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The Fall
Dr. Ted Duffy has finally met a woman who makes him ache with desire. Too bad she's dating his best friend of twenty years. This simple premise has momentous consequences for Ted in The Fall, a story that explores the bonds of friendship, the expectations of family, and the power of love to unite and divide. Ted is a third-generation pediatric oncologist in Boston. He is thirty-seven years old, married to his work, and considers his patients to be his kids. He and his friends spend summer weekends in Newport, Rhode Island, which is the only break Ted allows himself from the grind of his job. After a devastating loss at work, he leaves for Newport where he meets his friend's new girlfriend, Caroline. Over that first weekend, Ted and Caroline fall in love. When they later act on their feelings, shock and disbelief ricochet through his tight-knit group of friends and family. A highly respected doctor, a beloved son and grandson, a loyal friend, Ted is stunned by his sudden free fall from grace.
344 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2010
986 people are currently reading
1431 people want to read
About the author
Marie Force
209 books8,436 followersMarie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.
Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.
Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 3, 2011
I have no idea how a book that had such a promising premise and a great set up derailed so incredibly for me as I was reading. And 'derailed' is a good term because I felt like I was 'reading' a slo-mo trainwreck. That sounds hyperbolic and I don't mean it to be. But the story just started to unravel in so many ways for me that until the end I did not like, in any way, a single character in this book.
Now, I have read a few of Marie Force's books. Some I've really liked and some that didn't work for me in small ways, but not to an extent that I've actively disliked them. I do enjoy her writing because I think she writes messy stories. By that I mean, she doesn't always color within the lines in a genre that sometimes feel it is one formula after the other. I respect that. But this book simply can't be put in the win column for me.
There are spoilers and salty language sprinkled liberally throughout this review so be warned....
First I have to say that every character in the book succumbed to one of two ailments: Big Ass Whiny Baby syndrome (BAWBS) or Super Self Righteousness-itis (SSR). Not one person remained immune.
As I mentioned above the set up and premise is really a good one. Ted Duffy is a pediatric oncologist who comes from a super awesome family and has four of the best friends ever. The guys, Ted, Parker, Smitty and Chip, have all grown up together and have known each other forever. They have a summer house they share and one weekend Smitty brings Caroline, a woman he had been dating for only a few weeks. When Ted and Caroline meet they fall instantly in love. For Ted, Caroline is THE ONE. And he's heartsick that she is Smitty's girl. For Caroline Ted is also brought lightning bolt of love. They part determined to let time and distance remove temptation.
I have no issues with love at first sight. I am a believer that people can connect quickly and for real, but honestly I wasn't sold on it here. I thought them both simply saying 'She's the one' and 'he's the one' was too simple. I didn't see it, I was told it. But that is ok. The premise is that they fall in love quickly in order to make it worthwhile when they have to break it to Smitty that they are in love.
The second time they meet there is no denying anything and they resolve to be together and work through the pain they must cause everyone. For her part, Caroline plans to break up with Smitty and she and Ted plan to tell him about their attraction. So far so good.
But of course things don't work out that way. Smitty overhears them talking and figures out what is going on. And this is where the story begins to run off the rails for me and where Smitty becomes the first to succumb to BAWBS. So he realizes that his girlfriend of 6-weeks and his best friend of 20 years have a thing for each other. Does he confront them? Ask them about it? regroup to think and talk it over with the other friends? No he starts playing childish head games to torture them. And then he picks up his toys and runs to Australia while everyone is so worried about what is going on with Poor Smitty. Never mind that he and Caroline had only been casually dating and that he knew she wasn't as into him as he was to her. No, all this becomes as dramatic and Chinese Opera.
So now that Caroline and Smitty are done she and Ted are free to pursue each other. They plan to tell the other friends that they are now dating but it doesn't work out quite that way. The other friends find out by accident. And this is where the other guys start to succumb to SSR. How could Ted do this to Smitty? He is ruining 20 years of friendship...blah blah blah.
But Ted and Caroline stay strong and are so in love. So in love in fact that within 3-weeks of being together they get married. At this point the train jumps the tracks. Everybody is so outraged that it is almost comical. Even Ted's mother who had been so concerned about her only son's long hours in a high stress job and his lack of personal life doesn't take a moment to think 'hmm, maybe I should get to know this girl who has been the only person my son has shown any real interest in in years' but rather 'how dare you cheat on your best friend with that cheating bitch who is a cheating bitch!!!'
So this goes on for some time with everyone giving them the cold shoulder, none of the friends coming to their more formal wedding (they had been married by a justice of the peace earlier). Mind you, no one seems at all concerned about Ted's state of mind, marrying a woman he barely knows, or wondering if she's a gold-digger or anything like that. No everyone is more concerned about how this will all affect poor Smitty. Sure, Ted can be construed a shitty friend for jumping into a relationship with his best friend's ex, but they are all just as terrible for not even trying to understand why he did this. No they are content to just wallow in their SSR.
At this point I am rooting hard for Ted and Caroline because, really, everyone else around them are just being assholes. In a real life situation like this, amongst a group of friends, people would be taking sides or some would be neutral not wanting to choose one friend over the other. Some would even be happy for Ted and telling Smitty to suck it up. It's not like Smitty and Caroline were married and she and Ted were sneaking around behind his back. The level of outrage simply didn't fit the perceived crime, imo.
