The Book:
Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair
Published: August 23, 2023 (indie)
Date read: September 12, 2023
The Characters:
Parker and Logan
Buy it on Amazon
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
All it takes to start a fire is one single match. . . Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate. He wasn’t when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn’t now. I should probably say that I wasn’t the bride when that happened. I don’t have the best timing. He’s got a temper, he’s moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes. I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel and long to be kissed in the rain. Owen is my best friend’s older, off-limits brother and the only boy I ever thought I loved. Which is laughable because he only ever saw me as his kid sister’s dorky friend. But that was a long time ago. And I’m over him. Mostly. Until he comes back to Harvest Hollow like some kind of hero, showing up just in time to pull me out of my burning house and make me feel all the things I told myself I’d never feel again. Darn him and that brooding, intense way he looks at me. But I have questions. Why is Owen back? And does he remember our secret friendship or the day I’ve spent the last eight years trying to forget? I know better than to get hung up on Owen again. Especially now, when he’s sworn off relationships and thinks romance is a farce. And I’m something of an expert—at least to the people who listen to my podcast, The Hopeful Romantic. Never mind that nobody would guess their local bookshop owner is the one doling out popular weekly relationship advice. Never mind that I’m basing all that advice on the hundreds, (thousands?) of romance novels I’ve read over the years and not on personal experience. And especially never mind that Owen is making me question everything I believe about all of it. Can’t Help Falling is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, opposites attract sweet rom-com with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.
My Review:
Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Y’all, can you possibly think of a better idea than a bunch of romance authors teaming up to write a fall-themed series about the same small town? I’m in love.
We’re first introduced to Harvest Hollow with a hockey romance featuring Parker and Logan. Logan is a slightly-disgraced NHL player who has been sentenced to a season with the AHL, and Parker is the never-been-kissed small-town girl who’s had a crush on him since they were kids. Oh yeah–he’s her brother’s (former) best friend!
I normally lean towards spicier books, but didn’t miss the open-door scenes because of Parker and Logan’s chemistry. It was easy to feel their history and comfort with each other! @kikimojo’s writing is delightful, and the MCs’ jokes had me chuckling to myself. Parker is quirky in the best way, and Logan is a cinnamon roll hidden inside a grump. They were the perfect fit.
I’m so excited for the rest of the books in this series–I’m jumping straight into Melanie’s next. I love that this group effort won’t make me wait for the next book!
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Check out all the books in the Sweater Weather series:
Just Don’t Fall
The Fall Back Plan
Can’t Help Falling
Faking The Fall
Easy As Pie
A Not So Fictional Fall
Absolutely Not in Love
