Fall Out of Love

by Samantha Baca

As someone who made a living writing happily-ever-afters, I officially gave up on finding my own.

After countless disastrous dates and almost settling for the wrong person, I knew something had to change. It wasn't that I didn't want love, but it seemed like love didn't want me.

With nothing left to lose, I packed my bags and escaped to a secluded small town, determined to focus entirely on myself. To stay on track, I put two strict rules in place:

Rule #1: Do not fall in love.

Rule #2: See Rule #1.

Unfortunately, the universe ignored my rules and sent me the most infuriatingly charming guy to help me out. And I desperately needed help. I had bought a rundown house on a whim, and Rhett stepped in to help tackle the overwhelming repairs. Soon, a close friendship blossomed between us, and I struggled to remember my own boundaries.


The harder I tried to convince myself that romance was not in the cards, the more fate kept shuffling the deck. I wanted Rhett deeply, but how could I love someone else when I didn’t even know who I was? I needed to find myself, but the love Rhett offered felt like nothing I had ever experienced.

How was I supposed to decide between going after what I wanted and finding what I needed?

Genres: Romance

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Samantha lives in the southwest with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing, drinking iced coffee, and watching the greatest show of all time—Friends. With over 30 books published, Samantha enjoys writing across several different genres, from steamy romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud spicy romantic comedies. She also has a sweet spot for holiday stories, so grab a blanket and get ready to binge some of the sweetest—yet spicy—holiday romance your heart can handle!

Samantha loves connecting with her readers, so here’s a list of where you can find her:

Facebook Reader Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/29457...

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamant...

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/author_samantha...

Webpage:
www.samanthabaca.com

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/authorsamant...

Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/ap/RQAYK9/Sama...

Reviews

[Mamawattto4 Melissa]

Thank you booksirens and Samantha Baca for the ARC

📚 Fall Outta Love by Samantha Baca ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely LOVED this little small town fall romance! 🍂🍁 There’s just something about a cozy small town, fall vibes, a charming (and infuriating 😂) guy, and a woman determined to stay far, far away from love that I can’t resist.

I loved watching Rayleigh try so hard to stick to her “do not fall in love” rules while fate and a certain irresistible man aka Rhett had other plans. The story was heartwarming, funny, sweet, and gave me all the cozy fall feels I was looking for.

Give me a small town, some maple syrup, a little banter, and a romance I can’t help but root for, and I’m SOLD. ❤️🍁

5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a cute, cozy, feel good fall romance!

[Elizabeth]

Cute and frisky

Rayleigh is a romance writer who, after one too many dismal dates, packs up and moves from Boston to the countryside of Vermont. She hopes the small town of Maple Creek will give this introvert the fresh start she needs to rediscover herself and move forward. She certainly doesn’t expect the house she bought sight unseen to need a lot of work—or for the first person she meets to be the extremely handsome Rhett.

I really enjoyed getting to know Rhett. He’s a little nerdy in a very hot-guy sort of way and an absolutely wonderful, soft-on-the-inside hero. The more time he spends with Rayleigh, the more he realizes he’s falling for her, despite his promise to her not to.

It took me a little longer to connect with Rayleigh, but once I understood what had motivated her to uproot her life, I was able to sympathize with her and really root for the two of them.

Samantha Baca writes wonderful characters, fun dialogue, and delightful stories that are easy to get lost in. And Rayleigh’s friend Millie has a story of her own to tell—I’m hoping we get to read it someday!

[Reading_with_dani93]

This was exactly the book I was looking for to get me into the fall mood. I really enjoyed the small town cozy feel that this book gave off as I am a big fall lover. Rhett was such a great character and enjoyed how he was a little on the nerdy side with an adorable spoiled dog. Rayleigh having her heart broke is very adamant about following her not falling in love rules. I was rooting for them from the beginning and was so glad to see them both overcome their insecurities.

[Ann Adolphson]

Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I was able to receive an ARC of Fall Out of Love thanks to BookSirens and the author.

This was such a cute fall read! Rayleigh is a romance author with a history of bad luck when it comes to love, and she's finally decided she's DONE. In an attempt to take back her life, she moves to the small town of Maple Creek, Vermont, with two very important rules:

Rule #1: Do not fall in love.
Rule #2: See Rule #1.

