FALLING LIKE LEAVES (COLLECTOR'S EDITION)
by Misty Wilson
Available now
The first of the seasonal Bramble Falls romance novels sets the standard for what these stories will be: small-town seasonal stories, but with teen-oriented drama rather than your typical Hallmark movie big-town lawyers and small-town lumberjacks. Well, there is some of the big-town/small-town stuff, but you get me.
Falling Like Leaves does indeed start with a big-town girl: Ellis, an aspiring journalist in New York who spends all her time making big connections and looking up to her journalist dad. But her mother springs a terrible surprise on her: Mom and Dad are separating, and Mom and Ellis will temporarily be moving to the small town of Bramble Falls, Connecticut. As Ellis stares down college applications, this is the worst thing that could possibly happen to her. She'll be away from her best friend, not to mention the best opportunities to make a name for herself.
While she's got her cousin Sloane and Aunt Naomi (the mayor of Bramble Falls) around to help her settle in, she's resistant to her cozy new life... especially with the Falling Leaves Festival right around the corner. Worse still, Cooper is there: a boy she met many summers ago and fell out of touch with. He's now a high school senior and seems initially resentful of Ellis's presence. But as the festival goes on, the two grow closer, and Ellis finds herself warming to him. But at the same time, classmate Jake (Cooper's best friend) is making a move. And she'll have to decide whose heart to break.
While romance is absolutely at the center of Falling Like Leaves, this story also digs deep into what it's like to idolize a parent instead of chasing one's own dreams. As much as Ellis aims to pursue a big city life and a prestigious career, she finds herself drawn to her old love of fashion design and her growing love of Bramble Falls. That extra bit of story combines with the romance at the center to make something with real substance.
FALLING LIKE SNOW
by Misty Wilson
Available now
We initially met Sloane and her best friend Asher in Falling Like Leaves; in Falling Like Snow, the pair take center stage. Aspiring actress Sloane dreams of visiting New York, especially after hearing about it from Ellis. But with Bramble Falls on the map after the Fall Leaves Festival went viral online, Sloane's mom is kicking off a new venture to keep tourism rolling through the winter: the Falling Snow Festival. It's all hands on deck, meaning Sloane and Ellis's girls' trip will have to be delayed.
Fortunately, Asher is there to help Sloane through it, and he even orchestrates occasional faux New York experiences for her to lessen the sting. Meanwhile, handsome hockey player Micah has taken an interest in Sloane, and she's just enjoying feeling liked. But as Asher cozies up to tutee Daphne, she finds herself feeling jealous. Is she just worried that she and her best friend are falling apart? Or are her feelings turning into something more?
The swap from Ellis to Sloane — from big city girl to local, from a reunited brief crush to a years-long slow burn — was an excellent move. And both girls have their own problems, with Sloane grieving the loss of her father during the holiday season and fearing leaving her mother alone when college comes around. Ellis feared nothing would change; Sloane fears everything will change. And the love triangle in this book is much different, addressing some less than wholesome issues as Sloane tries to force herself to like Micah more than she does.
Reading these two books together isn't necessary, though it is interesting. It's nice to see the Bramble Falls community evolving. As its young community goes through their own romantic dramas, the town is growing and doing new things, too. I have no idea if the series will continue past these two books, but I wouldn't hate to see it come around into all four seasons.
TEA PAIRING: Whiskerton Cottage
This new tea blend from Chapters has both fall and winter vibes thanks to its combination of orange and cinnamon. But the label is also reminiscent of the Caffeinated Cat Café featured in both books. This is a cozy, slightly spicy tea that's perfect for pairing with either book, or both. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more bookish tea blends from Chapters!
FEATURED CANDLE: Bookish and Bright
Like the tea pairing, this candle was meant for one season but works for both. This bright holiday candle features notes of pine, cranberry, and clove, reminiscent of the in-between time between Halloween and Christmas. Check out more bookish candles from Frostbeard!
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