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Falling for Autumn
Fall Fake-Out: A Sweet Romantic Comedy
The relationship is fake. The feelings are not.
Ari Langford thought rock bottom looked like a breakup, an empty bank account, and moving back in with her parents. Then her younger sister got engaged.
Now Ari’s back home in Vermont, watching the entire town lose their minds over the “wedding of the century” while her mother keeps trying to set her up with every single man within a fifty-mile radius. That’s rock bottom.
The only bright spot? Wade Stevenson.
Unfortunately, Wade is also the problem.
The charming high school principal has a reputation for flirting first and thinking later, and half the town is still waiting for him to screw up so bad he loses his job. So when a student’s inappropriate crush threatens to turn into dangerous rumors, Wade needs a respectable girlfriend fast. Ari needs her mother off her back. Fake dating seems like the perfect solution.
Until the lines between fake and real start to blur.
Because suddenly they’re sharing cider donuts at the fall festival, sitting by each other at the football games, and spending more time together than either of them planned. The closer they get, the harder it becomes to remember where the act ends.
And Ari’s not sure which is Wade breaking her heart or realizing he actually could.
Ari Langford thought rock bottom looked like a breakup, an empty bank account, and moving back in with her parents. Then her younger sister got engaged.
Now Ari’s back home in Vermont, watching the entire town lose their minds over the “wedding of the century” while her mother keeps trying to set her up with every single man within a fifty-mile radius. That’s rock bottom.
The only bright spot? Wade Stevenson.
Unfortunately, Wade is also the problem.
The charming high school principal has a reputation for flirting first and thinking later, and half the town is still waiting for him to screw up so bad he loses his job. So when a student’s inappropriate crush threatens to turn into dangerous rumors, Wade needs a respectable girlfriend fast. Ari needs her mother off her back. Fake dating seems like the perfect solution.
Until the lines between fake and real start to blur.
Because suddenly they’re sharing cider donuts at the fall festival, sitting by each other at the football games, and spending more time together than either of them planned. The closer they get, the harder it becomes to remember where the act ends.
And Ari’s not sure which is Wade breaking her heart or realizing he actually could.
382 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2026
About the author
Kortney Keisel
22 books1,913 followersKortney graduated from the University of Utah with an English degree and spent a few years before motherhood teaching 7th and 8th graders how to write a book report, among other things. But after a reading slump, where no plots seemed to satisfy, Kortney pulled out her laptop and started writing the "perfect" love story...or at least she tried. Writing love stories is her job...just kidding. Her real job is taking care of her five awesome kids and spending time with her husband.
Kortney loves a good romance movie or book, warm chocolate chip cookies, and traveling the world.
Connect with Kortney at www.kortneykeisel.com
Kortney loves a good romance movie or book, warm chocolate chip cookies, and traveling the world.
Connect with Kortney at www.kortneykeisel.com
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September 25, 2026Fake dating forever and ever amen
September 17, 2026
Before I start, just know two things:
Yes, I know how romcoms work: ooey-gooey, kissy-kissy, is that wedding bells I hear.
No, I did not hate this book, so only proceed if you want hear my opinions.
Okay, now a review. Here's the thing: of course I come to romcoms for the expected components (pretty people, lovey dovey stuff, HEA); but, and more importantly for me personally, down-to-earth elements, a story somewhat based in reality (I'm not trying to ask for the moon, I swear), and some occasional hard hitting stuff (like, rewriting family legacies, overcoming grief, etc.). So, when a romcom has the expected things (obeys the genre rules) but falls flat in the second set of categories, that's when my enjoyment diminishes, and my rating comes down.
This book had some potential (reformed playboy falls for "the one that got away") but here's the biggest problem I perceived in this book as I was reading it: TELLING NOT SHOWING. We are told, over and over again ad nauseam, that Wade is a commitment-phobe man child who is also somehow charming (I can and will give props to the banter in this book, it did make me chuckle many times) and does a good job in his role as principal of his small-town high school–well, we get evidence of the latter (and honestly, some of it's pretty precious), but not the former except being told, over and over again ad nauseam (see what I did there?), that he's dated everyone in Autumn Ridge except Ari and that's because she's *SPECIAL* (also never entirely explained, kind of like The Chosen One, where's Hermione with an oversized book beating when you need it). For me, I want evidence on-page. Show me WHY he's anti-relationship. Show me WHY she's so special (other than being pretty and apparently good at teaching, but let's be real: that second reason is not why Wade is into her).
Anyway. You've probably seen some of my romcom reviews which are me, like many girls, shrieking, "VIBES, LOVE, SWOON," and others where I breakdown the why and how of my love. But then there's these, the ones that make me sound like a pretentious English Lit major, and I am sorry because I'm really not that person anymore. Okay, I do have the degree, but I'm not snooty. I like all kinds of books, including the clean romance genre. It is nice to kick back and read an uncomplicated tale of "our eyes locked and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding because there he was." But sometimes, the story just doesn't hit the spot and this is one of those times.
Yes, I know how romcoms work: ooey-gooey, kissy-kissy, is that wedding bells I hear.
No, I did not hate this book, so only proceed if you want hear my opinions.
Okay, now a review. Here's the thing: of course I come to romcoms for the expected components (pretty people, lovey dovey stuff, HEA); but, and more importantly for me personally, down-to-earth elements, a story somewhat based in reality (I'm not trying to ask for the moon, I swear), and some occasional hard hitting stuff (like, rewriting family legacies, overcoming grief, etc.). So, when a romcom has the expected things (obeys the genre rules) but falls flat in the second set of categories, that's when my enjoyment diminishes, and my rating comes down.
