a lie people feed us so we keep going on."

"God, she is my kryptonite, that’s for sure."

"I think about how [she] makes me feel. I feel safe and comfortable here with her. Every time she smiles, I feel butterflies in my stomach, and I light up the same way."

"He’s all the best parts of you. I know you’re a package deal and it’s the best deal I’d ever be lucky enough to have."

"It was a weird feeling to be seen by another person. Not someone who was trying to change you or convince you to think differently. Just someone who sees how you think and wants to ease your stress."

"I just want to get back to my book."

"Being with [her] makes things feel more finished, like I’m no longer looking for a missing piece. She fits in perfectly with, never making me second guess what this could be."

"I’m okay, and I’m living as much as I can for you. I know life doesn’t last forever and I don’t want to make a grocery list I’ll never get to buy."

[Mark taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidentally Falling by Shannon O'Connor is the second book in the writers Sapphire Falls Orchard series.

Telling the love story between Hattie, a single mum of Ollie who is having to integrate his father back into her life.

With Emmy, a young woman who comes to the area to sell her late fathers house, has a one night stand and ends up being the nanny for the child on a purely platonic basis.

Accidentally Falling is the perfect autumnal Autumn/Fall romance, not just because it mentions the usual fall events such has halloween, pumpkin flavoured drinks as well as Thanksgiving,

Any romance can do that for specific events and tie the events of a romance to it and you have say a christmas romance. However as someone who is part of the 3% of the population who has Appantsia which means that when reading my mind does not create an image of what is written on the page.

So while the setting in both place and time of the year have an affect on the story, what really works for me as a reader is the emotional connection between the romantic leads in the story, in this case Emmy and Hattie.

Which felt just about perfect from the initial meeting and the one night stand, to the sexual tension as Emmy started to work for Hattie as the nanny. Which multiplied when Emmy moved in the house together.

One of the major problems with single parent romances is the children of the single parent. In this case we have just one boy called Ollie, which the writer Shannon O’Connor makes above the normal intelligence of a child of his age.

Which is a slight cheat as it stops readers complaining about the character saying things that a child of that age would not say.

Added to this we have the normal trope in a single parent romance when a date is cancelled because the babysitter lets them down. Allowing the romantic interest to come up trumps with a solution and not complaining that things have to change all of a sudden.

Added to that we have the spicy scenes sprinkled throughout the novel making Accidentally Falling by Shannon O'Connor an enjoyable standard single parent sapphic romance.

Ireceived an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[whiskey reads sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this arc in exchange for my honest review!!

This book would be the PERFECT fall read, even though we're dead in the middle of summer it had me yearning for the season and craving everything that comes with it. Still, it was nice to curl up in bed and live in the moment while reading this.

Much like the first book of the series, we have a transplant coming into down to deal with a deceased, estranged relative's estate, as well as an anonymous one-night stand without any names being shared! This time around, the matter of said estate doesn't create any animosity between the couple, but there's still some complications when Emmy applies to be the nanny to Hattie's young son, Ollie. Despite the situation, Hattie decides to hire Emmy due to lack of any other options, and they agree to leave the past behind them and have the one-night-stand stay one-night. Obviously, they fail at this, especially when Hattie has to quickly sell her father's house and needing a place to stay temporarily, she ends up moving in with Hattie and Ollie.

This is a cute story, with a sweet romance and a wonderful array of side characters that we first met in the first book, Sweater Romance. Despite their age gap, Hattie and Emmy have a lot of chemistry together and a willingness to take it things slow for the sake of there being a small child, which builds the foundations of a healthy relationship right off the bat.

I would've liked there to be an epilogue! As well as some plot points cleaned up, namely around Hattie's ex, Christopher. It felt like he was supposed to be a more antagonistic force within the story, there to shake up Hattie and Ollie's life, but tbh nothing would have been lost if that subplot was completely removed. I also wish that Emmy had some family support... she's not estranged from her mother or her brother, but both leave her to deal with the handling of her father's estate and seen unbothered by how the loss might affect her mentally.

