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Falling into Fiction: A Romantic Comedy
Rule one of writing Don't fall for your own characters. Oops.
Charlotte Branson is a romance novelist with a problem. Her manuscript is a mess, her deadline is looming, and her female lead is, frankly, insufferable. The solution? Rewrite everything from scratch. The complication? She falls asleep at her laptop and wakes up inside her own novel—as a minor character, in a fictional Colorado town she built from the ground up, surrounded by people who think they're completely real.
She knows this world. She knows the Sterling brothers, the private equity empire they built together, and exactly how every scene is supposed to play out. What she didn't account for is Nick Sterling—unscripted, incredibly sexy, and nothing like she imagined when she put him on the page. He's not supposed to be the main love interest. She didn't write it that way.
She knows how rom-coms work. She knows every beat, every complication, every reason this is a terrible idea. She also knows she's been writing about love her whole life to avoid having to feel it. Nick Sterling is making that very difficult.
Falling into Fiction is the first book in The Fictional Hearts Series—a wickedly fun, clean romantic comedy for anyone who's ever lost themselves in a love story and quietly wished they could live there.
Charlotte Branson is a romance novelist with a problem. Her manuscript is a mess, her deadline is looming, and her female lead is, frankly, insufferable. The solution? Rewrite everything from scratch. The complication? She falls asleep at her laptop and wakes up inside her own novel—as a minor character, in a fictional Colorado town she built from the ground up, surrounded by people who think they're completely real.
She knows this world. She knows the Sterling brothers, the private equity empire they built together, and exactly how every scene is supposed to play out. What she didn't account for is Nick Sterling—unscripted, incredibly sexy, and nothing like she imagined when she put him on the page. He's not supposed to be the main love interest. She didn't write it that way.
She knows how rom-coms work. She knows every beat, every complication, every reason this is a terrible idea. She also knows she's been writing about love her whole life to avoid having to feel it. Nick Sterling is making that very difficult.
Falling into Fiction is the first book in The Fictional Hearts Series—a wickedly fun, clean romantic comedy for anyone who's ever lost themselves in a love story and quietly wished they could live there.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 9, 2026
An author somehow finds herself in her own book! She meets the characters she wrote and visits the town and buildings she created. How can this be?
Wow! This story was so unique and entertaining! AND it was actually funny! (The charades scene 😂😂) I liked that the characters weren’t written in an overly corny, hallmark type of way. They were just regular people.
If you like rom-coms that have more going on besides the romance, this is the book for you! It contains no spice, only kissing scenes and no bad language.
I loved the main characters and didn’t want the story to end. I’m glad this is going to be a series!
*I received an E-ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book to review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.*
Wow! This story was so unique and entertaining! AND it was actually funny! (The charades scene 😂😂) I liked that the characters weren’t written in an overly corny, hallmark type of way. They were just regular people.
If you like rom-coms that have more going on besides the romance, this is the book for you! It contains no spice, only kissing scenes and no bad language.
I loved the main characters and didn’t want the story to end. I’m glad this is going to be a series!
*I received an E-ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book to review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.*
April 11, 2026
Such a fun book!!! It reminded me a little bit of the movie Stranger Than Fiction. This book and that movie are not the same, but the premise of that movie kept popping in my head while I was reading this one. I kept wondering throughout this book how it could all work out! How was Charlotte going to get back to her world and out of fiction? How can they have a budding friendship to more and then be separated? They can't just up and leave their world permanently can they? One or the other? Soooo many questions and scenarios were circling round inside my mind. I just kept telling myself be patient, read the book, trust the journey, and trust the author cause she knows how to get her characters out of these situations-considering she's the one who put them in them!!! Hahaha! Lots of pep talks to myself while I read as you can probably ascertain from my rambling thoughts above. *Winks*
I loved seeing inside Charlotte's writer mind and thoughts. It was a fun inside look at writer's brains and how they process information and create stories. I loved Watching Nick try to figure out who Charlotte/Lucy was and how best to help her! And I loved watching them experiencing a friendship and chemistry that they both had never felt before and had decided that they both never would experience in their lives. It really was so sweet and swoony!!!
Some of my favorite scenes were with Nick's family! They were so fun but also like a warm comforting blanket wrapping around you. Especially for Charlotte who craved family. Loved them and the thoughts and comments made by the characters!!!
Grab a copy of this delightful book and find yourself laughing out loud, pondering questions like I did, smiling and the sweet friendship to more, and fall in love with it all!!!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. The characters share one bed due to some circumstances(not going to spoil it), but it is cleanly written and nothing happens but them talking and being very careful not to cross any boundaries.
I received a copy from the author via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I loved seeing inside Charlotte's writer mind and thoughts. It was a fun inside look at writer's brains and how they process information and create stories. I loved Watching Nick try to figure out who Charlotte/Lucy was and how best to help her! And I loved watching them experiencing a friendship and chemistry that they both had never felt before and had decided that they both never would experience in their lives. It really was so sweet and swoony!!!
Some of my favorite scenes were with Nick's family! They were so fun but also like a warm comforting blanket wrapping around you. Especially for Charlotte who craved family. Loved them and the thoughts and comments made by the characters!!!
Grab a copy of this delightful book and find yourself laughing out loud, pondering questions like I did, smiling and the sweet friendship to more, and fall in love with it all!!!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. The characters share one bed due to some circumstances(not going to spoil it), but it is cleanly written and nothing happens but them talking and being very careful not to cross any boundaries.
I received a copy from the author via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
June 12, 2026
I was looking to QUICKLY choose my next YouTube book and I landed on this one. I decided to go ahead even though it's a contemporary because I'm pretty sure I've enjoyed a book by Ms. Lieske before. Light fantasy. Light cliffhanger. The male lead was adopted and the female lead lost her parents at a young age. I would've preferred not to have read the intro to book two at the end of this book, but the cliffhanger was light enough to ignore it if I decide to do so. I wanted more of a resolution to the male and female lead characters beyond a kiss. Conversation is what does it for me, and while the dialogue throughout the story was satisfying, I wanted more in that last scene, particularly since I might not read book two. Then again, I might, because falling into a book is a trope I like.
April 13, 2026
3.25 stars ⭐️
We love a romcom that pokes fun at romcoms.
I was really intrigued by the idea of an author getting sucked into her own story and getting to know her characters in a new way, but I honestly wasn’t expecting the emotional depth this had. I loved how our FMC reflected on her motivation behind writing the characters the way she did, and how she regretted certain decisions that had caused them pain, but how she also poked through the initial stereotype she wrote and made our MMC feel truly seen. It was honestly really sweet and wholesome, how those two interacted. And the family cabin scenes??? UGH. Adorable, and so unexpectedly profound.
I think I might have rated it higher if not for the beginning and ending. I had fun with the story even though the pacing was a little faster than I usually like in my romance, but I found both our main characters a little over the top in the beginning. Yes, being slightly hysterical when you’ve been transported to another world kind of makes sense, but I do feel like our FMC overdid it for a second there. Our MMC was a bit of a jackass as well, but quickly turned around.
This is a relatively short book so maybe I should have expected it, but I was a bit bummed with how things were wrapped up when it had JUST gotten to a really sweet, cozy place. I understand the need to set the scene for the next book in the series, but I’d have loved a little more time with Charlotte and Nick before moving on. I’ll keep an eye out for the sequel though!
Thanks again to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC!
We love a romcom that pokes fun at romcoms.
I was really intrigued by the idea of an author getting sucked into her own story and getting to know her characters in a new way, but I honestly wasn’t expecting the emotional depth this had. I loved how our FMC reflected on her motivation behind writing the characters the way she did, and how she regretted certain decisions that had caused them pain, but how she also poked through the initial stereotype she wrote and made our MMC feel truly seen. It was honestly really sweet and wholesome, how those two interacted. And the family cabin scenes??? UGH. Adorable, and so unexpectedly profound.
I think I might have rated it higher if not for the beginning and ending. I had fun with the story even though the pacing was a little faster than I usually like in my romance, but I found both our main characters a little over the top in the beginning. Yes, being slightly hysterical when you’ve been transported to another world kind of makes sense, but I do feel like our FMC overdid it for a second there. Our MMC was a bit of a jackass as well, but quickly turned around.