So remember how I said I was rooting for Ted and Caroline at this point. Well, that is true until Ted succumbs to BAWBS. After all the 'I love you, no I love you more' and them telling each other it was worth the scorn of family and friends to be together and they pinky swear to stand just the two of them against the world...what does Ted do? Well he decides it is just to hard to live without all his friends around. He can't take their abandonment and censure. So he deserts his wife. Yup. He leaves her. Oh, he still loves her just can't be around her because she was the reason it all went south with his friends and family. So he takes a new job in a whole other state and stops wearing his wedding ring. My reaction at these developments was 'Are you shitting me?' And here the train falls off the tracks completely, down a mountainside.
At this point, Caroline is the only one who is still worth anything. I'll give Ms. Force credit, she makes Caroline dig in and try to fight for her marriage. For her this was the real deal and I have to say I felt it and I felt for her.
But by now I was so over every single person in this book that the only reason i didn't just close it and get on with my life is because it was so late in the story.
The kicker for me is that, guess what? Smitty finds his own true love in Australia and comes back all forgiving. Everything is a-ok now that he knows what love is. We call all be friends again! So now that Ted is back in the fold, he can come back to his wife because they have been formally given the blessing of Smitty. Well isn't that special!
I was really hoping that Caroline would tell Ted to just fuck off and then leave him to his precious friends. But she doesn't because she's so happy to have him back and tears up when he puts back on his wedding ring. Awwww. Not!
This book made me ragey. I can't recommend at all.
Now, I have read a few of Marie Force's books. Some I've really liked and some that didn't work for me in small ways, but not to an extent that I've actively disliked them. I do enjoy her writing because I think she writes messy stories. By that I mean, she doesn't always color within the lines in a genre that sometimes feel it is one formula after the other. I respect that. But this book simply can't be put in the win column for me.
There are spoilers and salty language sprinkled liberally throughout this review so be warned....
First I have to say that every character in the book succumbed to one of two ailments: Big Ass Whiny Baby syndrome (BAWBS) or Super Self Righteousness-itis (SSR). Not one person remained immune.
As I mentioned above the set up and premise is really a good one. Ted Duffy is a pediatric oncologist who comes from a super awesome family and has four of the best friends ever. The guys, Ted, Parker, Smitty and Chip, have all grown up together and have known each other forever. They have a summer house they share and one weekend Smitty brings Caroline, a woman he had been dating for only a few weeks. When Ted and Caroline meet they fall instantly in love. For Ted, Caroline is THE ONE. And he's heartsick that she is Smitty's girl. For Caroline Ted is also brought lightning bolt of love. They part determined to let time and distance remove temptation.
I have no issues with love at first sight. I am a believer that people can connect quickly and for real, but honestly I wasn't sold on it here. I thought them both simply saying 'She's the one' and 'he's the one' was too simple. I didn't see it, I was told it. But that is ok. The premise is that they fall in love quickly in order to make it worthwhile when they have to break it to Smitty that they are in love.
The second time they meet there is no denying anything and they resolve to be together and work through the pain they must cause everyone. For her part, Caroline plans to break up with Smitty and she and Ted plan to tell him about their attraction. So far so good.
But of course things don't work out that way. Smitty overhears them talking and figures out what is going on. And this is where the story begins to run off the rails for me and where Smitty becomes the first to succumb to BAWBS. So he realizes that his girlfriend of 6-weeks and his best friend of 20 years have a thing for each other. Does he confront them? Ask them about it? regroup to think and talk it over with the other friends? No he starts playing childish head games to torture them. And then he picks up his toys and runs to Australia while everyone is so worried about what is going on with Poor Smitty. Never mind that he and Caroline had only been casually dating and that he knew she wasn't as into him as he was to her. No, all this becomes as dramatic and Chinese Opera.
So now that Caroline and Smitty are done she and Ted are free to pursue each other. They plan to tell the other friends that they are now dating but it doesn't work out quite that way. The other friends find out by accident. And this is where the other guys start to succumb to SSR. How could Ted do this to Smitty? He is ruining 20 years of friendship...blah blah blah.
But Ted and Caroline stay strong and are so in love. So in love in fact that within 3-weeks of being together they get married. At this point the train jumps the tracks. Everybody is so outraged that it is almost comical. Even Ted's mother who had been so concerned about her only son's long hours in a high stress job and his lack of personal life doesn't take a moment to think 'hmm, maybe I should get to know this girl who has been the only person my son has shown any real interest in in years' but rather 'how dare you cheat on your best friend with that cheating bitch who is a cheating bitch!!!'
So this goes on for some time with everyone giving them the cold shoulder, none of the friends coming to their more formal wedding (they had been married by a justice of the peace earlier). Mind you, no one seems at all concerned about Ted's state of mind, marrying a woman he barely knows, or wondering if she's a gold-digger or anything like that. No everyone is more concerned about how this will all affect poor Smitty. Sure, Ted can be construed a shitty friend for jumping into a relationship with his best friend's ex, but they are all just as terrible for not even trying to understand why he did this. No they are content to just wallow in their SSR.