All in all, this was a solid book, and I'm eager to see what book three brings!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already loved the first book about the apple orchard and I thought the cozy atmosphere was absolutely lovely back then. But the sequel is in no way inferior to the firstbook and it brings its very own charm with it (perfectly suited to autumn too).

With stories like these, I always find myself thinking that I’d love to experience something like this myself, but until then, I’ll keep reading Shannon O’Connor’s books. Although… the third book isn’t coming out for another year? Ouch. That hurts. Both books can be read independently of each other. There are no real spoilers and the little bit of backstory you might need is already subtly woven into the story.

There was nothing about this book that I didn’t like, but there was one thing I especially loved: the emotions. We already know that I adore the apple orchard as a setting, but I also have to mention how all the characters form one big found family. And finally, there’s the chemistry between Hattie and Emmy. It completely won me over. It was lively, exciting and full of fire, while at the same time I was sitting there thinking: Yep, these two belong together.

I especially love how, just like in the previous book, the characters behave like mature adults, communicate with each other and don’t chase one unnecessary drama after another. They’re wonderful role models.

These are some of the few books where I genuinely wish they had a German translation so I could recommend them to more people around me. I love the entire setting and the feelings these two books evoke in me.

They are respectful love stories about people who aren’t perfect, but who always try their best. And there are far too few stories like that, so I highly recommend reading this books!

[Maria S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidentally Falling (Sapphire Falls Orchard #2) is a cozy novel with an autumnal tone. It is distinguished by highly spicy scenes, a very weak dramatic moment, which is a plus for those looking for a festive, emotionally enthusiastic and really light read. The plot doesn't shine with originality, the main line repeats others in the genre and for me as a reader who likes characters to have at least one serious problem to solve, it was too light, but every train has its passengers, even if this is not exactly my journey. The eroticism is juicy at a high level, with moments of power play and if the reader is looking for that, they will not be disappointed. The means of expression are understandable, beautifully descriptive and paint real landscapes of the orchard and the small town. The characters are diverse, the secondary ones slightly hinted at, as they are part of other books in the series. The whole time I was expecting Christopher to do something really bad, because his personality was described as irresponsible and egoistic, but his deeds didn't really meet the label. Hattie is the character who, in my opinion, was the most realistically developed as a person - a mother with troubled past and a little boy that does everything for her kid and she always comes second until life sends her a redhead challenge. Emmy, although a main character, remained a bit in the shadows, creating the impression of being insecure and unoriented in terms of motivation in life. Overall, the book manages to keep the attention and is interesting, but the last few chapters seemed a bit rushed to me, so I give it 3.75/5.

[teaguebean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐
cozy fall vibes, found family, forced proximity, low angst, boss x employee, one night to forever, single mom, small town, grief

the second book in the sapphire falls series brings us hattie's story, along with the story of her new nanny and how she ends up staying put in town even though she didn't originally intend too.

hattie is desperately trying to balance work and life chaos and the best thing that she can come up with is to hire a nanny to help take care of her some part time.
emmy is just in sapphire falls to finish dealing with the last pieces of her deceased fathers estate and to sell his house so she can have the money to finish grad school and get her degree in early childhood education. needing money and time to process, she applies for a listing for a nanny position that is paying better than her last 2 jobs combined.
what neither of them expect when emmy shows up for the interview is that she was in this house the previous weekend. she knows this house and hattie from the previous weekend very intimately. that's what they get for not exchanging names, or any other information.

in the first book in the series, i had already fallen for sapphire falls and this wonderful little found family living on the orchard, but this book cemented that love even more. i can't wait for the next book!

the ending however felt abrupt. i hope that in the next book in the series we can get some insight into the unanswered questions that the ending we were given left out.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆

I had such a good time reading Accidentally Falling by Shannon O’Connor!! One of my favorite things about this book was watching Hattie and Emmys relationship grow. I loved seeing how their connection developed. I also found myself rooting for Emmy SOO much throughout the story. She was such a genuinely good person, and I really grew to love her character SHE WAS THE BEST TBH.

Something that really stood out to me was how understanding and selfless Emmy was, especially when it came to Hattie and everything she was dealing with her work, her child,… She was so considerate of other Hatties feelings and never seemed to expect much in return. Honestly I don't think I could be that selfless hahaha, so I really admired that about her.