This is a relatively short book so maybe I should have expected it, but I was a bit bummed with how things were wrapped up when it had JUST gotten to a really sweet, cozy place. I understand the need to set the scene for the next book in the series, but I’d have loved a little more time with Charlotte and Nick before moving on. I’ll keep an eye out for the sequel though!
Thanks again to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC!
July 1, 2026
Literally read in one sitting and now I’m DESPERATE for the second one, begging and pleading I need to read it.
I love a romcom that is just a bit on the loopy side and this was loop central. Made fun of romcom tropes, had DEVASTATINGLY HANDSOME men and best of all damsel in distress. This book was a ball of fun from start to finish.
What I didn’t expect was the emotional depth of this book. Throughout the fun there was a lot of honesty and truth depicted through the inner thoughts of Charlotte and it made her feel extremely real.
Having the perspective of Nick was pleasant addition as he is literally a character in a book but became so real and thought out before our very eyes.
July cannot come fast enough
Read from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I love a romcom that is just a bit on the loopy side and this was loop central. Made fun of romcom tropes, had DEVASTATINGLY HANDSOME men and best of all damsel in distress. This book was a ball of fun from start to finish.
What I didn’t expect was the emotional depth of this book. Throughout the fun there was a lot of honesty and truth depicted through the inner thoughts of Charlotte and it made her feel extremely real.
Having the perspective of Nick was pleasant addition as he is literally a character in a book but became so real and thought out before our very eyes.
July cannot come fast enough
Read from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
April 28, 2026
If you’re looking for something that feels fresh in a sea of rom-coms, Falling Into Fiction by Victorine Lieske stands out in the best way. This story hooked me immediately with its clever, original premise—an author literally falling into her own book—and it absolutely delivers on that promise. Charlotte’s situation is equal parts hilarious and stressful, especially as she tries to “fix” a story she already knows… while everything keeps going off-script. I was completely invested in how she’d find her way back to reality, but even more in what that would mean for her heart and her relationship with Nick.
And Nick? He's not what she planned, not what she wrote, and definitely not easy to ignore. Charlotte knows exactly how things should go—she wrote it—but watches as it starts to go awry. It’s such a fun look at romance tropes, but with real emotional weight. I loved the lightbulb moment when Charlotte realizes she's still the author of the story even though she's in it.
One of my favorite parts was getting a peek into the author mindset—how characters evolve, how stories take on a life of their own, and how sometimes the “wrong” direction might actually be the right one. I loved Nick's family and how they embraced Charlotte right away. They were the family she'd never had.
If you love romance that bends the rules a little and keeps you guessing, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’m already impatient for the next book in the series because I am not ready to leave this world behind.
This is a sweet romance with only kisses. I received a copy from the author via BookSirens. All opinions in this review are my own.
And Nick? He's not what she planned, not what she wrote, and definitely not easy to ignore. Charlotte knows exactly how things should go—she wrote it—but watches as it starts to go awry. It’s such a fun look at romance tropes, but with real emotional weight. I loved the lightbulb moment when Charlotte realizes she's still the author of the story even though she's in it.
One of my favorite parts was getting a peek into the author mindset—how characters evolve, how stories take on a life of their own, and how sometimes the “wrong” direction might actually be the right one. I loved Nick's family and how they embraced Charlotte right away. They were the family she'd never had.
If you love romance that bends the rules a little and keeps you guessing, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’m already impatient for the next book in the series because I am not ready to leave this world behind.
This is a sweet romance with only kisses. I received a copy from the author via BookSirens. All opinions in this review are my own.
Did Not Finish
April 30, 2026Read: April 23rd - April 30th
Format: E-book
Rating: No rating, DNF @ 37%
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Very sad that I'm dropping this v_v There are some really interesting things in here. I'm always a sucker for people who fall into fiction, as well as stories ABOUT books/writers. And the way that Lieske did it was interesting. I liked how parts of the world seemed to be 'missing' because Charlotte never gave them details while she was writing the story. Her reactions were also fun to follow along, whether it be her seeming like a crazy person or her author-like wonder at meeting her characters. It was all very interesting, and I wanted to see how it developed.
But I am NOT a fan of racecar-fast fast burn, I'm sorry 😭I understood why Charlotte let herself be vulnerable and impulsive toward Nick (she thinks she's in a dream), but Nick??? He believes her to be having a mental breakdown, and he's telling her vulnerable details that he's hidden from everyone else in his life??? And the 'attraction' between them gets super repetitive. Their scents were used far too much in too many back-to-back scenes, and every touch was electric.
So basically, I was there for the first, like, 30% of the book. And then it took a hard turn into fastest-fast-burn-without-being-lust-at-first-sight that I've seen. The book is short, so maybe I could have pushed through, but it's not a good sign when I find myself not wanting to pick up my kindle because this book is there.
Happy for those who enjoyed it, and can even see why one might, but the romance was not for me, and that's not a good sign for a ROMANCE book 😔
Format: E-book
Rating: No rating, DNF @ 37%
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Very sad that I'm dropping this v_v There are some really interesting things in here. I'm always a sucker for people who fall into fiction, as well as stories ABOUT books/writers. And the way that Lieske did it was interesting. I liked how parts of the world seemed to be 'missing' because Charlotte never gave them details while she was writing the story. Her reactions were also fun to follow along, whether it be her seeming like a crazy person or her author-like wonder at meeting her characters. It was all very interesting, and I wanted to see how it developed.
But I am NOT a fan of racecar-fast fast burn, I'm sorry 😭I understood why Charlotte let herself be vulnerable and impulsive toward Nick (she thinks she's in a dream), but Nick??? He believes her to be having a mental breakdown, and he's telling her vulnerable details that he's hidden from everyone else in his life??? And the 'attraction' between them gets super repetitive. Their scents were used far too much in too many back-to-back scenes, and every touch was electric.
So basically, I was there for the first, like, 30% of the book. And then it took a hard turn into fastest-fast-burn-without-being-lust-at-first-sight that I've seen. The book is short, so maybe I could have pushed through, but it's not a good sign when I find myself not wanting to pick up my kindle because this book is there.
Happy for those who enjoyed it, and can even see why one might, but the romance was not for me, and that's not a good sign for a ROMANCE book 😔
June 23, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The plot was so fun, and i loved the characters living it. It was actually a bit short for my liking, i would have loved to read more about this, for some things to be a bit more atretched out. For example, i feel like it was a little bit instalove, or instacommitment at least, and i think i would have liked it if there was a bit more explanation for the happenings in this book. Perhaps the sequel will enlighten me!
Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
April 28, 2026
Love,love,love! What a great story! But what a cliff hanger can’t wait for the next book!
June 23, 2026
Boring as hell. Like a robot wrote it
April 29, 2026
It just falls flat.
It had potential and there were some parts that I enjoyed. The premise sounds fun, because I like the idea of an author getting stuck in their own work. Some of the world-building elements were nice, for example the voids based on what the FMC didn’t write. As someone who reads a ton and occasionally writes, I enjoyed parts of the self-aware walk through tropes, making me pause and think about not giving your characters enough depth, and pondering (on my part, not the FMC's) about the morality of dating someone you created (I think my final conclusion is that it's a bit too weird to actually do). Also, the last chapter was at least a little exciting - made me feel more than the rest of the book did.
There were so many things I didn't like, though, that it overshadows everything else.
Starting with smaller stuff - there was too much repetition, and it's especially visible when you think about e.g. how many times electricity between them was mentioned. I pick up on patterns too well for it not to bother me.
FMC’s backstory is confusing. I don't understand what happened to her mother. It's written in such a perplexing manner (or maybe I'm stupid?) that I'm stumped. I had a similar problem with the MMC's backstory, but I asked for a second opinion and apparently that's possible in this day and age, so I'm dropping that. It still doesn't sound believable, though.
I think the biggest problem was that the writing style didn't hold my interest and I felt like I was being told what to feel in a clinical way. There's no actual depth to anything, the descriptions are very dry, the emotional stakes are not highlighted in a way that makes me care, and the resolution is just kind of meh. I don't feel like I know these characters and it's all very surface level with some confusing facts thrown into the mix to make the reader think they actually know something, but none of it ultimately matters. Maybe there's introduction of character growth, but no well-done follow-up.
