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Blackstone Falls #1
Feels Like Falling
Ellison Mills was my childhood best friend, something I thought would last forever. Until she left Blackstone Falls and didn’t look back.
The rich girl, prim and proper, and way out of my league, Ellison was never meant to get caught up with a farm boy like me - but that didn’t stop us growing up.
She was wild back then, always looking for trouble - not that anyone would ever believe it.
We should have had a real chance at love. Instead, I was forced to let her go and she’ll never know why.
Ten years later, Ellison is back in town and it feels like she never left. She still makes my heart race and my blood run hot. And catching her skinny dipping or climbing through my bedroom window is only the beginning.
Being with Ellison and owning the farm are all I’ve ever wanted and now that I have her, I won’t let anything jeopardize our future.
So when her father shows up on her doorstep, I’ll do everything I can to keep the peace.
But the secret he’s keeping will shake Ellison to her core, rocking the foundation we’ve worked so hard to build.
This time, I’m way past falling. All I can do is hold on tight, and hope I can catch my girl before she hits the ground.
The rich girl, prim and proper, and way out of my league, Ellison was never meant to get caught up with a farm boy like me - but that didn’t stop us growing up.
She was wild back then, always looking for trouble - not that anyone would ever believe it.
We should have had a real chance at love. Instead, I was forced to let her go and she’ll never know why.
Ten years later, Ellison is back in town and it feels like she never left. She still makes my heart race and my blood run hot. And catching her skinny dipping or climbing through my bedroom window is only the beginning.
Being with Ellison and owning the farm are all I’ve ever wanted and now that I have her, I won’t let anything jeopardize our future.
So when her father shows up on her doorstep, I’ll do everything I can to keep the peace.
But the secret he’s keeping will shake Ellison to her core, rocking the foundation we’ve worked so hard to build.
This time, I’m way past falling. All I can do is hold on tight, and hope I can catch my girl before she hits the ground.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
95 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Hale
32 books509 followersAlexandra Hale is a small town girl living with her family in Upstate New York. She routinely runs on caffeine, dry shampoo and thrives on procrastination.
A romance lover and reading enthusiast, Alexandra finally began putting pen to paper shortly after graduating college. An unobtainable dream has slowly become a reality with the love and support of her friends and family and the romance community.
She currently writes steamy, small town romance with a dash of lighthearted fun and happily ever afters that will make you swoon.
A romance lover and reading enthusiast, Alexandra finally began putting pen to paper shortly after graduating college. An unobtainable dream has slowly become a reality with the love and support of her friends and family and the romance community.
She currently writes steamy, small town romance with a dash of lighthearted fun and happily ever afters that will make you swoon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 29, 2024
I really enjoyed ‘Feels Like Falling,’ a spicy, contemporary romance by @authoralexandrahale
Book: 4
Spice: 3 (5 for me is more spice than plot and/or character development)
If you like: childhood friends to lovers, cinnamon roll hero, small town vibes and romance, slow burn, spicy, delicious tension and banter, secrets unveiled, rich girl/farm boy, with a meddling (adorable) grandfather - this is the book for you!
Releases May 31, 2021 and will be available on KU.
The plot was strong and interesting with a twist that I didn't see coming. I was invested in their story, in the characters.
The two MCs have been best friends since they were little kids. FMC (Ellison) is from a rich, well-connected family. MC (Montana) is from a hard-working, farming family. Montana has always known he never wanted to leave his hometown of Blackstone Falls. Ellison's parents want nothing more than to get her out of that small town and away from Montana - for good. Upon graduating high school, Ellison does leave Blackstone Falls for college and stays away for a decade. When she decides it's time to break away from her parents, she moves back home to Blackstone Falls and to her best friend, Montana. And that's when things get spicy.
I found the prose to be good, smooth, and easy to read. Dialogue felt good, natural. The
characters were pretty well developed and dimensional. There were some funny parts, and as long as they're done well, I always appreciate a moment of levity (they were done well in this book).
In the last few pages, something occurs that I feel confident is a lead-in to the next book in the series. The author did it in a way that felt natural. It fit in (basically, it was well done) and made me more interested in reading the next one. I need to know more about what's going on with that secondary character.
Specific songs were mentioned as playing a number of times in the first +/- half of the book. It's completely irrational, but I didn't love that. I didn't take away from my rating, however. “Life's too short to be upset over things that don't matter. Love hard, live big, and find what brings you joy.”
-Montana
When it comes to spice, as long as the spice itself isn't the only thing in the book, I'm good with pretty much any level/amount. There was a small section of this book that I felt was just too much spice all at once. It felt gratuitous to me. I prefer more space between spicy scenes, for plot and character development. It was well done, well written, etc, just too much at once and took away from the book for me.
There was some good, spicy banter throughout (and some of it was even funny spicy). I loved that if it felt like it fit the characters and their relationship (and was well done, felt natural and smooth).
