When Forever Falls Apart

Cinnamon Springs #2

by Kat T. Masen

A runaway bride returns to her small town, hoping to let go of the past, and ends up embroiling her best friend’s older brother in a fake-dating plot to make her ex jealous—from the bestselling author of How to Break My Heart.

Maddy Beaumont has been dubbed the runaway bride of Cinnamon Springs after leaving her ex, Myles, jilted at the aisle and escaping to Europe. But she can’t escape the townspeople’s judgment for long. Months later, she’s forced to return home and face reality, and Maddy is surprised by feelings of regret when she learns Myles has a new girlfriend so soon.

Did she make a mistake by calling off the wedding? There’s only one way to find out. When Maddy is invited to an event with Myles in attendance, she strikes a deal with pastry chef Elliot, her best friend’s charming older brother. For one night, Elliot and Maddy are going to pretend they’re dating. Easy, right? Just hold each other’s hand and pretend to look in love.

But the more time Maddy spends with Elliot, the more she realizes what they share might not be so fake after all.

Genres: Romance, Fake Dating, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Born and bred in Sydney Australia, Kat T. Masen is a mother to four crazy boys and wife to one sane husband. Growing up in a generation where social media and fancy gadgets didn’t exist, she enjoyed reading from an early age and found herself immersed in these stories. After meeting friends on twitter who loved to read as much as she did, her passion to write began and the friendships continued on despite the distance. “I’m known to be crazy and humorous. Show me the most random picture of a dog in a wig and I’ll be laughing for days.”

Reviews

[cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I love you, Madelina, and if I have to read every second chance book in this store, I will do it, because my life doesn’t exist without you.”


on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ‎♪ˎˊ˗
“ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ” x ʙᴇɴ ʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ
0:12 ─♥──────── 2:18


Maddy is back in Cinnamon Springs after calling off her wedding and earning herself the title of runaway bride. When she crosses paths with her ex and his new girlfriend, her best friend’s older stepbrother, Elliot, suggests fake dating to make him jealous. Maddy agrees, and what starts as a little scheme quickly turns into something neither of them seems prepared for.

This was such a cute little read, and I flew through it, but I think I wanted something from it that I just never quite got. Mostly, I wanted Maddy and Elliot to have more TIME. 😭 They don’t even meet until almost a quarter into the book, and by the time the fake dating actually becomes we're pretty much at the half point. Then suddenly we’re catching feelings and I’m sitting here like HOLD ON. I wanted to live in the fake relationship for a while before we started getting into the real feelings

I did like Maddy and Elliot together, though. Their chemistry worked for me, and there were definitely little moments where I could see why they were falling for each other. I just wasn’t always convinced by how quickly everything escalated. It made the romance feel a little rushed when I think I would’ve enjoyed it so much more if we’d gotten more buildup between all those moments

i also had a hard time connecting with some of the characters because parts of their behavior felt pretty immature... which took me out of certain emotional moments 🤷🏼‍♀️

I did appreciate where Maddy and Elliot ended up as characters, and there was definitely enough here that I still enjoyed reading it. I just never became as emotionally attached as I wanted to, and I think slowing the whole thing down would’ve made a huge difference for me!!

things to know about the book ↓

🧡 fake dating
🧡 brothers best friend
🧡 small town
🧡 runaway bride
🧡 he falls first
🧡 dual POV

swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 18, 22, 24, 26, 29

Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book written by Kat T. Masen and enjoyed it so much. I’ve recently discovered that I love small town romances so much!! Cinnamon Springs sounds like such a cute and cosy town, and this book delivered all the good things I expect to find in a small town romance book. 🥰 Cosy community vibes where everyone knows each other, gossipy old ladies, and an adorable donut cafe! Loved the whole vibe! 🥹

Madelina and Elliot’s romance was also fun to read and watch unfold. The forbidden romance (best friends brother / sisters best friend) is one of my favourite tropes 🥰 Their spice was also spicing! 😆

The side characters were also fantastic to read and I enjoyed them as well! I really hope we get a Billie book because she seems so awesome!

Tropes in this one include:
🧡Best friends older brother / Sisters best friend
🩷Fake Dating
🧡Possessive MMC
🩷 Small Town
🧡 Found Family

If you’re looking for a cosy small town romance, I highly recommend this one! 🤗

[Emily Condio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read. It read quickly, like the first one did. I thought some substance was missing. The romance seemed to happen so quickly, followed by the third act break up and resolution. I wanted to a little more. There were also a few times where I thought to myself “are these even adults?” because of some decisions. I really would like to read Billie’s book - she’s my favorite character in the series. Fingers crossed!