At this point I am rooting hard for Ted and Caroline because, really, everyone else around them are just being assholes. In a real life situation like this, amongst a group of friends, people would be taking sides or some would be neutral not wanting to choose one friend over the other. Some would even be happy for Ted and telling Smitty to suck it up. It's not like Smitty and Caroline were married and she and Ted were sneaking around behind his back. The level of outrage simply didn't fit the perceived crime, imo.
So remember how I said I was rooting for Ted and Caroline at this point. Well, that is true until Ted succumbs to BAWBS. After all the 'I love you, no I love you more' and them telling each other it was worth the scorn of family and friends to be together and they pinky swear to stand just the two of them against the world...what does Ted do? Well he decides it is just to hard to live without all his friends around. He can't take their abandonment and censure. So he deserts his wife. Yup. He leaves her. Oh, he still loves her just can't be around her because she was the reason it all went south with his friends and family. So he takes a new job in a whole other state and stops wearing his wedding ring. My reaction at these developments was 'Are you shitting me?' And here the train falls off the tracks completely, down a mountainside.
At this point, Caroline is the only one who is still worth anything. I'll give Ms. Force credit, she makes Caroline dig in and try to fight for her marriage. For her this was the real deal and I have to say I felt it and I felt for her.
But by now I was so over every single person in this book that the only reason i didn't just close it and get on with my life is because it was so late in the story.
The kicker for me is that, guess what? Smitty finds his own true love in Australia and comes back all forgiving. Everything is a-ok now that he knows what love is. We call all be friends again! So now that Ted is back in the fold, he can come back to his wife because they have been formally given the blessing of Smitty. Well isn't that special!
I was really hoping that Caroline would tell Ted to just fuck off and then leave him to his precious friends. But she doesn't because she's so happy to have him back and tears up when he puts back on his wedding ring. Awwww. Not!
This book made me ragey. I can't recommend at all.
December 20, 2010
I’m speechless. Actually speechless and I can’t remember the last time it happened to me after finishing a book.
There was so much going on in this story I could never do it justice no matter how long or detailed the review, so I’ll keep it simple.
This was a complex story of long friendships being broken because of an act out-of-character, of trust toppling when someone does something unexpected, of bonds made in a blink of an eye, of “survivor’s guilt”, of wondering how something good can be born out of hurt, pain, and betrayal...
Gosh, this sounds so lame, but I’m still speechless.
This book was made of four stories intertwined into one with great characters, realistic problems and troubles, moments of magic, bitter-sweetness, romance, laughter, and tears.
It was definitely on the “heavier” side of romance, nothing light-weight about it, but still a real pleasure to read.
And yes, I’m still speechless. But there’s one thing I can say. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
There was so much going on in this story I could never do it justice no matter how long or detailed the review, so I’ll keep it simple.
This was a complex story of long friendships being broken because of an act out-of-character, of trust toppling when someone does something unexpected, of bonds made in a blink of an eye, of “survivor’s guilt”, of wondering how something good can be born out of hurt, pain, and betrayal...
Gosh, this sounds so lame, but I’m still speechless.
This book was made of four stories intertwined into one with great characters, realistic problems and troubles, moments of magic, bitter-sweetness, romance, laughter, and tears.
It was definitely on the “heavier” side of romance, nothing light-weight about it, but still a real pleasure to read.
And yes, I’m still speechless. But there’s one thing I can say. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
December 21, 2010
My emotions were all over the place during this book. I can't remember reading a book where I wanted the lead couple to get together and at the same time was mad at them for getting together. Some authors take the easy way out when creating a "falling for my best friend's girlfriend" theme by making the best friend a jerk, but Marie Force made the best friend, Smitty, such a likeable and good man; I didn't want him to get hurt because of Ted and Caroline's relationship. It was not easy watching Ted's world crumble around him because of his decisions but it wouldn't have been realistic if Ted and Carolione had an easy time reaching their HEA-or their #10 on the list. This was a great read!
April 1, 2012
The Fall was a great story of love, heartbreak, fighting for what you believe in, and finding your happily ever after. While I extremely enjoyed this book I couldn't give it anymore than 3 starts because of the ending. It was a great story of true love and what the hero and heroine had to fight for and lose because they fell in love, I found myself engrossed with their story, what was going to happen next, would he regret what happened between them, would they be able to overcome everything that collapsed at their feet all at once, would he finally see the mistake he made? All those questions were answered and as emotional as it was I just did not care for how quickly she forgave him. I was already mad at the hero for his decision, very mad and when she forgave him so quickly I thought well there goes a 4.5 star book down to 3 stars.
My Full Review
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
My Full Review
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
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April 1, 2020DNF not the plot for me
May 7, 2013
Whilst I really liked this book, I didn't love it as I have many others by Marie Force. Don't get me wrong, it's written to her usually high standard, the story stirs your emotions, the locations are beautifully descriptive, the story line is there and it has some good steamy moments, I just didn't fall in love with the characters as I usually do.