A quote from 'Feels Like Falling' that I feel is relevant to all of us humans:
“I won't live in the shadows of my past because the future is bright and beautiful and I fucking deserve to be happy.” -Ellison
I was gifted an eARC of this book from @theauthor.agency in exchange for my honest review.
Book: 4
Spice: 3 (5 for me is more spice than plot and/or character development)
If you like: childhood friends to lovers, cinnamon roll hero, small town vibes and romance, slow burn, spicy, delicious tension and banter, secrets unveiled, rich girl/farm boy, with a meddling (adorable) grandfather - this is the book for you!
Releases May 31, 2021 and will be available on KU.
The plot was strong and interesting with a twist that I didn't see coming. I was invested in their story, in the characters.
The two MCs have been best friends since they were little kids. FMC (Ellison) is from a rich, well-connected family. MC (Montana) is from a hard-working, farming family. Montana has always known he never wanted to leave his hometown of Blackstone Falls. Ellison's parents want nothing more than to get her out of that small town and away from Montana - for good. Upon graduating high school, Ellison does leave Blackstone Falls for college and stays away for a decade. When she decides it's time to break away from her parents, she moves back home to Blackstone Falls and to her best friend, Montana. And that's when things get spicy.
I found the prose to be good, smooth, and easy to read. Dialogue felt good, natural. The
characters were pretty well developed and dimensional. There were some funny parts, and as long as they're done well, I always appreciate a moment of levity (they were done well in this book).
In the last few pages, something occurs that I feel confident is a lead-in to the next book in the series. The author did it in a way that felt natural. It fit in (basically, it was well done) and made me more interested in reading the next one. I need to know more about what's going on with that secondary character.
Specific songs were mentioned as playing a number of times in the first +/- half of the book. It's completely irrational, but I didn't love that. I didn't take away from my rating, however. “Life's too short to be upset over things that don't matter. Love hard, live big, and find what brings you joy.”
-Montana
When it comes to spice, as long as the spice itself isn't the only thing in the book, I'm good with pretty much any level/amount. There was a small section of this book that I felt was just too much spice all at once. It felt gratuitous to me. I prefer more space between spicy scenes, for plot and character development. It was well done, well written, etc, just too much at once and took away from the book for me.
There was some good, spicy banter throughout (and some of it was even funny spicy). I loved that if it felt like it fit the characters and their relationship (and was well done, felt natural and smooth).
A quote from 'Feels Like Falling' that I feel is relevant to all of us humans:
“I won't live in the shadows of my past because the future is bright and beautiful and I fucking deserve to be happy.” -Ellison
I was gifted an eARC of this book from @theauthor.agency in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2024
Ohhhh this book! Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I LOVED reading Montana and Ellison get there. These two are a perfect match in every way. They take a bit to find each other in that sense again and it is so fun to watch developed! And I can’t wait for more from this new series!
June 24, 2024
⭐4.5
Okay, and this is how you make a friends to lovers book!!! Montana and Ellison were the cutest friends in the world but when they finally became a couple they were DYNAMITE.
Being friends since they were little (the best ones), they separate when Ellison goes to college but don't be fooled, from the beginning the author makes us see that there is something more with respect to them separating and I loved all the little mystery that the author gives us.
Time passes, our girl is back in town, Montana is more than happy because he knows that he will finally have the opportunity to be with her as he always wanted, and it should be clarified that both of them know that they have feelings for each other but they never did anything. When they are together it is as if time did not pass: the banter, the tension, how beautiful they are together, they made me fall in love not only with their friendship but also with the things they said to each other.
These two were born to be together, everyone knows it and they do too and I liked that there was not a big drama (although yes, there were some revelations that I did not see coming) when they finally are. Each one has such a lovely personality but let me say that Montana won my heart, in addition to all the secondary characters? Chef's kiss.
A good start for this new journey to Blackstone Falls.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
Okey, y así es como tu haces un libros de amigos a amantes!!! Montana y Ellison fueron los más lindos amigos del mundo pero cuando por fin se hicieron pareja fueron DINAMITA.
Siendo amigos desde pequeños (los mejores) se separan cuando Ellison va a la universidad pero no crean, desde el principio la autora nos hace ver de que hay algo más con respecto a que se separaran y me encanto todo el pequeño misterio que nos da la autora.
Tiempo pasa, nuestra chica está de vuelta al pueblo, Montana está más que feliz porque sabe que por fin tendrá la oportunidad de estar con ella como siempre quiso, y cabe aclarar que los dos saben que tienen sentimientos entre ellos solo que nunca hicieron nada. Cuando están juntos es como si el tiempo no pasara: las bromas, la tensión, lo bonito que son juntos, es que me enamoraron no solo con su amistad si no con las cosas que se decían.
Estos dos nacieron para estar juntos, todos lo saben y ellos también y me gusto que no hubiera un gran drama (aunque si, hubieron unas revelaciones que ni yo misma vi venir) cuando por fin lo están. Cada uno tiene una personalidad tan encantadora pero permítanme decir que Montana se ganó mi corazón ¿además de todos los personajes secundarios? chef kiss.
Un buen inicio para este nuevo viaje a Blackstone Falls.
