Falling Like Leaves Book Review - No Spoilers
Introduction
I’d just pulled weeds from my little garden in the crisp morning air, brushing soil off my hands, when I realized the leaves were already turning gold—fall is creeping in here in Colorado Springs. That moment of transition made me crave a story wrapped in autumn magic. I picked up Falling Like Leaves that evening, craving exactly that cozy fall feeling—and I was not disappointed.
Plot Summary
Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson is the first book in the *Bramble Falls* series. After her parents announce their separation, Ellis and her mom move from New York City to Bramble Falls, Connecticut, to live with Ellis’s aunt and cousin. Ellis had big dreams—journalism, Columbia, life in the city—but now she’s reluctantly settling into a small town she once visited. She reconnects with Cooper Barnett, her childhood friend and first kiss, who now works at a café and seems distant and guarded. As the town gears up for its annual Falling Leaves Festival—with pumpkin patches, hayrides, apple picking, and autumn celebrations—Ellis finds herself repeatedly bumping into Cooper. Their relationship rebuilds amid her struggle to reconcile past plans with what she truly wants. Ellis must decide whether to return to her old path or embrace the life unfolding in Bramble Falls.
Why I Love This Book
I love how the fall setting is almost a character itself. The festival scenes, the rustling leaves, the cozy small-town rituals—they all drew me in and made me want to linger in Bramble Falls. I also adore the emotional layers in Ellis’s arc. She’s ambitious, she’s frustrated, she makes mistakes—and she grows. Watching her wrestle with identity, choices, and loyalty felt deeply personal rather than contrived. The push-and-pull between Ellis and Cooper captured my heart: his guardedness, her longing, their miscommunications—it built tension without feeling forced. The romance doesn’t rush; there’s space to breathe, to feel awkwardness, to let walls come down slowly. Also, the found-family elements (her aunt, cousin, townsfolk) added warmth and grounding. I laughed, sighed, and teared up in spots. It’s not perfect—but I loved its earnestness and how it made me care deeply for Ellis and Cooper.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy YA contemporary romance, slow burns, small-town charm, and autumnal vibes, this will likely be a favorite. If you’re drawn to second-chance reconnections, characters wrestling with big decisions, and sweet (versus spicy) intimacy, you’ll feel at home here. Because it’s a YA story, the romantic content is mostly chaste (kisses, emotional intimacy) and nothing graphic.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book touches on parental separation (and hints of infidelity) and emotional hurt related to that. Be aware if those themes are sensitive for you.
Tagged As
young adult romance, small town, second chance, childhood friends, fall vibes, cozy romance, festival romance, emotional growth, dual POV, clean romance, series, coming of age, slow burn
Steam Level
This is a clean romance. The intimate moments are light—kisses and emotional closeness—with no graphic sex scenes. It’s suited for readers who prefer gentle, sweet romantic moments.