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a bit more than the first one in the series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, When Forever Falls Apart. This is about Maddy, after leaving her fiancé at the altar and running off to Europe to clear her head, she is now back home in the small town of Cinnamon Springs. She jumps in to help out at her best friend's café where she runs into Elliot, her best friend's older brother that she hasn't seen in years. When Maddy finds out her ex-fiancé has a new girlfriend and will be at an upcoming event she is attending, she asks Elliot to be her fake date for the evening. But an evening of being a fake couple leads to real feelings between them. Neither of them want a relationship but as they spend time working together, what they're both feeling is getting harder and harder to deny.
This is book 2 in the Cinnamon Springs series, and I was so excited for this book to come out! This is such a cozy small town, and after getting Maddy and Elliot both as side characters in the last book, I was so excited for their book! This story had friends to lovers, fake dating, best friend's older brother, and small town romance. Both of these characters were hesitant to fall in love again because of past relationships, but they helped each other and fell in love along the way. It was a really sweet and fun story! 🧡📚

Thank you to Kat T. Masen, Atria, and Netgalley for this ARC of When Forever Falls Apart, in exchange for an honest review.

[BookMarkedbyNicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize when I started this book that it is the second book. I don't think I will be going back and reading.

This wasn't a bad read, and it went by pretty quickly. I just felt like it was missing a little something. The romance moved really fast, and then we got the third-act breakup and resolution before I really had time to get invested. I didn't hate it but I also didn't move it. It was perfect for in between heavy reads.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for a honest review

[aplace_inthesun) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second book in the Cinnamon Springs series. I haven’t read the first book but it didn’t take me too long to get a reasonable picture of who was who in the Cinnamon Springs world.

It brings the story of Maddy who has done a runner from her own wedding. Shes returning to Cinnamon Springs for another wedding (of Stella) and promises to help another friend Eva in her growing donut shop franchise. Eva’s brother Elliot is also lending a helping hand, hot from Paris where he’s a renowned chef (needing a break). Maddy and Elliot fake date to attend the wedding because Maddy’s ex is going to be there.

This is a cute, small town romance with all the elements of a Hallmark movie. It takes a little while for Maddy and Elliot to get to the fake dating bit but from then on it’s all but a case of insta-love. Neither Maddy nor Elliot are good communicators, so the miscommunication trope is ever present, contributing to their struggles during the latter part of the book. There’s some fun dialogue between the pair and some canine cameos that steal the show.

This one brings cute vibes rather than deep emotions, but I enjoyed it nonetheless thanks to the publisher.

[Mon Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

The snippets of the couple from the first book made me just want to knock my head on a desk. Because apparently people don’t change. Just like in their book, both the characters in this book were disgusting and should just split up for crying out loud.

Excluding that, this whole book is just negative; no one likes each other. Also, show, not tell, please, authors, I beg you.
Also, the degrading of women is so frickin hypocritical when the male characters projecting that hate, are so much worse.

But, just like the first book, this book is diabolically bad, like soooo badly written and executed. Again, everything is there for a small town romance. But, this book just oversimplified an easy small-town romance; it incorporates or tries to fit in six too many romance factors and in the end just becomes a hot mess.
1.5

[BookwormBraggings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart! 😭❤️ Sometimes a book comes along that wraps itself around your heart, gives it a little squeeze, and reminds you just how beautiful, messy, and complicated love can be! When Forever Falls Apart sounds like the kind of emotional reading journey that makes you want to curl up under a soft blanket, grab a steaming mug of cocoa ☕, and lose yourself in every single page. 📖🧸

There’s something so powerful about stories that explore love, heartbreak, and the fragile spaces between holding on and letting go. 💔🥹 The kind that makes you FEEL everything, keeps your heart invested, and leaves you sitting quietly with your thoughts long after you turn the final page. Add this one to your cozy reading corner, because sometimes the most unforgettable stories are the ones that tug at every little heartstring! 💕✨

📚🕯️ A blanket, a warm drink, a quiet evening, and a book that makes you FEEL ALL THE FEELS — the perfect recipe for an emotional bookish escape! ❤️😭💫

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Copy: I received an advance/review copy of When Forever Falls Apart in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes walking away from the life you planned is the only way to find the life you were actually meant to have.

Maddy Beaumont is infamous in Cinnamon Springs for one thing: being the runaway bride. After leaving Myles at the altar and escaping to Europe, she eventually has to come home and face everything she left behind—including the judgment of a small town that definitely hasn't forgotten what happened.

And then she discovers Myles has moved on.

Suddenly, all those doubts she thought she'd outrun come rushing back. Did she make the biggest mistake of her life? Or is seeing her ex with someone new simply making her mourn the future she once thought was guaranteed?

Enter Elliot: pastry chef, charming older brother of Maddy's best friend, and the perfect candidate for a little fake-dating scheme designed to make Myles jealous.

Except pretending to be into Elliot becomes dangerously easy.

I loved that underneath the fun fake-dating setup, *When Forever Falls Apart* is really about Maddy figuring out what she wants when she stops allowing everyone else's expectations to define her choices. Her uncertainty felt incredibly human. There's a difference between missing someone and missing the life you imagined having with them, and watching Maddy untangle those feelings gave the romance more emotional depth than I expected.

And Elliot? He makes it very easy to root for the possibility of something new. Their chemistry builds through those delicious little moments where the line between pretending and reality gets blurrier and blurrier. Fake touches start lingering. Feelings become harder to dismiss. And suddenly the man who was supposed to help Maddy figure out whether she wanted her ex back might be exactly why she doesn't.