Okay, and this is how you make a friends to lovers book!!! Montana and Ellison were the cutest friends in the world but when they finally became a couple they were DYNAMITE.
Being friends since they were little (the best ones), they separate when Ellison goes to college but don't be fooled, from the beginning the author makes us see that there is something more with respect to them separating and I loved all the little mystery that the author gives us.
Time passes, our girl is back in town, Montana is more than happy because he knows that he will finally have the opportunity to be with her as he always wanted, and it should be clarified that both of them know that they have feelings for each other but they never did anything. When they are together it is as if time did not pass: the banter, the tension, how beautiful they are together, they made me fall in love not only with their friendship but also with the things they said to each other.
These two were born to be together, everyone knows it and they do too and I liked that there was not a big drama (although yes, there were some revelations that I did not see coming) when they finally are. Each one has such a lovely personality but let me say that Montana won my heart, in addition to all the secondary characters? Chef's kiss.
A good start for this new journey to Blackstone Falls.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
Okey, y así es como tu haces un libros de amigos a amantes!!! Montana y Ellison fueron los más lindos amigos del mundo pero cuando por fin se hicieron pareja fueron DINAMITA.
Siendo amigos desde pequeños (los mejores) se separan cuando Ellison va a la universidad pero no crean, desde el principio la autora nos hace ver de que hay algo más con respecto a que se separaran y me encanto todo el pequeño misterio que nos da la autora.
Tiempo pasa, nuestra chica está de vuelta al pueblo, Montana está más que feliz porque sabe que por fin tendrá la oportunidad de estar con ella como siempre quiso, y cabe aclarar que los dos saben que tienen sentimientos entre ellos solo que nunca hicieron nada. Cuando están juntos es como si el tiempo no pasara: las bromas, la tensión, lo bonito que son juntos, es que me enamoraron no solo con su amistad si no con las cosas que se decían.
Estos dos nacieron para estar juntos, todos lo saben y ellos también y me gusto que no hubiera un gran drama (aunque si, hubieron unas revelaciones que ni yo misma vi venir) cuando por fin lo están. Cada uno tiene una personalidad tan encantadora pero permítanme decir que Montana se ganó mi corazón ¿además de todos los personajes secundarios? chef kiss.
Un buen inicio para este nuevo viaje a Blackstone Falls.
June 1, 2024
I loved reading Montana and Ellison’s story. The two have been best friends since childhood, crushes developed, but Ellison left for college. Now, ten years later, Ellison has returned to town. While the friendship picked up where they left off, and both want more, a lot of communication needed to happen.
Will a relationship develop as they work through the feelings, secrets are revealed, and others show their true colors.
As a new series is developing, I love where we are headed. Montana and Ellison are a great start, and I can not wait for more.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Will a relationship develop as they work through the feelings, secrets are revealed, and others show their true colors.
As a new series is developing, I love where we are headed. Montana and Ellison are a great start, and I can not wait for more.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
June 1, 2024
My final book of May belongs to one of my favorite authors. Alexandra’s books continually get better. Every MC makes my book boyfriend list, and Montana is no exception. I loved Ellison, there were so many different levels of her character, I immediately wanted to be her friend. Grandad is my favorite character in this book. I love how Alexandra brings in an older character and makes them so essential to the story, and Grandad is definitely that character.
Like her Clementine Creek series, Alexandra has some of the best text chain messages. Montana and his friends crack me up.
Thank you Alexandra for my ARC of this book.
Like her Clementine Creek series, Alexandra has some of the best text chain messages. Montana and his friends crack me up.
Thank you Alexandra for my ARC of this book.
May 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥Childhood friends to lovers
🔥Cinnamon roll hero
🔥Small town
🔥Second chance
🔥Found family
While I give out a lot of 4-star reviews, 5-star reviews are rarer for me. This book? Five stars all day long. This is a childhood friends to lover, small town, second chance romance.
Feels Like Falling is book one in the Blackstone Falls series and follows Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max). When Ellison returns to Blackstone Falls for good after a ten-year absence, both her and Montana look to pick up where they left off, but nothing is ever that easy.
One thing I really appreciate in a romance book is when the main characters communicate with each other, and this book does not disappoint. There was enough hurt and blame to go around when Ellison moved away from Blackstone Falls for college and left Montana behind. Time gives perspective and secrets are always bound to come to light. Ellison and Montana took the time to really think about what’s important and communicate with each other, and I love that for them.
Alexandra has created well-developed and relatable characters who not only embrace their flaws but are determined to learn from them as well. It’s a tale of second chances, forgiveness, and growth. This was my first read of Alexndra’s, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥Childhood friends to lovers
🔥Cinnamon roll hero
🔥Small town
🔥Second chance
🔥Found family
While I give out a lot of 4-star reviews, 5-star reviews are rarer for me. This book? Five stars all day long. This is a childhood friends to lover, small town, second chance romance.
