Somewhere in Connecticut, a tourism board is holding an emergency meeting. Again. Bramble Falls has barely swept up the last of its autumn leaves, and the town has already decided winter needs a festival too. Falling Like Snow by Misty Wilson starts right there. It’s the second book in the Bramble Falls series and the follow-up to Wilson’s New York Times bestseller Falling Like Leaves. Since Sloane’s mom runs the town’s tourism efforts, we figured this review should read like a brochure.
Book Overview: Falling Like Snow
Content Warnings: death of a parent (past), grief, sexual assault (non-consensual kissing and groping), physical violence, profanity, sexual innuendo, references to teen pregnancy as a joke, underage drinking in the background
Summary: A girl juggles planning her town’s first-ever winter festival and untangling her complicated feelings for both her best friend and the star hockey player in this charming book in the swoony Bramble Falls series that started with the New York Times bestselling Falling Like Leaves.
After Bramble Falls’s wildly successful Falling Leaves Festival, Sloane Sullivan is looking forward to some downtime—especially kicking back and marathoning Nora Ephron movies with her best friend, Asher. But they barely make it through Sleepless in Seattle before Sloane’s mom calls an emergency tourism department meeting; it’s all hands on deck—Bramble Falls is having its first-ever Falling Snow Festival!
Sloane may still be recovering from the last seasonal event, but she’s also excited. After all, Christmas is the best time of year! And she’ll have her whole crew by her side, including her cousin Ellis and, of course, Asher. But when irresistible, hockey-playing Micah catches Sloane’s attention, she finds herself a bit distracted. The emotions her unexpected flirtation brings up make Sloane feel confused about Micah…and Asher.
She’s never thought of Asher as more than her best friend, but even if Sloane is seeing Asher in a new light, what does that mean for her and Micah? Uncertain and more than a little overwhelmed, Sloane throws herself into festival preparations, hoping to get a little Christmas magic in return that will help her figure out where her heart lies.
Who’s Giving This Tour, Anyway?
Sloane Sullivan spent book one showing her cousin Ellis around town, and now she finally gets to narrate. She lives on Pop-Tarts and candy. She also swears she can smell snow before it falls, which makes her best friend roll his eyes every time. She’s a lot of fun to follow. Sloane had December all planned out. Once the fall festival wrapped, she’d binge Nora Ephron movies with Asher and then head to New York City with Ellis over winter break. Her mom had other ideas. One emergency meeting later, Bramble Falls is hosting its first-ever Falling Snow Festival, and the trip is off.
Where Should Visitors Stay?
The Bramble Inn, which is the bed-and-breakfast Asher Yoshida’s parents are getting ready to open. Asher is Sloane’s best friend and movie marathon partner. He also sets aside every pink Starburst for her without being asked. You will figure out Asher’s feelings long before Sloane does. When her New York trip falls through, he finds a way to bring a bit of the city to Bramble Falls. We won’t spoil how, but it’s the kind of gesture that could make a cynic believe in Hallmark movies for one evening.
Is There Actually Anything To Do Here?
Plenty. The festival calendar fills up with a holiday market, a winter solstice tradition, a Snow Ball on Christmas Eve, and some sledding (Sloane’s steering is a public hazard). A snow day even turns into the first co-ed sleepover Sloane’s mom has ever allowed, and the jokes get out of hand fast! You’ll finish the book wishing your own city council cared this much about anything. All that festival prep keeps Sloane and Asher side by side for most of December, and yes, there’s mistletoe involved.
Should Tourists Watch Out For The Hockey Player?
Micah Cook is the star hockey player with very green eyes. Sloane meets him by crashing into him on a sledding hill, then says something so unsmooth about those eyes that we cringed on her behalf. He starts out as a fun flirtation and even pitches in on festival work he doesn’t have to do. Meanwhile, Asher starts spending time with a theater friend named Daphne and keeping secrets, and the jealousy kicks in on both sides. The middle of the book runs on misunderstandings that one honest conversation would clear up. Those of you who are slow-burn fans who like yelling at the page will be thrilled. If miscommunication makes you itchy, brace yourself for the middle chapters. Things with Micah eventually take a turn we won’t give away. Sloane knows exactly where her line is and holds it, and we were glad the book let her handle it herself.
Which Locals Are Worth Meeting?
Hannah’s grandma is eighty-two with zero filter, and the present Sloane buys her is so wrong it’s perfect. Ellis and Cooper from Falling Like Leaves stop by, though they mostly stay in the background this time. Jake and Fern get just enough page time to make us suspicious. Then there’s Sloane’s mom, who can plan a festival overnight but can’t bring herself to talk about the hard stuff. Their scenes together end up being the warmest in the book.
Why Should You Pack Tissues With The Hand Warmers?
The cover doesn’t prepare you for how much grief is in here. Sloane’s dad died during the holiday season, so the time of year she loves most is also the time that hurts. A scratched ornament or a stocking with his name on it can stop her cold. Wilson lets Sloane love Christmas and miss her dad at the same time, without either feeling canceling out the other. Anyone who has had a rough December will recognize her!
Do You Need To Read Falling Like Leaves First?
Nope. Falling Like Snow catches you up early, so you won’t feel lost. Reading book one first makes the cameos and town in-jokes land better, and the two make a nice fall-to-winter pair if you’re planning ahead.
So, Is Falling Like Snow Worth The Trip?
For friends-to-lovers fans, absolutely. Sloane and Asher’s banter carries the book, and the payoff feels earned after all that waiting. Those of you who can’t stand miscommunication will have a bumpier ride through the middle. Bramble Falls is still a sweet, funny place to spend the holidays, and it’s a hard town to leave!
Falling Like Snow is a snow globe of a book. Shake it once and you’ll want to stay in Bramble Falls all winter!
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