To summise the plot, Ted, Smitty, Parker and Chip are in their late thirties, have been friends for over 20 years and are all successful professional men. Smitty has a new girlfriend Caroline, Ted meets her and it's love at first sight...but he can't hurt his best friend or deny his feelings.
There's no denying Ted Duffy is one dishy Doctor; he is a wonderfully kindhearted man who says and does the most perfect things; there were moments where I swooned, but he needed to man up a bit when the story hit its critical points. I warmed to Caroline as the book progressed and she found her strength to fight for her man, I just would have liked there to have been a little more build-up and conversation when they first met. The secondary characters all bring valuable content and whilst Parker, Smitty and Chip were likeable enough, it was Ted's Grandparents who made it for me. They were wonderful characters and their love for their Grandson was heartwarming.
It is worth reading if you want romance, drama and a bit of steaminess and if you are a fan of Marie Force it's unlikely you'll be disappointed. She's one of my favourite authors and despite my minor grumbles it really was a good read.
To summise the plot, Ted, Smitty, Parker and Chip are in their late thirties, have been friends for over 20 years and are all successful professional men. Smitty has a new girlfriend Caroline, Ted meets her and it's love at first sight...but he can't hurt his best friend or deny his feelings.
There's no denying Ted Duffy is one dishy Doctor; he is a wonderfully kindhearted man who says and does the most perfect things; there were moments where I swooned, but he needed to man up a bit when the story hit its critical points. I warmed to Caroline as the book progressed and she found her strength to fight for her man, I just would have liked there to have been a little more build-up and conversation when they first met. The secondary characters all bring valuable content and whilst Parker, Smitty and Chip were likeable enough, it was Ted's Grandparents who made it for me. They were wonderful characters and their love for their Grandson was heartwarming.
It is worth reading if you want romance, drama and a bit of steaminess and if you are a fan of Marie Force it's unlikely you'll be disappointed. She's one of my favourite authors and despite my minor grumbles it really was a good read.
January 11, 2012
This is the second book I have read from Force. The first book was the Wreck which I absolutely LOVED! Unfortunately, The Fall fell flat for me. I could see how some readers would absolutely love this book because the story line definitely had promise. However, 3 out of 4 friends literally jumped into the first date saying I Love you within minutes. I understand fate, love at first sight, kismet, etc. but really Ted and Caroline? Dropping everything and hurting alot of people after having a conversation for 5 minutes. Seriously? I would've enjoyed their courtship and believed the story had their been more interaction.
Well I'm not detoured and I am planning to read another Force book real soon.
Well I'm not detoured and I am planning to read another Force book real soon.
September 21, 2011
I don't like Ted. I wanted more Smitty and Parker. Caroline was weak. She let him walk all over her. Ted was an idiot, and did not deserve his friends- and it is not just about Caroline, he did it all wrong (in a admitedly bad situation) and then felt sorry for himself to the point that he was hurting Caroline like it was all her fault. Basically, I felt Ted was a selfish jerk and Caroline was a dormat. First time I did not fall head-over-heals for a Marie Force H... but Smitty and Parker were great- wish she would have kept up with their storylines.
February 6, 2011
The other books that I've read of this author's, I really enjoyed. While I was looking forward to reading this story because of the premise (hero falls for his best friend's girlfriend), it turned out to be painful to read through to the end.
While I can understand the need for the angst and turmoil that happened, it got to a point that I really did not want to finish the book. The happily ever after ending fell flat for me.
Well, I guess you win some and lose some.
While I can understand the need for the angst and turmoil that happened, it got to a point that I really did not want to finish the book. The happily ever after ending fell flat for me.
Well, I guess you win some and lose some.
January 8, 2011
This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. It's a book about love, life, families and friendship, and I loved it from start to finish!
December 19, 2011
This was probably one of the most INTENSE books I've ever read!
LOVED the writing, story, and characters.
Once again Ms. Force took me on a wonderful roller-coaster ride to FINALLY get to a HEA.
LOVED the writing, story, and characters.
Once again Ms. Force took me on a wonderful roller-coaster ride to FINALLY get to a HEA.
May 11, 2016
I loved this book! Couldn't put it down and it brought me to tears more than once. I have never felt like this after reading a book. ❤️
March 15, 2024
2 Very generous stars. Last month I read Five Years Gone and One Year Home. I loved both of these books and I couldn’t wait to read a new Marie Force book. I decided to read The Fall. All I can say is what a disaster of a book! The premise of the story and the characters were absolutely ridiculous! The main characters, Ted and Caroline (Ted’s BFF’s, Smitty’s new girlfriend) meet and automatically “fall in love?” Three weeks later, Ted and Caroline can no longer deny their “love” and decide to be together. Ted throws 20 years of friendship and alienates himself from his family all to be with Caroline. But wait, it gets worse! When the shit hits the fan, Ted leaves his job, family and new wife, Caroline because he suddenly realizes he destroyed his friendship with his 3 BFF’s and he can’t live with what he’s done!
A few months later, his BFF, Smitty (who moves to Australia and moves on with another woman in a hot second) comes back and forgives Ted and Caroline. Ted then suddenly realizes he loves his wife and wants to be with her again. The author throws in a pregnancy for Ted and Caroline and they get their HEA. Wow! I kept reading this book because, I thought it has to get better, right? WRONG! Please save yourself and read any other book other than this hot mess!