Also, the MCs' behavior is just unreasonable, especially the breakdown the FMC has over being rejected. It all happens so fast and - for all intents and purposes - he thinks she's crazy and/or experienced major trauma, and he expects her to get over it within 48 hours. How is that okay? Why am I supposed to root for them? On what grounds? It's infatuation at best based on - on her side - a handsome man giving her attention and - on his side - a woman knowing him more intimately than anyone.
Lastly, the HP reference near the end. It was uncalled for and, these days, that's a blatant statement which shows the author's views on J.K. Rowling's actions. No mention would be best, I could maybe give a pass to neutral sentiment (though in a work that's just coming out, it'd still be very questionable), but a positive endorsement is decisively disgusting. Based on this alone, I can see where the author stands and I won't be reading any of her previous or future books.
I can't recommend this to anyone with a clear conscience. Either way, thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read the ARC.
It had potential and there were some parts that I enjoyed. The premise sounds fun, because I like the idea of an author getting stuck in their own work. Some of the world-building elements were nice, for example the voids based on what the FMC didn’t write. As someone who reads a ton and occasionally writes, I enjoyed parts of the self-aware walk through tropes, making me pause and think about not giving your characters enough depth, and pondering (on my part, not the FMC's) about the morality of dating someone you created (I think my final conclusion is that it's a bit too weird to actually do). Also, the last chapter was at least a little exciting - made me feel more than the rest of the book did.
There were so many things I didn't like, though, that it overshadows everything else.
Starting with smaller stuff - there was too much repetition, and it's especially visible when you think about e.g. how many times electricity between them was mentioned. I pick up on patterns too well for it not to bother me.
FMC’s backstory is confusing. I don't understand what happened to her mother. It's written in such a perplexing manner (or maybe I'm stupid?) that I'm stumped. I had a similar problem with the MMC's backstory, but I asked for a second opinion and apparently that's possible in this day and age, so I'm dropping that. It still doesn't sound believable, though.
I think the biggest problem was that the writing style didn't hold my interest and I felt like I was being told what to feel in a clinical way. There's no actual depth to anything, the descriptions are very dry, the emotional stakes are not highlighted in a way that makes me care, and the resolution is just kind of meh. I don't feel like I know these characters and it's all very surface level with some confusing facts thrown into the mix to make the reader think they actually know something, but none of it ultimately matters. Maybe there's introduction of character growth, but no well-done follow-up.
Also, the MCs' behavior is just unreasonable, especially the breakdown the FMC has over being rejected. It all happens so fast and - for all intents and purposes - he thinks she's crazy and/or experienced major trauma, and he expects her to get over it within 48 hours. How is that okay? Why am I supposed to root for them? On what grounds? It's infatuation at best based on - on her side - a handsome man giving her attention and - on his side - a woman knowing him more intimately than anyone.
Lastly, the HP reference near the end. It was uncalled for and, these days, that's a blatant statement which shows the author's views on J.K. Rowling's actions. No mention would be best, I could maybe give a pass to neutral sentiment (though in a work that's just coming out, it'd still be very questionable), but a positive endorsement is decisively disgusting. Based on this alone, I can see where the author stands and I won't be reading any of her previous or future books.
I can't recommend this to anyone with a clear conscience. Either way, thank you to NetGalley and the author for letting me read the ARC.
August 9, 2026
There is a particular kind of madness that visits every writer at least once: the suspicion that the people we invent are far more alive than we are prepared to admit. Victorian’s E Lieske takes that suspicion, dresses it in a raincoat and a slow-burn blush, and pushes it straight through the page in Falling Into Fiction, the opening chapter of The Fictional Hearts Series. I went in expecting a rom-com. I came out having watched a rom-com happen to the very woman writing it and I confess I enjoyed the mischief of that enormously.
Meet Charlotte, our heroine, a rom-com novelist who has hit the wall every creative person dreads. Her deadline looms like dark clouds on a typical Mumbai July. She is worried about her main lead who refuses to acquire an edge that elusive, maddening quality that separates a cardboard cut-out from a heartbeat. She falls asleep mid-worry, the way we all do when the manuscript refuses to behave, and wakes to find herself inside her own book. It is the sort of premise that could collapse under its own cleverness, and yet Lieske keeps it standing. The terror comes first; the disorientation, the wrongness of a world built to one’s own specifications suddenly turning solid and only then does the swoon arrive.
And oh, the swoon. Let me be honest about what this book is, because I am fond of naming things plainly. Every trope you are anticipating is present and correct, filed and stamped. The confused, helpless girl adrift in an unfamiliar world. The pragmatic, handsome man, good at heart beneath the practised reluctance who helps her because of course he does. The shelter offered. The meal cooked with more tenderness than the recipe requires. The inevitable loss of balance that lands them, conveniently, upon each other. The shopping trip. The girl who returns the favour by helping the boy with his work. If you drew up an audit checklist of rom-com conventions, Lieske would clear the lot with a clean opinion and no qualifications.
Ordinarily, that predictability is precisely the risk that sinks a book like this for me. Here, though, the “falling into fiction” conceit is the collateral that covers the debt. Because Charlotte knows she is inside a romance. She recognises the tropes as they unfold, having written a hundred of them herself, and watching her fall for a man of her own invention, arguing with her own craft even as her heart mutinies against it, gives the familiar beats a delicious, self-aware wink. The trope is not a flaw when the character is in on the joke.
Lieske builds her people with genuine care, and the alternate reality is rendered with enough texture that Charlotte’s slow surrender feels earned rather than scheduled. What begins as panic softens, minute by minute, into something Charlotte cannot argue her way out of and that quiet capitulation is the story’s real pleasure.
Is it high literature? No, and it does not pretend to be. It is warm, comforting, faintly meta, and exactly the sort of book you press to your chest on a grey monsoon afternoon. As the first instalment of a series, it does its job: I closed it curious about where these fictional hearts wander next.
Meet Charlotte, our heroine, a rom-com novelist who has hit the wall every creative person dreads. Her deadline looms like dark clouds on a typical Mumbai July. She is worried about her main lead who refuses to acquire an edge that elusive, maddening quality that separates a cardboard cut-out from a heartbeat. She falls asleep mid-worry, the way we all do when the manuscript refuses to behave, and wakes to find herself inside her own book. It is the sort of premise that could collapse under its own cleverness, and yet Lieske keeps it standing. The terror comes first; the disorientation, the wrongness of a world built to one’s own specifications suddenly turning solid and only then does the swoon arrive.
And oh, the swoon. Let me be honest about what this book is, because I am fond of naming things plainly. Every trope you are anticipating is present and correct, filed and stamped. The confused, helpless girl adrift in an unfamiliar world. The pragmatic, handsome man, good at heart beneath the practised reluctance who helps her because of course he does. The shelter offered. The meal cooked with more tenderness than the recipe requires. The inevitable loss of balance that lands them, conveniently, upon each other. The shopping trip. The girl who returns the favour by helping the boy with his work. If you drew up an audit checklist of rom-com conventions, Lieske would clear the lot with a clean opinion and no qualifications.
Ordinarily, that predictability is precisely the risk that sinks a book like this for me. Here, though, the “falling into fiction” conceit is the collateral that covers the debt. Because Charlotte knows she is inside a romance. She recognises the tropes as they unfold, having written a hundred of them herself, and watching her fall for a man of her own invention, arguing with her own craft even as her heart mutinies against it, gives the familiar beats a delicious, self-aware wink. The trope is not a flaw when the character is in on the joke.
Lieske builds her people with genuine care, and the alternate reality is rendered with enough texture that Charlotte’s slow surrender feels earned rather than scheduled. What begins as panic softens, minute by minute, into something Charlotte cannot argue her way out of and that quiet capitulation is the story’s real pleasure.
Is it high literature? No, and it does not pretend to be. It is warm, comforting, faintly meta, and exactly the sort of book you press to your chest on a grey monsoon afternoon. As the first instalment of a series, it does its job: I closed it curious about where these fictional hearts wander next.