I also absolutely loved the autumn atmosphere in this book! The small town setting, all the fall activities and the cozy moments they shared made the story even more enjoyable for me. It was such a lovely setting for their relationship to develop!!

There were a few things that kept this from being a five star read for me, but they didn't take away too much from my overall enjoyment. I would have loved a little more depth in certain parts of the story and a bit more time to explore some of the emotional aspects of the characters relationship.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and found a lot to love in both the characters and the atmosphere. If you enjoy small town settings and autumn vibes, I would definitely recommend giving this one a try!!


Thank you Book Sirens for this ARC :)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally Falling is a high heat, low angst, sapphic romance with a fall setting. Tropes: single mom, one night to forever, boss/employee, and age gap - both characters are in their twenties but there is a significant age gap of about eight years.

Emmy is a young twenty something that has moved to Sapphire Falls to handle selling her dad’s house after he passed away. She has an older brother and a mom but she is left to handle this on her own, which seemed a little unrealistic. While she does talk to her brother on the phone she never talks to her mom, despite saying how much respect she has for her mom who was a single mom. She meets single mom Hattie at a fall masquerade party and they end up hooking up. She doesn’t expect to see Hattie again but applies for a nanny position that just happens to be for Hattie’s seven year old son Ollie. Their relationship grows from there.

I usually love an age gap but feel like this one was significant since they were both in very different life stages. I had a hard time believing Emmy would so easily give up or put on hold her goals of going to school. She does mention she could take online classes but we never see her pursuing that. I enjoyed the spice but felt like the story needed a little more development.

I loved the fall setting on an orchard. Even though I read this book during a hot summer night it made me want to curl up on the couch with a pumpkin spice latte. This was a 3.5 star read for me. Thank you for the ARC.

[Siddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmy has just arrived at Sapphire Falls, a small town close to New York. She is there to clear her late father’s house before she sells it. When Emmy was still very young, her parents split; she, her brother and mom moved eventually to Oregon. She had not seen her father in years, but spoke on the phone regularly. Emmy is planning to sell the house and use the money to continue her studies.
Hattie is the veterinarian for the town, having moved there years before as a pregnant teen, after getting thrown out by her parents. Benny owned the orchards and farm near the town, and cared for several people that didn’t have a family of their own, forming her own found family. After taking Hattie in, and after the birth of her son Ollie, Benny helped by paying for Hattie’s studies as a veterinarian on the condition she would help with the farm animals. Now Benny has recently died, and Hattie really misses her, and her help with Ollie.
I really loved this story. It is an ongoing story in the series, but is also wonderful to read as a stand-alone. It is warm, cute and cozy, with a very small amount of angst.
After reading the other books with many of the women some time ago, slowly the characters and situations started coming back to me. It felt like a warm hug, like friends I have known and miss…

[Samantha Holder-Venter · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book, the pacing was a little… weird. Some parts felt absolutely perfect, but then other things just flew by. There were definitely moments I think deserved a bit more time to breathe. I also really hate that I’m left without closure on some things lol. Is Christopher gonna behave? What happens six months down the line? How does Ollie take it when Emmy and Hattie tell him about their relationship? And what does Christopher do with that information?

I really enjoyed Emmy and Hattie as characters. They’re colourful, feel fleshed out, and their relationship was just so damn enjoyable to read. I also wish we’d gotten to see more of them actually being together. We get glimpses of their relationship, but I would have loved to just saturate in it a little more. Give me more of the quiet moments, the emotional connection, and the development of them as a couple. I think that would have added so much more emotional depth to their relationship.

And I LOVED the spicy scenes. They’re excellently written, and the yearning is always a huge plus for me.

Honestly, this would have been a 5-star read if the pacing had been a little more balanced and I’d gotten just a bit more closure lol. Still, an excellent book that I really, really enjoyed!

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by Shannon O’Connor! Definitely a page turner. Emmy has moved to Sapphire Falls to sell her dad’s house-he passed away. Her brother gave her his half. She’s wanting to become a teacher. Hattie is a single mom to a boy named Ollie. He’s quite a little boy. His dad has been quite absent in his life, but now wants to spend more time with him. Wait til you see how that goes. Also, wait til you see what house he buys when he moves into town.