The small-town setting adds another layer of fun because Cinnamon Springs comes with opinions, gossip, history, and absolutely nowhere to hide. Maddy's past is waiting around practically every corner, which makes her journey toward deciding what—and who—she actually wants even more satisfying.

Romantic, emotional, funny, and filled with chemistry, When Forever Falls Apart is a story about realizing that a relationship ending doesn't necessarily mean you failed. Sometimes the future falling apart simply makes room for a better one.

If you love fake dating, best friend's older brother, small-town gossip, jealous exes, second chances at happiness, and romances where pretending catches feelings, put this one on your list.

[Amanda Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

I have been looking forward to returning to Cinnamon Springs since I finished How to Break My Heart, and Maddy and Elliot's story was the perfect fix!

Maddy has been laying low in France since leaving her fiancé at the altar, but when her best friend, Eva, needs her help running her donut shop, Maddy decides it's finally time to go back home. Meanwhile, when Eva calls in her brother Elliot for help too, he uses it as the perfect excuse to get space from his girlfriend, who is ready to take their relationship to the next level. Both trying to work through their failed relationships, Maddy and Elliot are in no place to be starting something new. But with all their forced proximity, physically in the donut shop and emotionally through their siblings' relationship, sparks fly and lines blur.

This book really had everything I could ask for from a small-town romance: an idyllic setting, charming storefronts, and a fun cast of nosy locals. The author struck the perfect balance of steamy and cozy in this romance, and I ate up every word. Maddy and Elliot both start the book in similar situations, running from their problems and avoiding some difficult emotions, and yet they're able to find solace in each other. Their chemistry was so undeniable it was kind of funny to watch them try to fight it.

That being said, I wanted just a little bit more emotional development from them. I felt like their relationship went from 0 to 100, and then Elliot had no interest in actually getting to know Maddy outside of the bedroom. And because of that, the ending felt a little rushed to me. However, I still enjoyed their story, and I hope the author continues this series. I would love to see Billie find her HEA next.

If you like small-town romances, I think you'll enjoy your time in Cinnamon Springs!

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC for review purposes.

[Megan | Megan.Reads.Romance · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria for the ARC and Simon Audio for the ALC. These are my honest thoughts.

I so enjoyed returning to Cinnamon Springs for Maddy's story. It was fun to see the characters from book one, and I loved the best friend's brother come back to grace us again in this book, with Elliot stepping up to help his sister's donut shop.

This has a lot of really great small town vibes, and the author is clearly a romance girlie. I enjoyed the spice and the overall story. There seems to be something missing for me in the dialogue and maturity of the characters, unfortunately. It makes the main characters seem a bit more shallow than they are, and I wish it was a little bit stronger in that regard.

THE AUDIOBOOK: Listened to this one so easily! It was a fun, light listen for sure. I think Devon Sorvari and Maxwell Sweeney were new-to-me narrators, and I liked them both. This is told in dual narration and runs about 10 hours and 30 minutes.

[☆Laura☆]

Al terminarlo, la primera palabra que se me vino a la mente fue: Inconsistente.
Tanto la trama, como las personajes, sus pensamientos y acciones fueron inconsistentes.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage

[Zuley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisters best friend trope with her best friends older chef brother I really enjoyed the second book in the Cinnamon Springs series we meet the main female character in book one and SPOILER ALERT

She is engaged to be married and gets cold feet, book two time jumps a couple months after she cancelled the wedding and has to go back home from running away to Europe.

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️/ 3🌶️

*Thank you to Atria for providing me with an ARC of this book, I greatly appreciate it.

Awww I’ve actually missed being in the fictional world of, Cinnamon Springs. With familiar faces such as, Eva and Aston, Billie, and of course, Elliott and Madelina as the main couple this time around was great. Funny enough, I just realized that upon reading this book, Madelina fell into a similar situation as her bestie, Eva by falling in love with HER BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER! Haha guess Eva and Madelina have a thing for older brothers. Anyways, this was another lighthearted read that showed Madelina and Elliott figuring out the next steps in their lives, but also really it was ok to be afraid before jumping into a new chapter in life. Kat T. Masen once again brought the small town vibes with humor, and lovable characters.

The thing that I liked about this book was seeing Madelina find herself. After coming to the realization that the man she was originally going to marry wasn’t actually the person she wanted to spend her life with, Madelina quite literally ran away from her wedding and jetted off to Europe to escape the reality of what she did. Although, Madelina’s decision to bust a runway bride wasn’t what everyone wanted, in the end Madelina got herself out of a relationship she wasn’t actually IN LOVE with. Throughout this story, Madelina was on a journey of sorts from trying to figure out her next steps as a single lady to rediscovering herself. I loved that Madelina was a fellow book girlie reading smut and wanting a real life romance like the books she read. Little did Madelina know that her romantic interest would be…HER BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER!!!!!