Feels Like Falling is book one in the Blackstone Falls series and follows Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max). When Ellison returns to Blackstone Falls for good after a ten-year absence, both her and Montana look to pick up where they left off, but nothing is ever that easy.
One thing I really appreciate in a romance book is when the main characters communicate with each other, and this book does not disappoint. There was enough hurt and blame to go around when Ellison moved away from Blackstone Falls for college and left Montana behind. Time gives perspective and secrets are always bound to come to light. Ellison and Montana took the time to really think about what’s important and communicate with each other, and I love that for them.
Alexandra has created well-developed and relatable characters who not only embrace their flaws but are determined to learn from them as well. It’s a tale of second chances, forgiveness, and growth. This was my first read of Alexndra’s, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
May 22, 2024
Be still my heart... BE READY TO SWOON!!!
I don't even know where to begin with my review. This is my favorite book that Alexandra has written. I can't get enough of these characters and their love for one another. This a story that I will enjoy reading again!
Ellison and Montana were made for each other in every way possible. But due to meddling people, they spent years apart from each other.
Montana quickly became one of my favorite characters. His heart is so big, and he loves so hard. I adored him from the beginning. His love for his Grandad is one of my favorite things about him!
Ellison is coming back home to try and mend a relationship with her favorite people she left when she went to college. She has this fire about her that will make you love her. She is focused on a future that she always wanted.
A second chance romance with childhood best friends is one of my favorite tropes to read. This book hit on all the feelings when reading.
I am so in love with this series and the characters already. I am so excited about this new series.
I don't even know where to begin with my review. This is my favorite book that Alexandra has written. I can't get enough of these characters and their love for one another. This a story that I will enjoy reading again!
Ellison and Montana were made for each other in every way possible. But due to meddling people, they spent years apart from each other.
Montana quickly became one of my favorite characters. His heart is so big, and he loves so hard. I adored him from the beginning. His love for his Grandad is one of my favorite things about him!
Ellison is coming back home to try and mend a relationship with her favorite people she left when she went to college. She has this fire about her that will make you love her. She is focused on a future that she always wanted.
A second chance romance with childhood best friends is one of my favorite tropes to read. This book hit on all the feelings when reading.
I am so in love with this series and the characters already. I am so excited about this new series.
May 1, 2025
so fun
I loved these two so much! Ellison and Montana were so fun. Their friendship was great and the way she could push his buttons just because she could was hilarious. I loved everything about this book!
I loved these two so much! Ellison and Montana were so fun. Their friendship was great and the way she could push his buttons just because she could was hilarious. I loved everything about this book!
May 20, 2024
As always, Ms. Alexandra Hale, knocks it out of the park!! This was such a sweet story. I love a good friends-to-lovers book. Two people harboring feelings for eachother just always gets me and the tension is always so palpable. The banter in Alexandra’s books is always amazing too, it always has me laughing.
This story follows Montana and Ellison, who are childhood best friends. When Ellison’s parents force her to move away from her hometown for college, she and Montana drift apart. Their relationship becomes strained but is slowly repaired over the years. Ten years later, when Ellison moves back home, the flame is reignited and those buried feelings all come rushing back. But sometimes time doesn’t heal all wounds and the road to recovery is bumpy.
This was an incredible start to a new series. I can’t wait for book two 😍
4⭐️
3🌶️
-Childhood friends to lovers
-Banter
-Second chance
-Small town
-Found family
This story follows Montana and Ellison, who are childhood best friends. When Ellison’s parents force her to move away from her hometown for college, she and Montana drift apart. Their relationship becomes strained but is slowly repaired over the years. Ten years later, when Ellison moves back home, the flame is reignited and those buried feelings all come rushing back. But sometimes time doesn’t heal all wounds and the road to recovery is bumpy.
This was an incredible start to a new series. I can’t wait for book two 😍
4⭐️
3🌶️
-Childhood friends to lovers
-Banter
-Second chance
-Small town
-Found family
June 16, 2024
I loved Montana and Ellison’s story. Childhood best friends who seemed inseparable until she left. She was from money and he learned to survive working the farm.
She comes back and appears in his life like time never moved on. The nicknames, the banter and the unsaid love.
When she learns her dad’s secret everything she thought she knew has shaken her world. The one constant in her life, is her childhood best friend, Montana.
I laughed. I cried. I was cheering them on to finally give in to the love they always had but never gave a chance until now. So many emotions felt with this small town story. A great read and one you need to add to your TBR. I loved how the author incorporated songs throughout the book.
Rating 4/5
Spice 2/5
eARC
She comes back and appears in his life like time never moved on. The nicknames, the banter and the unsaid love.
When she learns her dad’s secret everything she thought she knew has shaken her world. The one constant in her life, is her childhood best friend, Montana.
I laughed. I cried. I was cheering them on to finally give in to the love they always had but never gave a chance until now. So many emotions felt with this small town story. A great read and one you need to add to your TBR. I loved how the author incorporated songs throughout the book.