Emmy and Hattie meet at a masquerade party. Emmy flirts with Hattie and at first they don’t exchange names. It starts off as a one night stand. Well, Hattie needs a nanny for Ollie. Emmy needs a job and applies not knowing at first who it is for. It looks like this is the start of a great friendship, maybe more for Emmy and Hattie. Emmy definitely gets along with Ollie. They even share a love for reading. As the story continues, things definitely heat up for Emmy and Hattie, but they try to keep their feelings in check around Ollie. I think this just makes their love for each other grow more. In the end, what is in store for these two? Will they decide to come out to Ollie and live a happy life?

[babblingaboutbooks&#x1f9e1; · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gotta be honest… found this book a bit… unfinished?

There’s initially a lot of conflict with Hatties baby daddy which just sort of disappears after he moves to Sapphic Falls.. and isn’t resolved so you don’t know whether Ollie will keep a relationship with his dad or not…

Emmy supposedly has this well respected mother that she doesn’t speak to once throughout the whole book .. and she has a brother who calls a few times but leaves his sister to deal with the estate and loss of her dad alone (and this is justified by having new born twins which I kinda get but really? All of it??) so that kinda confused me.

I didn’t really get this whole clip:
‘He’s driving the police cruiser today, which also leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Who is a cop this day and age? Especially when he’s old enough to have chosen something else.’

I think it’s maybe lost a bit on people outside the US? I was pretty confused by it…

Hattie is lowkey Wonder Woman.
Emmy is very insightful despite being younger and they are well paired in that sense; and I loved seeing the side characters and their own unique ways of grieving Benny which I think is written really well.

*ARC REVIEW*

[SusieQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment takes a refreshing approach by flipping the usual romance formula: Hattie and Emmy share an intimate weekend together before either of them realizes who the other really is, so the story becomes about falling for each other for real only after the fact. That reversal gives their connection an honesty that a lot of slow-burn setups skip past, and it made their growing relationship feel earned rather than rushed.

The writing draws you into a genuine bond between the two women, and just as importantly, into the relationship that builds between Emmy and Hattie’s son Ollie. That family dynamic adds real warmth to the romance and makes the stakes feel personal rather than purely romantic. The characters are on the younger side for a happily-ever-after, but it suits the tone and pacing of their story well. The book also ties in nicely with previous entries in the series — a nice bonus if you’ve read them, though it stands fine on its own if you haven’t.

Overall, a lovely, character-driven read that left me looking forward to the next book in the series. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
Here's the Halloween themed HEA you need this season. I loved the close knit family friend group at the orchard. Emmy's brother and his set of twins was absolutely believable even across country.
Hattie's strained relationship with the father of her child is written well and something you can relate to. Her busy chaotic lifestyle only adds pressure to finding a nanny for her son Ollie. He's a thoughtful and inquisitive child but still prone to immature behavior as any child is. Emmy's ability to come in and patch the holes and pitch in with that established family and friends dynamic is what makes this story work well. The chemistry between Emmy and Hattie's is sizzling. They're both learning to deal with their grief due to separate circumstances and all encompassing attraction to each other. I hope to see more from this universe of characters.

Tropes and triggers: age gap, close proximity, found family, grief, nanny, one night stand, single mom, small town

I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.

[~lil maso~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Natalie for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Sweet, spicy, and perfectly autumnal

Accidentally Falling is a cozy, Sapphic single‑mom/nanny romance with just the right mix of heart and heat. Hattie and Emmy’s connection is instant, complicated, and so easy to root for, especially as past wounds and new responsibilities collide. The orchard setting and Halloween vibes make it extra atmospheric, and the emotional moments land beautifully. A few plot points wrap up quickly, but overall it’s a warm, engaging read that delivers all the fall feels.


*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for the single mom trope and this book was no different! I loved the Halloween vibes as it was the first sapphic book I’ve read recently with that theme and it was everything. This was an easy read and I could not put it down. The tensions of the nanny and her boss were phewww. The spicy scenes had me flustered in the best way.