Elliott was a talented chef, cooking in Michelin Star restaurants in Paris and other popular places, but he was also known as for casual hookups and never having permanent things in his life. With Elliott’s own love life bringing about his inner fears and feeling like he was being pushed into something he wasn’t sure about, he took the opportunity to help his sister with her donut shop and was reacquainted with his sister’s best friend. At first meeting, I could see that Elliott was the kind of guy who kept things close and focused on work, never really delving into personal things about himself. With Madelina back home too she was definitely curious to know more about what prompted Elliott’s return home and why he always got tense with questions about his love life. Madelina was the type of person who pushed Elliott in ways he hadn’t really had someone do to him and furthermore, Madelina was such a sassy yet kind person that even Elliott couldn’t help falling for her. For someone who was adamant on keeping things causal, Elliott ended up becoming protective, lowkey possessive, and head over heels for Madelina it was great!

Although I liked and enjoyed reading this book, I wasn’t a fan of the minor miscommunication between Elliott and Madelina at certain parts in the story. What could have been cleared up right away would have saved them from getting into unnecessary arguments/ disagreements. Maybe this might not be big deal breakers for other readers, but I just felt like those were some of the things that just rubbed me the wrong way. Having said that, this was still a good book, but felt the need to be pointed out.

Overall, this was a good book and I liked seeing Madelina and Elliott formed a relationship together from becoming friends to gradually becoming lovers. I also liked getting to see Eva and Aston as their story was still ongoing and just the overall feeling of the small town vibes of Cinnamon Springs. By the end of this book, I was really glad to see how Madelina had found her way and discovered what she wanted to do which was perfect for her. Elliott managed to get himself together and worked towards being the person for Madelina and solidifying their relationship. Can’t go wrong with a small town romance and seeing characters like, Madelina and Elliott fall in love is fun to read about.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat T. Masen’s When Forever Falls Apart has been my latest tandem read and listen, which means my Kindle got the quiet moments and the audiobook kept me company when sitting still wasn’t happening. A big thank you to Atria Books and Simon & Schuster Audio, and to Libro.fm for the gifted ALC. And really, is there anything more dangerous to my TBR than a small town, fake dating, a runaway bride, AND the best friend’s older brother?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maddy returns to Cinnamon Springs after doing something that guarantees small-town gossip for approximately the next hundred years—leaving her fiancé, Myles, at the altar and escaping to Europe. Now she has to come home, face everyone, and figure out whether walking away was the biggest mistake of her life or the first decision she made completely for herself.

I really liked Maddy because she’s messy about it. She doubts herself, wonders whether Myles moving on means she made the wrong choice, and doesn’t magically have her life figured out just because she came home. Honestly, I understood her. Sometimes knowing what you DON’T want comes long before knowing what you do.

Then there’s Elliot. Her best friend’s older brother. A chef. Charming, cocky, emotionally guarded Elliot. You already know where this is going, right? 😂 He’s back in Cinnamon Springs figuring out his own future when Maddy talks him into a little fake-dating situation involving Myles.

Because fake dating always stays fake. Obviously. 😂

I loved watching Maddy and Elliot go from friendship and teasing to that very inconvenient realization that neither one was pretending anymore. Their chemistry was easily my favorite part, especially once Elliot’s protective and slightly possessive side started showing up.

They also frustrated me because these two occasionally needed to stop assuming things and TALK. There were moments when I wanted to referee the conversation myself. 😂 I also would have happily taken a little more groveling near the end.

But Cinnamon Springs has that cozy, everybody-knows-everybody feeling I love, and underneath the romance is a story about choosing yourself, starting over, and realizing that walking away from the wrong future doesn’t mean you failed.

Tandem reading this one was such fun too. Devon Sorvari and Maxwell Sweeney brought Maddy and Elliot to life and made switching between my Kindle and the audiobook completely seamless.

What’s one romance trope you know is completely predictable but will happily read every single time?

#WhenForeverFallsApart #KatTMasen #AtriaBooks #SimonAndSchusterAudio #LibroFM #Bookstagram #SmallTownRomance #FakeDating #AudiobookReview

[Lexi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about a good small town romance that makes me want to move into the town, make friends with everyone, and somehow become a regular at the local coffee shop. Cinnamon Springs gave me exactly that feeling.

Maddy’s return home is not exactly under the best circumstances. She has left her fiancé at the altar and is now back in the place she grew up, trying to figure out what comes next while dealing with the embarrassment and guilt that comes with walking away from a life she thought she wanted. I really appreciated that her decision was not treated as something easy. She has plenty of doubts, and watching her slowly learn to trust her own instincts again was one of my favorite parts of her story.

Then there is Elliott. He is confident, charming, stubborn, and just arrogant enough to be entertaining. He also happens to be her best friend’s brother and a chef, which certainly makes the whole situation more interesting. What starts as a fake relationship quickly becomes a lot harder to keep fake once the two of them start spending more time together.

I really liked their chemistry. Their relationship did not feel like it appeared out of nowhere. There was a gradual shift from friendship and pretending to something much deeper, and I enjoyed watching them realize that they were becoming important to each other. Elliott has his own issues with commitment, while Maddy is trying to figure out what she actually wants from her future, so they end up understanding each other in ways neither of them expected.

