Some books are fun to read, and then some books make you want to grab everyone by the shoulders and tell them to read them immediately. Trust Fall by Lynn Painter? Definitely the second kind.
Oh, yes. Lynn did it again. No questions asked.
I loved this book. The characters, the banter, the New York City setting, the nicknames. And Damion? Oh, Damion…
Lynn Painter has given us another YA contemporary romance that knows exactly how to make you fall for its characters. If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, witty dialogue, complicated feelings, and a setting that practically becomes a character of its own, put this one on your TBR. Oh, what am I saying? Just skip the TBR altogether and read it already!
What Is Trust Fall by Lynn Painter About?
Okay, first things first.Trust Fall is a young adult romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, the bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, Nothing Like the Movies and Fake Skating.
The story follows Julia Lowell, a small-town girl from Nebraska whose life changes overnight when her family inherits a fortune and a beautiful brownstone in New York City. The catch? They have to move to Manhattan and send Julia and her twin brother to an elite private school.
Adjusting to her new life isn't exactly easy, especially when she finds herself struggling at school. Enter Damion Rutledge, the handsome, rebellious student assigned to tutor her.
There's just one problem. Damion is the great-nephew of the man who left Julia's family his fortune, and he isn't convinced they deserve it. He has his own reasons for getting close to Julia, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to stick to his original plan.
And that's where things get interesting. (Very interesting.)
Damion Rutledge, I Have Things to Say About You
Let's get the most important thing out of the way: Damion is amazing.
I loved him. I loved his personality, his interactions with Julia, and the way he kept me invested in their relationship. He's exactly the kind of love interest who makes a romance difficult to put down because you want to see what he'll do or say next.
The banter is one of my favourite parts of this book. I love a male lead who can hold his own in a conversation, tease the girl he likes, and make their interactions feel effortless. Damion brings so much personality to the story, and his chemistry with Julia makes their scenes a delight to read.
And the nicknames? I'm a sucker for nicknames in romance, especially when they become part of the couple's dynamic. They add that little something that makes a fictional relationship feel like its own world, with jokes and moments that belong just to the two characters.
Damion absolutely delivered for me.
Remi Deserves His Own Appreciation Post
I also loved Remi. And Damion wouldn’t be likable at all without him. He would be a Tom (yucks)!
Even though he's not present in the same way as Julia and Damion, his place in the story matters so much. His relationships with the characters, the memories surrounding him, and the legacy he leaves behind give the plot an emotional layer that goes beyond the romance.
I love when a book manages to make a character feel important even when they're not at the centre of every scene. Remi left an impression on me, and I was invested in the role he played in everything unfolding around Julia and Damion.
So, yeah, he deserves all the love, too.
New York City Is the Perfect Setting for Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Can we talk about the setting for a minute?
A small-town girl suddenly finding herself in New York City, living in a gorgeous brownstone and attending an elite private school? Yes, please.
I loved the contrast between Julia's old life and the world she's suddenly thrown into. There's something so fun about a story where the main character has to navigate an unfamiliar city, new social rules, and people who seem to have been born knowing how everything works.
The New York setting gives the story a completely different atmosphere from a typical small-town YA romance. It has that glamorous, slightly dramatic, big-city feeling, with plenty of room for awkward encounters, romantic tension, and all the complications that come with being the new girl.
If you love books set in NYC, especially ones involving wealthy families, private-school drama, and unexpected romance, this is a setting you'll want to spend time in.
Fall in New York City? Yes, Please
There's something about autumn in New York City that makes a romance even more appealing, and Trust Fall by Lynn Painter gave me exactly that vibe.
Julia's new life in Manhattan, the brownstone, the elite private school, and the whole big-city atmosphere make such a fun backdrop for a YA rom-com. Add the autumn feel to all that, and you've got the kind of setting that makes you want to grab a pumpkin spice latte, curl up with a blanket, and spend an entire afternoon reading (which I did!).
I really loved how the New York setting adds to the story's appeal. There's something about a fall romance set in the city that feels a little magical, especially when you're following characters navigating new beginnings, complicated feelings, and the kind of chemistry that makes everything more interesting.
