Fall Into Me

by Juliana Smith

Brimming with Southern charm, Juliana Smith is back with a new adult novella in the same world as her Willow Creek series. When Oak Ridge’s biggest wedding of the year puts Dakota and Elliot face-to-face with their exes—who just happen to be dating each other—the solution is fake date their way through the weekend.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fake Dating, Novella, Contemporary Romance

Audible Audio

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Juliana Smith grew up in an Alabama small town and still calls it home―along with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and an ever-growing collection of unfinished stories to come. She writes sweet, feel-good romance full of charm, laughter, and just the right amount of yearning. When she’s not falling in love with her fictional characters, she’s probably in the Chick-fil-A drive-thru or deep-diving into Star Wars theory podcasts.

Juliana believes in happily ever afters, second chances, and that life is better when you’re laughing (preferably with a Diet Dr Pepper in hand).

Reviews

[Kaceey]

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
A sweet novella in the Willow Creek series. Tagged as New Adult but honestly didn’t feel that way. Or could I actually be coming around to this sub-genre?!😇

Dakota and Elliot are both attending a wedding of their friends. They arrived alone, not knowing one another. In fact, their recent ex-partners are also here for the wedding. But together…as a couple. Yikes…#awkward!

So instead of appearing miserable and alone, Dakota and Elliot put on a bit of a show, pretending to be a happy-go-lucky couple, hoping to make their ex-partners jealous.

Queue the fake dating trope! Which in fact, is my favorite romance trope.👩‍❤️‍👨

🎧this was a novella-style audio that was hit out of the ballpark, with the narration of Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown!

I’m suddenly becoming a big fan of this series and am already looking forward to more!

✍️ Juliana Smith
🎧 3 hours and 17 minutes
🎤 Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 4.5*/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Romance, New Adult, series, fake dating trope, novella

Thank you to Sourcebook Audio via Libro.fm ans prhaudio for the complimentary audiobook.

[Juliana Smith]

🤫🤫🤫

[Franny]

This was a cute, fake dating novella! Fall Into Me has duet narration by Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them for this audiobook. Dakota is a little rough around the edges as a bull rider and Elliot is the adorable librarian. They’re attending a wedding and their exes are dating each other. What a way to get under their skins than to show up as a couple as well.

Thank you Sourcebooks Audio and Libro.fm for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Katy Fann]

Such a cute little novella! Fake dating is always a fun trope. Loved the fall vibes and the wedding setting.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the ALC!

[Lark _thebookchamber]

This was an adorable novella! It was fun and entertaining! I loved the opposites attract aspect between Elliot, our shy librarian, and Dakota, a professional bull rider! Their personalities were so different but worked together well! The narrators did a great job with this one and made me want the story to keep going!

[Magically Miranda]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC of “Fall Into Me”.

💭My Thoughts
Brittany and Chase knocked this audio out of the park! Their voices had me hooked from the moment I hit play.

This is my formal petition to get a second novella of what happens next between Elliot and Dakota. I liked how Dakota is the bull rider and a bit rougher around the edges but in a feminine way. She could truly be one of my friends and fit in so well.

Elliot is so cute, shy and did I mention he wears glasses... I know. I liked how he didn't leave the miscommunication to pass between them for more than 24 hours. And that grand act, loved it!

Add this to the tbr if you want to go back to Willow Creek.

❣️Tropes❣️
Novella
Small Town
Fake Dating
Liberian MMC
Bull Rider FMC
Opposites Attract

🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: Closed Door
🎧Duet Narration 3h 17m at 2x
🎙️Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Sourcebooks Audio
Listened via Libro.fm

[Sian]

Very solid and sweet fall novella! I did read Spur of the Moment earlier this year, set in Willow Creek too, which is YA so I was happy to realize this novella is adult instead. I honestly could have gotten a full length novel of Dakota and Elliot's story! They are such opposites and it would have been nice to have a longer transition for their romantic progression, but overall I think this was paced well.

The MMC narrator was amazing! He really fit Elliot's character. The end of chapter 8 was everything!! So many cute quotable moments and this made me laugh out loud a few times (although I also cringed a little bit haha). I recommend!

In this book:
-fake dating
-opposites attract
-small town
-pro bull-rider FMC
-librarian MMC
-duet narration

Content Guide:
romance - clean/innuendo
language - sh*t 2x, pissed 2x, a** 2x, and God's name in vain 5x
violence - clean

[Kamryn]

Perfect fall Novella! I love Juliana’s writing so much. This was such a fun listen I was sucked in immediately and had a hard time to put it down. I loved that it was set in the same town as Spur of The Moment what a treat!

I really loved the narrator’s as well they did an amazing job!

[Gracie]

Fall Into Me ☁️📖💒💋💍
4.5 ⭐️
1 🫑

Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the chance to read and love this gifted advanced copy!