April 13, 2026
Charlotte Branson is a romance novelist with a problem. Her manuscript is a mess, her deadline is looming, and her female lead is, frankly, unbearable. The obvious solution is a full rewrite from scratch. The less obvious complication? She falls asleep at her laptop and wakes up inside her own novel.
Except she is not the heroine. She is a minor character in a fictional Colorado town she built herself, surrounded by people who believe they are completely real.
Charlotte knows this world inside out. She knows the Sterling brothers, the private equity empire they built together, and exactly how every scene is supposed to unfold. What she does not account for is Nick Sterling, who is nothing like she wrote him to be. He is sharp, frustrating, and far too distracting for someone who is technically not supposed to be her main love interest.
And the worst part is that Charlotte knows how romcoms work. She knows every beat, every complication, every inevitable twist. She also knows she has spent her entire career writing about love as a way of avoiding actually having to feel it. Nick Sterling makes that very difficult.
I have very mixed feelings about this one.
I am a sucker for a fiction meets reality trope, and I immediately requested this ARC when it appeared on NetGalley. On paper it had everything I usually love, but it just did not hit in the same way as similar books I have read recently.
The part I enjoyed most was Charlotte’s completely unhinged reaction when she first finds herself inside her fictional world. A lot of books like this have the FMC adjust too quickly, but Charlotte reacts exactly how you would expect someone to react if they suddenly woke up somewhere that should not exist. The way the other characters assume she is having some kind of breakdown because she is behaving “normally” in an impossible situation was genuinely one of the most entertaining parts for me.
However, the connection between Nick and Charlotte just did not work for me. It is written as an extremely fast burn over the course of only four days, and by the end of the first day they are already falling for each other. For me, that was part of the issue, it felt far too quick to be believable, and I never fully bought into their chemistry. I could see what the author was going for, but I just did not feel it between them.
I will say I was more interested in Marcus, the love interest in the book Charlotte was originally writing, and I am actually quite curious about his and Brynn’s story going forward. This book has not put me off the author at all, it just felt like this particular pairing did not quite land for me.
Tropes
Fictional world
Only one bed
Forced proximity
Billionaire MMC
Except she is not the heroine. She is a minor character in a fictional Colorado town she built herself, surrounded by people who believe they are completely real.
Charlotte knows this world inside out. She knows the Sterling brothers, the private equity empire they built together, and exactly how every scene is supposed to unfold. What she does not account for is Nick Sterling, who is nothing like she wrote him to be. He is sharp, frustrating, and far too distracting for someone who is technically not supposed to be her main love interest.
And the worst part is that Charlotte knows how romcoms work. She knows every beat, every complication, every inevitable twist. She also knows she has spent her entire career writing about love as a way of avoiding actually having to feel it. Nick Sterling makes that very difficult.
I have very mixed feelings about this one.
I am a sucker for a fiction meets reality trope, and I immediately requested this ARC when it appeared on NetGalley. On paper it had everything I usually love, but it just did not hit in the same way as similar books I have read recently.
The part I enjoyed most was Charlotte’s completely unhinged reaction when she first finds herself inside her fictional world. A lot of books like this have the FMC adjust too quickly, but Charlotte reacts exactly how you would expect someone to react if they suddenly woke up somewhere that should not exist. The way the other characters assume she is having some kind of breakdown because she is behaving “normally” in an impossible situation was genuinely one of the most entertaining parts for me.
However, the connection between Nick and Charlotte just did not work for me. It is written as an extremely fast burn over the course of only four days, and by the end of the first day they are already falling for each other. For me, that was part of the issue, it felt far too quick to be believable, and I never fully bought into their chemistry. I could see what the author was going for, but I just did not feel it between them.
I will say I was more interested in Marcus, the love interest in the book Charlotte was originally writing, and I am actually quite curious about his and Brynn’s story going forward. This book has not put me off the author at all, it just felt like this particular pairing did not quite land for me.
Tropes
Fictional world
Only one bed
Forced proximity
Billionaire MMC
April 17, 2026
Charlotte is a writer and she has a severe case of writers. Black, she can't figure out what to do with her latest novel. One night while I'm trying to figure it out. She makes I kind of wish and falls asleep while doing some edits- she wakes up in her book more specifically in the apartment building in the box. But her apartment is a vast black space because she has never written the insides. So she needs to stay out of it or more. So she's scared of going into it, lucy, as she is now known, runs into marcus.In the hallway of the apartment building that she wrote- after an awkward encounter in the hallway, she decides to go to his office buildingmarcus and obviously is deemed a little crazy. Because she has socks on with no shoes. And is a mess and his brother
Is then told to be responsible to take care of her, Because luckily, Charlotte had written into the book that her uncle was an investor. In his corporation- nick takes her home where lucy/Charlotte tries to explain what is going on in. Obviously.Nick is dubious, and just assumes that lucy had some kind of trauma- but he cares for her, and he cooks for her. And they have a sweet evening.The next day, he takes her to buy some more clothes and they get to know each other better. She eventually ends up going home with him to meet her family and
Starts to fall in love with Nick which he doesn't know how she could do that. When this isn't her world, this is just her book. - he wants her to go to therapy because he doesn't believe her. That this book thing is real and she panics and pivots, and I can't tell you anymore because I don't want to give spoilers, but it is a very cute clean romance.There's definitely going to be another one with charlotte's roommate Brynn who sounds like a fun character? I liked her so it's definitely worth reading. I can't wait to find out in book two.What happens with charlotte and nick?And Bryan too of course - but it's a very cute rumcom, and if you like the lost in time, different dimensions s you will like this one--
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Is then told to be responsible to take care of her, Because luckily, Charlotte had written into the book that her uncle was an investor. In his corporation- nick takes her home where lucy/Charlotte tries to explain what is going on in. Obviously.Nick is dubious, and just assumes that lucy had some kind of trauma- but he cares for her, and he cooks for her. And they have a sweet evening.The next day, he takes her to buy some more clothes and they get to know each other better. She eventually ends up going home with him to meet her family and
Starts to fall in love with Nick which he doesn't know how she could do that. When this isn't her world, this is just her book. - he wants her to go to therapy because he doesn't believe her. That this book thing is real and she panics and pivots, and I can't tell you anymore because I don't want to give spoilers, but it is a very cute clean romance.There's definitely going to be another one with charlotte's roommate Brynn who sounds like a fun character? I liked her so it's definitely worth reading. I can't wait to find out in book two.What happens with charlotte and nick?And Bryan too of course - but it's a very cute rumcom, and if you like the lost in time, different dimensions s you will like this one--
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
April 16, 2026
Falling into Fiction is a cute, magical, short book that revolves around a romance author that quite literally falls into her own story. When Charlotte realizes she is trapped inside her own fictional world, she desperately tries to find a way out. She has a deadline to meet, and her book won’t write itself.
While she can’t find a way to escape, she decides to make the most of it and experience her story firsthand. She wrote every detail of this world and knows each character inside out. Yet somehow, she didn’t write the romantic chapters involving Nick Sterling. How will she navigate a story that’s no longer entirely her own?
I actually really enjoyed reading about Nick and Charlotte. Their banter, shared activities, and especially the warm scene with Nick’s family made them easy to like. The story was so promising as well. Now to the part why I didn't give it a super high rating: This all lasted less than a week. The romance develops extremely quickly (within about 48 hours) which made it hard for me to believe the depth of their feelings. He even described her as perhaps psychotic, but he did all those things with her and developed feelings anyway.
Because the story takes place inside a 'fictional' world (perhaps another dimension is the proper word?), I struggled to fully invest in the relationship. It often felt like it could disappear at any moment, which made it harder for me to root for them emotionally. Some events in the book leaned more toward telling rather than showing, which made some moments feel flat.
Regardless of these points, I do think this was a short and sweet story. A good palate cleanser in-between heavy books. It was cute, also didn't have too much intimacy, just a kiss here and there.
End verdict: ☆☆☆ 2.8 stars.
