Awww, I do love me a good romance set in the fall! Grab a warm blanket, some fuzzy socks, and a caramel macchiato and curl up with A Season for Falling by Kate O’Shaughnessy.
A Season for Falling has been added to my September 2026 – New Release Spotlight list on Amazon.
Author: Kate O'Shaughnessy
Genre: romance, holidays and seasonal
Setting: autumn in Glenridge, Connecticut, USA
Themes: actors, child stars, former friends, parental betrayal, celebrities, anonymity, self-acceptance, embezzlement, paying for college, autumn, cozy
Protagonist: female, HS senior, white, former child star
Recommended for: Grades 8-12
Starred reviews: Kirkus
Publication date: September 22, 2026
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
A Season for Falling by Kate O’Shaughnessy follows Claire Hopper, a Connecticut high school senior who has spent five years hiding her past as a child sitcom star. Since her father and manager betrayed her and stole all her money, she’s built a quiet life in the postcard-perfect town of Glenridge. No one at school knows who she once was. She’s just Claire, normal and boring and saving every dollar she can to pay for NYU next year.
Then a movie crew arrives in town, along with Luke Cordova: Claire’s former costar, ex-best friend, and first crush. Luke recognizes her and offers to pay her to help him research his new role. The money could make college possible, but spending October with Luke may bring the past she’s kept secret into the open.
WHY IT STANDS OUT
Small-town Connecticut, chilly October air, woodsmoke, and a visiting movie crew give this second-chance romance its cozy fall feel.
Claire and Luke have years of friendship and unfinished feelings between them, which makes their reunion especially swoony. Beneath the autumn charm, Claire is also working out who she wants to be after fame and her father’s betrayal.
I’m excited to read this one! Kirkus gave it a starred review, praising both their chemistry and Claire’s journey toward self-acceptance.
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