A few months later, his BFF, Smitty (who moves to Australia and moves on with another woman in a hot second) comes back and forgives Ted and Caroline. Ted then suddenly realizes he loves his wife and wants to be with her again. The author throws in a pregnancy for Ted and Caroline and they get their HEA. Wow! I kept reading this book because, I thought it has to get better, right? WRONG! Please save yourself and read any other book other than this hot mess!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Ted, they could never make you like you! The 1 star is for the first, promising 50 pages and then the rest I thought was satire but I fear it was not. I almost DNF’d when the “handsome doctor” threw away his wife’s birth control pills without asking??? If you want to be left speechless this will definitely do it
February 7, 2019
Wow! I couldn't put the book down. So many great characters and surprises. Easily could be a jumping off point for a series. Another great book by Marie.
June 21, 2011
Was this story amazing?...YES! Did I love it?...not part of it. I rated it 5 stars because I am so glad I read it and it really got me... at least starting half way through the book, I cried and cried and I cried. I am not much of a crier either, I get choked up, maybe a tear in my eye, but not sob, I sobbed. I don't think I should go into much detail because it would just spoil it. There were many heartbreaking themes that affected friendships, family, and deep love.
The story begins with four best friends sharing a summer house in Newport, Rhode Island just like they do every year. They are all extremely successful, Parker is a divorce lawyer from a billionaire family, Chip is a doctor with a serious girlfriend, Smitty is a very rich stockbroker who started on the wrong side of the tracks and Ted (the main hero) is a pediatric oncologist with an amazing family. After Ted receives devastating news about one of his patients, he emotionally breaks down as he arrives in Newport. This is where he first sees Caroline and in 3 seconds he recognizes her as "the one". Ted and Caroline fall in love at first sight, the problem is that Caroline is Ted's best friend, Smitty's, girlfriend. Unfortunately, Smitty thinks Caroline is the one for him as well. Smitty is a gentle giant who is loved by all, but insecure about his past life and has been searching for his happy ever after. I really liked both Caroline and Ted, but I didn't like what they did and the choices that they made. I wasn't happy for them and felt they deserved all the consequences they created. It seemed like everyone was destroyed, this is where the book turned for me (for the good) and Grandy (Ted's grandma) made the difference in the events of the story.
There were a few other secondary love stories that were very sweet and added some good moments. I love Marie Force and I would highly recommend The Fall.
January 28, 2011
I really did enjoy The Fall by Marie Force. Ted, a 30 something children's Oncologist meets his best friend's girlfriend on a weekend trip and instantly falls madly in love with her. Four close friends struggle through betrayal, growing up and growing old.
I was at first turned off by the relationship between Ted and Caroline. They had an instant love connection and decided nothing would come in the way of their relalationship. Not even Caroline's boyfriend who happens to be Ted's life long best friend Smitty. I felt Ms Force did an excellent job of creating a story where every character went through a realistic portrayal of emotions. I was extremely angry with the couple when they disregarded what Ted's best friend would feel and went for their relationship anyway. They could have handled the situation so much better than they did. I didn't want them to simply live happily ever after, considering all the heart ache they caused. And they didn't. I was pleased with the way the author created the Karma that showed Ted's (eventaul) thoughtfulness and sorrow for the pain he had caused.
This was a very hard plotline to create sympathetic characters in but I think Ms Force did it wonderfully. I was pleased with delivery that made me feel that each character in the story got exactly what they deserved.
I was at first turned off by the relationship between Ted and Caroline. They had an instant love connection and decided nothing would come in the way of their relalationship. Not even Caroline's boyfriend who happens to be Ted's life long best friend Smitty. I felt Ms Force did an excellent job of creating a story where every character went through a realistic portrayal of emotions. I was extremely angry with the couple when they disregarded what Ted's best friend would feel and went for their relationship anyway. They could have handled the situation so much better than they did. I didn't want them to simply live happily ever after, considering all the heart ache they caused. And they didn't. I was pleased with the way the author created the Karma that showed Ted's (eventaul) thoughtfulness and sorrow for the pain he had caused.
This was a very hard plotline to create sympathetic characters in but I think Ms Force did it wonderfully. I was pleased with delivery that made me feel that each character in the story got exactly what they deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2011
The ending killed it for me. Ted turned into a coward and ran away. That would have been fine with me if he had come back on his own, but he needed Smitty to forgive him first. What if Smitty hadn't reached out to him and forgave him? Would he still be hiding out? I expected more from Ted and he let me down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2011
There is no review that could do this book justice. I wouldn't know where to start, where to end, but I know I loved it. I was invested in what happened to all the characters and at times my heart was breaking for them. I was sad when it was over. 5 BIG stars.
December 21, 2010
I loved this book! The emotional journey's of the characters in the book was amazing. This book brought me to tears more than once. Can't say enough how much I loved this book!
December 20, 2010
What a great read! I think I had tears in my eyes for the whole second half of the book. Great characters with real life emotions. Several love stories in one awesome book!
February 13, 2011
5+
OMG! Emotional, heart-wrenching, what a story! There were moments when I had to stop, take a breath, and pick up the parts of my heart that got broken into tiny pieces.