The Banter, the Chemistry, the Romance in Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
One of my favourite things about Lynn Painter's writing is how much personality she brings to romantic interactions.
In Trust Fall, the relationship starts with suspicion and conflicting motives. Damion doesn't exactly have the purest intentions when he first gets close to Julia (in fact, he is a total jerk), which makes the developing feelings all the more complicated.
I enjoyed watching their dynamic evolve as they spent more time together. There's tension, teasing, and that delicious feeling of knowing that two people are getting closer even when the situation between them is far from simple.
And because the story is told from both Julia's and Damion's perspectives, we get to see how their feelings and assumptions differ. That adds another layer to their relationship, especially when trust becomes such a big part of the story.
Why I Loved Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Honestly, it was the combination of everything.
Damion made me love the romance. Remi added an emotional dimension to the story. Julia's move from Nebraska to New York City gave the book a setting I really enjoyed, and the nicknames and banter made the characters memorable.
I also loved how the story wasn't just about two people falling for each other. It's about trust, belonging, family, and figuring out where you fit when your entire world changes.
Who Should Read Trust Fall?
I'd recommend Trust Fall by Lynn Painter if you enjoy:
💕 YA contemporary romance
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers romance
🗽 Books set in New York City
🏙️ Rich-kid and elite private-school drama
💬 Witty banter and memorable nicknames
📚 Tutoring romance and forced proximity
🍂 Autumn atmosphere
❤️ Romance with family drama and emotional depth
It's a particularly good pick if you enjoy romantic comedies that balance funny interactions with more heartfelt themes.
Final Thoughts: Is Trust Fall by Lynn Painter Worth Reading?
Absolutely. This one was a win for me.
Trust Fall gave me a love interest I adored, a character who left a lasting impression on me in Remi, a New York City setting I loved, and the kind of banter that makes a romance not just heart-melting, but actually fun to read.
If you're already a Lynn Painter fan, there is no doubt this one belongs on your TBR (right now). And if you're new to her books but love YA rom-coms with enemies-to-lovers tension, memorable characters, and a little big-city glamour, this could be a great place to start.
Have you read Trust Fall yet? If you have, can we talk about Damion?
Looking for Another Cozy Fall Romance?
If you love small-town romance, autumn vibes, playful banter, and closed-door love stories, you might also want to add my upcoming rom-com, Hearts, Leaves & Other Falling Things, to your fall TBR.
It follows Olivia, a single mom in a small town, and Riley, a ridiculously charming teacher who has a little more history with her than she realizes. Expect pumpkin festivals, bake-off disasters, small-town gossip, and plenty of slow-burn chemistry.
📚 Add Hearts, Leaves & Other Falling Things to your Goodreads shelf and save it for your fall TBR!
Hearts, Leaves & Other Falling Things
A single mom. A ridiculously charming distraction. And a small town that desperately needs to mind its own business.
Olivia has enough on her plate.
She’s twenty-three, raising her six-year-old daughter, working at the town’s beloved pâtisserie, and trying to keep her life together one pastry box at a time. Rosetown has all the autumn charm of a Gilmore Girls episode—quirky neighbors, small-town gossip, community events, and far too many people invested in everyone else’s business.
The last thing Olivia is looking for is romance.
Then Riley shows up.
He’s charming. Annoyingly confident. And somehow, despite Olivia’s best efforts to keep her life uncomplicated, he has her heart skipping one too many beats.
There’s just one little problem: Riley remembers Olivia from years ago. Olivia doesn’t remember him.
Between pumpkin festivals, bake-off disasters, runaway decorations, and a town full of people who seem to have nothing better to do than watch her love life unfold, Olivia is finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the feelings Riley brings out in her.
A cozy, funny, closed-door small-town romance filled with autumn vibes, playful banter, family, friendship, and enough chemistry to make your heart race.
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About Me
📍Dumbo - New York
I'm Zøe!
I write heartfelt, character-driven fiction featuring resilient teenage heroines navigating personal challenges and striving to become their best selves. Beyond my novels, I love storytelling in all its forms. On this blog, I share narrative-rich travel pieces, offering glimpses into my favorite places, hidden corners, and unforgettable encounters around the globe.
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