We chat with author Sophie Sullivan about Can’t Help Falling In Love, which follows a struggling waitress and the heir to a major Seattle company stumble into a high-profile fake engagement while simultaneously trying to keep up with their own love lives in this flirty fall rom-com!
Hi, Sophie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thank you for having me here. I’m, predictably, an avid romance reader. I love hanging out with my family and friends, watching shows that I’ve seen way too many times before (Friends, Modern Family, Big Bang, Schitt’s Creek), and drinking diet Pepsi. I’m a big fan of Disney and I teach full time in addition to writing.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can remember writing my first poem at 11. I don’t know if I wrote stories and such prior to that but after sharing my first poem, I started writing more and more. I loved writing little stories and sharing them from a young age. I think the first time I tried to get published, I was twelve years old.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: I’m sure it wasn’t my first but Heaven by VC Andrews
- The one that made you want to become an author: It was definitely a Nora Roberts though I don’t know which one it was.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I truly love Midnights by Rainbow Rowell. I reread it every year. It makes me so happy.
Your latest novel, Can’t Help Falling in Love, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Romantic, sweet, nostalgic, funny, poignant
What can readers expect?
In addition to what I think they can now count on from me (found family, strong female friendships, anxiety rep, swoony kisses), they can expect to get pulled into the festive fall vibe of the book while they get to know Lexi and Will. This story has some heavier realities, like dealing with grief, but it’s also about moving forward, getting unstuck, and giving yourself grace when you stray from the path you thought you’d be on. Plus, there’s some fun activities like Truth or Treat and a costume party.
Where did the inspiration for Can’t Help Falling in Love come from?
I’d had the opening scene in my head for quite a while but didn’t have a story to go with it. I just had the vivid details of Lexi taking Will’s order and everything going sideways from there. I played it over and over in my mind and started thinking about why she’s so bad at the job, why she’d be at a job she didn’t like and ideas flourished. We live in a very comparative culture and I fall into it all the time, wondering if I’m doing well or doing enough. I wanted to explore this idea that at eighteen, you’re full of dreams and hope and optimism and when you step out into the world, things rarely go as planned.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I always love writing supporting characters. Lexi and Will are awesome but part of how we make the main characters stand out is by adding depth to the people in their lives. For this reason, I love Maisie. She’s feisty and genuine. I also love Gwen. She’s vulnerable and stuck in her own world but she’s full of love and nostalgia and, much like I do, uses romance books to fall away from the rest of the world.
Why romance?
It’s magnificent. Everything about it. This is an entire genre dedicated to hope, happiness, and love. At their core, romance stories show us that everyone has a place, everyone belongs. They’re sweet reminders of the good things in the world; that feeling of falling, hovering, and diving all the way into something that might scare you, might change you, but ultimately makes you better for having experienced it.
What’s next for you?
I stay pretty busy. I have another book coming out this year. It’s under my actual name, Jody Holford. It’s called ALL THE OTHER ME and actually connects with Can’t Help Falling in Love as far as the theme of asking yourself the question: what would have happened if I took a different path? I’m really proud of it and can’t wait to share it with readers November 19. For my Sophie Sullivan titles, GET LOST WITH YOU, book two in the Rock Bottom Love Series, releases February 11, 2025.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I just finished an advanced copy of Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka and it was fantastic. Truly charming. I also really enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. I can’t wait to read the next one! (I know, I’m behind)