📖Tropes and TWs:
☁️ Fake Dating
📖 Novella
💒 Bull Rider x Librarian
💋 Closed-Door/Just Kisses
💍 Minimal Language
☁️ Interconnected Standalone
📖 “Let’s Make Them Jealous”

This audiobook was so much fun! If I’m being honest, I don’t usually enjoy novellas because the stories don’t feel fully fleshed out, but Fall Into Me was definitely the exception to my rule. Even though this audiobook was only a couple of hours long, this felt like a fully complete story and we really got to see character development and plot progression.

I am SUCH a sucker for fake dating, and Juliana Smith wrote one of the swooniest fake dating stories that I’ve gotten to read in a long time! I LOVE when fake dating stems from a place of “let’s make our exes jealous”, and that is this book summarized in a single sentence. Juliana Smith has been an auto-buy author for me for a long time, but this audiobook really worked to solidify that for me.

If you read her young adult traditional publishing debut earlier this year, Spur of The Moment, this audiobook is set within the same world but with adult characters and more adult themes. I really loved getting to be back in the same world but to experience it through adult eyes and adult experiences. I’m a huge fan of YA novels, but there’s always something just a little more relatable within an adult story. I also really appreciate that Smith writes closed-door stories with kisses only, because I’m always looking for more spice-free stories to recommend.

I LOVED the narration on this story, and the duet really added the extra perfect element to it. Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown did an incredible job in the portrayal of Dakota and Elliot, and their chemistry was palpable!

[Paige (wingsandsmut)]

This was such a cute and adorable novella to listen to! When Dakota finds herself around her ex and his girlfriend for a wedding they are both attending, she definitely didn’t expect to pretend to date anyone just to make him angry….but when she runs into Elliott at the bar and finds out their exes are dating, it couldn’t seem more perfect. This was fun, flirty, and cute - I really enjoyed listening to Dakota and Elliott and their little adventures they went on together. Brittany Pressley & Chase Brown performed this audio in duet and I think they did an amazing job!

Read if you enjoy: opposites attract, fake dating, bull rider fmc x librarian mmc, small town

[Brittney (brittandlit)]

The cutest little fall novella! 🍂

Fall Into Me was such a sweet, cozy, low-stress read that had me smiling the entire time. The story takes place over one long wedding weekend, where our FMC is stuck being a bridesmaid after catching her ex-boyfriend with another woman, Amelia Sweetwater. Of course, said ex and his new girlfriend are going to be at the wedding too… because apparently she wasn’t suffering enough.

Enter Elliott—Amelia’s ex—and the two decide to fake date for the weekend to make their exes jealous and stir up a little drama, because why not?

And honestly? Elliott…🥹 This man is the definition of a golden retriever and I absolutely adored him. He was sweet, charming, supportive, and just the kind of MMC you can’t help but root for. Their fake-dating setup was adorable, and I loved watching their chemistry develop throughout the weekend.

This was such a fun little fall romance with cozy vibes, adorable moments, and just enough drama to keep things interesting without becoming overwhelming. My only complaint is that I WANTED MORE! 😂 I could have easily read another 100 pages of these two, and I was genuinely a little sad when the story ended.

🎧 Audiobook thoughts:
The audiobook was narrated in duet narration by Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown, and they did an incredible job! The performances really brought the characters and their chemistry to life, and the narration made this already-cute story even more enjoyable to listen to.

If you’re looking for a quick, cozy fall romance with fake dating, a ridiculously adorable green-flag MMC, and all the warm autumn vibes, definitely add this one to your list! 🍂🤎

Thank you to Sourcebooks/Bloom for providing the ALC via NetGalley in order to red early and provide a honest review!

[Alexandria Williams]

Babes… THIS WAS THE CUTEST LITTLE FALL ROMANCE. 🍂🤎
Dakota and Elliot were so freaking cute together.
Dakota is our badass professional bull rider….confident, a little rough around the edges and the kind of woman I could see being one of my friends. 🤠🐂

And then there's Elliot… 🥹
A librarian. With glasses.
Sweet. Shy.
Charming. Golden retriever energy.
I KNOW.😭😂

These two are complete opposites but they fit together so naturally. Their exes being together at the wedding gives them the perfect excuse to fake date for the weekend. And the banter? 😂 Juliana Smith knows exactly how to make me laugh. The wedding weekend setting was also SO much fun. Between the pickleball game, escape room, treehouse, late night swim, and wedding speech. This book was basically one giant collection of adorable moments. 🍂💕

Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown absolutely knocked the duet narration out of the park. Their voices worked so well for Dakota and Elliot, and they brought all the sweetness, humor, chemistry, and Southern charm to life.
Honestly, this is exactly the kind of novella I love listening to because it was quick, engaging, and easy to binge.

