Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han in the coziest fall YA rom-com you’ll want on your TBR this season!
Book Summary
Ellis Lawson has her senior year all planned out: nail her Columbia application, land a spot in the journalism program, and set herself up for a future she has always dreamed of. But when her parents announce their separation, Ellis’s carefully crafted world crumbles. She suddenly finds herself moving with her mom from Manhattan back to Bramble Falls, Connecticut a town she knows all too well from childhood summers.
Bramble Falls might be postcard-perfect, but it’s also packed with distractions. Like Cooper Barnett, the grumpy barista who was once her best friend and first kiss… and who now seems to want nothing to do with her.
Then there’s the town’s annual Falling Leaves Festival, run by her enthusiastic aunt, that Ellis is inevitably roped into. Between apple picking, pumpkin carving, and running into Cooper at every turn, Ellis starts to wonder if her dream future in the city is the only path worth chasing.
As she juggles family drama, old wounds, and being around her first love, Ellis must decide where she truly belongs and what kind of life she actually wants.
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My Review
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars
Misty Wilson absolutely nailed the small-town fall vibes here. From cozy cafés to festival shenanigans, every page is full of crisp fall energy that made me want to grab a pumpkin spice latte and go leaf-peeping.
Ellis is such a relatable heroine. Ambitious, conflicted, and deeply human. Watching her navigate the tension betwee]n her big-city goals and her small-town roots made her character arc so satisfying.
And let’s talk about Cooper! His sweet, small gestures (the kind that feel huge when you’re seventeen) had me hooked! Their slow-burn romance was swoony in the best way. The family drama, particularly around Ellis’s parents’ separation, added a realness that grounded the story beautifully.
My only gripe? I wanted a little more resolution with Cooper at the end, but maybe that’s just me not wanting to leave Bramble Falls yet!
Overall, this is the perfect fall read for anyone who loves Gilmore Girls, small-town romance, or YA coming-of-age stories with all the cozy feels.
Read-Alike Recommendations
If you loved Falling Like Leaves, here are four more books to cozy up with this fall:
1. Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters
A big-city doctor meets a small-town carpenter in this opposites-attract romance that’s brimming with heart and community.
2. Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman
Ellie Lawson returns to her family’s inn at the apple orchard after losing both her job and boyfriend, only to clash with Aiden, the stubborn son of the orchard’s owners who is now her unexpected roommate. As they’re forced to team up to save the Harvest Festival, sparks fly!
3. The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
When Jeanie inherits the Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbor, she sees it as the perfect chance to leave her boring desk job behind and start fresh. But her sunny optimism wins over everyone except grumpy local farmer Logan. Nothing says fall like a cozy café setting and a grumpy/sunshine romance. Perfect if you want those pumpkin patch + small-town autumn feels.
4. Lauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna Robinson
Lauryn Harper had the perfect plan until a work mishap sends her back to her hometown. Suddenly, she’s tasked with reviving the once-famous Apple Festival and facing the friend she left behind. A witty, heartfelt novel about friendship, forgiveness, and second chances.
If you loved Falling Like Leaves, here are four more books you will love any time of year:
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
A heartfelt coming-of-age story filled with love triangles, family drama, and the ache of growing up. Perfect for fans of Ellis’s inner conflict and Cooper’s quiet charm. - Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
A wholesome, small-town romance with plenty of flirty banter and the same “golden retriever boy” energy you’ll adore if you swooned for Cooper. - Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
A rom-com that mixes classic movie magic with high school hijinks perfect if you loved the balance of humor and heart in Falling Like Leaves. - When in Rome by Sarah Adams
A story about a big-city girl finding herself in a charming small town, with themes of slowing down and discovering where you truly belong.
What’s Your Fall Reader Vibe?
Its that time of year! Pumpkin spice in hand, leaves crunching underfoot… but what kind of fall reader are you? Take our quick Fall Reader Vibes Quiz to find out whether you’re a cozy witchy reader, a pumpkin-spice rom-com lover, or a moody dark-academia type. Plus, you’ll get perfectly matched book recs to fit your vibe! 👉 [Take the Quiz Here]
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a book that feels like crisp leaves, warm sweaters, and just the right amount of teen angst, Falling Like Leaves is it. Misty Wilson blends family drama, small-town magic, and sweet romance into a story that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s exactly the kind of book you’ll want to curl up with on a chilly afternoon.
👉 Haven’t picked it up yet? Grab your copy before the first printing with stenciled sprayed edges sells out! You won’t want to miss it!
