Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson
Bramble Falls #1 - Pub date Sept 2, 2025
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Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0/5
Plot: 4/5
Primary Genre: YA Romance
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Blurb:
Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han in this autumnal teen rom-com about a city girl stuck in a quaint small town who must confront her future and her old flame while the town prepares for an annual fall festival. Ellis has a lot of expectations for her senior year, but moving from Manhattan to Bramble Falls, Connecticut is not one of them. Yet in the wake of her parents' separation, that's exactly where she and her mother are headed. Bramble Falls might be charming, but it's also full of distractions. Like local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis's one-time best friend—and first kiss—who has not only majorly glowed up but wants nothing to do with Ellis. Then there's the Falling Leaves Festival, a month-long tourist attraction run by Ellis's aunt—celebrating everything autumn. The festival seems nice and all, but Ellis doesn't have time to be roped into her aunt's enthusiastic planning. Dragged to each event, she can't stop bumping into Cooper, the one person she's hoping to avoid. But the longer she stays in Bramble Falls, the harder it is to pretend she's not falling for this town and the people in it. As her return to Manhattan gets pushed further and further out, Ellis is forced to confront exactly what she wants for her future—and what that means for her present.
My Thoughts:
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This is a very charming little fall-themed YA romance that captures the coziness of the season. Bramble Falls very much feels like Stars Hollow so if you’re jonesing for a visit to a quaint, small-town setting filled with the warmth of the autumn season, this book is perfect. There is some of that mother/daughter dynamic reminiscent of GG as well. This story incorporates elements of second chance romance, although with a time gap of four years (14 years old to 18 years old) it’s a unique take on the trope. Additionally, it explores an enemies-to-lovers storyline, as Cooper is not happy to see Ellis return to Bramble Falls after all this time. I don’t usually read YA romance but I found myself really enjoying this one. It’s very sweet and heartfelt. Wilson has the ability to create the ability to create romantic tension that keeps you turning the page. The parents’ struggling marriage subplot added an extra layer of depth and emotional complexity to the story. Misty Wilson does an excellent job of capturing the fluctuating emotions of being a teenager. Most importantly, our FMC undergoes meaningful character development throughout the plot which is great to see—especially since she initially comes off as a bit of a brat. also learned a few things about myself while reading this, primarily that I know very little about current fashion trends and that if I were ever faced with a bobbing for apples challenge, I would definitely be at a loss. I highly recommend this book for your fall reading list or anytime you’re in the mood for a well-written, heartfelt YA romance.
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