If you're looking for a quick, cozy fall romance with small town charm, fake dating and the cutest librarian MMC you've ever met...add this one to your TBR. 🍂📚🤎

[My Reading Era]

This story was absolutely adorable, and I honestly could have listened to so much more of Elliott and Dakota’s story! They team up to face their exes, and while they’re complete opposites, it quickly becomes obvious that they’re meant for each other. With every interaction, their chemistry and connection become even more apparent, and I absolutely adored watching their relationship unfold.

I also loved the narration! Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown perfectly captured their sweet personalities and fun dynamic, making the story even sweeter.

This quick novella was such a fun, feel good listen!

Thank you, Juliana Smith and Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC.

[Sorina]

“Fall Into Me” by Juliana Smith is a novella set in the same world as the "Willow Creek" series.

I received an advance listener copy of the book from Sourcebooks Audio.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

This is a sweet romance with fake dating.

Dakota and Elliot meet at the wedding of some friends and realize that their exes are dating each other.
So they decide to fake date; Dakota wants to annoy her ex and Elliot wants to make her jealous to get her back.

The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown in duet style.
I just love these two narrators and they are the perfect Dakota and Elliot.
When it finished I wanted to be able to listen more.

Dakota is a professional bull rider and Elliot a shy librarian (that wears glasses).
They are opposites, but also so sweet together.

This book is perfect if you re looking for a short, sweet, closed door romance, with cozy vibes.

[Michelle (michellereadsandspins)]

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Audio for the gifted ALC! Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown were so fun to listen to! I love a duet audiobook!

Juliana Smith does it again! I absolutely adored this fall romance novella! Finished it in a sitting! If you loved Spur of the Moment I recommend you listen to this adult novella because it also takes place in Willow Creek! I love a fake dating romance so this was right up my alley! So stinkin’ cute!

[Resh]

DNF. Can we please bring back proper blurbs? I went into this expecting a cute romance but the FMC’s occupation is a red flag - sorry not sorry. I don’t fancy people who ride animals to make cash (or harm any animals in anyway) and obviously don’t want to root for them. If this was properly mentioned in the blurb I definitely wouldn’t have picked this up!!

Thank you Sourcebooks audio for my ALC.

[Heather Saizar]

This was such a fun little read! Cute fake dating romance (no spice) storyline between a bull riding FMC and librarian MMC. The duet narration was great! I really enjoyed both narrators and look forward to more from them.

[Bethany C]

One of my favorite novellas ever omg 🥲🥲 such an incredible audiobook I love them so much I just wish it was longer!!!!!

[Bookedwithstephanie]

💖✨

This was such a cute and fun novella, I really enjoyed it. I listened on audio, Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown did a great job with the narration.

Dakota and Elliot are both guests at their friend’s wedding, they didn’t come together though. In an unfortunate coincidence, their ex’s are also at the wedding… together 😳 They don’t want their ex’s to think they came alone, in comes the fake dating. I loved the opposites attract and fake dating tropes, they were so different but worked so well together.

Thank you to Sourcebook Audio for the alc!

[Michelle Gianchetti]

This was adorable!!!!!! I want to be a part of a wedding party so bad! The event leading us to the wedding seems so fun when you have a large group of friends maybe not one when’s your dates ex and your ex’s new partner!

I loved Elliot’s energy and how charming and calm he could be but also ready to party and have fun at any moment! Being a librarian couldn’t be cuter!!!! Dakota getting carried up the mountain was the perfect breaking moment for them to notice maybe their fake dating is going so well because they would be perfect for each other!

Small town western charm, Elliot said he would never dance but never say never!!!! Loved the audio so much!

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures)]

4.5 stars

Fall into Me was just what I needed while I wait for @author.juliana.smith's next book, Cowboy Take Me Away.
Her NA voice is so great and tailored to what I love to read. Sometimes novellas don't pack in enough but this absolutely left me satisfied and it would be so fun to revisit Dakota and Elliot as cameos or supporting cast characters in another book.
The narrators, Brittany Pressley & Chase Brown, did exactly what they needed to in this performance. They were equally charismatic and brought the characters to life.
Thank you @sourcebooks.audio for the alc! All thoughts are my own.

[casey]

4 ⭐️

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the alc.

⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🎧 audiobook novella
📚 professional bull rider x librarian
🍂 small town
💍 fake dating
🐂 opposites attract

⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
i love juliana so when i got sent this, i was so excited. it sounded so messy and chaotic but in a good way that i wanted to listen to asap!!! i ended up binging in a sitting because it is a novella and very engaging!!

elliot, a man in glasses, who is a librarian. yupppp. i love him so much. and dakota? a professional bull rider? bad. ass. i also love her. i did want to yell at the both of them to stop denying their feelings for one another!!!!!

⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
this is about a fake dating for a fall wedding between female professional bull rider dakota and small town librarian elliot. alsooo their exes are dating… so why not fake date???

🎧audio: duet narration??? say less. i really enjoyed the narrators and felt they did phenomenal especially with the tones.

[Lauren | Laurens.littlelibrary]

The way I wish this book was longer only because I love these two characters so freaking much.

Dakota and Elliot, even though their opposites attract, are literally so perfect. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet at how cute they are.

Not to mention Juliana is probably one of my favorite authors to read when I need a good laugh. I was cackling multiple times. But don’t get me wrong the heart that she wrote into this book truly had me to tears. I also loved how organic their friendship/relationship happened because normally a Novella makes everything feel so rushed, and this just felt perfectly timed.

Some of my favorite scenes include:
- the Pickleball game
- the escape room
- the treehouse
- the late night swim
- the wedding speech

That being said, basically the entire book was my favorite scene lol.

I cannot wait to see what she does for book 2 in this mini series of Willow Creek Novellas and maybe even came in the Willow Creek series.

[Karen B]

What an absolutely sweet, opposites attract novella! This closed-door, fake dating romance was lighthearted and tender and featured realistic characters that I want as in real life friends. Dakota, a rough and tumble rodeo queen and Elliot, a quiet librarian, both attend a wedding where their exes are also guests, and they unexpectedly find themselves fake dating through the week. The way they interacted was natural and cute, their vulnerability and openness enduring, and I loved that I got to experience an emotional connection in such a short book. Add this to your fall TBR for a sweet and quick escape!
The duet narration by Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown was so enjoyable, truly bringing Dakota and Elliot to life. They captured the personalities of their respective characters, had so much emotion and such a fun dynamic.
Thanks to Sourcebook Audio for the gifted audiobook.

[Shannon]

3.5 rounded up

A fun, Fall, fake-dating New Adult romance novella between a young librarian and the cowgirl who's ex is dating his ex. Determined to win his ex back, Elliot, reluctantly agrees to Dakota's fake dating scheme. She wants revenge and together the two of them learn from one another and fall in love - all over one eventful wedding weekend. Good on audio and a quick, entertaining read set in the same universe as the author's Oak Ridge series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

[KellyJ1028]

Perfect Fall novella!
Elliot& Dakota fake date their way through a weekend wedding after discovering their exes showed up… together. Total opposites, but their chemistry builds fast and Elliot’s sweet charm, glasses, and secret treehouse absolutely won me over.

Cozy, fun, and just messy enough with the ex‑drama. I devoured it. This was a new to me author but I definitely want to check out her backlist.

🎧 The audio novella was a total win with Brittany Pressley and Chase Brown nailing the narration.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the ALC!

[KayleeNeedsANewBook]

Happy Thursday, y’all! 🤠✨ Dust off your boots, because you’re cordially invited to Oak Ridge’s biggest wedding of the year! 💒💍

If you loved Spur of the Moment, this swoony novella delivers all the same sweet Southern charm and fake dating goodness, I just wished it was longer because I truly wanted more! 🍂🌾 Such a fun, cozy quick read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🎧 Huge thank you to @Sourcebooks for providing me with an ALC audiobook to review! The duet narration was perfection! 🌾🌾

🤠 Yee hawing right into the weekend!

💬 Have you rode a horse? 🐎 🐴

#FallIntoMe #SouthernRomance #Bookstagram

[Addison Ashley]

Que up I believe in a thing called love bc I absolutely grooved through this book.

Okay now that the cheesiness is aside I think it’s an absolute crime that I don’t get to see that dance in real life. Juliana wrote the perfect fall audio novella. It was such a quick listen and the narrators Brittany Presley and Chase Brown did fantastic. I now need to keep Elliott in some bubble wrap and carry him around with me bc I ADORE him!

Thank you to sourcebooks audio for sending this to me to listen and review! I had the best time with this book!

[Lauren Gavlin]

This novella was sweet, charming, and full of Southern charm!

What do you do when you have to attend a wedding with your ex and his new girlfriend? Befriend your ex’s new girlfriend’s ex, of course! They team up to make their exes jealous, but somewhere along the way, those fake feelings start turning into something very real.

This was a quick, sweet story with fake dating, plenty of charm, and sparks flying along the way. The audio was great, too!

A fun little addition to the Willow Creek series!

[Em]

Thank you to sourcebooks and libro for the ALC of this book. As someone who hasn’t read any of the other books and just saw fake dating and novella, I had a fun time! I thought there could have been a better peak romance moment, but for the most part I had a fun time. I think with novellas it’s always hard to capture a new relationship, and this one def captured what is the start of one! Overall a fun time and I’m interested in the other books by this author!!