OMG! Emotional, heart-wrenching, what a story! There were moments when I had to stop, take a breath, and pick up the parts of my heart that got broken into tiny pieces.
May 29, 2011
Great book. Emotional, intense and different from your usual run-off-the-mill romances. I stayed up all night to finish it...
May 31, 2011
The best book I have read by Marie Force to date. Amazing story line and great characters.
June 18, 2023
I want to give this book 3 stars for the ending so badly! But honestly it's well written, totally engaging, and a dynamic storyline. EDIT: I also have to note that after I wrote this, I was looking at other reviews and "Tina" has a very similar review- I totally concur with every point she made and she probably even wrote it better than me...even though she rated it 1 star. I'm not sure what makes me feel like overlooking so many flaws lol...🤷♀️
If you want to skip my ramble and find out what annoyed me so much, skip below to: THE ENDING
You can read a brief synopsis on the books description, but I'd like to note some very important points.
1. I dont necessarily believe in 100% love at first sight (very strong connections yes!) and that you can make the decision to marry someone, throw away your birth control (we'll come back to this), make huge life decisions, etc after just one night- but if it did exist, I'd want what Ted and Caroline had for 3/4 of this book because MF does write it very lovely.
2. All of these BFFs are in their mid THIRTIES. They are grown adults capable of making decisions and understanding the consequences.
3. However, knowing 1 & 2, Ted and Caroline make no physical moves on each other until Caroline and Ted's bff Smitty BREAK UP. There is no actual cheating, just an emotional connection that causes her to immediately have a chat to break up.
4. We find out Caroline and Smitty went into their relationship with the understanding that they weren't looking for anything serious- he's divorced, she's broken engagement. Theyd also only been dating for a few WEEKS. So it shouldn't be the end of the world that she meets Ted, has this amazing connection and falls in love and decides to break it off with Smitty and date Ted. Shitty timing- yes, 20+ year friendship ending- no.
THE ENDING:
So here's my problem with this book. TED tells Caroline from day one, things are gunna get rough, this isnt going to be an easy road, we need to stick together, I will love you forever and we can weather any storm. And then....
HE. LEAVES. HER.
whaaaaaat??? Fully moves out of the house (and State!) Stops wearing his ring, only calls her once to talk about some bills....and that... is... all.
Why you ask? What happened to weathering all storms together?? Well as it turns out, good old Smitty got himself married! And instead of Ted thinking perhaps he himself has had an amazing connection and found the love of his life- Ted thinks Smitty is on some downward spiral and throwing his life away because he would never get married so quickly to someone he didn't even tell Ted about! Um...excuse me Ted, thats exactly what you just did??? Wtf.
So Ted tells Caroline, sorry, it was ok when all my family and friends were just mad at me, but not when they are ruining their lives. The price of our relationship is just too high.:::eye roll:::: Byeeee
So what happens next you ask? Smitty hosts a post wedding celebration where he forgives Ted and Caroline and says everything happens for a reason- if they hadn't done what they did to him, he never would have found the love of his life..
So Ted's just like, Ok Caroline, now that everything's all worked out- you wanna take me back? So sorry about abandoning you the last two months. And she's just like, yep, sure thing Ted- been waiting here at home for you to come back. BTW I'm preggers too so this is great timing.
It was very disappointing that there wasn't more of a dramatic scene at the end. Caroline should have made him work a little harder to get her back for sure!!
Rant over 🙂
If you want to skip my ramble and find out what annoyed me so much, skip below to: THE ENDING
You can read a brief synopsis on the books description, but I'd like to note some very important points.
1. I dont necessarily believe in 100% love at first sight (very strong connections yes!) and that you can make the decision to marry someone, throw away your birth control (we'll come back to this), make huge life decisions, etc after just one night- but if it did exist, I'd want what Ted and Caroline had for 3/4 of this book because MF does write it very lovely.
2. All of these BFFs are in their mid THIRTIES. They are grown adults capable of making decisions and understanding the consequences.
3. However, knowing 1 & 2, Ted and Caroline make no physical moves on each other until Caroline and Ted's bff Smitty BREAK UP. There is no actual cheating, just an emotional connection that causes her to immediately have a chat to break up.
4. We find out Caroline and Smitty went into their relationship with the understanding that they weren't looking for anything serious- he's divorced, she's broken engagement. Theyd also only been dating for a few WEEKS. So it shouldn't be the end of the world that she meets Ted, has this amazing connection and falls in love and decides to break it off with Smitty and date Ted. Shitty timing- yes, 20+ year friendship ending- no.
THE ENDING:
So here's my problem with this book. TED tells Caroline from day one, things are gunna get rough, this isnt going to be an easy road, we need to stick together, I will love you forever and we can weather any storm. And then....
HE. LEAVES. HER.
whaaaaaat??? Fully moves out of the house (and State!) Stops wearing his ring, only calls her once to talk about some bills....and that... is... all.