The book does have a slower beginning, and there were definitely moments when I wanted the characters to just communicate instead of making things harder than they needed to be. I also felt like the ending wrapped up a little too quickly considering how much time was spent building everything up.

Still, I had a really good time with this one. The setting was charming, the romance had plenty of tension, and I liked that there was more emotional depth underneath the cozy small town atmosphere. It is the kind of story that feels comforting while still giving you enough drama to keep you invested.

I also did not realize this was part of a series until after I started reading, but I never felt lost or like I was missing important pieces. If anything, it made me want to go back and see where the story began.

A lovely romance about starting over, making peace with the life you thought you wanted, and realizing that sometimes the biggest wrong turn can lead you exactly where you were meant to be.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley

When Forever Falls Apart • Kat T. Masen
Cinnamon Springs #2

One phrase: fake dating with real feelings 💞

Cinnamon Springs is one of those fictional small towns I desperately wish I could visit. Kat T. Masen makes the town feel so vivid and cozy that it honestly feels like a place you could pack a bag for and never want to leave.

Maddy returns home with the title of runaway bride hanging over her head, and I really felt for her. Leaving someone at the altar sounds dramatic, but sometimes walking away is the bravest thing you can do when something does not feel right. I loved that her story explored the messy reality of questioning a future you thought you wanted and learning to trust yourself again.

Then there’s Elliott.

Cocky. Charming. A little arrogant. A hot chef who knows how to turn up the heat in more ways than one. He starts off helping Maddy fake date to make her ex jealous, but the more time they spend together, the more obvious it becomes that the real love story may have been sitting right in front of her all along.

What I loved most was how genuine their relationship felt. It built through small moments, honest conversations, insecurities, and the kind of emotional growth that makes a romance feel real. Elliott had to learn that forever might actually be meant for him, and watching him soften into that possibility was so satisfying.

This book has all the cozy small town charm, fake dating tension, and emotional honesty I love in romance. It is sweet, steamy, and full of characters who feel like people you could actually know.

✨ Tropes & vibes:
💞 fake dating
🏡 small town romance
👫 best friend’s older brother
🫶 friends to lovers
🔁 second chance energy
🔥 forced proximity
👰 runaway bride
👨‍🍳 hot chef MMC
💔 healing after heartbreak
🥹 found love where you least expect it

📚 Read this if you like:
Cozy small town romances, fake relationships that turn real, emotional growth, hot chefs, messy ex drama, and love stories that feel grounded, heartfelt, and swoony.

Cinnamon Springs has my heart and I am absolutely not ready to leave.

#WhenForeverFallsApart #KatTMasen #SmallTownRomance #FakeDatingRomance #BookReview @atria

[Kristian Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of Advanced copy received by NetGalley*

When Forever Falls Apart is an emotional and heartwarming small-town romance that perfectly blends humor, heartbreak, family and friendship.

Maddy thought walking away from her wedding was the hardest thing she'd ever do. After leaving her fiancé, Myles, at the altar and disappearing for months to escape the fallout, she finally returns home to Cinnamon Springs carrying a mountain of guilt and regret. Her father is furious that her decision ruined an important business deal, and everywhere she turns she's reminded of the life she left behind. Determined to rebuild her life, Maddy takes a job at her best friend Eva's bakery, where she finds herself working alongside Eva's brother, Elliot.

Elliot is a standout hero. After leaving Paris when his girlfriend Nicole wanted a deeper commitment, he comes to Cinnamon Springs to figure out his future. Charming and funny but emotionally guarded, he shares undeniable chemistry with Maddy. Their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers journey feels natural and believable.

Their relationship starts out with plenty of tension and bickering, but beneath the sharp banter is an attraction that neither of them can ignore. Watching their friendship develop into something deeper was one of my favorite parts of the story. The chemistry between Maddy and Elliot leaps off the page, and their conversations are filled with wit, warmth, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

What makes this book especially compelling is that both characters are running from similar fears. Maddy is haunted by the damage she caused when she fled her wedding, while Elliot is equally guilty of abandoning his own relationship when things became too serious.Their journey forces them to confront their mistakes and learn what it truly means to commit to another person.

The fake dating storyline adds another layer of fun. After discovering that Myles has already moved on, Maddy convinces Elliot to pretend to be her boyfriend and accompany her to a mutual friend's wedding. As expected, the fake relationship quickly becomes much more complicated when real feelings begin to surface. The sexual tension during these scenes is absolutely delicious, and it was impossible not to root for them.

When Forever Falls Apart is a beautifully written story about second chances, forgiveness, and finding love when your life doesn't go according to plan. Filled with emotional depth, swoon-worthy romance, and unforgettable characters, this book will be a hit with fans of small-town romance, fake dating, and slow-burn love stories.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A charming, emotional, and utterly addictive romance that proves sometimes the best love stories begin after everything falls apart.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Kat T. Masen and her writing. I’ve read many of her series and probably more than thirteen of her books, so I went into the *Cinnamon Springs series *with high expectations and genuinely wanting to love it. I received the first book as an ARC as well. Unfortunately, this series didn’t impact me in the same way her other books have.