This book had some potential (reformed playboy falls for "the one that got away") but here's the biggest problem I perceived in this book as I was reading it: TELLING NOT SHOWING. We are told, over and over again ad nauseam, that Wade is a commitment-phobe man child who is also somehow charming (I can and will give props to the banter in this book, it did make me chuckle many times) and does a good job in his role as principal of his small-town high school–well, we get evidence of the latter (and honestly, some of it's pretty precious), but not the former except being told, over and over again ad nauseam (see what I did there?), that he's dated everyone in Autumn Ridge except Ari and that's because she's *SPECIAL* (also never entirely explained, kind of like The Chosen One, where's Hermione with an oversized book beating when you need it). For me, I want evidence on-page. Show me WHY he's anti-relationship. Show me WHY she's so special (other than being pretty and apparently good at teaching, but let's be real: that second reason is not why Wade is into her).
Anyway. You've probably seen some of my romcom reviews which are me, like many girls, shrieking, "VIBES, LOVE, SWOON," and others where I breakdown the why and how of my love. But then there's these, the ones that make me sound like a pretentious English Lit major, and I am sorry because I'm really not that person anymore. Okay, I do have the degree, but I'm not snooty. I like all kinds of books, including the clean romance genre. It is nice to kick back and read an uncomplicated tale of "our eyes locked and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding because there he was." But sometimes, the story just doesn't hit the spot and this is one of those times.
October 1, 2026
Inject this flirty banter into my veins!
Coming in immediately with the relentless flirting from Wade, I was seriously smitten from chapter one. Returning to her Vermont hometown after a breakup, Ari gets swept up in her new job as the high school English teacher, her perfect sister’s wedding, her pestering mother’s matchmaking, and when her old friend and now-principal Wade needs a girlfriend to protect his reputation, the two agree to fake date.
I will say, the reasoning behind their fake dating was immensely uncomfortable to me, with Wade attempting to ward off a student who is inappropriately flirting with him. His reasoning is addressed, and I do think it ends in a rational way, but I don't know—the whole situation was just weird for two grown adults. But listen, I am choosing to ignore that because I could not get enough of this romance!
It was flirty, it was playful, it had all the steamy tension, but I also loved the internal conflict for Ari as she falls for Wade while simultaneously struggling to trust her own judgment after her last relationship. Both have pasts that have followed them around their small town, and it was so great to see them prove that those choices don't define who they really are.
Add in the heavy fall vibes, and I just loved this!
(spice level: kisses only)
Coming in immediately with the relentless flirting from Wade, I was seriously smitten from chapter one. Returning to her Vermont hometown after a breakup, Ari gets swept up in her new job as the high school English teacher, her perfect sister’s wedding, her pestering mother’s matchmaking, and when her old friend and now-principal Wade needs a girlfriend to protect his reputation, the two agree to fake date.
I will say, the reasoning behind their fake dating was immensely uncomfortable to me, with Wade attempting to ward off a student who is inappropriately flirting with him. His reasoning is addressed, and I do think it ends in a rational way, but I don't know—the whole situation was just weird for two grown adults. But listen, I am choosing to ignore that because I could not get enough of this romance!
It was flirty, it was playful, it had all the steamy tension, but I also loved the internal conflict for Ari as she falls for Wade while simultaneously struggling to trust her own judgment after her last relationship. Both have pasts that have followed them around their small town, and it was so great to see them prove that those choices don't define who they really are.
Add in the heavy fall vibes, and I just loved this!
(spice level: kisses only)
September 22, 2026
I’m obsessed with this book. Literally near utter perfection.
This hit and hit hard for my mood this weekend, and is definitely a new favorite of this series. Yes, it had the happiest of happily ever afters, no major conflicts, and all of the cliche moments, but I think that those are actually some of the biggest reasons why I liked this book so much. It just felt very refreshing to me then some of those other kinds of romcoms that try to be overly dramatic and whatnot. This was just a breath of fresh air with amazing characters.
If you like your bbfs ultra down bad and said to look akin to Benson Boone, I literally cannot recommend you this book more. I was literal so stinking smitten with Wade.
That under the bleachers scene?? AGHHH. And oh my GOODNESS—make sure you read the bonus scenes! Those made the book.
I was literally and physically kicking my feet in so many parts of this book. It was the definition on swoon worthy, and a thousand percent a new favorite.
(Clean adult romcom—some makeouts and silly innuendoes).
This hit and hit hard for my mood this weekend, and is definitely a new favorite of this series. Yes, it had the happiest of happily ever afters, no major conflicts, and all of the cliche moments, but I think that those are actually some of the biggest reasons why I liked this book so much. It just felt very refreshing to me then some of those other kinds of romcoms that try to be overly dramatic and whatnot. This was just a breath of fresh air with amazing characters.
If you like your bbfs ultra down bad and said to look akin to Benson Boone, I literally cannot recommend you this book more. I was literal so stinking smitten with Wade.
That under the bleachers scene?? AGHHH. And oh my GOODNESS—make sure you read the bonus scenes! Those made the book.
I was literally and physically kicking my feet in so many parts of this book. It was the definition on swoon worthy, and a thousand percent a new favorite.
(Clean adult romcom—some makeouts and silly innuendoes).
September 5, 2026
FALL FAKE-OUT by Kortney Keisel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Fake dating… but make it a bet. Who can make it more convincing! Truly, I was craving easy, fall fun, and this nailed it. I was so excited to curl up in my bed at night to get lost in this one. I laughed out loud so many times *ahem, the beets.” And Wade was perfect. I loved that he had no shame in showing Ari he wanted to be around her. Enjoyed every second.