Why you ask? What happened to weathering all storms together?? Well as it turns out, good old Smitty got himself married! And instead of Ted thinking perhaps he himself has had an amazing connection and found the love of his life- Ted thinks Smitty is on some downward spiral and throwing his life away because he would never get married so quickly to someone he didn't even tell Ted about! Um...excuse me Ted, thats exactly what you just did??? Wtf.
So Ted tells Caroline, sorry, it was ok when all my family and friends were just mad at me, but not when they are ruining their lives. The price of our relationship is just too high.:::eye roll:::: Byeeee
So what happens next you ask? Smitty hosts a post wedding celebration where he forgives Ted and Caroline and says everything happens for a reason- if they hadn't done what they did to him, he never would have found the love of his life..
So Ted's just like, Ok Caroline, now that everything's all worked out- you wanna take me back? So sorry about abandoning you the last two months. And she's just like, yep, sure thing Ted- been waiting here at home for you to come back. BTW I'm preggers too so this is great timing.
It was very disappointing that there wasn't more of a dramatic scene at the end. Caroline should have made him work a little harder to get her back for sure!!
Rant over 🙂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2019
I love Cameron and Ted story.. Another great one Marie Force.. Here is a highlight from the book and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!💖💜💖📚📚
“No way.” He shook his head. “No way am I giving my son a Roman numeral.” “But I promised Mitzi.” He groaned. “What’s with you and my mother anyway?” “We’ve . . .” She scratched her chin as she pretended to search for the right word. “Bonded in your absence.” “Oh God. Has she got him registered for Harvard Medical School yet?” Caroline cracked up. “The application is in the mail.” “So would she have anything to do with how you ended up with brochures from the hospital all over your desk?” “Maybe,” she said with a coy smile. “They’ll miss you when you move to New Hampshire.” “Am I moving to New Hampshire?” “Well, you’ll probably want to come straight back here when you see the house I bought up there. Calling it a fixer-upper would be charitable.” “Will you be there?” He smiled. “Yeah.” She shrugged. “Then Edward the fourth and I will adapt.” “I read your book,” he confessed. “Did you?” “It’s unbelievable, Caroline.” He kissed her. “Truly. I couldn’t put it down. I’m so proud of you.” “You’re the first one to read it.” His eyes widened with surprise. “Really?” She nodded. “Cameron and I talked about it, and we decided we wanted you to be first.” “I’ve had just about enough of him.” “I’m thinking about a sequel,” she teased. He groaned with dismay as he lifted her into his arms and took the stairs two at a time on his way to their bedroom. “No sequels. We need to write a whole new story. You were right about one thing, though.” “What’s that?”He lay down with her on the bed and was overwhelmed with wonder when he ran his hand over the small but unmistakable bump in her once-flat belly. “It’s one hell of a romance.” “Yes,” she said with a contented sigh. “Yes, it is.” “I want some number nine.” He kissed his way from her lips to her neck. “I’ve had two long, lonely months to discover that nine’s my favorite number.” She smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Before you get any nine, I need you to promise me we’re going to get to ten.” “I promise you, Caroline.” He slid his lips over hers. “I promise that you, me, and Fourth will live happily ever after.” “You are not going to call him that!” He chuckled against her lips. “Ted?” “What, honey?” “The magic’s back.”
“No way.” He shook his head. “No way am I giving my son a Roman numeral.” “But I promised Mitzi.” He groaned. “What’s with you and my mother anyway?” “We’ve . . .” She scratched her chin as she pretended to search for the right word. “Bonded in your absence.” “Oh God. Has she got him registered for Harvard Medical School yet?” Caroline cracked up. “The application is in the mail.” “So would she have anything to do with how you ended up with brochures from the hospital all over your desk?” “Maybe,” she said with a coy smile. “They’ll miss you when you move to New Hampshire.” “Am I moving to New Hampshire?” “Well, you’ll probably want to come straight back here when you see the house I bought up there. Calling it a fixer-upper would be charitable.” “Will you be there?” He smiled. “Yeah.” She shrugged. “Then Edward the fourth and I will adapt.” “I read your book,” he confessed. “Did you?” “It’s unbelievable, Caroline.” He kissed her. “Truly. I couldn’t put it down. I’m so proud of you.” “You’re the first one to read it.” His eyes widened with surprise. “Really?” She nodded. “Cameron and I talked about it, and we decided we wanted you to be first.” “I’ve had just about enough of him.” “I’m thinking about a sequel,” she teased. He groaned with dismay as he lifted her into his arms and took the stairs two at a time on his way to their bedroom. “No sequels. We need to write a whole new story. You were right about one thing, though.” “What’s that?”He lay down with her on the bed and was overwhelmed with wonder when he ran his hand over the small but unmistakable bump in her once-flat belly. “It’s one hell of a romance.” “Yes,” she said with a contented sigh. “Yes, it is.” “I want some number nine.” He kissed his way from her lips to her neck. “I’ve had two long, lonely months to discover that nine’s my favorite number.” She smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Before you get any nine, I need you to promise me we’re going to get to ten.” “I promise you, Caroline.” He slid his lips over hers. “I promise that you, me, and Fourth will live happily ever after.” “You are not going to call him that!” He chuckled against her lips. “Ted?” “What, honey?” “The magic’s back.”