For me, the biggest issue was the lack of emotional depth. I never found myself becoming as invested in the characters, their individual stories, or their romance as I have with so many of Kat’s other books. There were moments that I could see had the potential to be emotional or meaningful, but I often felt like the story moved on before I had a chance to really feel them.

The pacing was also difficult for me. Everything seemed to happen so quickly that I sometimes felt like I was struggling to keep up. I wanted more time with the characters—to understand them, connect with them, and really experience their journey rather than feeling like we were moving from one event to the next. Because of that, some of the relationships and emotional moments didn't have the impact I was hoping for.

There were also times when the story felt a little immature to me, which made it harder to connect with the characters and take certain moments as seriously as I wanted to. I kept finding myself wishing for more depth, more development, and more of the emotional intensity that I've come to love in Kat's writing.

That said, this review is difficult for me because I genuinely adore Kat T. Masen as an author. Having read so many of her books, I know how much emotional depth and connection she is capable of creating, which is probably why this one stood out to me as not quite reaching the same level.

Overall, *When Forever Falls* wasn't a bad read, but for me, it simply needed **more**. More depth. More time with the characters. More development in the romance. More emotional connection. The story moved too quickly for me to fully invest in it, and unfortunately, it didn't leave the lasting impression that so many of Kat's other books have. As a longtime fan, I’ll absolutely continue reading her work, but this particular series just didn't capture me in the way I had hoped it would.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Cinnamon Springs series, and my disclaimer here is that I haven’t read book 1 in the series. I suspect that having reviewed the blurb about book 1 I would have had more context to the story but, that didn’t distract from my enjoyment of this light-hearted, easy cosy romance with a hint of spice at all. And yes, I will be picking up book 1 as I’m intrigued about how the whole series started.

So, what did I think? Well, I read this book in just a few hours and was entranced. The story is fast paced, filled with all the self-conscious angst we all know and recognise from our own dating and romance misadventures, dramas, and a whole multitude of romance tropes that didn’t disappoint.
Maddy and Elliott were the perfect couple as their relationship transitioned from colleagues to friends to much, much more. Although I did think that the friendship element and longing tropes could have been used much more than it was as their relationship developed at such a fast pace.

Maddy is such an empathisable character, her past experiences and actions still weighed her down as she tried so hard to please others, whilst trying to find her own path and Elliott, was the epitome of the ideal book boyfriend, skilled in the kitchen and the bedroom, with just the right levels of confidence and cockiness, balanced by his own insecurities and need to grow to get to the next chapter. Each had their own and their shared arc that were full to the brim with all the romantic bookish references, tropes and that small-town world charm that I have to admit, charmed me.

This is such a fun, banter filled, easy, cosy romance that doesn’t ratchet up the tension to heart stopping levels but, instead carries you along at a perfect pace for falling in love with the town, the characters and the story. A perfect weekend or holiday read for those looking for a little fun, spice and romantic misadventure.
Thank you so much Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Amanda - leftamongthepages · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
⭐️ 3/5
📅 September 22, 2026

❤️ Runaway Bride
❤️ Fake Dating
❤️ Best Friend’s Older Brother
❤️ Small Town Romance
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ He Falls First

Runaway bride, fake dating AND best friend’s older brother?! Oh I was already sold and I had only read the blurb. 😂

I really liked Maddy from the beginning. Coming back to Cinnamon Springs after leaving Myles at the altar while basically the entire town has an opinion about it?! Absolutely not. 😭 And her DAD?! That man tested me. 🙄

I do wish we’d gotten a little more of the fake dating though because Maddy and Elliot went from pretending to having very real feelings FAST. I was like waitttt, we just got here! 😂 Let me enjoy this first!

Although Maddy showing up to Elliot’s houseboat in a “STFUATTDLAGG” shirt?! LMAOOOO. 🤣 Girl knew EXACTLY what she wanted.

I also wasn’t loving how Eva and Aston came across in this one. I absolutely adored them, so there were definitely moments where I was like… why are we making them seem like horrible siblings?! 🙂‍↔️ Leave my people alone!

Maddy’s relationship with her dad was another part that really got me. WHEW. 🙄 I was rooting for her to finally start choosing herself instead of constantly dealing with everyone else’s expectations for her.

I think where this one lost me a little was how quickly everything happened. The romance felt really fast in the beginning, and then toward the end I wanted WAY more time with everything that was happening. There were some pretty big moments and I was like… wait, that’s it?! 😭

I really did like Maddy and Elliot together though. “Yes Bugs?” alone had me. 😭 I just wanted MORE of them. More fake dating, more time falling for each other, and definitely more time toward the end because everything wrapped up a little too quickly for me.

