natalie intihar

Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Lucy Score did not lie on the blurb for this book- it would be impossible to not fall for He Falls First! Ryder and Penny are brought together time and time again by their small town & loved ones, and while they fight the attraction, it’s just too good! Ryder shows Penny a level of patience and stability she had never known with a partner before, and watching their friendship and trust build made for a great read.

This book did a beautiful job of combining difficult topics from the pasts of both Ryder and Penny while also highlighting the love story of their present. They are both such three dimensional characters, and their individual depths really add to this book. I loved seeing them work to heal on their own while simultaneously falling in love.

If I know Jill Shalvis and her writing, I know that we’re going to get more beautiful storytelling in the next Colburn brothers book, Free Falling! It would be impossible to finish He Falls First without wanting to see the stories of Ryder’s family, so I’m so excited for that to come next!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Buy He Falls First