Ari has moved back to her hometown and is living with her parents. When her Mom insists on setting her up with every single man in Autumn Ridge, Ari agrees to a mutually beneficial fake dating relationship with an old friend, Wade.
Perfect if you like:
•Fake dating!
•Small town.
•It was always you.
•Friends to lovers.
•Laugh out loud moments.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍩🌮
Ari has moved back to her hometown and is living with her parents. When her Mom insists on setting her up with every single man in Autumn Ridge, Ari agrees to a mutually beneficial fake dating relationship with an old friend, Wade.
Perfect if you like:
•Fake dating!
•Small town.
•It was always you.
•Friends to lovers.
•Laugh out loud moments.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️ (just kisses)
Mood: 🍩🌮
September 29, 2026
RTC 🧡!!!!
September 26, 2026
4.25
“part of me always knew that i’d end up loving you”🥹🥹
this was soooo cutie!!
i love a hot man with a mustache that is good with kids 🙂↕️
the banter was so fun, the chemistry was amazing and i could literally never turn down a good fake dating trope. i related to ari SO MUCH and was so happy to see her find her person & find her place🫶🏽
in this book, the MMC is a principal & the FMC gets hired on to work as an english teacher. i’m a middle school teacher and some of the stuff that happens at this school would DEF have one or both of them losing their job if it was real life 😂 but it’s fiction so i tried not to read too much into it and just enjoy it for what it was ッ
i did get a little tired of how many times they talked about how much of a bad boy player wade was but there was no INKLING of his actual actions that gave me that impression.
overall, i had a ton of fun while listening to this one. i loved the characters & the vibes & the setting & definitely think this should be on your fall radar!!
🔥NO SPICE🔥
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
“part of me always knew that i’d end up loving you”🥹🥹
this was soooo cutie!!
i love a hot man with a mustache that is good with kids 🙂↕️
the banter was so fun, the chemistry was amazing and i could literally never turn down a good fake dating trope. i related to ari SO MUCH and was so happy to see her find her person & find her place🫶🏽
in this book, the MMC is a principal & the FMC gets hired on to work as an english teacher. i’m a middle school teacher and some of the stuff that happens at this school would DEF have one or both of them losing their job if it was real life 😂 but it’s fiction so i tried not to read too much into it and just enjoy it for what it was ッ
i did get a little tired of how many times they talked about how much of a bad boy player wade was but there was no INKLING of his actual actions that gave me that impression.
overall, i had a ton of fun while listening to this one. i loved the characters & the vibes & the setting & definitely think this should be on your fall radar!!
🔥NO SPICE🔥
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
September 18, 2026
So was this book pretty funny? Yes.
Was the banter good? Yes.
.
But what the what. If you are a principle and a student is hitting on you like Ashtyn was it is not okay to just hope she'll go away if you date someone else. I get that fake dating storylines need a reason, but this should not be a valid reason. Put your big boy pants on and deal with it maturely. I didn't find that entire subplot funny at all.
Also, small town or not, you can't act like Wade did with a teacher when you're in a position of authority. Wade definitely took advantage of his power as a principal and I didn't find it endearing. Interrupting her class to blatantly flirt, getting all handsy on the football field, making comments to students about her, not okay. I found it to be supportive of all his nay-sayers that said he wasn't ready for a principal job. They're right.
Also, Wade says he didn't date Ari because he knew she was "special" and if he dated her he'd fall for her. So he dated literally everyone else instead. Somehow this brings Ari an immense amount of happiness and healing since she has consistently said she just wants to be chosen. But all that really says is that he chose freedom from commitment over her. He chose shallow flings over a deep commitment with her. I feel like there was a really big disconnect in this story. We don't know why he says he doesn't want a commitment. And we don't really see her truly being chosen, even at the end when he wants to continue the relationship. Is he actually choosing a commitment? Who knows 🤷🏻♀️
Was the banter good? Yes.
.
But what the what. If you are a principle and a student is hitting on you like Ashtyn was it is not okay to just hope she'll go away if you date someone else. I get that fake dating storylines need a reason, but this should not be a valid reason. Put your big boy pants on and deal with it maturely. I didn't find that entire subplot funny at all.
Also, small town or not, you can't act like Wade did with a teacher when you're in a position of authority. Wade definitely took advantage of his power as a principal and I didn't find it endearing. Interrupting her class to blatantly flirt, getting all handsy on the football field, making comments to students about her, not okay. I found it to be supportive of all his nay-sayers that said he wasn't ready for a principal job. They're right.
Also, Wade says he didn't date Ari because he knew she was "special" and if he dated her he'd fall for her. So he dated literally everyone else instead. Somehow this brings Ari an immense amount of happiness and healing since she has consistently said she just wants to be chosen. But all that really says is that he chose freedom from commitment over her. He chose shallow flings over a deep commitment with her. I feel like there was a really big disconnect in this story. We don't know why he says he doesn't want a commitment. And we don't really see her truly being chosen, even at the end when he wants to continue the relationship. Is he actually choosing a commitment? Who knows 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2026
The first half of this book had me laughing out loud. Then things got a little more serious and there were some tender moments. I was thoroughly entertained by this book, but I can see where some may have some issues with part of the plot. Reading some reviews confirmed that 🤪 If this were a romcom movie we probably wouldn’t think twice about it. We wouldn’t take it too seriously, we’d think it was funny and move on. I guess I just didn’t take it too seriously and was there to be entertained. Was it super realistic? Probably not. I do wish it had gone more in depth as to why Wade was scared of commitment in the past. Other than that I had such a fun time reading this and loved the small town vibes.