Finally, I'd like to thank Victory Editing, Victorine E. Lieske and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While she can’t find a way to escape, she decides to make the most of it and experience her story firsthand. She wrote every detail of this world and knows each character inside out. Yet somehow, she didn’t write the romantic chapters involving Nick Sterling. How will she navigate a story that’s no longer entirely her own?
I actually really enjoyed reading about Nick and Charlotte. Their banter, shared activities, and especially the warm scene with Nick’s family made them easy to like. The story was so promising as well. Now to the part why I didn't give it a super high rating: This all lasted less than a week. The romance develops extremely quickly (within about 48 hours) which made it hard for me to believe the depth of their feelings. He even described her as perhaps psychotic, but he did all those things with her and developed feelings anyway.
Because the story takes place inside a 'fictional' world (perhaps another dimension is the proper word?), I struggled to fully invest in the relationship. It often felt like it could disappear at any moment, which made it harder for me to root for them emotionally. Some events in the book leaned more toward telling rather than showing, which made some moments feel flat.
Regardless of these points, I do think this was a short and sweet story. A good palate cleanser in-between heavy books. It was cute, also didn't have too much intimacy, just a kiss here and there.
End verdict: ☆☆☆ 2.8 stars.
Finally, I'd like to thank Victory Editing, Victorine E. Lieske and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
(I received a free copy of this ebook in advance in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Victorine E. Lieske for the opportunity! All opinions expressed are my own.)
2.0 ⭐
I want to start by saying that this book has a really fun premise and a lot of potential, and it seems I may be in the minority with my opinion. I also want to acknowledge that the author clearly put a great deal of time and effort into this book. I can't imagine how rough it is to work so hard on something and receive a critical review, so while this book was a bit of a disappointment for me, I really do appreciate Lieske's effort.
A large part of my struggle with this book comes down to the writing style. I want to be clear that I’m not making any accusations about AI use. However, most of the prose felt very AI. I know that nowadays, lots of people are automatically skeptical of things being AI, and I like to think I'm not that person, but that being said, the writing felt very repetitive in structure and somewhat mechanical, which pulled me out of the story.
Out of curiosity, I did run a short excerpt through a few AI detection tools (Quillbot, Grammarly, and TextGuard), which returned results in the 60–75% range. Regardless of whether AI was involved or not, the overall effect impacted my reading experience and I was never able to get invested in this book.
There were definitely some moments I enjoyed, and a few that genuinely made me laugh. However, I never felt invested, and I found making myself continue to read to finish it, rather than because I enjoyed it.
The characters, unfortunately, didn’t do much for me. That said, I know I tend to be a harsher critic when it comes to romance, so others may connect with them more than I did.
Overall, while the concept was promising, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
2.0 ⭐
I want to start by saying that this book has a really fun premise and a lot of potential, and it seems I may be in the minority with my opinion. I also want to acknowledge that the author clearly put a great deal of time and effort into this book. I can't imagine how rough it is to work so hard on something and receive a critical review, so while this book was a bit of a disappointment for me, I really do appreciate Lieske's effort.
A large part of my struggle with this book comes down to the writing style. I want to be clear that I’m not making any accusations about AI use. However, most of the prose felt very AI. I know that nowadays, lots of people are automatically skeptical of things being AI, and I like to think I'm not that person, but that being said, the writing felt very repetitive in structure and somewhat mechanical, which pulled me out of the story.
Out of curiosity, I did run a short excerpt through a few AI detection tools (Quillbot, Grammarly, and TextGuard), which returned results in the 60–75% range. Regardless of whether AI was involved or not, the overall effect impacted my reading experience and I was never able to get invested in this book.
There were definitely some moments I enjoyed, and a few that genuinely made me laugh. However, I never felt invested, and I found making myself continue to read to finish it, rather than because I enjoyed it.
The characters, unfortunately, didn’t do much for me. That said, I know I tend to be a harsher critic when it comes to romance, so others may connect with them more than I did.
Overall, while the concept was promising, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
April 14, 2026
Read this If:
-You want a good laugh
-Like Twitches ( the movie) Vibes
-Are a hopeless romantic
-Looking for a quick fun read
-Like Rom-Coms
-Clean Romance
I really like this book because it has a unique perspective on world building.
The story is about an author named Charlotte with a guarded heart but a passion and talent for romance. She struggles to finish one of her books and then finds herself inside her own book. There, as an audience we see how love is for everyone, even the ones that feel they would never be "chosen". Ultimately she is supposed to find her way back home so she could finish writing her book on time. In the process of being Stuck in her book as one of her side characters, she notes some "holes" in her book and discovers new things about her own characters and even herself.
The characters have great personalities. The book is funny right from the jump.
I really loved the transition from real life to the world of her novel. I mean there was some really great description on the transition !
I really caught myself a couple times smiling and crying as early as CHAPTER 1! At one point I was so anxious to see what would happen at the end cause the relationships the author was building in her novel world were proving to be so impactful. It really made your heart tighten thinking on what would happen once she goes back to real life. You are in for a pleasant surprise when you see how things unfold!
The rom com moments are placed perfectly and doesn't feel boring. Even though time and certain relationships progress quickly, the story doesn't feel rushed. The vulnerable moments Charlotte has, whether it be introspection of herself or her relationships with the characters in her book, truly are precious.
The ending had a perfect cliff hanger!!
-You want a good laugh
-Like Twitches ( the movie) Vibes
-Are a hopeless romantic
-Looking for a quick fun read
-Like Rom-Coms
-Clean Romance
I really like this book because it has a unique perspective on world building.
The story is about an author named Charlotte with a guarded heart but a passion and talent for romance. She struggles to finish one of her books and then finds herself inside her own book. There, as an audience we see how love is for everyone, even the ones that feel they would never be "chosen". Ultimately she is supposed to find her way back home so she could finish writing her book on time. In the process of being Stuck in her book as one of her side characters, she notes some "holes" in her book and discovers new things about her own characters and even herself.
The characters have great personalities. The book is funny right from the jump.
I really loved the transition from real life to the world of her novel. I mean there was some really great description on the transition !
I really caught myself a couple times smiling and crying as early as CHAPTER 1! At one point I was so anxious to see what would happen at the end cause the relationships the author was building in her novel world were proving to be so impactful. It really made your heart tighten thinking on what would happen once she goes back to real life. You are in for a pleasant surprise when you see how things unfold!
The rom com moments are placed perfectly and doesn't feel boring. Even though time and certain relationships progress quickly, the story doesn't feel rushed. The vulnerable moments Charlotte has, whether it be introspection of herself or her relationships with the characters in her book, truly are precious.
The ending had a perfect cliff hanger!!
April 8, 2026
Victorine E. Lieske kicks off her Fictional Hearts Series with Falling into Fiction, a romantic comedy whose premise is as unique as it is delightful.
Charlotte Branson, a romance novelist with a looming deadline and a "mess" of a manuscript, wakes up inside her own novel as a minor character. The twist? She knows the plot, the characters, and—most amusingly—all the plot holes she left behind. For anyone who has ever tried to write a book, watching Charlotte call out her own lack of world-building and narrative inconsistencies is hilarious, but it also made me realize just how much the small details truly matter in storytelling.
The real strength here is watching Charlotte navigate a world she created but no longer controls. Her ironic situation is comedy gold. Nick's reaction to her is perfect—he thinks she's "crazy" but agrees to help her anyway, which sets up a fun, reluctant dynamic.
I wasn't immediately invested in the characters, but the book finally finds its heart during the cabin scene. That's where the real connection sparks, and from there, the chemistry between Charlotte and Nick becomes impossible to put down.
Two things kept this from being a perfect read for me. First, the first kiss felt misplaced. Given the build-up, it would have landed with much more impact if it had appeared a bit later, after more of that cabin-fueled tension.
Second, the book leans into some cliché phrasing. It's a small nitpick, but for a book that so cleverly deconstructs writing tropes, it ironically falls into a few of them.
Despite those hiccups, I genuinely didn't expect the ending to go the way it did, and the sneak peek of Book 2 has me already adding it to my TBR. If you love clean romantic comedies with a twist, this is a fun, quick escape.