Rating 4/5
Spice 2/5
eARC
May 28, 2024
Tropes:
-second chance
-best friends to lovers
-small town
-meddling grandfather
-rich girl x farm boy
-slow burn
-secrets revealed
-spicy
-delicious tension and banter
Feels Like Falling is book one in the Blackstone Falls series and is Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max)'s story.
Ellison returns home after ten years and her and Montana pick up where they left off. Ellison was away for college and wanted to return after, but her parents had other plans. Montana is a farmer and takes care of his grandfather.
They had great chemistry and banter, and I just loved the two of them together. As life got in the way, it's nice to see that they could pick up their friendship from where it was left and the feelings that were once left untouched are sparked. The side characters added to the story nicely.
Releasing May 31, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
-second chance
-best friends to lovers
-small town
-meddling grandfather
-rich girl x farm boy
-slow burn
-secrets revealed
-spicy
-delicious tension and banter
Feels Like Falling is book one in the Blackstone Falls series and is Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max)'s story.
Ellison returns home after ten years and her and Montana pick up where they left off. Ellison was away for college and wanted to return after, but her parents had other plans. Montana is a farmer and takes care of his grandfather.
They had great chemistry and banter, and I just loved the two of them together. As life got in the way, it's nice to see that they could pick up their friendship from where it was left and the feelings that were once left untouched are sparked. The side characters added to the story nicely.
Releasing May 31, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2024
I loved Montana & Ellison! They were best friends who had always crushed on each other. Ellison moved away to college and now 10 years later she's moving back in town. They basically pick up right where they left off but both have the intention to become more. They do have some situations to work through first as a few secrets are exposed. I loved their relationship. They had amazing chemistry & I loved the banter between them. This was like a "it's always been you" situation. I loved Ellison's relationship with Montana's granddad. There's also a great found family aspect to this book too and I really enjoyed all the side characters. This was my first book from Alexandra and it definitely won't be the last. I'm looking forward to book 2.
Read if you like:
💖Small Town
💖Rich Girl/Farm boy
💖Slow Burn
💖Meddling Grandfather
💖Cinnamon Roll Hero
💖Sassy Heroine
💖Found Family
Thanks to Alexandra Hale & The Author Agency for this ARC. This is my honest review.
Read if you like:
💖Small Town
💖Rich Girl/Farm boy
💖Slow Burn
💖Meddling Grandfather
💖Cinnamon Roll Hero
💖Sassy Heroine
💖Found Family
Thanks to Alexandra Hale & The Author Agency for this ARC. This is my honest review.
May 22, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
3.5/5 🌶️
Montana and Ellison have been best friends their entire childhood. Ellison left for college and they fell out of touch. Now Ellison is back for good and they have to navigate secrets and old feelings to have a chance at forever.
Montana and Ellison were perfect together. Some of the tropes in this book can be tricky - they can make the book feel rushed or even awkward when it’s shorter but it was done so perfectly here. I loved how confident and strong Ellison was, the way she handled her family was amazing. Montana was such a sweet, stoic MMC and I loved how he loved Ellison. Grandad and his relationships were so sweet - they added so much to the story. I cried and laughed and everything in-between. I only wish we had more from them, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!! Happy reading!
3.5/5 🌶️
Montana and Ellison have been best friends their entire childhood. Ellison left for college and they fell out of touch. Now Ellison is back for good and they have to navigate secrets and old feelings to have a chance at forever.
Montana and Ellison were perfect together. Some of the tropes in this book can be tricky - they can make the book feel rushed or even awkward when it’s shorter but it was done so perfectly here. I loved how confident and strong Ellison was, the way she handled her family was amazing. Montana was such a sweet, stoic MMC and I loved how he loved Ellison. Grandad and his relationships were so sweet - they added so much to the story. I cried and laughed and everything in-between. I only wish we had more from them, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!! Happy reading!
May 22, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
• second chance
• best friends to lovers
• small town
• found family
• slow burn
Getting to meet the Blackstone Falls crew was a dream and I loved how Ellison and Montana’s best friends turned lovers (it’s always been love for them) second chance story.
We find out some hidden secrets, get a couple open door spicy scenes, and open communication as they learn what each other are like after 10 years apart.
Ellison’s homecoming back to Blackstone Falls is full of love as her and Montana are reunited. She breaks away from her parents and the way they think she should love her life.
Montana has been living and breathing his farm life legacy while building a life for him and Ellison - knowing she would come back to him one day.
Sharing my true feelings on a book I received and reviewed after reading an ARC.
🌶️🌶️
• second chance
• best friends to lovers
• small town
• found family
• slow burn
Getting to meet the Blackstone Falls crew was a dream and I loved how Ellison and Montana’s best friends turned lovers (it’s always been love for them) second chance story.
We find out some hidden secrets, get a couple open door spicy scenes, and open communication as they learn what each other are like after 10 years apart.
Ellison’s homecoming back to Blackstone Falls is full of love as her and Montana are reunited. She breaks away from her parents and the way they think she should love her life.
Montana has been living and breathing his farm life legacy while building a life for him and Ellison - knowing she would come back to him one day.