Obviously, that becomes a little more difficult once Rhett enters the picture. 😂

Rhett was such a cute golden retriever MMC, and I couldn't help but like him. I especially enjoyed the banter between him and Rayleigh and thought they had some really sweet moments together.

There were a couple things that didn't completely work for me, though. The insta love happened a little too quickly for my taste, and I wish we'd gotten more time to really build that connection between Rayleigh and Rhett. There were also moments when the way Rayleigh treated Rhett got a little frustrating for me.

But let's talk about the actual star of this book: Sparkles. 😂 Rhett's dog absolutely stole the show. What a cutie!

Overall, Fall Out of Love was a sweet, cozy fall romance that I enjoyed even though I didn't connect with every part of the romance. If you're looking for small-town fall vibes, banter, a golden retriever MMC, and an adorable dog who may completely steal your attention, this is a cute one to pick up.

[Mary Gallitano]

This isn't the first book I've read by Samantha Baca, but it's definitely the one that I loved the most.

Rayleigh is a romance author who struggles to find romance in her own life. She moves to a small town in an attempt to "fall out of love". She knows that she falls into love too easily and quickly.

She bought a run down house without seeing it (oops) and it's a disaster.

Rhett who is basically a jack of all trades and the biggest golden retriever ever!

He falls first - and oh does he fall. Rhett has a dog names Sprinkles that he loves and dresses up.

Rayleigh proposed a Friends with Benefits scenario with Rhett. The benefits are OUTSTANDING and would certainly provide great material for Rayleigh's books.

Rayleigh is falling in love with Rhett, but tries desperately not to realize it. She is lucky to have an amazing friend Millie who listens to her and gives great advice.

It takes a serious threat for Rayleigh to realize the truth about her feelings for Rhett.

The banter between these two is on point, and almost as good as the "benefits" these friends have.

This was such a fun, spicy read. Get it!

[Kellie]

🏡 Cozy, small town romance
🧍‍♀️ Raleigh: Jaded-about-love romance author
🧍‍♂️Rhett: Nerd(ish) handyman with golden retriever vibes
🐾 Sparkles: A pampered dog obsessed with watching Legally Blonde
🍁 Maple-infused everything

I am ready for Autumn and this book made me wish I lived in the northeast vs sweating my butt off here in the south. This is such a cute and cozy feel-good love story, with an healthy dose of spice. Who doesn't love a freak-in-the-sheets golden retriever man?!
With a sprinkle of comic relief in the form of a dog named, Sparkles.
Raleigh was ready to move on from looking for love. A romance author who has failed at the prime objective of every book she wrote: to find YOUR person and fall in love. So, she packed up and was ready for the role as a single and thriving lady. Then Rhett came into the picture. Pinky-promises and some friends-with-benefits only works for so long!

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

[Rebekah Powers]

With the temperatures finally beginning to fall, it’s the perfect time to read this book! The town, the people, the atmosphere all bring the coziness of fall straight into your reading space.

I loved Rayleigh and her determination to not only make a life she wants and can enjoy, but how she sticks to her guns as long as possible. She’s quite possibly a great candidate for a cinnamon roll. Her outer layer can come off as guarded, but she’s really soft and full of emotions that she’s afraid to let escape.

Rhett is the opposite of Rayleigh. He’s got golden retriever energy pouring out of him. He quickly falls head over heels and spends his time charming his way into her life. It’s absolutely delightful.

Although Rayleigh was looking for a way to escape the dating world and remain single for life, fate definitely had other plans for her in her new maple sugar powered town.

[Mandi Howard]

I really enjoyed this book!! Rhett and Rayleigh’s love story was so sweet, and from the moment they met, I felt like they were made for each other. Rayleigh tried so hard not to fall in love, but with Rhett’s charming personality, she really didn’t stand a chance! I loved their dynamic and found myself rooting for them the whole way through.

The small-town feel mixed with all the house drama made this such a fun read. There were moments that had me laughing out loud, and I loved the mix of humor, sweet moments, and spice.

The side characters added so much, too. I loved Millie and would happily read more about her. And Sparkles? She had a personality all her own!

Overall, this was a sweet, funny, spicy romance with characters I loved spending time with. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie Bates]

I really enjoyed this one! It was such an easy, light, and heartwarming read—the kind of book you can just settle into and enjoy.