Charlotte Branson, a romance novelist with a looming deadline and a "mess" of a manuscript, wakes up inside her own novel as a minor character. The twist? She knows the plot, the characters, and—most amusingly—all the plot holes she left behind. For anyone who has ever tried to write a book, watching Charlotte call out her own lack of world-building and narrative inconsistencies is hilarious, but it also made me realize just how much the small details truly matter in storytelling.
The real strength here is watching Charlotte navigate a world she created but no longer controls. Her ironic situation is comedy gold. Nick's reaction to her is perfect—he thinks she's "crazy" but agrees to help her anyway, which sets up a fun, reluctant dynamic.
I wasn't immediately invested in the characters, but the book finally finds its heart during the cabin scene. That's where the real connection sparks, and from there, the chemistry between Charlotte and Nick becomes impossible to put down.
Two things kept this from being a perfect read for me. First, the first kiss felt misplaced. Given the build-up, it would have landed with much more impact if it had appeared a bit later, after more of that cabin-fueled tension.
Second, the book leans into some cliché phrasing. It's a small nitpick, but for a book that so cleverly deconstructs writing tropes, it ironically falls into a few of them.
Despite those hiccups, I genuinely didn't expect the ending to go the way it did, and the sneak peek of Book 2 has me already adding it to my TBR. If you love clean romantic comedies with a twist, this is a fun, quick escape.
April 24, 2026
okay this one is SUCH a cute idea like… falling into your own book?? as a writer?? i was already sold 😭
charlotte is honestly kinda relatable in a very specific way—like she’s good at writing romance but clearly not great at actually dealing with feelings in real life. and the fact that she ends up inside her own messy manuscript is both funny and a little chaotic (in a good way).
what i liked most is how aware she is. she KNOWS how rom-coms work. she literally wrote the story. so watching her try to “stick to the script” while everything slowly goes off track was actually really entertaining. it’s like she’s fighting the plot… and losing.
and nick?? yeah… he’s THAT kind of character. the one who wasn’t even supposed to be the main guy but ends up stealing the whole story anyway. he feels more real than the “planned” love interest, which is kinda the point, and i liked that the book leaned into that instead of forcing the original storyline.
their chemistry is more on the sweet side than super intense, since it’s a clean romance, but it still works. it’s more about the emotional stuff—like charlotte realizing she can’t just hide behind writing anymore. that part actually hit a bit deeper than i expected.
the vibe overall is very light, easy, a little meta, and kinda comforting. not super dramatic, not super angsty—just fun with a bit of heart.
if i had to nitpick, sometimes the whole “fictional world rules” thing can get a little convenient or predictable, but honestly it didn’t ruin anything for me.
overall: really cute, creative, and easy to get into. perfect if you want something rom-com-y without too much drama, and especially fun if you like stories about writers or breaking the fourth wall a little.
charlotte is honestly kinda relatable in a very specific way—like she’s good at writing romance but clearly not great at actually dealing with feelings in real life. and the fact that she ends up inside her own messy manuscript is both funny and a little chaotic (in a good way).
what i liked most is how aware she is. she KNOWS how rom-coms work. she literally wrote the story. so watching her try to “stick to the script” while everything slowly goes off track was actually really entertaining. it’s like she’s fighting the plot… and losing.
and nick?? yeah… he’s THAT kind of character. the one who wasn’t even supposed to be the main guy but ends up stealing the whole story anyway. he feels more real than the “planned” love interest, which is kinda the point, and i liked that the book leaned into that instead of forcing the original storyline.
their chemistry is more on the sweet side than super intense, since it’s a clean romance, but it still works. it’s more about the emotional stuff—like charlotte realizing she can’t just hide behind writing anymore. that part actually hit a bit deeper than i expected.
the vibe overall is very light, easy, a little meta, and kinda comforting. not super dramatic, not super angsty—just fun with a bit of heart.
if i had to nitpick, sometimes the whole “fictional world rules” thing can get a little convenient or predictable, but honestly it didn’t ruin anything for me.
overall: really cute, creative, and easy to get into. perfect if you want something rom-com-y without too much drama, and especially fun if you like stories about writers or breaking the fourth wall a little.
April 9, 2026
What a wholly unique and intriguing plot. The writing style is quite different as well, 1st person with short, fast-paced sentences. The language is descriptive and made me feel like I was there experiencing it… And yet, coupled with the plot, everything felt surreal and fairy-tale-like. I found the book captivating and intriguing, and I really enjoyed it.
The FMC is an author struggling with her book/characters and a fast approaching deadline. She falls asleep and wakes up trapped within her own book-world. The MMC is a secondary character she’s written, and she soon finds herself falling in love with the almost too-perfect world.
It’s a strange experience for the reader, as I attempted to determine what was real and what wasn’t. The MMC has his own POV and that somehow makes the real vs not-real conflict all the more intriguing… It’s definitely insta-love, but I found it didn’t bother me because of the surreal-ness of it all. There’s a note of humor throughout the book, and nearly every rom-com trope in existence is used and called out.
The ending is rather abrupt and I would have liked more follow-through, but the story is clearly lined up for book 2 so I will wait for it with patient anticipation.
Definitely worth the read!
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to mildly descriptive kisses, but the writing style makes the interactions seem quite intimate. The one-bed trope is heavily leveraged, but nothing sexual occurs. There is no mention of faith or God.
I originally saw this on BookSirens, but read it through Kindle Unlimited and was not required to leave a review.
The FMC is an author struggling with her book/characters and a fast approaching deadline. She falls asleep and wakes up trapped within her own book-world. The MMC is a secondary character she’s written, and she soon finds herself falling in love with the almost too-perfect world.
It’s a strange experience for the reader, as I attempted to determine what was real and what wasn’t. The MMC has his own POV and that somehow makes the real vs not-real conflict all the more intriguing… It’s definitely insta-love, but I found it didn’t bother me because of the surreal-ness of it all. There’s a note of humor throughout the book, and nearly every rom-com trope in existence is used and called out.
The ending is rather abrupt and I would have liked more follow-through, but the story is clearly lined up for book 2 so I will wait for it with patient anticipation.
Definitely worth the read!
Content:
There is no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to mildly descriptive kisses, but the writing style makes the interactions seem quite intimate. The one-bed trope is heavily leveraged, but nothing sexual occurs. There is no mention of faith or God.
I originally saw this on BookSirens, but read it through Kindle Unlimited and was not required to leave a review.
May 7, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy Received from Book Sirens
Charlotte Bronson is struggling to find the motivations of the main female character in her upcoming romance novel. She decides to rework the character entirely and spends a long night at her computer and wakes up in an unfamiliar place. She quickly figures out that she is now in the world of the novel she is writing and characters recognize her a minor character in the story.
Charlotte quickly encounters Nick Sterling, the younger brother of the main character of her current novel, who has been written to be a supporting character. While Nick is initially predictable with Charlotte’s knowledge of his character, he starts saying and doing things she could never expect. As the two get closer, Charlotte quickly realizes that the underdeveloped character she has written is becoming his own person. The initial persona that Charlotte adopted slowly fades away as she finds herself as the main character of the story.
Falling Into Fiction take a unique approach at what might happen if a romance author suddenly found herself inside the world of her own novel. Charlotte’s awareness of romance tropes and character archetypes adds plenty of humor as she experiences those familiar moments firsthand. I really enjoyed the alternating POVs of Charlotte and Nick, which made it easy to connect with both characters and watch their relationship develop naturally.
If you enjoy romantic comedies with humor, heart, and memorable characters, this one is for you.
Charlotte Bronson is struggling to find the motivations of the main female character in her upcoming romance novel. She decides to rework the character entirely and spends a long night at her computer and wakes up in an unfamiliar place. She quickly figures out that she is now in the world of the novel she is writing and characters recognize her a minor character in the story.
Charlotte quickly encounters Nick Sterling, the younger brother of the main character of her current novel, who has been written to be a supporting character. While Nick is initially predictable with Charlotte’s knowledge of his character, he starts saying and doing things she could never expect. As the two get closer, Charlotte quickly realizes that the underdeveloped character she has written is becoming his own person. The initial persona that Charlotte adopted slowly fades away as she finds herself as the main character of the story.
Falling Into Fiction take a unique approach at what might happen if a romance author suddenly found herself inside the world of her own novel. Charlotte’s awareness of romance tropes and character archetypes adds plenty of humor as she experiences those familiar moments firsthand. I really enjoyed the alternating POVs of Charlotte and Nick, which made it easy to connect with both characters and watch their relationship develop naturally.
If you enjoy romantic comedies with humor, heart, and memorable characters, this one is for you.
May 14, 2026
A Fun, Delightfully, Enjoyable Rom-Com
I received an advance review copy of Falling into Fiction for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this book from start to finish. Diving into a book about a romance novelist, Charlotte Branson, who falls asleep at her laptop and wakes up inside her own unfinished manuscript is a wonderful concept. The best part, she is not the heroine. The author wakes up as a minor character in the fictional Colorado town she created. This intricate concept was well written and unfolded nicely in Lieske’s witty and warm style.
What makes this book sing is the delicious tension of Charlotte knowing exactly how the story is supposed to go — and then watching everything unravel the moment Nick Sterling shows up and is much more than she wrote. I can’t rave enough about having a romance writer falling for a character she created. It’s something we all do as authors - love our characters - but throwing it into a story - EPIC! Lieske did a beautiful job of keeping me engaged in the story and keeping the plot from feeling cheesy. Well Done!
Her character, Charlotte and Nick are likable, relatable and of course, charming. Their chemistry is on point and has you rooting for them throughout the story.
If you are looking for a light, humorous, cozy, feel-good energy, then this is a must read. Readers who love meta romantic comedies or anyone who has ever wished they could step inside their favorite book will find this an absolute treat.
Can’t wait for the next book in the Fictional Hearts series.
April 8, 2026
This is a sweet story that takes an interesting premise (what if an author somehow ends up in her WIP and then falls in love?), and brings it to a HFN conclusion. This was a quick and engaging read that follows author Charlotte into the book she's currently struggling with. In her imaginary world she meets Nick, the younger brother to the MMC. Charlotte struggles with the transition and its implications: what happens if you drop into your dream romance that *feels* real but surely cannot be real? And what about when things start happening that you didn't write? I thought the story was creative in the details and the limitations of her book world. Charlotte has written a world filled with the kinds of experiences and interactions that she didn't fully realize she was yearning for. Honestly, I have a fondness for the "author gets pulled into their own book" trope. There's just something so satisfying about finding what you need in a comforting world that shouldn't exist but magically does. Written with dual POVs, I loved getting to know both Charlotte and Nick as they decide how to handle their growing (and seemingly impossible) relationship. This book is perfect if you're looking for an alt universe/forced proximity romance with a maybe-real millionaire MMC and great found family vibes. It's the first in a series, and I'm looking forward to the next one! This review is based on a complimentary copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
April 19, 2026
**★★★★★ | Whimsical, Heartfelt, and a Love Letter to Stories**
*Falling into Fiction* by Victorine E. Lieske is pure bookish magic—a story that feels like stepping through the pages of your favorite novel and discovering a world where imagination and reality blur in the most delightful way.
What makes this book shine is its sheer charm. The concept is playful and creative, but it’s grounded by an emotional core that gives the story real heart. It explores the idea of escapism, not as avoidance, but as a way to better understand ourselves and the lives we’re living.
The characters are warm, relatable, and easy to root for. Watching them navigate both the fictional and real worlds adds a layer of fun and depth that keeps the story engaging from beginning to end. There’s a sweetness to the relationships that makes every interaction feel meaningful.
The pacing flows effortlessly, blending whimsical moments with emotional beats in a way that keeps you fully immersed. It’s light enough to feel cozy, but still carries enough substance to leave a lasting impression.
Overall, *Falling into Fiction* is a joyful, uplifting read that celebrates the magic of storytelling and the power of getting lost in a good book. It’s perfect for readers who love stories about stories—and who have ever dreamed of falling into one themselves.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Victorine E. Lieske for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
*Falling into Fiction* by Victorine E. Lieske is pure bookish magic—a story that feels like stepping through the pages of your favorite novel and discovering a world where imagination and reality blur in the most delightful way.
What makes this book shine is its sheer charm. The concept is playful and creative, but it’s grounded by an emotional core that gives the story real heart. It explores the idea of escapism, not as avoidance, but as a way to better understand ourselves and the lives we’re living.
The characters are warm, relatable, and easy to root for. Watching them navigate both the fictional and real worlds adds a layer of fun and depth that keeps the story engaging from beginning to end. There’s a sweetness to the relationships that makes every interaction feel meaningful.
The pacing flows effortlessly, blending whimsical moments with emotional beats in a way that keeps you fully immersed. It’s light enough to feel cozy, but still carries enough substance to leave a lasting impression.
Overall, *Falling into Fiction* is a joyful, uplifting read that celebrates the magic of storytelling and the power of getting lost in a good book. It’s perfect for readers who love stories about stories—and who have ever dreamed of falling into one themselves.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Victorine E. Lieske for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
May 14, 2026
3.5–4 ⭐
This was an ARC I received, and I went into it not really knowing what to expect—and I’ve honestly never read anything quite like this before. The concept of a romance author being pulled into her own fictional world is really creative and immediately drew me in. It felt fresh, fun, and different from a typical rom-com.
Charlotte was a relatable main character, especially with her struggles around her manuscript and the pressure of trying to fix a story she wasn’t fully happy with. I liked how everything shifts once she ends up inside her own world and has to deal with it in real time instead of just writing it.
Nick Sterling was definitely a highlight. I liked that he didn’t feel like the predictable love interest and instead came across as more unpredictable and engaging than expected. That added nice tension to the romance and kept things interesting.
There were moments where I wished for a bit more emotional depth and slower development, especially in the romance and Charlotte’s personal growth. The idea itself is really strong, and I just wanted a little more space for certain emotional beats to fully land.
Overall, this was a unique and enjoyable read with a really creative premise. It’s light, entertaining, and a bit different from your usual romance thanks to the meta-fiction element. I gave it around 3.5–4⭐️ and would definitely continue the series—I’m especially curious to see what happens next with Brinn’s book and her love story.
This was an ARC I received, and I went into it not really knowing what to expect—and I’ve honestly never read anything quite like this before. The concept of a romance author being pulled into her own fictional world is really creative and immediately drew me in. It felt fresh, fun, and different from a typical rom-com.
Charlotte was a relatable main character, especially with her struggles around her manuscript and the pressure of trying to fix a story she wasn’t fully happy with. I liked how everything shifts once she ends up inside her own world and has to deal with it in real time instead of just writing it.
Nick Sterling was definitely a highlight. I liked that he didn’t feel like the predictable love interest and instead came across as more unpredictable and engaging than expected. That added nice tension to the romance and kept things interesting.
There were moments where I wished for a bit more emotional depth and slower development, especially in the romance and Charlotte’s personal growth. The idea itself is really strong, and I just wanted a little more space for certain emotional beats to fully land.
Overall, this was a unique and enjoyable read with a really creative premise. It’s light, entertaining, and a bit different from your usual romance thanks to the meta-fiction element. I gave it around 3.5–4⭐️ and would definitely continue the series—I’m especially curious to see what happens next with Brinn’s book and her love story.
May 5, 2026
Charlotte is struggling with her book, specifically her main characters - the heroine is hateful, with no redeeming features. But when her urgent desire to get properly into the heart of the story is fulfilled literally and she finds herself in the world she created as one of the side characters, she's forced to reevaluate what the story is really meant to be. Is it possible she made a mistake and the true hero is Nick, her hero's brother? And what of Lucy, the character she's become? Can she ever really be anything other than a secondary character? Worst of all, how can she get home to finish her book... or does she even want to?