This one didn’t completely hit the way I thought it would, but there was still a lot I liked about Maddy and Elliot. And obviously I’ll take a trip back to Cinnamon Springs anytime. 😂

Thank you to the NetGalley & Atria Books for the ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own. 💖

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Forever Falls Apart is my first book by Kat T. Masen. It had the vibe I was going for, small town romance with heat and heart.

Madelina (Maddy) realizes a little too late that she’s not fully in love with her groom, Myles, and leaves him at the altar. Overcome with shame and embarrassment, she runs away from her life, but gets called back to her home of Cinnamon Springs by her brother Aston and his girlfriend Eva (who also happens to be Maddy’s best friend) to face the music. Eva even has a job lined up for her- working in her cafe with her brother Elliot. Maddy hasn’t seen Elliot in years, and figures working with him would be like working with her own brother.

What Maddy doesn’t realize is Elliot is not the guy she remembers- he’s grown up and incredibly handsome. Still reeling from her non-marriage, Maddy and Elliot strike up a friendship (with some underlying flirting because this is a romance novel, after all) and get into a comfortable rhythm…until one day when Myles walks back into her life. They’re from the same town and she wasn’t going to be able to avoid him forever, but what she wasn’t expecting was him to have another woman on his arm.

Finding out they’re both attending the wedding of their mutual friend Stella, Maddy drunkenly propositions Elliot to go with her. The next morning, he actually agrees and thus begins everyone’s favorite trope: fake dating.

This is the second book in a series (the first following Eva and Aston) and even though I didn’t read that one, this works perfectly well as a standalone. Maddy and Elliot had really fun chemistry, I like that they were always teasing each other, even though they did both come off a tad juvenile at times.

Also, I get why miscommunication gets used so much in books like these, but the majority of the time, all it really does is annoy me as the reader, and that was definitely the case here.

I would absolutely read more books from this charming little town, but this one wasn’t my favorite.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, emotional small-town romance with fake dating, fun banter, and two people trying to figure out what they actually want after life does not go according to plan.

Maddy returns home to Cinnamon Springs after leaving her fiancé at the altar, carrying a lot of guilt and uncertainty about what comes next. I really liked that her story explored the idea that walking away from the future you thought you wanted can sometimes be the bravest choice, even when it leaves everything feeling messy.

Then there’s Elliott, her best friend’s older brother, a charming and slightly cocky chef with his own complicated feelings about commitment.

The chemistry between Maddy and Elliott was definitely the highlight for me. Their banter felt natural, their connection built through smaller moments, and I loved watching them slowly let their walls down. Once the fake-dating storyline came into play, it added some great tension and made it very easy to root for them.

The pacing was a little slower than I expected, especially at the beginning, and it took a while for the fake-dating premise to really get going. I also found some of the miscommunication frustrating, and the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the slower build throughout the rest of the story.

Even with those small issues, I really enjoyed the emotional side of Maddy and Elliott’s relationship and the themes of second chances, forgiveness, healing, and finding love when you least expect it.
Cinnamon Springs also had all the cozy small-town charm I love.

A sweet, steamy, and heartfelt romance that reminded me that sometimes everything has to fall apart before the right pieces can fall into place.

Thank you to Kat T Masen, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lyra · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was hoping for a cute little small town romance to start the weekend but sadly my hopes were not met. nevertheless, i want to thank pan Macmillan for the e-arc!

following review contains slight spoilers.

this is book 2 of the series but no worries if you haven't read book 1 because the couple's story is recounted multiple times in this book, and we also get to see them have several crises in this book. half of the drama of this book came from the book 1 couple having drama and these two being siblings to the couple on both sides. (she gets pregnant snd doesn't tell her partner and then they almost break up, and almost break up the couple of this book as well)

i had my hopes up based on the description, but from the start my hopes for the rest of the book started to disappear.

i couldn't connect with any of the characters, and all their feelings seemed so two dimensional. this book really missed the show don't tell -rule.

the jokes in the book weren't funny, and too many times it was the MMC trying to be a typical man and then making me hate him even more. he for example didn't understand why all gen Z are lazy workers because he called his worker on her day off and forced her to cancel her plans and she didn't like it?? he also basically only thought about having sex with the fmc and how hot she looked, and then suddenly decided he was in love. (also accused the fmc of lying while simultaneously lying himself).

the timeline was so wacky as well, she skips the wedding, gets back town 4 months later, they hang for three weeks have a fight, don't see each other for half a year (because he can't get over her lying, qnd he wants to achieve his dreams) and then he comes back and PROPOSES.

all the side plots were so unnecessary and honestly i should have skipped this book.

thank you again for the e arc. im so sad it didn't hit for me.

[Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see this one working for a lot of readers, but unfortunately it just didn’t quite hit all the marks for me.

The pacing was my biggest issue. It felt very slow going, with the main characters not even meeting until around 20% and the fake dating premise not really kicking in until much later than I expected. By 40%, Maddy still hadn’t even run into her ex, so it took a while for the story to find its footing.

Another thing that didn’t work for me was the constant references to romance novels and tropes. I know it’s something a lot of readers enjoy, but lately I’m finding it takes me out of the story more than it pulls me in.