I loved how well the characters complemented each other. Their personalities balanced each other perfectly, and watching their relationship develop made the story even sweeter. And honestly, give me a good small-town setting and I’m already halfway sold.

There were definitely a few moments when Rayleigh’s stubbornness had me wanting to reach into the book and shake her a little. But even with those moments, I loved the story overall.

Sweet, cozy, romantic, and full of small-town charm. This one was exactly the kind of feel-good read I needed.

[Kristen Kelley]

I loved reading this story at this time of year when it's still too hot out and we just want fall to come! It really got me in the fall spirit! I especially loved this book since it takes place in Vermont and my family has a cabin in Vermont. I miss New England where I grew up so much, and now am sweltering in the southern heat. So this story really brought me home and got me ready for fall! The two main characters are so sweet and have you cheering for them the whole time, while they are trying to not fall for each other. I love reading Samantha Baca’s seasonal reads each year and this book was one of my favorites.

[Gail Powell]

An incredible story of two people who just hadn't found the love they were looking for! Rayleigh wrote romance novels, but her history with men had led her to where she had given up. She bought a house, sight unseen, packed up her life and moved to Maple Creek. Her GPS gave up on her before she found her house, but a very nice gentleman helped her get there. What she found was totally unhabitable, so he gave her a place to stay and helped her repair it. You never know when love might find you! Great read! I received an advance reader copy free and have voluntarily chosen to leave an honest review.

[Emilie]

Rayleigh recently had several bad dates and writes off dating to concentrate on herself. She moves to a small town with one rule: do not fall in love. She then meets Rhett, her neighbour.

I really enjoyed this book and I could not put it down. I loved the small town setting, the characters, the sexual tension between them.

I wish it lasted longer as I wanted to spend more time with Rayleigh and Rhett. I would love to see this story being made as a movie.

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Johanna]

This was so much fun to read! I was a little fishy due to the amount of chapters but I plowed through this book so fast!

Rayleigh had been burned by love in the past and was hesitant.

Rhett just hadn’t found anyone worthy of his time until Rayleigh came to town.

They became fast friends that quickly turned into friends with benefits and a promise not to fall in love.

We all knew how that would turn out 🤣

I really enjoyed their story and his little dog sparkles was a fun addition to their journey too!

Ahh! I just don’t have enough words to express how easy and fun this story was!

[J]

A beautifully well written small-town romance read, perfect for the fall season coming. I love the cozy and charming vibe of small towns and fall. Baca delivers a heartwarming romance with main characters are Rayleigh and Rhett. I loved reading Rayleigh's determination to follow her rules to not fall in love, all the while Rhett becomes irritatingly irresistible. Heartwarming, sweet with some heat and humor. I loved it!

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

[Liz Ranne]

I loved this!! It's Rayleigh & Rhett's story & it was awesome! She's a romance writer & hasn't had the best of luck with relationships, so she decides she needs a fresh start & moves to a small-town. But fate has other plans & she meets Rhett; the chemistry between them is undeniable & he falls hard & fast. She tries & fights feelings for him every step of the way. I loved this! It's a small-town, feel-good romance & fall vibes! I loved seeing her finally give in to it!! Recommend this book & author!

[Karrie Lynn]

I love small town stories and Rayleigh and Rhett were no exception. While she writes romance for a living, her real life does not imitate art so she packs her bags and buys a house unseen in a small town to focus on herself.

She meets Rhett while trying to find her home and she bit off more thsn she could chew and ends up staying with Rhett while they fix up her home. She has a rule for herself on her new adventure, no falling in love. These two end up fixing up her home and Rhett just might be the one to mend her heart.

[Angee Owens]

Such a cute feel good story. I love that she's a romance writer that is having a hard time in the romance department. It takes place in Vermont and I could feel the cool air, see the pretty foliage, and smell the fall scents. ( I was burning a candle and had the air on because I'm from Texas but anyway). The characters were lovable and realistic. The storyline was fresh and unique. It had all the things you want in a romance. I can't wait to get the physical copy just for the edges. Another wonderful story from Samanta Baca.

[Linda V.]