An intriguing premise well carried out. As is always going to be true with this sort of book, you know the main characters need to end up together, but how that's going to work is more uncertain than usual, which made for added interest. I loved watching Charlotte go from uncertainty and lostness to finding herself, and ultimately accepting that yes, a man could actually love her, and stick with her. As for Nick, I enjoyed seeing him looking after Charlotte and coming to believe her story, however wacky - but even more I appreciated his family. They're great in so many ways, and I'm really hoping we see more of them in future books. All in all, a great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
An intriguing premise well carried out. As is always going to be true with this sort of book, you know the main characters need to end up together, but how that's going to work is more uncertain than usual, which made for added interest. I loved watching Charlotte go from uncertainty and lostness to finding herself, and ultimately accepting that yes, a man could actually love her, and stick with her. As for Nick, I enjoyed seeing him looking after Charlotte and coming to believe her story, however wacky - but even more I appreciated his family. They're great in so many ways, and I'm really hoping we see more of them in future books. All in all, a great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2026
If you ever want to find out what happens to an author who ends up in her own story and falls in love with one of her characters, than Falling Into Fiction is for you.
Victorine Lieske is one of my favorite authors and the unique premise of this story was so intriguing and different from her other stories that it grabbed my attention from the start. I adored Charlotte and Nick. They had a rough start - she was slightly unhinged (but who wouldn’t be in a fictional world) and he wasn’t that nice but quickly changed his demeanor. It was interesting when things go “off script” and Charlotte realizes her characters aren’t strictly what she had put on paper. Watching Charlotte and Nick navigate their new reality and their budding relationship was a delight. There was a lot of depth and emotion to both characters. I wasn’t sure how things would work out, but was pleasantly surprised with the end results. Falling Into Fiction was a great read and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Tropes: clean romcom = forced proximity = found family = flirty hero = swoony kisses = one bed = fish out of water = writer falls into her own story
My favorite things:
= Charlotte's reaction to being in her book
= The shopping spree
= Nick looking after Charlotte
= Charlotte helping with his presentation
= The look-out
= Charades
= Nick's family
Happy reading!
Victorine Lieske is one of my favorite authors and the unique premise of this story was so intriguing and different from her other stories that it grabbed my attention from the start. I adored Charlotte and Nick. They had a rough start - she was slightly unhinged (but who wouldn’t be in a fictional world) and he wasn’t that nice but quickly changed his demeanor. It was interesting when things go “off script” and Charlotte realizes her characters aren’t strictly what she had put on paper. Watching Charlotte and Nick navigate their new reality and their budding relationship was a delight. There was a lot of depth and emotion to both characters. I wasn’t sure how things would work out, but was pleasantly surprised with the end results. Falling Into Fiction was a great read and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Tropes: clean romcom = forced proximity = found family = flirty hero = swoony kisses = one bed = fish out of water = writer falls into her own story
My favorite things:
= Charlotte's reaction to being in her book
= The shopping spree
= Nick looking after Charlotte
= Charlotte helping with his presentation
= The look-out
= Charades
= Nick's family
Happy reading!
April 12, 2026
FALLING INTO FICTION (ARC) | ★★★★☆ | KINDLE
i did really fall for falling into fiction.
romance novelist, charlotte branson is struggling with her latest book, she’s lost all direction. her main character is a total wreck, she’s cruel, passive and completely not charlotte’s style.
wishing nothing more than to figure out her writers block, charlotte is whisked away. right into her very own novel. except…it doesn’t feel so much as fiction as it does real. and as charlotte uncovers secrets of her characters that she never even wrote about it makes charlotte question everything.
falling into fiction was sweet, it was cute, interesting and charming. it reminds me heavily of jodi picoult’s between the lines (which to this day i still love), and i loved charlotte and nick’s banter and dynamics.
overall it was a very cute read, there were things i loved and things i didn’t enjoy as much, but i am excited to see where this story goes as it’s the first instalment of the fictional hearts series by victorine e. lieske.
thank you to @netgalley , @victoryeditingngc , and @victorineelieske for the arc.
falling into fiction is out now! so if you want a sweet, magical, little romance this is the perfect pick.
i did really fall for falling into fiction.
romance novelist, charlotte branson is struggling with her latest book, she’s lost all direction. her main character is a total wreck, she’s cruel, passive and completely not charlotte’s style.
wishing nothing more than to figure out her writers block, charlotte is whisked away. right into her very own novel. except…it doesn’t feel so much as fiction as it does real. and as charlotte uncovers secrets of her characters that she never even wrote about it makes charlotte question everything.
falling into fiction was sweet, it was cute, interesting and charming. it reminds me heavily of jodi picoult’s between the lines (which to this day i still love), and i loved charlotte and nick’s banter and dynamics.
overall it was a very cute read, there were things i loved and things i didn’t enjoy as much, but i am excited to see where this story goes as it’s the first instalment of the fictional hearts series by victorine e. lieske.
thank you to @netgalley , @victoryeditingngc , and @victorineelieske for the arc.
falling into fiction is out now! so if you want a sweet, magical, little romance this is the perfect pick.
April 17, 2026
Oh my... what a fabulous story!
I thought the premise of this novel was fascinating, so I was excited to score a review copy from NetGalley. (Thanks!)
Despite my growing feelings of anxiety as the story progressed, I really loved this book! Such a unique spin, kinda like a time travel romance (which I love!).
First off, I liked introverted author Charlotte from the get-go. She's relatable and great at what she does, but that lonely part of her with her tragic backstory really called out to me. As for Nick... yikes. Talk about the greatest book boyfriend... literally! 😂
However, as I mentioned above, my anxiety slowly rose... because, seriously, how was a girl to survive a fictional world AND keep the man of her dreams? The longer I read and fell in love with these characters, the more nervous I felt... until my anxiety for them spiked. I honestly had NO IDEA how this story was going to resolve! NONE!
You'll just have to read it to know what happens... and then scream and laugh and cry and impatiently wonder how Book 2 will go and when it'll be published. 😂
NB I received an ARC of this novel.
I thought the premise of this novel was fascinating, so I was excited to score a review copy from NetGalley. (Thanks!)
Despite my growing feelings of anxiety as the story progressed, I really loved this book! Such a unique spin, kinda like a time travel romance (which I love!).
First off, I liked introverted author Charlotte from the get-go. She's relatable and great at what she does, but that lonely part of her with her tragic backstory really called out to me. As for Nick... yikes. Talk about the greatest book boyfriend... literally! 😂
However, as I mentioned above, my anxiety slowly rose... because, seriously, how was a girl to survive a fictional world AND keep the man of her dreams? The longer I read and fell in love with these characters, the more nervous I felt... until my anxiety for them spiked. I honestly had NO IDEA how this story was going to resolve! NONE!
You'll just have to read it to know what happens... and then scream and laugh and cry and impatiently wonder how Book 2 will go and when it'll be published. 😂
NB I received an ARC of this novel.
April 27, 2026
Charlotte quit her job a year ago to pursue her dream to be a full time writer. She has quite a following, and her books sell very well, but right now she is not feeling like the latest character development is panning out. Charlotte is starting to really panic.
Suddenly, Charlotte has realized she must’ve fallen asleep while reworking her latest book. Because she inexplicably finds herself right in the middle of her book setting. That’s right, everything she sees, and the people around her, is right there in real life. The areas she has not addressed in her writings, become a dark void. How can this be happening?
Worse yet, her interactions with her “characters, especially Nick, leads her to rethink portions of her book series.
Charlotte finds herself in a dilemma as her mind and body want to stay in this world of her fiction books, but knows she has an obligation to her fans, agent and mostly her best friend/roommate Brynn.
Oh, I want to share so much more but I don’t want to take away your joy in reading this amazing book.
I love how this book has humor, insight and a sense of adventure in the form of a classic Rom-Com. The idea of this plot scene is so unique!
Suddenly, Charlotte has realized she must’ve fallen asleep while reworking her latest book. Because she inexplicably finds herself right in the middle of her book setting. That’s right, everything she sees, and the people around her, is right there in real life. The areas she has not addressed in her writings, become a dark void. How can this be happening?
Worse yet, her interactions with her “characters, especially Nick, leads her to rethink portions of her book series.
Charlotte finds herself in a dilemma as her mind and body want to stay in this world of her fiction books, but knows she has an obligation to her fans, agent and mostly her best friend/roommate Brynn.
Oh, I want to share so much more but I don’t want to take away your joy in reading this amazing book.
I love how this book has humor, insight and a sense of adventure in the form of a classic Rom-Com. The idea of this plot scene is so unique!
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