September 23, 2026
A student is hitting on the principal so he gets a fake girlfriend… I’m sorry but I can’t.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Two things I always enjoy: a good fake dating romcom and anything Kortney Keisel writes, so I knew this one was going to be fun... and it certainly did not disappoint. First of all, Wade is just such a fun character to read about. He's a shameless flirt and serial dater, and initially it seems like he doesn't take anything too seriously, but as we get to know him a little more, we see that there really is a lot more to him and I enjoyed seeing that softer/more serious side too. And the banter between him and Ari? It was so good! I loved their competitiveness and bets, adding another really fun layer to their fake dating. Their story had me laughing out loud so many times throughout... starting with their rather memorable re-introduction. With lots of small-town charm and meddling, there was so much to love about this one. If you love a romance with fake dating, banter and all the fall vibes, this is one you'll certainly want to check out!
Fall Fake Out is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Falling for Autumn series- a multi-author series of interconnected stories that can be enjoyed as standalones as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Fall Fake Out is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Falling for Autumn series- a multi-author series of interconnected stories that can be enjoyed as standalones as well.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2026
I DEVOURED IT
(Reviewed on husband’s account)
Y’all, this read lived up to every single expectation I had of it. These two love birds were just so stinkin’ FUN to read.
Wade, with his charm, confidence, and mustache, was just lovable. Ari had a history of being rebellious, but she ultimately wanted to be chosen and loved for who she was. WADE WAS SO INTO HER. I lurvvvvvvvv it when an MMC is acting in a way contrary to his beliefs about himself and his relationship history. The man was so smitten that he was changing his schedule to fit hers and just wanting to be around her all the time. I WAS HERE FOR IT.
Ari seeing the true Wade, his care, and his love for people was just the best. They found support and solace in one another when they couldn’t find it with anyone else. The fact that these two were friends made this even more enjoyable, because they had the foundation of teasing and banter which was TOP TIER.
The mustache brushing, the “almost” moments, the chemistry, the realization of feelings, the record of evidence, the collective barn raising scene…absolutely amazing, 10/10. Also, the fact that they had so much laughter and lightness and genuine FUN together was wonderfully done.
I loved the read & highly recommend it!!!!!
(Reviewed on husband’s account)
Y’all, this read lived up to every single expectation I had of it. These two love birds were just so stinkin’ FUN to read.
Wade, with his charm, confidence, and mustache, was just lovable. Ari had a history of being rebellious, but she ultimately wanted to be chosen and loved for who she was. WADE WAS SO INTO HER. I lurvvvvvvvv it when an MMC is acting in a way contrary to his beliefs about himself and his relationship history. The man was so smitten that he was changing his schedule to fit hers and just wanting to be around her all the time. I WAS HERE FOR IT.
Ari seeing the true Wade, his care, and his love for people was just the best. They found support and solace in one another when they couldn’t find it with anyone else. The fact that these two were friends made this even more enjoyable, because they had the foundation of teasing and banter which was TOP TIER.
The mustache brushing, the “almost” moments, the chemistry, the realization of feelings, the record of evidence, the collective barn raising scene…absolutely amazing, 10/10. Also, the fact that they had so much laughter and lightness and genuine FUN together was wonderfully done.
I loved the read & highly recommend it!!!!!
September 17, 2026
“I am an acceptable boyfriend.”
“You’re a human red flag in P.E. clothes.”
“That feels exaggerated.”
Fall Fake-Out is one of the most bingeable romcoms, full of all the laughs, swoon, and heart. I excessively highlighted so many funny moments and quotes, snorted my way through page after page, and constantly calmed the butterflies in my swooned and pounding heart. I couldn’t get enough of Ari’s and Wade’s charming story and all the moustache antics.
Having grown up in a small town even smaller than Autumn Ridge, I know all about how true interest can be mistaken for rumors and judging. I loved diving more into the town and its residents, and especially loved the twists that come from growing up.
Wade is full of flirtatious swagger but could come undone with a strawberry. Ari always goes against expectations but could fall for stolen glance. The crackling banter served these two well. This story is fake dating and bets at their finest and the whole plot from start to finish is sheer delight.
Keisel has done it again with a brilliant story of proving oneself, enjoying the journey, and all the glorious autumn-time fun.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
“You’re a human red flag in P.E. clothes.”
“That feels exaggerated.”
Fall Fake-Out is one of the most bingeable romcoms, full of all the laughs, swoon, and heart. I excessively highlighted so many funny moments and quotes, snorted my way through page after page, and constantly calmed the butterflies in my swooned and pounding heart. I couldn’t get enough of Ari’s and Wade’s charming story and all the moustache antics.
Having grown up in a small town even smaller than Autumn Ridge, I know all about how true interest can be mistaken for rumors and judging. I loved diving more into the town and its residents, and especially loved the twists that come from growing up.
Wade is full of flirtatious swagger but could come undone with a strawberry. Ari always goes against expectations but could fall for stolen glance. The crackling banter served these two well. This story is fake dating and bets at their finest and the whole plot from start to finish is sheer delight.
Keisel has done it again with a brilliant story of proving oneself, enjoying the journey, and all the glorious autumn-time fun.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
September 21, 2026
This book cured my Kortney Kiesel drought. I read it in less than 24 hours. 🫶
Ari Langford was such a relatable FMC. He comebacks and wants to set boundaries with her mother where well written. Her struggles of meddling mother were something else. Ari handled it beautifully! I love how much she rooted Wade on him being a right fit for Principal.
Wade Stevenson made had been known for only having casual relationships but he knew he couldn’t dare Ari because as soon as they started fake dating he fell hard for her. His struggles as being seen as serious in his job was well written.
Their kissing scenes and over the top antics were my favorite parts! Especially the Mayor’s birthday party!
Ari Langford was such a relatable FMC. He comebacks and wants to set boundaries with her mother where well written. Her struggles of meddling mother were something else. Ari handled it beautifully! I love how much she rooted Wade on him being a right fit for Principal.
Wade Stevenson made had been known for only having casual relationships but he knew he couldn’t dare Ari because as soon as they started fake dating he fell hard for her. His struggles as being seen as serious in his job was well written.
Their kissing scenes and over the top antics were my favorite parts! Especially the Mayor’s birthday party!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this one!
Ari and Wade end up fake dating in an effort to help both of them out.
Within the first two chapters, I had already gasped and laughed out loud, so I knew it wouldn’t disappoint—and it did not!
There were so many things to love:
🤣 Ari’s interview at the school
😏 the back-and-forth that Wade and Ari had
🐝 the bee incident
😍 how Ari saw Wade and the excellent job he was doing at work and how she drowned out the naysayers
🦝the interrupting raccoons
👩❤️💋👨 homecoming kisses
❤️ Wade’s declaration of love
This series has had hit after hit!!! You definitely should check this one out on 9/16!
Thank you, Kortney, for the advanced listening copy!
Ari and Wade end up fake dating in an effort to help both of them out.
Within the first two chapters, I had already gasped and laughed out loud, so I knew it wouldn’t disappoint—and it did not!
There were so many things to love:
🤣 Ari’s interview at the school
😏 the back-and-forth that Wade and Ari had
🐝 the bee incident
😍 how Ari saw Wade and the excellent job he was doing at work and how she drowned out the naysayers
🦝the interrupting raccoons
👩❤️💋👨 homecoming kisses
❤️ Wade’s declaration of love
This series has had hit after hit!!! You definitely should check this one out on 9/16!
Thank you, Kortney, for the advanced listening copy!
September 30, 2026
IM SCARED. Call me crazy but theres no reason to be fake dating to scare off a student who has a crush on you when youre an ADULT WHO IS IN CHARGE.
Men like Wade need to be in jail i dont care
Men like Wade need to be in jail i dont care
September 17, 2026
This story had me laughing from the start. So so many laugh out loud/cringe worthy parts. It was entertaining, cute, funny, and I absolutely love LOVED it.
This is a situation of former high school friend/crush turned principal. And never dated before because she was never going to be just a hook up, now teacher working at his school. He’s the player. She’s been gone for the last 8 years.
This has a competitive FMC, Ari, who has recently returned to town. She’s desperate to have it only be a short term stop, as Autumn Ridge is where she was trying to escape. Wade is a new principal trying to prove he can stand on his own and prove his worth. Circumstances arise and they agree to fake date.
Its seriously is golden. Fire. With teen slang. Several, wish you could hide for them, moments throughout it. There’s chemistry and romance. Just go read it.
- Disclaimer, I read this as a gifted advanced copy, but my thoughts are my own.
This is a situation of former high school friend/crush turned principal. And never dated before because she was never going to be just a hook up, now teacher working at his school. He’s the player. She’s been gone for the last 8 years.
This has a competitive FMC, Ari, who has recently returned to town. She’s desperate to have it only be a short term stop, as Autumn Ridge is where she was trying to escape. Wade is a new principal trying to prove he can stand on his own and prove his worth. Circumstances arise and they agree to fake date.
Its seriously is golden. Fire. With teen slang. Several, wish you could hide for them, moments throughout it. There’s chemistry and romance. Just go read it.
- Disclaimer, I read this as a gifted advanced copy, but my thoughts are my own.
September 20, 2026
Yesss! I loved this book 👏🏻🧡
It’s a really funny story with charismatic main characters and a romance that’ll make you swoon 🫠
I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it! From the very first pages, it won me over with its humor and the tension between Ari and Wade—it was just perfect.
I was surprised by how much I loved these two—their personalities are a great match, and their jokes, banter, and flirting had me laughing a lot.
It was really great to see Wade fall for Ari and how all his confident, arrogant attitude was replaced by nervousness and clumsiness, hahaha. That was so cute! And I can say that now I like mustaches 😂
I really enjoyed all their interactions—both the funny ones and the more serious ones, like how they helped each other learn to value themselves.
This story made me so happy, and the extended epilogue made me even happier!
I highly recommend it.
You will find:
🏈 School friends
😏 Flirty friends
📆 A reunion years later
💋 Single, hopeless flirt MMC
😍 It's always been you
🏫 Principal and teacher
🤝 Fake date
🔥 Bets and flirting
🤌🏻 He falls first and harder
📣 Small-town scandals
🌧️ Swoony moments
🫠 Those.kisses.
🍁 Fall season
🧡 Sweet, sweet ending
It’s a really funny story with charismatic main characters and a romance that’ll make you swoon 🫠
I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it! From the very first pages, it won me over with its humor and the tension between Ari and Wade—it was just perfect.
I was surprised by how much I loved these two—their personalities are a great match, and their jokes, banter, and flirting had me laughing a lot.
It was really great to see Wade fall for Ari and how all his confident, arrogant attitude was replaced by nervousness and clumsiness, hahaha. That was so cute! And I can say that now I like mustaches 😂
I really enjoyed all their interactions—both the funny ones and the more serious ones, like how they helped each other learn to value themselves.
This story made me so happy, and the extended epilogue made me even happier!
I highly recommend it.
You will find:
🏈 School friends
😏 Flirty friends
📆 A reunion years later
💋 Single, hopeless flirt MMC
😍 It's always been you
🏫 Principal and teacher
🤝 Fake date
🔥 Bets and flirting
🤌🏻 He falls first and harder
📣 Small-town scandals
🌧️ Swoony moments
🫠 Those.kisses.
🍁 Fall season
🧡 Sweet, sweet ending
October 5, 2026
What a riot! This book is hilarious and full of delicious tension and sweet healing. I love how it tackles the struggle of changing people’s perceptions of you—especially when you earned your reputation fair and square, but have changed. If you love yourself some fake dating and a non-committal flirt who suddenly falls hard, this is for sure your read.
TW: Student inappropriately flirts with principal (Motivation of fake dating, it is squashed, but an uncomfortable situation. I had to suspend some disbelief, IRL it should be handled differently.)
TW: Student inappropriately flirts with principal (Motivation of fake dating, it is squashed, but an uncomfortable situation. I had to suspend some disbelief, IRL it should be handled differently.)
September 17, 2026
I haven’t laughed out loud at a book this much in a long time! It maybe wasn’t a *full* five stars- a couple plot things wrapped up too easily. But it was still SO good!
October 2, 2026
The sweetest and happiest fall book, I loved this!!
October 9, 2026
Ari. And. Wade. Are we kidding?! This 100% gave Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal vibes. I loved loved loved this fake dating story. It was hilarious and had me smiling from ear to ear.
Did Not Finish
September 29, 2026wspomnienie o tym jak mężczyznom jest teraz źle bo są od razu posądzani o wykorzystywanie i główna bohaterka się z tym zgadza - immediately no, żegnam
September 27, 2026
The main character is a teacher who assigned way too many essays...no way could she grade all of those in a timely manner.
September 29, 2026
Oh my heart! All the love for Fall Fake-Out! Kortney Keisel does it again, creating a charming, heartfelt, uproariously funny romcom that tugs on the heartstrings & kept me grinning & laughing throughout. From the hilariously funny remeet cute, this flirty banter, sizzling chemistry, fake dating, school colleague romance grabbed hold & didn’t let go! It’s the sixth book in the fantastic Falling for Autumn series & another winner!
I adored Ari! She’s returning to Autumn Ridge after a bad breakup with her forever fiancé left her in financial & emotional ruin. Now interviewing for a high school English teaching position, she’s shocked to discover the principal is none other than her friend & childhood crush, Wade Stevenson. Wade was the perpetual flirt & player, never serious about any girl, & she always hoped he’d ask her out, but he never did. Now, with her mother trying to matchmake her with every male in sight, Ari comes up with a fake dating plan that’ll benefit them both.
Wade’s been deemed too young & immature to be principal & is determined to prove his detractors wrong. When Ari returns & begins teaching at his high school, the woman he was always afraid to date because he’d fall even more hopelessly in love with her, offers a fake dating solution. One he happily pushes. He’ll help ward off her mother’s matchmaking attempts, & she’ll help deter the obsessed student crushing on him & protect his reputation.
I loved this story so much! The banter was top notch & that sizzling chemistry just sparked throughout. I loved all the crazy situations they find themselves in, including the bee incident, teacher/student football, strawberries, class observations, getting called to the principal’s office, student dances & so much more! I found myself giggling nonstop.
But the thing I loved most was the heart! Wade’s a terrific principal & Ari a fantastic teacher. They love their students & are trying to make a difference. Both have reputations in their small town they’re trying to overcome, & I loved watching them strive to prove everyone wrong.
Another delightful addition to this favorite series! Highly recommend to closed door romcom fans. I received an advance copy but also read in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
I adored Ari! She’s returning to Autumn Ridge after a bad breakup with her forever fiancé left her in financial & emotional ruin. Now interviewing for a high school English teaching position, she’s shocked to discover the principal is none other than her friend & childhood crush, Wade Stevenson. Wade was the perpetual flirt & player, never serious about any girl, & she always hoped he’d ask her out, but he never did. Now, with her mother trying to matchmake her with every male in sight, Ari comes up with a fake dating plan that’ll benefit them both.
Wade’s been deemed too young & immature to be principal & is determined to prove his detractors wrong. When Ari returns & begins teaching at his high school, the woman he was always afraid to date because he’d fall even more hopelessly in love with her, offers a fake dating solution. One he happily pushes. He’ll help ward off her mother’s matchmaking attempts, & she’ll help deter the obsessed student crushing on him & protect his reputation.
I loved this story so much! The banter was top notch & that sizzling chemistry just sparked throughout. I loved all the crazy situations they find themselves in, including the bee incident, teacher/student football, strawberries, class observations, getting called to the principal’s office, student dances & so much more! I found myself giggling nonstop.
But the thing I loved most was the heart! Wade’s a terrific principal & Ari a fantastic teacher. They love their students & are trying to make a difference. Both have reputations in their small town they’re trying to overcome, & I loved watching them strive to prove everyone wrong.
Another delightful addition to this favorite series! Highly recommend to closed door romcom fans. I received an advance copy but also read in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
September 10, 2026
“Don’t let your fear of something bad happening stop you from experiencing something amazing. And I think you and Wade have something amazing going.”
Oh, my! The Falling for Autumn series is stealing my heart and this book is the perfect addition! Fall Fake-Out is the friends to more, fake dating story we all need! Ari isn’t exactly thrilled to be back in Autumn Ridge but she makes the best of it by getting a job as a high school English teacher. When the principal, her old friend Wade, is in need of a fake girlfriend, Ari begrudgingly takes the job. Add in a little bet, some incessant flirting, some obnoxious PDA, and a fall festival and the dating will be fake for long!
I was hooked on this story and cracking up from the get-go! Kortney Keisel kills me with her wit, snark, and banter! I thought Ari and Wade had such a fun dynamic as they had known each other since childhood and Wade had quite the reputation of being a serial dater and shameless flirt! It was fun to see Ari try and resist him and his charms and their little bet definitely added more fun and humor to the fake dating storyline!
Definitely add this book to your fall reading line-up!!
Favorite quotes;
“Ari’s the type of woman you have to be cautious around. You flirt too hard, and you’ll end up fallin’...for good.”
“In high school, no one was more fun to flirt with than Ari Langford. A man could spend his whole life in search of the kind of hard-earned but well-worth-it “chase” she provides. She’s the whole package: funny, outgoing, full of energy, and sweet. And that’s me being a gentleman and leading with the personality stuff. There’s a whole list of her physical traits I’m attracted to. But I’ll keep that list to myself.”
“I’m afraid Mr. Rogers did not teach me how to deal with the people in my neighborhood.”
“That mustache of yours can’t handle prison.” This “makes me laugh. “I disagree. I feel like my mustache makes me look more like a man. You don’t mess with a guy with a ‘stache.”
Oh, my! The Falling for Autumn series is stealing my heart and this book is the perfect addition! Fall Fake-Out is the friends to more, fake dating story we all need! Ari isn’t exactly thrilled to be back in Autumn Ridge but she makes the best of it by getting a job as a high school English teacher. When the principal, her old friend Wade, is in need of a fake girlfriend, Ari begrudgingly takes the job. Add in a little bet, some incessant flirting, some obnoxious PDA, and a fall festival and the dating will be fake for long!
I was hooked on this story and cracking up from the get-go! Kortney Keisel kills me with her wit, snark, and banter! I thought Ari and Wade had such a fun dynamic as they had known each other since childhood and Wade had quite the reputation of being a serial dater and shameless flirt! It was fun to see Ari try and resist him and his charms and their little bet definitely added more fun and humor to the fake dating storyline!
Definitely add this book to your fall reading line-up!!
Favorite quotes;
“Ari’s the type of woman you have to be cautious around. You flirt too hard, and you’ll end up fallin’...for good.”
“In high school, no one was more fun to flirt with than Ari Langford. A man could spend his whole life in search of the kind of hard-earned but well-worth-it “chase” she provides. She’s the whole package: funny, outgoing, full of energy, and sweet. And that’s me being a gentleman and leading with the personality stuff. There’s a whole list of her physical traits I’m attracted to. But I’ll keep that list to myself.”
“I’m afraid Mr. Rogers did not teach me how to deal with the people in my neighborhood.”
“That mustache of yours can’t handle prison.” This “makes me laugh. “I disagree. I feel like my mustache makes me look more like a man. You don’t mess with a guy with a ‘stache.”
September 30, 2026
“My gaze sweeps across the two-story, red-brick building that felt like a prison when I was seventeen. Nine years later, I’m interviewing to spend my days here. What a plot twist.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own, and a review was not required.
UMMMMMM WORDS CANNOT ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOOOOOOOOOOOVED THIS BOOK!!!
This was literal, pure JOY reading. I laughed out loud, swooned SO HARD, and did not want to put it down once. Potentially my favorite binge read of 2026!!!!!!!!
Ari is back home in Vermont after a breakup, an empty bank account, and moving in with her parents. With her younger sister’s wedding becoming the event of the century—and her mother determined to find Ari a man—she needs a distraction. Enter Wade Stevenson, the charming high school principal who needs a respectable girlfriend to stop dangerous rumors from spreading after a student’s inappropriate crush gets out of hand.
Fake dating seems like the perfect solution. Until fall festivals, cider donuts, football games, and way too much time together make it nearly impossible to remember where the fake relationship ends and the real feelings begin.
I’ve been reading Kortney’s books since the very beginning, and we all know I am SUCH a fan. This book confirms, once again, everything I know and love about her writing. The characters are SO MUCH FUN, the romance is swoony, and the humor had me grinning like an idiot.
This entire series has been the perfect introduction to fall—even while Arizona’s weather is still pretending it’s summer. (Read the room, Mother Nature) And I already know this is going to become one of those books I reread every single year.
Grab this one ASAP, friends!
Available TODAY!
Happy Reading📚
Content/Trigger: family dynamics, mild innuendo, romance—kisses only.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own, and a review was not required.
UMMMMMM WORDS CANNOT ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOOOOOOOOOOOVED THIS BOOK!!!
This was literal, pure JOY reading. I laughed out loud, swooned SO HARD, and did not want to put it down once. Potentially my favorite binge read of 2026!!!!!!!!
Ari is back home in Vermont after a breakup, an empty bank account, and moving in with her parents. With her younger sister’s wedding becoming the event of the century—and her mother determined to find Ari a man—she needs a distraction. Enter Wade Stevenson, the charming high school principal who needs a respectable girlfriend to stop dangerous rumors from spreading after a student’s inappropriate crush gets out of hand.
Fake dating seems like the perfect solution. Until fall festivals, cider donuts, football games, and way too much time together make it nearly impossible to remember where the fake relationship ends and the real feelings begin.
I’ve been reading Kortney’s books since the very beginning, and we all know I am SUCH a fan. This book confirms, once again, everything I know and love about her writing. The characters are SO MUCH FUN, the romance is swoony, and the humor had me grinning like an idiot.
This entire series has been the perfect introduction to fall—even while Arizona’s weather is still pretending it’s summer. (Read the room, Mother Nature) And I already know this is going to become one of those books I reread every single year.
Grab this one ASAP, friends!
Available TODAY!
Happy Reading📚
Content/Trigger: family dynamics, mild innuendo, romance—kisses only.
September 23, 2026
“Yep, just like I thought. I knew you found my mustache wildly sexy."
Fall Fake-Out
I received a review copy from the author. All thoughts are my own. Thank you, Kortney!
Hahaha!!! Wade Stevenson!!
What a man! Principal. Flirt. Tease. Thoughtful. Mustache wearer.
Definitely one of my new favorite MMCs.
And Ari! I loved her as a female character. She is sweet, but feisty. Intelligent. Witty.
She and Wade made for quite the pair.
There was some of the best banter I have ever read in this fall romcom that will make you laugh so hard your socks get knocked off!
The bet. The mayor's dinner was seriously one of the funniest parts I've read in a book. I definitely laughed out loud so many times during that scene and throughout Fall Fake-Out.
Searching for a romcom with plenty of banter, great side characters, all the fall vibes, and plenty of swoon that will make you giggle?
Be sure to check-out Fall Fake-Out!
This is book 6 in the new Falling for Autumn series, but can be read as a standalone. Though I would recommend all of them as they are all written by fabulous authors!
Content Guide:
Language: None
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Kissing (make-outs), mild innuendos, teen student flirts with principal
Violence/gore: None
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Characters attend church
Other: Nothing major that I can recall
Book Info:
Series: Falling for Autumn book 6
Genre: Contemp. Romcom
Romance Level: Kissing only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Indie
POV: Dual First Person
Fall Fake-Out
I received a review copy from the author. All thoughts are my own. Thank you, Kortney!
Hahaha!!! Wade Stevenson!!
What a man! Principal. Flirt. Tease. Thoughtful. Mustache wearer.
Definitely one of my new favorite MMCs.
And Ari! I loved her as a female character. She is sweet, but feisty. Intelligent. Witty.
She and Wade made for quite the pair.
There was some of the best banter I have ever read in this fall romcom that will make you laugh so hard your socks get knocked off!
The bet. The mayor's dinner was seriously one of the funniest parts I've read in a book. I definitely laughed out loud so many times during that scene and throughout Fall Fake-Out.
Searching for a romcom with plenty of banter, great side characters, all the fall vibes, and plenty of swoon that will make you giggle?
Be sure to check-out Fall Fake-Out!
This is book 6 in the new Falling for Autumn series, but can be read as a standalone. Though I would recommend all of them as they are all written by fabulous authors!
Content Guide:
Language: None
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Kissing (make-outs), mild innuendos, teen student flirts with principal
Violence/gore: None
Substance Use: none
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Characters attend church
Other: Nothing major that I can recall
Book Info:
Series: Falling for Autumn book 6
Genre: Contemp. Romcom
Romance Level: Kissing only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Indie
POV: Dual First Person
October 6, 2026
Oh my heck, I LOVED this book! The one-liners were perfection. It made me laugh, but the yearning was also 🔥🔥🔥.
There were SO many ways that I related to Ari. I adored her, but Wade was so easy to love too. I was so happy he was able to prove everyone wrong and that people finally got to see him for who he really was. I loved the way Ari and Wade stood up for each other, and I just loved finally getting their whole story.
I just keep wondering how every book in this series has been SO AMAZING. Seriously if you want some good fall vibes and good romance, this series is it.
“When I said that I’ve sworn off men, what I really meant is that I swore off men who act like boys.”
“Hot-girl summer is out. I’m having an old-lady fall now.
🍁Contemporary Romance/Romcom
🍁Book 6 in Series/Can Standalone
🍁Closed Door
🍁No Swearing
🍁CW: Nothing Major
There were SO many ways that I related to Ari. I adored her, but Wade was so easy to love too. I was so happy he was able to prove everyone wrong and that people finally got to see him for who he really was. I loved the way Ari and Wade stood up for each other, and I just loved finally getting their whole story.
I just keep wondering how every book in this series has been SO AMAZING. Seriously if you want some good fall vibes and good romance, this series is it.
“When I said that I’ve sworn off men, what I really meant is that I swore off men who act like boys.”
“Hot-girl summer is out. I’m having an old-lady fall now.
🍁Contemporary Romance/Romcom
🍁Book 6 in Series/Can Standalone
🍁Closed Door
🍁No Swearing
🍁CW: Nothing Major
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love the way this book starts out. The meet ugly between Ari and Wade made me laugh so hard. And the book just gets better from there. I LOVED everything about it!
Ari has had to move home to live with her parents, even though she didn't want to. Life hasn't worked out the way she thought it would. And moving back to Autumn Ridge was not on her bingo card for any time. But she's got a job at the local high school as an English teacher. And a fake boyfriend in Wade, hopefully that will help get her mother off her back about dating.
Wade is a great guy. I loved the way he cared about the kids at school. He knows what is going on in their lives, and works hard to help them through hard things. But Autumn Ridge thinks he's too young and inexperienced to be principal. And that's part of why he needs a fake relationship.
I loved the way these two work hard to overcome the perception of the town of them. They're a clear case of people who have grown up and changed, but the people around them can't see that or allow it. Especially when those people see embarrassing things happen that seem consistent with their previous selves.
This book is such a great one! Don't miss it!
Ari has had to move home to live with her parents, even though she didn't want to. Life hasn't worked out the way she thought it would. And moving back to Autumn Ridge was not on her bingo card for any time. But she's got a job at the local high school as an English teacher. And a fake boyfriend in Wade, hopefully that will help get her mother off her back about dating.
Wade is a great guy. I loved the way he cared about the kids at school. He knows what is going on in their lives, and works hard to help them through hard things. But Autumn Ridge thinks he's too young and inexperienced to be principal. And that's part of why he needs a fake relationship.
I loved the way these two work hard to overcome the perception of the town of them. They're a clear case of people who have grown up and changed, but the people around them can't see that or allow it. Especially when those people see embarrassing things happen that seem consistent with their previous selves.
This book is such a great one! Don't miss it!
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