And then there’s the miscommunication, which is one of my biggest bookish icks, and this story relied heavily on misunderstandings and people not having conversations they really should have had. It had me irrationally frustrated more than once.

That said, it wasn’t all bad. I genuinely enjoyed the dynamic between Maddy and Elliott. Their banter was fun, and I loved that Elliott’s nickname for Maddy came from an inside joke rather than appearing out of nowhere. It made it feel more natural and personal. And while the romance wasn’t entirely for me, Her Royal Majesty, Margaret Anne absolutely stole the show and was easily my favourite character.

One thing worth mentioning is that the formatting in my eARC seemed to be all over the place. I’m not sure if that was an issue with the file I received, but it did affect my reading experience at times.

Overall, I can absolutely see why others are enjoying this one, but between the slow pacing, the heavy reliance on miscommunication, and characters who often felt more like teenagers than adults, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria Books for my copy of this book.

Maddie has returned to Cinnamon Springs a few months after leaving her fiance at the alter, she's nervous about returning to her small town and all of the gossip of her failed wedding. She works in her best friend's donut shop alongside her best friend's brother Elliott. Elliott has been working as a chef in France and has returned Cinnamon Springs to help his sister out and to get some time away after his relationship ended.

Read this if you like:
*Best friends older brother
*Small town
*Fake dating
*Friends to lovers
*Runaway bride
*Hot chef

I have some mixed feelings about this one. I liked the dynamic between Maddie and Elliott in the beginning of the book, their flirty banter was a lot of fun and I liked the friendship they developed. I liked how Maddie worked through her failed wedding and really figuring out what she wanted and needed in a partner. I liked that Elliott was there for her for a lot of the book.

I felt like there was way too much miscommunication or lack of communication. Elliott did not want to open up to Maddie about anything but would get jealous if she interacted with her ex. HIs inability to open up would lead Maddie to keep things to herself too. I just wanted to yell at them to talk to each other.

I understood the third act conflict, I didn't love it but I understood why it had to happen, but the end of the book was wrapped up way to quickly. Elliott needed to grovel WAY more than he did, I feel like Maddie let him off the hook way to easily.

If you like friends to lovers romances especially when it involves her best friend's older brother, then you should check this one out!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

This friends-to-lovers, small town, fake dating romance was a fun read. Maddy realized at the last moment that she wasn't getting married for the right reasons and leaves her fiance at the alter. When she returns to the small town where she grew up a few months later, she knows she needs to apologize and try to explain, but she's dealing with a lot of guilt about the whole thing. Her best friend, Eva, and her brother have just gotten engaged and she steps in to help out at Eva's donut shop while they work on expanding to a second location. Eva's brother, Elliot, a Michelin starred chef, is heading up the donut shop, having fled France and his own not quite right relationship. The two strike up a friendship that sees Elliot posing as Maddy's fake boyfriend when she has to attend a wedding that her ex and his new girlfriend will be attending.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The characters are interesting and were dealing with all sorts of issues. The part that I didn't enjoy was the constant lack of communication/miscommunication from two people who basically say they shoot from the hip. The last few chapters are set in the future - first six months, then a year. While I understand the purpose, it made the ending seem rushed and not as believable as the rest of the story. I read an ARC that I won in a Goodreads Giveaway and that I received several months prior to publication, so it is possible the story has been edited or changed since I received it.

When Forever Falls Apart is book 2 in the Cinnamon Springs series and can be read as a complete standalone. I have not read the first book in the series, but didn't feel like I missed out on anything in this story because of that.

[Nicole (literary_nics) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis told me everything. I still wasn't prepared for how fast "just for one night" would turn into forever.

Maddy Beaumont, Cinnamon Springs' resident runaway bride, left Myles at the altar and fled to Europe to outrun the gossip. Months later she's home, blindsided by how much it stings that Myles has already moved on. When an event throws them into the same room, she strikes a deal with pastry chef Elliot, her best friend's older brother: one night, hands held, feelings faked. Naturally, faking it turns out to be the easy part.

What worked: the fake-dating setup is a clean, well-built premise, and Elliot brings a steadiness to the page that this series' men have been missing so far. The small-town backdrop still does a lot of heavy lifting, atmosphere has never been Cinnamon Springs' problem.

Why not 5 stars: it wasn't me, it was the pacing. One pretend night turns into declared forever within a handful of chapters, and the book never slows down long enough to earn it. I was told Maddy and Elliot were falling, I was never shown a single scene doing the actual work of that fall. Same note as book one: real feeling, staged like a montage.

Trope Chaos Check
✨ Runaway bride (still running, now just running back)
✨ Fake dating (for one night, allegedly)
✨ Best friend's older brother (Cinnamon Springs has one card and keeps dealing it)
✨ Small town reckoning (the whole town has opinions on Maddy's wedding day)

★★★☆☆ a fake-dating premise with real promise that never slowed down enough to convince me it was real.

Thank you to Atria Books for the gifted ARC, Elliot deserved a slower book to fall in.