They both didn’t want to make repeated mistakes and put their hearts on the line but they found something beautiful between them instead. They both lifted each other up through their grief and managed to be each other’s safe space through it. There was some misunderstandings but they managed to tackle them as quickly as they could with a kid in tow. The side characters were so good and I loved seeing more of the characters from sweater weather! I’ve enjoyed every Shannon O’Connor book I’ve read and I cannot wait for more! Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

[Stephanie Mohr]

Accidentally Falling by Shannon O’Connor is a fun, heartwarming, and thoroughly enjoyable romance that kept me smiling from start to finish. I loved the natural chemistry between the main characters and how their relationship developed in such a believable and engaging way. The story strikes a lovely balance of romance, humor, and sweet emotional moments, making it an easy and comforting escape. I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journey, especially as the romantic tension built and their connection deepened. Shannon O’Connor does a wonderful job creating a feel-good atmosphere filled with charm and heart, and the book left me with a genuinely happy, satisfied feeling. Overall, it’s a delightful, lighthearted read that I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a sweet romance that’s both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[LezLibros · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** ARC REVIEW ***
This was an engaging read and the perfect story to get you excited for fall! I really enjoyed Sweater Weather (the first in the series), and it was so much fun to revisit the women of Sapphire Falls orchard again. Accidentally Falling gives us Hattie’s story, and how she is coping with grief and some changes in her life. Her new nanny Emmy is someone she’s met before… and what follows is a sweet sapphic romance with plenty of autumn splendor and spicy magic. Emmy is dealing with some grief of her own; can helping Hattie help her heart heal too? This is a perfect read for a rainy fall afternoon, sipping on a pumpkin latte.

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hattie and Emmy hit it off as soon as they meet at a masquerade party which leads to a one-night stand. Then Emmy applies to a nanny ad which happens to be Hattie seeking a nanny for her son Ollie. Both Hattie and Emmy are in their twenties but different walks of life but both are dealing with something difficult. Emmy the loss of a parent and Hattie filling the void of her son's absent father. Hattie and Emmy not only transition in a newfound relationship together and giving Ollie what he needs in this story but along with the side characters it becomes a new circle of a found family for everyone.

[Donna Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou for the opportunity  to ARC.
I loved the first couple of chapters where two people meet at a masked dance and go home for a the best One Night Stand. No names are exchanged,  just desire. Of course they meet again applying for the Nanny job for little  Ollie. Ollie's Dad and new wife enter the picture.
This is a slower romance than O'Connor usually writes but some smashing lines like " Kiss me, and we can both pretend it doesn't mean anything" I love the way housework chores are described
This is such a tribute to being raised by single Mums and being a single Mum the world over. A super read

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon O’Connor never lets me down. This was another beautiful love story brimming with warmth, heart, humour and cosy autumn vibes.

The sense of family we get from the main characters (including Ollie here because when there’s a kid, they’re part of the deal!) is fairly instant. The chemistry between all of them is so sweet. I love Hattie’s strength and determination, I love Emmy’s independence and fortitude, and I adore their connection and (eventually) ability to communicate.

This is the perfect book to welcome in the changing season and get you psyched for the holidays, and maybe a wee bit excited in other ways…

[Natalie Miernicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Sweet, spicy, and perfectly autumnal

Accidentally Falling is a cozy, Sapphic single‑mom/nanny romance with just the right mix of heart and heat. Hattie and Emmy’s connection is instant, complicated, and so easy to root for, especially as past wounds and new responsibilities collide. The orchard setting and Halloween vibes make it extra atmospheric, and the emotional moments land beautifully. A few plot points wrap up quickly, but overall it’s a warm, engaging read that delivers all the fall feels.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I had to dive straight into this one as I enjoyed the previous book ("Sweater Weather") so much. Glad I did as this is a very enjoyable follow-up.

Hattie & Emmy are just so sweet!

They manage everything so well - no matter what gets thrown at them - and I'm pretty sure Ollie knows how lucky he is with those two.

(Love the character of Gigi too - hoping to see more of her in the future.)


(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)