August 26, 2020
I needed a book I knew I could fall into. Instead I got a highly emotional roller coaster read. Four guys, best friends for twenty plus years. Every summer the gang rents a place on the water and connect each weekend. Duff is a pediatric oncologist and is having a horrible month. He just lost a young patient as he heads to the rental. Everyone is out when he arrives and just wants a beer and some alone time. Out on the balcony he meets Caroline. Duff is basically struck w Cupid’s arrow. Caroline is here with Smitty, they’ve been dating about a month.
It isn’t until Duff’s parents and grandparents anniversary party that Caroline and Duff actually speak few but strong words: Is this real? Knowing they both feel the same and haven’t touched or kissed make plans to be together. First she needs to end things with Smitty and deal with: Don’t Steal Your Best-friends Girl.
Smitty leaves the county, Parker finally gets a date w a woman Cupid struck his arrow into two years earlier. Duff makes some huge changes and feels the burden of their shattered friendship and leaves. Will these four men walk away from each other? Is love stronger than friendship? Can there be forgiveness?
One of Ms. Force’s earlier novels doesn’t know time. While her power with the pen has only gotten better her beginnings prove the strength she has.
It isn’t until Duff’s parents and grandparents anniversary party that Caroline and Duff actually speak few but strong words: Is this real? Knowing they both feel the same and haven’t touched or kissed make plans to be together. First she needs to end things with Smitty and deal with: Don’t Steal Your Best-friends Girl.
Smitty leaves the county, Parker finally gets a date w a woman Cupid struck his arrow into two years earlier. Duff makes some huge changes and feels the burden of their shattered friendship and leaves. Will these four men walk away from each other? Is love stronger than friendship? Can there be forgiveness?
One of Ms. Force’s earlier novels doesn’t know time. While her power with the pen has only gotten better her beginnings prove the strength she has.
October 20, 2017
THIS BOOK MADE ME SOOO MAD!!!! Whilst I understand that you have certain loyalties to your friends, what Ted did wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. After 20 plus years, the loyalty he thought he had was just disappointing. I get that Smitty was wronged in some way, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED! Well not until smitty and Caroline parted ways..... yes emotionally things were on fire but physically these two were able( by the skin of their teeth) to hold off from acting. Have you never felt an instant connection to anything? The way the others just turned their backs on Ted was wrong! Although, I wanted to smack him for what he did to Caroline and shake her for not handling the situation with a firmer hand.......but it is what it is..... and I’m really ashamed of the way Mitzy treated Ted without actually knowing all the facts!!! Thank goodness for grandparents.... Exceptional read.
October 25, 2020
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy Rhode Island set novel The Fall in the Beach Reads Boxed Set by Marie Force and this review was given freely.
While predominantly a quickly escalating instant attraction to a best friend's new girlfriend steamy romance,this is also an emotionally poignant story interweaving the romances and heart aches of four former college friends {Boston pediatric oncologist Dr. Ted Duffy,stockbroker Smitty, dermatologist Chip and divorce attorney Parker} with both happy and sad life events involving Ted's family.
Grief stricken after one of his favorite patients dies, Ted seeks refuge in the weekend Rhode Island vacation rental he shares with his three friends but finds more than he bargained for in Smitty's new girlfriend,New York freelance writer Caroline Stewart.
I purchased a copy of the steamy Rhode Island set novel The Fall in the Beach Reads Boxed Set by Marie Force and this review was given freely.
While predominantly a quickly escalating instant attraction to a best friend's new girlfriend steamy romance,this is also an emotionally poignant story interweaving the romances and heart aches of four former college friends {Boston pediatric oncologist Dr. Ted Duffy,stockbroker Smitty, dermatologist Chip and divorce attorney Parker} with both happy and sad life events involving Ted's family.
Grief stricken after one of his favorite patients dies, Ted seeks refuge in the weekend Rhode Island vacation rental he shares with his three friends but finds more than he bargained for in Smitty's new girlfriend,New York freelance writer Caroline Stewart.
March 9, 2023
review
Another real story from Marie Force. Different from my normal reads because the tremendous bond was between men. Very rich, successful professional men. The women were supporting characters. Necessary to make it a love story but the gist of the story was the men. I only gave it a 4 share rating because I would not have ended the book this way. While the entire book was believable, the ending was a bit more of fairy tail than reality. After reading reality to have it turn to a scene that TO ME just wasn’t possible was disturbing. Love doesn’t conquer all. Maybe I’m too old and jaded,but no matter how much we love someone , once there’s been. So much hurt, it will forever be lacking. That magic they speak of is simply to fragile to repair.
Otherwise great book.
Another real story from Marie Force. Different from my normal reads because the tremendous bond was between men. Very rich, successful professional men. The women were supporting characters. Necessary to make it a love story but the gist of the story was the men. I only gave it a 4 share rating because I would not have ended the book this way. While the entire book was believable, the ending was a bit more of fairy tail than reality. After reading reality to have it turn to a scene that TO ME just wasn’t possible was disturbing. Love doesn’t conquer all. Maybe I’m too old and jaded,but no matter how much we love someone , once there’s been. So much hurt, it will forever be lacking. That magic they speak of is simply to fragile to repair.
Otherwise great book.
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