Sharing my true feelings on a book I received and reviewed after reading an ARC.
April 13, 2025
Oh sweet Montana 🥹 the cowboy of dreams. The friendship between Ellison & Montana perfect; playful, genuine, and full of love. The way he was always there protecting and holding up his girl, even after all the time passed was marvelous.
We all should listen to the big hearted cowboy - "𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘰𝘺."
The growth of Ellison in this story is nothing to pass over, her strength & resilience shown right through. So proud of her.
“𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.”
What a wonderful happily ever after for these soulmates, even if it took some time for them to get there it was always meant to be.
Also shout out to Alexandra because the songs noted throughout the story were so on point, each one played out in my head after reading it 🎶
We all should listen to the big hearted cowboy - "𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘰𝘺."
The growth of Ellison in this story is nothing to pass over, her strength & resilience shown right through. So proud of her.
“𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.”
What a wonderful happily ever after for these soulmates, even if it took some time for them to get there it was always meant to be.
Also shout out to Alexandra because the songs noted throughout the story were so on point, each one played out in my head after reading it 🎶
May 30, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was such a sweet story! If you're looking for a small town, friends to lovers, found family tropes, you'll love this.
Ellison "Eddie" and Montana "Max" have been best friends since they were children. When Ellison moves away for college there relationship doesn't move beyond friendship, but they are both aware of their feelings and can't wait to be together.
Montana Is literally the sweetest! He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after his girl. Ellison is the exact same! She may have felt years ago for her career, but she know where & who home is.
Even if the 10 years apart had drifted them apart and started the formation of secrets, they didn't give up on the other and had wonderful communication and were very mature.
The side characters were so amazing as well and they were huge family!
This was such a sweet story! If you're looking for a small town, friends to lovers, found family tropes, you'll love this.
Ellison "Eddie" and Montana "Max" have been best friends since they were children. When Ellison moves away for college there relationship doesn't move beyond friendship, but they are both aware of their feelings and can't wait to be together.
Montana Is literally the sweetest! He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after his girl. Ellison is the exact same! She may have felt years ago for her career, but she know where & who home is.
Even if the 10 years apart had drifted them apart and started the formation of secrets, they didn't give up on the other and had wonderful communication and were very mature.
The side characters were so amazing as well and they were huge family!
February 17, 2026
Montana has loved his best friend forever. When she left to go to college he waited. He had high hopes she'd come back to him. But, he didn't know for sure until......
Ellison has loved her best friend her whole life, but he didn't follow her. Did he feel the same? They're friendship faltered after she left town, but when he needed her she came home for him. That got them back to rights, talking again. She had to go back due to a work co tract, but she knew she'd go home for good soon.
When she finally comes home things are as if she never left. As good as that is, it's bad too because they have to deal with the past, not just pretend it never happened.
Can they move forward once all the secrets are out? Or is it too much for them to overcome?
Absolutely loved this book.
Ellison has loved her best friend her whole life, but he didn't follow her. Did he feel the same? They're friendship faltered after she left town, but when he needed her she came home for him. That got them back to rights, talking again. She had to go back due to a work co tract, but she knew she'd go home for good soon.
When she finally comes home things are as if she never left. As good as that is, it's bad too because they have to deal with the past, not just pretend it never happened.
Can they move forward once all the secrets are out? Or is it too much for them to overcome?
Absolutely loved this book.
June 11, 2024
Reading any of Hale’s novels feels like you are sitting down to chat with an old friend.
Knowing her is loving her and loving her is loving each character for the down home qualities they each let shine through.
Starting off the Blackstone Falls series, Ellington and Montana show you that love can happen no matter the circumstances.
I love these two.
Montana has my fear of goats down to a ‘t’, while Ellington love to push peoples buttons just to break the boundary of a weird mood.
These will connect with all of our favorites over in Clementine Creek, but you can start here with #FeelsLikeFalling if you choose.
Knowing her is loving her and loving her is loving each character for the down home qualities they each let shine through.
Starting off the Blackstone Falls series, Ellington and Montana show you that love can happen no matter the circumstances.
I love these two.
Montana has my fear of goats down to a ‘t’, while Ellington love to push peoples buttons just to break the boundary of a weird mood.
These will connect with all of our favorites over in Clementine Creek, but you can start here with #FeelsLikeFalling if you choose.
May 21, 2024
Why you’ll love this:
🩷Childhood best friends to lovers
🧡Small town
🩷Meddling grandfather
🧡Cinnamon roll hero
🩷Rich girl/farm boy
🧡Slow burn
🩷Delicious tension & banter
🧡Secrets unveiled
🩷Spice
Rating & Thoughts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Oh my days! Montana Greene is one of the cutest, swooniest MMC’s I’ve read in a while 🫶🏼
I loved Montana & Ellison’s banter, the side characters (Montana’s friendship group) & the text messages with his sisters
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series & can’t wait to see what’s in store for them all!
For those of you who love small town romances, you’ll adore this one! What a great start to a new series.
🩷Childhood best friends to lovers
🧡Small town
🩷Meddling grandfather
🧡Cinnamon roll hero
🩷Rich girl/farm boy
🧡Slow burn
🩷Delicious tension & banter
🧡Secrets unveiled
🩷Spice
Rating & Thoughts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Oh my days! Montana Greene is one of the cutest, swooniest MMC’s I’ve read in a while 🫶🏼
I loved Montana & Ellison’s banter, the side characters (Montana’s friendship group) & the text messages with his sisters
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series & can’t wait to see what’s in store for them all!
For those of you who love small town romances, you’ll adore this one! What a great start to a new series.
May 22, 2024
Feels like Falling is book one in the Blackstone falls series and can be read as a standalone.
I adored Montana and Ellison. Their chemistry was amazing. It was obvious that they were perfect for each other from the first moment.
This was a unique and wholesome second Chance. From the beginning I loved how they both felt like they were coming home. Their nerves yet comfort with each other after all the time apart was so fun to read.
I love how Alexandra writes her crossovers from series to series. It’s done in a way that if you have not read them your okay, but if you like me have adored the previous books then you get to see everyone again and feel the love from previous books continue.
I adored Montana and Ellison. Their chemistry was amazing. It was obvious that they were perfect for each other from the first moment.
This was a unique and wholesome second Chance. From the beginning I loved how they both felt like they were coming home. Their nerves yet comfort with each other after all the time apart was so fun to read.
I love how Alexandra writes her crossovers from series to series. It’s done in a way that if you have not read them your okay, but if you like me have adored the previous books then you get to see everyone again and feel the love from previous books continue.
May 21, 2024
4.5 stars
Montana and Ellison were absolute perfection from the beginning of the book. I will take NO CRITICISM about this couple.
I love a “it’s always been you” mircotrope and that’s exactly what you get when reading this book. The dynamic through the entire book between the main characters and side characters is incredible. I love the found family vibe that is given off.
ALSO, I was not expecting that small plot twists that were thrown in! It definitely kept me on my toes.
Montana and Ellison were absolute perfection from the beginning of the book. I will take NO CRITICISM about this couple.
I love a “it’s always been you” mircotrope and that’s exactly what you get when reading this book. The dynamic through the entire book between the main characters and side characters is incredible. I love the found family vibe that is given off.
ALSO, I was not expecting that small plot twists that were thrown in! It definitely kept me on my toes.
May 31, 2024
This is the first book in the Blackstone Falls series and is amazing. It has all the small town feels a reader can ask for, along with the best friends to lovers.
Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max) are one of those couples who are truly meant to be. Ellison is returning after being away for ten years. Montana is such a sweetheart and when Ellison comes back, it was like no time has passed.
Loved these two together. The banter was great and the chemistry was through the roof.
Ellison (Eddie) and Montana (Max) are one of those couples who are truly meant to be. Ellison is returning after being away for ten years. Montana is such a sweetheart and when Ellison comes back, it was like no time has passed.
Loved these two together. The banter was great and the chemistry was through the roof.
March 19, 2025
I love these two. The absolute without a doubt trust and love and bond that these two share. Second Chance is by far one of my favorite tropes. But this book just hits different. Ellison and Montana were ride or die as kids. The love that Montana had for Ellison even when they were teenagers. When she went away for college. 10 years after she leaves she's back in Blackstone Falls and is ready to turn Montana life upside down with the the help of his mischievous Grandad. This is a beautiful story. You get so invested not only in the main couple but also in all of the people in this town.
May 30, 2024
If you love small town, returning to your first love, you'll love this!
Ellison ' Eddie ' Mills is returning to her hometown of Blackstone Falls after being away for close to 10 years, leaving was only supposed to be for college years, she had every intention to return. But her snobby parents had other ideas. They hold secrets that could destroy her heart. Ellison loved her best friend, wanted him to be her present and future, and life just got in the way!
Montana 'Max' Greene, cotton farmer and guardian to his cheeky Grandad. His best friend is finally coming home, he knows what he wants, and he intends to go after it. Montana holds secrets, somethings he has held close to his chest for too many years. He knows to keep Ellison as his, walls have to come down, discussions need to be had, truths need to be told.
These two kinda melted me, they knew how to have fun, they couldn't say no to each other. They fall right back into their 18yo selves. I loved their chemistry, the sexy banter, The side characters are the best, taking Ellison by the hand, giving her a sense of belonging for the first time in her life.
I'm now heading over to Spotify, because the songs listed in this read were insane, hoping there's a playlist :]
I can't wait for the next chapter of Blackstone Falls !
Thanks, Alexandra, for this fantastic ARC !
Ellison ' Eddie ' Mills is returning to her hometown of Blackstone Falls after being away for close to 10 years, leaving was only supposed to be for college years, she had every intention to return. But her snobby parents had other ideas. They hold secrets that could destroy her heart. Ellison loved her best friend, wanted him to be her present and future, and life just got in the way!
Montana 'Max' Greene, cotton farmer and guardian to his cheeky Grandad. His best friend is finally coming home, he knows what he wants, and he intends to go after it. Montana holds secrets, somethings he has held close to his chest for too many years. He knows to keep Ellison as his, walls have to come down, discussions need to be had, truths need to be told.
These two kinda melted me, they knew how to have fun, they couldn't say no to each other. They fall right back into their 18yo selves. I loved their chemistry, the sexy banter, The side characters are the best, taking Ellison by the hand, giving her a sense of belonging for the first time in her life.
I'm now heading over to Spotify, because the songs listed in this read were insane, hoping there's a playlist :]
I can't wait for the next chapter of Blackstone Falls !
Thanks, Alexandra, for this fantastic ARC !
May 22, 2024
Love Montana and Ellison! Just a fun couple. Ellison is such a spunky girl and it was so fun seeing what she would do next. If you’re looking for a small town country read with a cowboys and a spirited girl along with a grandad who likes to get himself in trouble you will love this one. I can’t wait to read more from Blackstone Falls!
May 20, 2024
Excellent book! Ellison and Montana are the cutest couple! I love their history and how they were inevitable. Spicy, emotional and fun! The other characters added so much to the story, especially grandad and the goats!
May 19, 2024
Absolutely devoured this book! This was my first book from Alexandra but definitely won’t be my last. 🫶📚
May 28, 2024
Why you will love this book… 🔥Childhood best friends to lovers 💕Small town 🔥Meddling grandfather 💕Cinnamon roll hero 🔥Rich girl/farm boy 💕Slow burn 🔥Delicious Tension + Banter 💕Secrets Unveiled 🔥Spicy Ellison Mills was my childhood best friend, something I thought would last forever. Until she left Blackstone Falls and didn’t look back. The rich girl, prim and proper, and way out of my league, Ellison was never meant to get caught up with a farm boy like me - but that didn’t stop us growing up. She was wild back then, always looking for trouble - not that anyone would ever believe it. We should have had a real chance at love. Instead, I was forced to let her go and she’ll never know why. Ten years later, Ellison is back in town and it feels like she never left. She still makes my heart race and my blood run hot. And catching her skinny dipping or climbing through my bedroom window is only the beginning. Being with Ellison and owning the farm are all I’ve ever wanted and now that I have her, I won’t let anything jeopardize our future. So when her father shows up on her doorstep, I’ll do everything I can to keep the peace. But the secret he’s keeping will shake Ellison to her core, rocking the foundation we’ve worked so hard to build. This time, I’m way past falling. All I can do is hold on tight, and hope I can catch my girl before she hits the ground.
——————————————————————-
This book melted my heart. Eddie en Max were perfect for each other. Their love was so strong, they were the cutest couple. You empathize with Montana as you read what he went through and what he had to endure. Life wasn't easy for Ellison either. I loved this swoony small town story! I had not read anything by Alexandra before, but this was definitely not my last book of hers that I will read. Enjoyed it very much!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
February 28, 2026
There was just really something about this that felt incomplete. I like a good second chance romance, especially when it comes to childhood friends who lost touch with each other and then come back together. The problem that arose with Feels Like Falling is two-fold. First of all, we see nothing of the relationship building. We start the book after the first relationship, the fall out, and the reconnection (albeit that reconnection is only via text at the start.) We don't get any of the real meat to the relationship because the friendship between Ellison and Montana is reestablished and the only thing that really holds them back from having a romantic relationship is an actual conversation.
The other issue is that this is a spinoff series. The original series is that of interconnected standalones, like this one is. But the crossover was so prevalent it pulled me out of the story more often than not. I can see the appeal to have previous characters make an appearance or be mentioned in the start of a new series, but this was to an overpowering amount. These random side characters really drew from the characters that actually mattered to the story here.
The pacing is fairly steady, not too slow and not too fast. The plot is mostly just the struggle for Ellison and Montana to have a conversation about what they want to be. I liked parts of Ellison's family drama. I thought more time should have been spent establishing the troubles there in the book as well.
At the heart of it, the main problem with this book and why it hovers at a very low 3 star is the fact that none of the relationships feel like they were actually built. They came to us in this book preassembled with extra pieces that don't add anything to the story beyond word count. I wanted to like this more, but I need that actual more to make it work.
The other issue is that this is a spinoff series. The original series is that of interconnected standalones, like this one is. But the crossover was so prevalent it pulled me out of the story more often than not. I can see the appeal to have previous characters make an appearance or be mentioned in the start of a new series, but this was to an overpowering amount. These random side characters really drew from the characters that actually mattered to the story here.
The pacing is fairly steady, not too slow and not too fast. The plot is mostly just the struggle for Ellison and Montana to have a conversation about what they want to be. I liked parts of Ellison's family drama. I thought more time should have been spent establishing the troubles there in the book as well.
At the heart of it, the main problem with this book and why it hovers at a very low 3 star is the fact that none of the relationships feel like they were actually built. They came to us in this book preassembled with extra pieces that don't add anything to the story beyond word count. I wanted to like this more, but I need that actual more to make it work.
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