I absolutely love reading anything Ms. Baca writes and this one didn't disappoint. Rayleigh is a romance author that needs to escape Boston for the Vermont countryside. While she has sworn off love, she meets Rhett while fixing up her home. Rhett is a total cinnamon roll (the author writes them so well) and falls first. The tension between these two is equal to the chemistry they have when they decide to give in - yummy! This is a fairly short read, but we get so much story. I hope we get another great story for Millie!!

[Kris]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really liked Rhett and Rayleigh! Their relationship had that friendship-first vibe that I always enjoy, with plenty of banter, tension, and a slow realisation that maybe they were becoming something more.

“Okay, what’s rule number one?”

“Do not fall in love.”

“What’s the second rule?”

“See Rule #1.”

I loved watching their friendship grow into something deeper, and when things finally got steamy… phew. I wasn’t expecting just how *open* they could be….

There was a little bit of worry as Rayleigh tried to figure out what she really wanted, though, and I definitely felt for Rhett. My heart was hurting watching him navigate all that uncertainty.

Overall, a fun, bantery romance with great chemistry, a sweet friendship-to-love progression, and just enough angst to keep me invested. 

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

[Jenna Miller]

3.5⭐️ Rhett was such a great mmc, he was so caring, and respectful of Rayleigh’s wishes. I loved how Sparkles was such a queen in his life! I didn’t love the insta love aspect and I didn’t love Rayleigh. Obviously she has past relationship trauma that has led her to not want another relationship, but I felt annoyed with how she often treated Rhett. She loved Sparkles from the beginning though, how can you not. Cute romance with some great spicy scenes!!!

[Debdutch]

“Fall Out of Love” by Samantha Baca

-This is a cute, cozy small-town fall romance! I love watching Rayleigh try so hard to stick to her “do not fall in love” rules after a string of bad dates, only for fate—and irresistible Rhett—to have other plans. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
The sharp banter, sexual tension, and sweet moments make this a fun, light read with just the right amount of spice.
And of course, the spoiled Chihuahua adds an extra dose of cute!

[Jennifer]

Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Steamy tension filled sexy scenes, and great characters make this a must read. I really liked how the author built up the relationship between the two main characters. The chemistry between the main characters can be felt on every page. This review is based on an early review copy I was sent by the publisher, but this didn't affect the content of my review that I am voluntarily providing.

[Adriana]

All the fall vibes! 🍂🪾🍁🐶

This book is PERFECT for the fall transition.

Grab your warm blanket, sip on your maple latte and get cozy.

I liked that the FMC and MMC are closer to my own age.

Perfect length, although I didn’t want to say good bye to the characters.

Happy reading.

I received an advance review copy for free (BookSirens), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather]

This was a cute and cozy small town romance with a small dash of spice. Rayleigh and Rhett were a sweet couple, and with an adorable dog added you have a delightful book. The story flowed well, the characters were engaging, and the small town charm was adorable.

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

[Mary Mac]

Rayleigh moved to Rhett's home town and the couple hit it off straight away, however there was just a little complication, two rules Rayleigh adhered by and they both found keeping those rules near impossible, throw in “Sparkles” and you have a cute cosy read.

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

[LizJ.]

Fall Out of Love by Samantha Baca is the perfect fall romance to get you ready for the season. The worldbuilding is incredible you almost feel like you're there, great characters, witty banter and a lovely romance. Highly recommend.

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

[The Book Ssirren]

Rayleigh was so super cute in this story. Her rules betrayed her! Especially when it came to Rhett. She failed so badly at not falling in love. But how could she not? Rhett was such a great guy. I absolutely loved her and Rhett together. They were both so sweet and definitely made for one another. I had a wonderful time reading this one.

[Christine Goutmann]

Really fun, quick rom-com small town story all packed in under 200 pages. Even though it was short, there was nothing missing from it. Fun to read, and now I know that a golden retriever mmc is even better when he’s a chihuahua dad.

[Reading is escaping reality]

Starting over in a new town, only one rule: no falling in love. Only life is funny and out it right in their path. This is as such a cute and an adorable fall romance that gives them a new leaf at fall in love.


I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jill Green]

Loved this story. It was so light and easy to read, Rhett and Rayleigh complimented each other perfectly. Such a feel good story to get engrossed in.
I received a free copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily