What do you think?
Rate this book
Bayshore #2
Make Me Fall
There’s one rule in my family.
Stay away from the Daly brothers.
We were raised to know them as users. Manipulators. But I only ever saw Connor as the enigmatic senior hottie who dropped into fifth period to teach us about the perils of drunk driving.
When my first big girl job out of college ends up with us working at the same company, it’s heart throb city all over again. Except he’s way ahead of the game. Successful, talented, put together. I’m just a frumpy twenty-something in a quarter life crisis who doesn’t know a glue stick from a makeup highlighter.
He would never want me, even though he’s all I ever wanted in secret. So when we cross paths one night at the bar and one drink leads to another, he slaps me with an offer I can’t refuse.
Accompany him back to Bayshore, flight included.
Only stipulation? Pose as his girlfriend.
Our families will flip, but I’m not strong enough to say no to those baby blues, especially if it means I’ll have a chance to go on vacation with my adolescent heart throb.
We’ve got two weeks to prove we’re head over heels for each other.
Which is just enough time to make me fall.
Stay away from the Daly brothers.
We were raised to know them as users. Manipulators. But I only ever saw Connor as the enigmatic senior hottie who dropped into fifth period to teach us about the perils of drunk driving.
When my first big girl job out of college ends up with us working at the same company, it’s heart throb city all over again. Except he’s way ahead of the game. Successful, talented, put together. I’m just a frumpy twenty-something in a quarter life crisis who doesn’t know a glue stick from a makeup highlighter.
He would never want me, even though he’s all I ever wanted in secret. So when we cross paths one night at the bar and one drink leads to another, he slaps me with an offer I can’t refuse.
Accompany him back to Bayshore, flight included.
Only stipulation? Pose as his girlfriend.
Our families will flip, but I’m not strong enough to say no to those baby blues, especially if it means I’ll have a chance to go on vacation with my adolescent heart throb.
We’ve got two weeks to prove we’re head over heels for each other.
Which is just enough time to make me fall.
250 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2019
410 people are currently reading
1062 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
October 17, 2019
I liked this book. It was a cute romance. When the book starts out the author described Connor as “ the hot guy” and Kinsley as the socially awkward woman. Kinsley grew up with Connor (even though they didnt talk at that time). They also work for the same company is different departments. Kinsley works as HR and her boss Tamara is Connors ex. One day they end up at the same bar. Connor was upset and drinking due to a loss in the family and Kinsley had a rough day at work due to Tamara treating her poorly. They start talking and Connor offers to take her to their hometown in exchange for her to pretend to be his girlfriend he wanted to do this to make Tamara jealous and to upset his family ( their family hate each other),
I did enjoy this book it was a quick read. I enjoyed seeing how their romance unfolds. Why did the family hate each other? Did it make Tamara jealous? Was it all fake or do Kinsley and Connor end up together?
Read this book and find out.
I did enjoy this book it was a quick read. I enjoyed seeing how their romance unfolds. Why did the family hate each other? Did it make Tamara jealous? Was it all fake or do Kinsley and Connor end up together?
Read this book and find out.
April 10, 2021
This past Pandemic year has been a bit much for us all. I am not normally a huge romance reader, but find myself craving a definite HEA at the end of my books now, so romance is quite nicely fitting that bill. It doesn't hurt that romance is a HUGELY popular genre at my store, so my reading more romance is helping me to make better suggestions to our romance reading customers. So nice silver lining.
I knew nothing about this author, or series, when I requested this book. I admit, the bright green cover and washboard abs of the model is what caught my eye and the synopsis made me click request. I can't resist a strangers to lovers and secret crush plot line.
The one thing I've come to realize with contemporary romances written now, if it's not labeled as clean or religious, the language used in normal conversations, not even dirty talk or highly emotionally charged scenes is FILTHY and there are pre-marital sex scenes. Not unexpected, just...on occasion disheartening.
So this one has language and some very intense sex scenes, though they aren't all described, you know they are engaging in it. Since it is primary a romance book that takes place in this era, the sex scenes don't come as a surprise and aren't bad, BUT....
The Hero is an IDIOT. Some spoilers follow, read on at your own risk.
He and the h both work at the same company and her boss who is toxic to the max and treats her like absolute POO is his ex. Like, RECENT ex. Like, they broke up last WEEK ex. And she posts something on FB showing how gorgeous she is and how much fun she is having and so the H sends her a private pic of him and HER UNDERLING WHOM SHE HATES, having a good time of their own, about a week after they broke up.
And he doesn't tell the h, after she tells him more of how badly her boss treats her. He doesn't even THINK of what he did and how much worse her work environment is going to be after he did that. And he did it and he didn't have the excuse of being drunk!!
And THEN, because the evil ex/boss has an in with a company he wants to work for, he DROPS the h, completely GHOSTS her, so he can get the job he wants because the ex tells him that is her condition for her helping him.
Are you KIDDING me?!?
And THEN when it comes time for his grovel scene, he never clearly tells her why he did what he did, to FULLY admit his guilt and she forgives him. WAAAAY too quickly. And without realizing the full extent of his perfidy.
Ok, sorry, my ranting just dropped this another star. One moment.
I think what bothered me in this book won't bother most readers, so I will recommend this to our contemporary romance readers, with the warning about the language, sex and kind of jerky H if the warning is necessary.
2, it wasn't my cup of tea, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I knew nothing about this author, or series, when I requested this book. I admit, the bright green cover and washboard abs of the model is what caught my eye and the synopsis made me click request. I can't resist a strangers to lovers and secret crush plot line.
The one thing I've come to realize with contemporary romances written now, if it's not labeled as clean or religious, the language used in normal conversations, not even dirty talk or highly emotionally charged scenes is FILTHY and there are pre-marital sex scenes. Not unexpected, just...on occasion disheartening.
So this one has language and some very intense sex scenes, though they aren't all described, you know they are engaging in it. Since it is primary a romance book that takes place in this era, the sex scenes don't come as a surprise and aren't bad, BUT....
The Hero is an IDIOT. Some spoilers follow, read on at your own risk.
He and the h both work at the same company and her boss who is toxic to the max and treats her like absolute POO is his ex. Like, RECENT ex. Like, they broke up last WEEK ex. And she posts something on FB showing how gorgeous she is and how much fun she is having and so the H sends her a private pic of him and HER UNDERLING WHOM SHE HATES, having a good time of their own, about a week after they broke up.
And he doesn't tell the h, after she tells him more of how badly her boss treats her. He doesn't even THINK of what he did and how much worse her work environment is going to be after he did that. And he did it and he didn't have the excuse of being drunk!!
And THEN, because the evil ex/boss has an in with a company he wants to work for, he DROPS the h, completely GHOSTS her, so he can get the job he wants because the ex tells him that is her condition for her helping him.
Are you KIDDING me?!?
And THEN when it comes time for his grovel scene, he never clearly tells her why he did what he did, to FULLY admit his guilt and she forgives him. WAAAAY too quickly. And without realizing the full extent of his perfidy.
Ok, sorry, my ranting just dropped this another star. One moment.
I think what bothered me in this book won't bother most readers, so I will recommend this to our contemporary romance readers, with the warning about the language, sex and kind of jerky H if the warning is necessary.
2, it wasn't my cup of tea, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2021
07/17/2021: Reread!
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
Make Me Fall follows the fake relationship trope. What I love about Ember Leigh is that she could probably write about anything and make it awesome. Her story-building and writing finesse are evident in each book that she writes. She could probably write about a trope that I didn't care for and I would still love it to pieces. She's that good. And she really makes her own mark on this trope within this story.
Ember Leigh has an amazing way of creating relatable characters. Kinsley and Connor were both characters with depth and distinct personalities. It was easy to step into their shoes while reading the story. I loved the character growth, especially for Kinsley. Her character really spoke to me. She struggles with self-esteem issues which I could relate to. (Most of us can, right?) I also adored the side characters and they really have me excited for future books from this series.
I really loved the slow-burn romance. While these two are putting on a show with their fake relationship, their real-life feelings creep up on them. I liked how Kinsley kind of brought Connor down a notch and how Connor made Kinsley see the best in herself.
Overall, this was a fantastic standalone in the Bayshore series. I adore Ember Leigh's flawless writing and her characters always put a smile on my face. I can't wait to read more books in this series!
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.
Make Me Fall follows the fake relationship trope. What I love about Ember Leigh is that she could probably write about anything and make it awesome. Her story-building and writing finesse are evident in each book that she writes. She could probably write about a trope that I didn't care for and I would still love it to pieces. She's that good. And she really makes her own mark on this trope within this story.
Ember Leigh has an amazing way of creating relatable characters. Kinsley and Connor were both characters with depth and distinct personalities. It was easy to step into their shoes while reading the story. I loved the character growth, especially for Kinsley. Her character really spoke to me. She struggles with self-esteem issues which I could relate to. (Most of us can, right?) I also adored the side characters and they really have me excited for future books from this series.
I really loved the slow-burn romance. While these two are putting on a show with their fake relationship, their real-life feelings creep up on them. I liked how Kinsley kind of brought Connor down a notch and how Connor made Kinsley see the best in herself.
Overall, this was a fantastic standalone in the Bayshore series. I adore Ember Leigh's flawless writing and her characters always put a smile on my face. I can't wait to read more books in this series!
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
February 15, 2020
Oh, those Daly boys!
This book is the second book of the Bayshore series revolving around the Daly brothers! They can be read as standalones but the characters do crossover and there is a bigger ongoing issue within the Daly family dynamic that is unfolding. With each book we see how the brothers grew up in competition with each other due to their fathers power/money hungry ways. So we see the relationships between the brothers change throughout the books, but it’s a small piece, so these can still all be read without the others.
Now onto the nitty gritty,
I LOVE KINSLEY. She is a breath of fresh air, so sweet and innocent and AWKWARD. she’s real. She’s not some drop dead gorgeous woman but she is described as naturally pretty and she has an amazing personality. The author has done an amazing job at character development because you can honestly feel the depth of self doubt and the insecurities she has due to her verbally abusive ex. I liked Connor a lot but I didn’t LOVE him. He was definitely funny and he had some good qualities for sure, but those money hungry ways that their father beat into them growing up had him treating Kinsley like dirt, and that turned me off from him, but thankfully he got his act together and made up for it. And honestly, what would a romance book be without one of the main characters screwing up and then making a grand gesture.
All in all, I really enjoyed this installment in the series and I can’t wait to read about the next Daly brother! I also hope to find out what happened between the Daly and Cabana parents back in the day in one of the next books! Another great book, Ember✌️
This book is the second book of the Bayshore series revolving around the Daly brothers! They can be read as standalones but the characters do crossover and there is a bigger ongoing issue within the Daly family dynamic that is unfolding. With each book we see how the brothers grew up in competition with each other due to their fathers power/money hungry ways. So we see the relationships between the brothers change throughout the books, but it’s a small piece, so these can still all be read without the others.
Now onto the nitty gritty,
I LOVE KINSLEY. She is a breath of fresh air, so sweet and innocent and AWKWARD. she’s real. She’s not some drop dead gorgeous woman but she is described as naturally pretty and she has an amazing personality. The author has done an amazing job at character development because you can honestly feel the depth of self doubt and the insecurities she has due to her verbally abusive ex. I liked Connor a lot but I didn’t LOVE him. He was definitely funny and he had some good qualities for sure, but those money hungry ways that their father beat into them growing up had him treating Kinsley like dirt, and that turned me off from him, but thankfully he got his act together and made up for it. And honestly, what would a romance book be without one of the main characters screwing up and then making a grand gesture.
All in all, I really enjoyed this installment in the series and I can’t wait to read about the next Daly brother! I also hope to find out what happened between the Daly and Cabana parents back in the day in one of the next books! Another great book, Ember✌️
October 3, 2019
This is the second book in this series, I really hope you read the first book (Make me loose) which starred Grayson and Hazel you will love it or I did. In this book we have Connor and Kinsley. Connor asks Kinsley to be his fake girlfriend when he goes home to visit his family and to attend his grandmothers funeral, this will be the trifecta for him, getting on his dads nerves, showing up his brothers and getting back at his ex-girlfriend Tamara whom also happens to be Kinsley's witch of a boss. Kinsley as always had a crush on Connor but he is a Daly a forbidden member of the Daly family her family hates that family and vice versa, and to top it off Connor is way out of her league. While spending time together feelings start developing well for Connor, Kinsley has always felt something for him. Connor realizes that Kinsley whom he would never have pegged as someone of interest turns out so much better than he could have imagined she was funny and ended up being hot. However he screws everything up when they return to the real life. I have to say that Connor so disappointed me, and Kinsley was too weak she should have made him suffer more after what he did and how he ghosted her, I was pissed off for her. She is definitely no Hazel!
rcvd an ARc at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
rcvd an ARc at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
October 2, 2019
Make me fall is the second book in the Bayshore Series by Ember Leigh. Each book in the series is a stand-alone. The characters from Make Me Lose (book 1 in the series) appear briefly and if I hadn't seen the book on GR I wouldn't know that there was book before this one.
I liked most of the book and I found it easy to read. There was one thing that really bothered me and it was the time our characters spent apart. The spent more time not been a couple than been one and I found that highly annoying. The reason why they broke up in the first place could have been considered as bad, but I could actually see where Connor was coming from. I was happy when he realized his mistake even if it took him one eternity to fix it and get his girl.
I liked Kinsley's character development. She was very insecure about herself and I was happy to see her change and become a more confident person who went after what she deserved. Connor made a huge mistake when he let his ambition take over instead of love, but he wasn't bad either and he came to the conclusion that he had messed up fairly quickly, so I cannot be mad at him. After all he and Kinsley had been together for a short amount of time. I was a fan of their relationship.
The book could have been better, but I liked it and (mostly) had a good time reading it, so I would recommend it!
I liked most of the book and I found it easy to read. There was one thing that really bothered me and it was the time our characters spent apart. The spent more time not been a couple than been one and I found that highly annoying. The reason why they broke up in the first place could have been considered as bad, but I could actually see where Connor was coming from. I was happy when he realized his mistake even if it took him one eternity to fix it and get his girl.
I liked Kinsley's character development. She was very insecure about herself and I was happy to see her change and become a more confident person who went after what she deserved. Connor made a huge mistake when he let his ambition take over instead of love, but he wasn't bad either and he came to the conclusion that he had messed up fairly quickly, so I cannot be mad at him. After all he and Kinsley had been together for a short amount of time. I was a fan of their relationship.
The book could have been better, but I liked it and (mostly) had a good time reading it, so I would recommend it!
October 1, 2019
Make Me Fall was a cute contemporary romance that gave off serious summer vibes and while I enjoyed it a lot, I didn't love it.
The basic premise of the story is simple; Two people from the same town (whose parents hate each other) work for the same company (but don't interact) until one day, in a bar when they're drunk, one of them (Conner) convinces the other one (Kinsley) to come home with him and to act as his girlfriend so he can essentially score points in his family's constant game of one-up-ship.
Kinsley agrees because she's always had a massive crush on Connor and off we go!
The story doesn't beat around the bush, two chapters and they're at his parent's front door and the ruse has begun.
I appreciated this.
I also appreciated their banter, their chemistry and how easy it was to sink into the story and just enjoy it.
I (mostly) liked Conner and I (mostly) liked Kinsley and I liked how the majority of the book was drama free. It was shaping up to be a nice solid 4-star romance for me... Then the shit storm of an ending hit.
Connor went from being this sweet, lovely and attentive guy to the biggest cock rocket on the planet for a completely unacceptable reason!
He essentially poured petrol all over his relationship, set it on fire, and skipped off into the sunset so he didn't have to see the devastation he wrought only to change his mind, come back, and then wonder why the earth is scorched! Muppet.
Then I lost pretty much any respect for Kinsley when she allowed him back into her life after treating her like that!
I give the author props for making me feel it for I felt gutted for Kinsley, and spitting mad at Connor, and I just wanted it to get better and for them to be happy but the self-respecting part of me cannot accept how easy he got off the hook!
😠
Make Me Fall was my first book by Ember Leigh and despite the wtfery of the ending, I'd read more her for I liked the easy flow of her writing.
The basic premise of the story is simple; Two people from the same town (whose parents hate each other) work for the same company (but don't interact) until one day, in a bar when they're drunk, one of them (Conner) convinces the other one (Kinsley) to come home with him and to act as his girlfriend so he can essentially score points in his family's constant game of one-up-ship.
Kinsley agrees because she's always had a massive crush on Connor and off we go!
The story doesn't beat around the bush, two chapters and they're at his parent's front door and the ruse has begun.
I appreciated this.
I also appreciated their banter, their chemistry and how easy it was to sink into the story and just enjoy it.
I (mostly) liked Conner and I (mostly) liked Kinsley and I liked how the majority of the book was drama free. It was shaping up to be a nice solid 4-star romance for me... Then the shit storm of an ending hit.
Connor went from being this sweet, lovely and attentive guy to the biggest cock rocket on the planet for a completely unacceptable reason!
He essentially poured petrol all over his relationship, set it on fire, and skipped off into the sunset so he didn't have to see the devastation he wrought only to change his mind, come back, and then wonder why the earth is scorched! Muppet.
Then I lost pretty much any respect for Kinsley when she allowed him back into her life after treating her like that!
I give the author props for making me feel it for I felt gutted for Kinsley, and spitting mad at Connor, and I just wanted it to get better and for them to be happy but the self-respecting part of me cannot accept how easy he got off the hook!
😠
Make Me Fall was my first book by Ember Leigh and despite the wtfery of the ending, I'd read more her for I liked the easy flow of her writing.
January 4, 2020
Full review available on my blog, Laurie Reads Romance.
I loved Ember Leigh's "Make Me Fall". Part of the story's timeline overlaps with the first book in the Bayshore series, "Make Me Lose", but both books are completely standalone, so readers won't feel lost by starting with book #2. That said, I highly recommend reading book #1 anyway because it adds a nice bit of context to the events of this story, plus it's just so darn cute and funny on its own.
I love the fake relationship trope, and it's done really well in "Make Me Fall". There is some added spice here since the families of the main characters, Kinsley Cabana and Connor Daly, have been enemies for years. Connor and Kinsley were raised to dislike and mistrust each other, but despite that, they can't fight their attraction and end up falling in love anyway.
I found Kinsley and Connor to be very likeable and well-developed main characters. Kinsley, especially, was a delight, and it was a pleasure watching her evolve over the course of the book into the more confident version of herself I knew she could be from the start. She was so sweet and funny, though awkward at times, with a wonderful snarky side that I adored. Kinsley's ex-boyfriend and evil boss nearly destroyed her self-esteem, but her relationship with Connor helped give her the perspective she needed to get it back.
The secondary characters in this book were also a lot of fun, especially the other Daly brothers. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for them in future books!
*ARC provided by the author via InkslingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved Ember Leigh's "Make Me Fall". Part of the story's timeline overlaps with the first book in the Bayshore series, "Make Me Lose", but both books are completely standalone, so readers won't feel lost by starting with book #2. That said, I highly recommend reading book #1 anyway because it adds a nice bit of context to the events of this story, plus it's just so darn cute and funny on its own.
I love the fake relationship trope, and it's done really well in "Make Me Fall". There is some added spice here since the families of the main characters, Kinsley Cabana and Connor Daly, have been enemies for years. Connor and Kinsley were raised to dislike and mistrust each other, but despite that, they can't fight their attraction and end up falling in love anyway.
I found Kinsley and Connor to be very likeable and well-developed main characters. Kinsley, especially, was a delight, and it was a pleasure watching her evolve over the course of the book into the more confident version of herself I knew she could be from the start. She was so sweet and funny, though awkward at times, with a wonderful snarky side that I adored. Kinsley's ex-boyfriend and evil boss nearly destroyed her self-esteem, but her relationship with Connor helped give her the perspective she needed to get it back.
The secondary characters in this book were also a lot of fun, especially the other Daly brothers. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for them in future books!
*ARC provided by the author via InkslingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 2, 2019
Well isn't Connor a cocky one, “was this morning a dream, or did I eff you so hard that you fell asleep on top of my ***k?” Connor is an ambitious one, “I would never. Though I do plan to eff you,”he says, a smile curling his lips. He pins me against the wall with his hips..." I liked this book, I liked Connor.
July 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and I'm upset it took me so long to get to it! I definitely couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting, so if you're looking for a quick and easy summer read, put this on your tbr!
I loved the premise of this story, but let's be honest, I'm a sucker for fake dating romances. It did go a little heavy on the she's different and not like other women, and I don't know if her insecurities and dating history really added anything to the story. It took me a bit to get all of the characters sorted at that first family dinner, but once I got the hang of things I was in it! I definitely want to see the rest of the brothers get their HEA!
I really loved the dialog and chemistry between Kinsley and Connor, it felt fresh and genuine. I love it when books really make you feel something, and this made me want to fall in love along the lakeshore! However, the way I screamed at Connor when they got back to the west coast! That man. That man needed to be in cold storage for much, much longer than he was. It felt so unforgivable, I couldn't see how he'd be able to redeem himself. And while I did love his grand gesture (and I nearly cried at the end) I was still mad about it! 😂
This was the first book by Ember Leigh that I've read and it definitely won't be my last!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book and I'm sorry for the delay in my reading/reviewing; it's been a bit of a year!
I loved the premise of this story, but let's be honest, I'm a sucker for fake dating romances. It did go a little heavy on the she's different and not like other women, and I don't know if her insecurities and dating history really added anything to the story. It took me a bit to get all of the characters sorted at that first family dinner, but once I got the hang of things I was in it! I definitely want to see the rest of the brothers get their HEA!
I really loved the dialog and chemistry between Kinsley and Connor, it felt fresh and genuine. I love it when books really make you feel something, and this made me want to fall in love along the lakeshore! However, the way I screamed at Connor when they got back to the west coast! That man. That man needed to be in cold storage for much, much longer than he was. It felt so unforgivable, I couldn't see how he'd be able to redeem himself. And while I did love his grand gesture (and I nearly cried at the end) I was still mad about it! 😂
This was the first book by Ember Leigh that I've read and it definitely won't be my last!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book and I'm sorry for the delay in my reading/reviewing; it's been a bit of a year!
August 18, 2025
*i mention a spoiler for the end of the book in the second paragraph of this review* …this author is allergic to proper spelling, dialogue, and “showing, not telling.” i fear that is not my vibe. i don’t want to hear the main characters go on long first-person rants about their feelings toward the other person and completely gloss over moments that could have been perfect for more tension or cohesion in plot.
if this gives you any idea what this book is like: the two love interests, Connor and Kinsley, are in an interview and the interviewer asks them what they look forward to in the future. Connor digs in his pocket for “something” and says he looks forward to “making this woman his wife.” do you know what Kinsley narrates? she says she thought he was talking about the interviewer. THE INTERVIEWER. EVEN THOUGH CONNOR IS NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INTERVIEWER???? HE IS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!!! HE IS PROPOSING TO YOUUUU.
so, no, unfortunately this book is not for me. hope it is for someone else though! this gets 1 star for being free on my kindle fire
if this gives you any idea what this book is like: the two love interests, Connor and Kinsley, are in an interview and the interviewer asks them what they look forward to in the future. Connor digs in his pocket for “something” and says he looks forward to “making this woman his wife.” do you know what Kinsley narrates? she says she thought he was talking about the interviewer. THE INTERVIEWER. EVEN THOUGH CONNOR IS NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INTERVIEWER???? HE IS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!!! HE IS PROPOSING TO YOUUUU.
so, no, unfortunately this book is not for me. hope it is for someone else though! this gets 1 star for being free on my kindle fire
January 31, 2022
4.2 stars
This was a pleasant surprise. It had all the comforts that I expect in a romance book. It was humorous, engaging, and full of charm.
I did wish that there had been more of a resolution in regards to the family drama. I'm still looking forward to the rest of the brothers.
This was a pleasant surprise. It had all the comforts that I expect in a romance book. It was humorous, engaging, and full of charm.
I did wish that there had been more of a resolution in regards to the family drama. I'm still looking forward to the rest of the brothers.
April 1, 2025
Not sure how this could be better than the first book but dang I loved it!
August 14, 2025
This was wayyy better than the last one. Also its funnier when its read aloud by the AI lmao.
July 25, 2023
Kinsley and Conner went to school together but didn’t run in the same circles. However, they wound up working at the same company. When a night at the bar ends up with Conner inviting her on his trip back home, Kinsley is quick to agree. She’s had a crush on him forever so it’s a win-win when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend.
Their families don’t get along so it leads to a frosty reception. They do find that their attraction was more than they expected.
I was a little annoyed with Kinsley, she came across as very immature. She also forgave Conner a little too easily in the third act.
It was otherwise a smooth read, and the story flowed well.
Their families don’t get along so it leads to a frosty reception. They do find that their attraction was more than they expected.
I was a little annoyed with Kinsley, she came across as very immature. She also forgave Conner a little too easily in the third act.
It was otherwise a smooth read, and the story flowed well.
July 24, 2022
Well written fake romance story. The author hooked me right away, and I was intrigued throughout the book. Looking forward to starting book 3.
February 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters are well rounded. Amusing and full of angst I loved the family dynamics and drama. As well as the constant need for coemption.
With all their many flaws imagined or real the kept moving forward. It wasn’t easy to overcome, and it was sometimes at the expense of the other. This book starts out with two high school acquaintances who now both live in San Diego and work at the same company as well. Connor Daly was one of five handsome brothers but the one that Kinsley Cabana had a crush on. Yup! Since she was a junior and he was a senior.
Now, she is twenty-five and still gets carded because she looks like a twelve-year-old. She is so bummed this whole adulting thing is eluding her, and her degree feels wasted. So, a Rum Chata it is. She notices him, go sit at the bar after being at the table for a meeting. He looks down.
The server lines up three shots in front of him and hits all three one after the other. She decides to investigate the new adult her. She finds out his grandma died back home in Bayshore, Ohio their hometown.
Going home means dealing with Granny’s death but also jumping into the cesspool of competition father so brutally stirred up and still does with all his sons. Connor comes up with a plan. One that he feels is brilliant.
Since he just broke up with his girl, he needs a fake one. There is at least a three-decade feud going on between the Daly’s and Cabanas, Kinsley’s the one to help him make his mark.
He can bring home a girlfriend which none of his brothers have, piss off his parents because she is a Cabana, and rub his ex in it with Kinsley her underling at work where there is no love lost between them. Plus, since he hates flying alone, he will pay for her ticket, but she needs to stay at her parent’s place with minimal PDA. Win-win.
Things don’t go according to plan and the plain Jane wallflower becomes his ray of sunshine. She teaches him to laugh again, to enjoy life again, his plan hits its mark (brothers, parents, and ex) but he questions it. His cutthroat ways he now questions too.
For Kinsley, the fake becomes too real. Lines are blurred and emotions are toyed with. How can this woman whose past relationship left her voiceless ask if anything is true or ask for what she wants? When the man she is with is using sexual warfare.
I enjoyed the transformation that each character goes through. Like watching a caterpillar become a butterfly. But oh, those bumps were harsh getting there. A sexual couple just so you know.
I give this: 5 ++++ stars. Provided my netgalley.com.
Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
With all their many flaws imagined or real the kept moving forward. It wasn’t easy to overcome, and it was sometimes at the expense of the other. This book starts out with two high school acquaintances who now both live in San Diego and work at the same company as well. Connor Daly was one of five handsome brothers but the one that Kinsley Cabana had a crush on. Yup! Since she was a junior and he was a senior.
Now, she is twenty-five and still gets carded because she looks like a twelve-year-old. She is so bummed this whole adulting thing is eluding her, and her degree feels wasted. So, a Rum Chata it is. She notices him, go sit at the bar after being at the table for a meeting. He looks down.
The server lines up three shots in front of him and hits all three one after the other. She decides to investigate the new adult her. She finds out his grandma died back home in Bayshore, Ohio their hometown.
Going home means dealing with Granny’s death but also jumping into the cesspool of competition father so brutally stirred up and still does with all his sons. Connor comes up with a plan. One that he feels is brilliant.
Since he just broke up with his girl, he needs a fake one. There is at least a three-decade feud going on between the Daly’s and Cabanas, Kinsley’s the one to help him make his mark.
He can bring home a girlfriend which none of his brothers have, piss off his parents because she is a Cabana, and rub his ex in it with Kinsley her underling at work where there is no love lost between them. Plus, since he hates flying alone, he will pay for her ticket, but she needs to stay at her parent’s place with minimal PDA. Win-win.
Things don’t go according to plan and the plain Jane wallflower becomes his ray of sunshine. She teaches him to laugh again, to enjoy life again, his plan hits its mark (brothers, parents, and ex) but he questions it. His cutthroat ways he now questions too.
For Kinsley, the fake becomes too real. Lines are blurred and emotions are toyed with. How can this woman whose past relationship left her voiceless ask if anything is true or ask for what she wants? When the man she is with is using sexual warfare.
I enjoyed the transformation that each character goes through. Like watching a caterpillar become a butterfly. But oh, those bumps were harsh getting there. A sexual couple just so you know.
I give this: 5 ++++ stars. Provided my netgalley.com.
Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
January 6, 2023
Make Me Fall is the second installment in the Bayshore series and follows Connor Daly and Kinsley Cabana. Their parents used to be very close and then had a falling out before any of the kids were born and now hate each other. The Daly brothers are very competitive and Connor was the only one with a girlfriend, Tamara (who also happens to be Kinsley's bitch boss). When Connor's grandmother dies and he needs to go home for her funeral, he and Tamara had broken up. He and Kinsley both grew up in Bayshore and now work for the same company in CA, but were never close and rarely see each other now. But they happen to be in the same bar and Connor comes up with the idea of Kinsley pretending to be his girlfriend and coming home with him. Connor is hot and she had a major teenage crush on him so she ends up agreeing.
I really enjoy the fake relationship troupe and this had the bonus of having parents who hate each other. Plus, I loved Kinsley! She is so wonderfully awkward. For the most part, I liked Connor but (as I learned in the first book) his father is pretty much a douche and raised his boys to be the same way - caring most about business and making everything a competition. The sparks between them are super hot and they have some pretty steamy scenes. I really enjoyed the story and hope all 5 of the Daly brothers get their own story.
I really enjoy the fake relationship troupe and this had the bonus of having parents who hate each other. Plus, I loved Kinsley! She is so wonderfully awkward. For the most part, I liked Connor but (as I learned in the first book) his father is pretty much a douche and raised his boys to be the same way - caring most about business and making everything a competition. The sparks between them are super hot and they have some pretty steamy scenes. I really enjoyed the story and hope all 5 of the Daly brothers get their own story.
November 20, 2019
Ugh
He falls for her and her for him, he treats her like something you left in the back of the fridge and forgot for months and suddenly all is forgiven. Boom. There's the book. I don't know why the majority of "romance" books are the "Hero" treating the heroine like absolute crap on repeat, dumping her, then realizing he truly messed up and with a simple I'm sorry (sometimes there isn't even that much), she's falling all over herself to be with him again. I really wish romance authors could start a trend of writing strong females who dont meekly accept whatever the H dishes out. At least make the guy atone for his crap instead of the h just immediately taking him back and forgetting how absolutely horribly she was treated in an instant.
He falls for her and her for him, he treats her like something you left in the back of the fridge and forgot for months and suddenly all is forgiven. Boom. There's the book. I don't know why the majority of "romance" books are the "Hero" treating the heroine like absolute crap on repeat, dumping her, then realizing he truly messed up and with a simple I'm sorry (sometimes there isn't even that much), she's falling all over herself to be with him again. I really wish romance authors could start a trend of writing strong females who dont meekly accept whatever the H dishes out. At least make the guy atone for his crap instead of the h just immediately taking him back and forgetting how absolutely horribly she was treated in an instant.
May 20, 2020
Kinsley had one rule growing up and that was to stay away from the Daly brothers. Connor was everything she filled her high school and young adult fantasies. What are the odds they both end up working for the same company on he West Coast?! Totally a dream come true. Never feeling the type he would notice their fake relationship slowly evolves into something more. Absolutely loved it! What a great romance and reminding you the one who completes you might be right in front of your eyes.
October 9, 2019
Absolutely Awesome Read, well written, great characters, Awesome story line, easy read to hold you on their journey, this genre might not be for everyone but its a really wonderful story cannot wait for more from this Author.
April 10, 2022
Nice emotional read
Love and hate Connor at the same time. You try to understand his reasoning behind his choices, but it is hard where Kinsley is concerned. Glad he got his head out of his butt. 🤣 Displays personal growth and what should be most important in life.
Love and hate Connor at the same time. You try to understand his reasoning behind his choices, but it is hard where Kinsley is concerned. Glad he got his head out of his butt. 🤣 Displays personal growth and what should be most important in life.
October 23, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
I really enjoyed this book it was an easy read. Typical storyline starting from a fake relationship but I loved it! It had me giggling and kicking my feet at some points. Definitely better than the 1st book!
2.5 🌶️
I really enjoyed this book it was an easy read. Typical storyline starting from a fake relationship but I loved it! It had me giggling and kicking my feet at some points. Definitely better than the 1st book!
June 20, 2020
This was the first book i've read from Ember Leigh and i loved it!!!!! I loved the natural flow of the story and i loved the humor. I'll definitely be reading her other books.
August 9, 2022
Loved it!
I read Greyson and Hazel’s story first and thought it amazing. But I absolutely adored Connor and Kinsley’s story! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
I read Greyson and Hazel’s story first and thought it amazing. But I absolutely adored Connor and Kinsley’s story! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
September 28, 2025
Das Buch war okay – nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht so, dass ich am Ende komplett zerstört auf der Couch lag und geheult hab. Es war eher so ein typisches „Zwischendurch-Buch“, das man gut wegsnacken kann, wenn man gerade nichts Intensives braucht. Der Fake-Dating-Trope ist ja eigentlich voll mein Ding, vor allem wenn noch so ne „wir hassen uns eigentlich“-Vibe dazukommt. Und ja, das war auch hier der Fall – Kinsley und Connor haben ihre gemeinsame Vergangenheit, ein bisschen Family-Drama, Missverständnisse … das war alles da und hat auch funktioniert.
Kinsley war mir eigentlich ganz sympathisch. Sie ist so ne kleine Chaos-Queen mit Herz – hat mich teilweise an mich selbst erinnert. Aber manchmal war sie mir zu sehr in ihren Zweifeln gefangen. Ich wollte sie schütteln und sagen: „Girl, du darfst auch mal vertrauen.“ Connor? Joa … heiß, keine Frage, aber irgendwie hat er mich emotional nicht ganz erreicht. Ich hätte gern mehr von seinem Innenleben gesehen, mehr Gefühle, mehr innere Zerrissenheit oder was auch immer. Da war einfach noch Luft nach oben.
An manchen Stellen hab ich echt mitgefiebert, an anderen hab ich gedacht: „Okay, das kommt jetzt ein bisschen zu einfach.“ Es war halt leider auch ein bisschen vorhersehbar – so ein paar typische Szenen, die man schon tausendmal gelesen hat. Es hat mich nicht richtig gepackt.
Fazit:
„Make Me Fall“ war ein netter Zeitvertreib, aber kein Highlight für mein Leserherz. Es hat sich gut lesen lassen, ich mochte die Grundidee und ein paar Szenen hatten echt Potenzial – aber am Ende war’s einfach nicht das große Gefühlsfeuerwerk, das ich mir erhofft hatte.
Kinsley war mir eigentlich ganz sympathisch. Sie ist so ne kleine Chaos-Queen mit Herz – hat mich teilweise an mich selbst erinnert. Aber manchmal war sie mir zu sehr in ihren Zweifeln gefangen. Ich wollte sie schütteln und sagen: „Girl, du darfst auch mal vertrauen.“ Connor? Joa … heiß, keine Frage, aber irgendwie hat er mich emotional nicht ganz erreicht. Ich hätte gern mehr von seinem Innenleben gesehen, mehr Gefühle, mehr innere Zerrissenheit oder was auch immer. Da war einfach noch Luft nach oben.
An manchen Stellen hab ich echt mitgefiebert, an anderen hab ich gedacht: „Okay, das kommt jetzt ein bisschen zu einfach.“ Es war halt leider auch ein bisschen vorhersehbar – so ein paar typische Szenen, die man schon tausendmal gelesen hat. Es hat mich nicht richtig gepackt.
Fazit:
„Make Me Fall“ war ein netter Zeitvertreib, aber kein Highlight für mein Leserherz. Es hat sich gut lesen lassen, ich mochte die Grundidee und ein paar Szenen hatten echt Potenzial – aber am Ende war’s einfach nicht das große Gefühlsfeuerwerk, das ich mir erhofft hatte.
January 30, 2022
Kinsley and Connor's story is one for the ages!
After living in Dan Diego for several years and working as a Developer for a Tech Company, Connor finds out that his grandmother Ethel has passed and he needs to return to Bayside to be with his family. He is at a bar near his job and runs into Kinsley Cabana who is working in HR at his company and she is also from Bayside. Although they never really hang out together he asher the impossible. Will she be his fake girlfriend and come back to Bayside with him for the next two weeks?
Kinsley has had a crush on Connor since high school and is surprised he would even acknowledge her beside asking her to do this for him. So she finally agrees and they fly back to Bayside together.
Things get real uncomfortable for Kinsley when they get to the Daly's house because Connor didn't mention that he was seeing Kinsley who happens to be the daughter of one of the Daly parent's town enemies. Then the sleeping arrangements go from them sleeping in separate twin beds to sharing a queen.
I honest to goodness laughed at some of the stuff these family members go through. And the way Connor and Kinsley are drawn together like magnets that just belong. Such a great story. Now need to get into book 3 of the series. Enjoy
After living in Dan Diego for several years and working as a Developer for a Tech Company, Connor finds out that his grandmother Ethel has passed and he needs to return to Bayside to be with his family. He is at a bar near his job and runs into Kinsley Cabana who is working in HR at his company and she is also from Bayside. Although they never really hang out together he asher the impossible. Will she be his fake girlfriend and come back to Bayside with him for the next two weeks?
Kinsley has had a crush on Connor since high school and is surprised he would even acknowledge her beside asking her to do this for him. So she finally agrees and they fly back to Bayside together.
Things get real uncomfortable for Kinsley when they get to the Daly's house because Connor didn't mention that he was seeing Kinsley who happens to be the daughter of one of the Daly parent's town enemies. Then the sleeping arrangements go from them sleeping in separate twin beds to sharing a queen.
I honest to goodness laughed at some of the stuff these family members go through. And the way Connor and Kinsley are drawn together like magnets that just belong. Such a great story. Now need to get into book 3 of the series. Enjoy
April 21, 2023
3.5 bumped to 4. I did it again! I started with Book 2 in the Bayshore series instead of Book 1. Ugh!!! That’s because this one was on special and you’re pretty much guaranteed that each book in a series is a stand-alone nowadays, so I nabbed it. Plus, Ember Leigh is a new-to-me author and I’m trying to read as many of those as I can to support them. Ms. Leigh’s style is not complicated at all. Her writing is smooth but simplistic, although not boring by any means.
Make Me Fall is a case of acquaintances, barely, who grew up in the same small OH town, were taught they were one another’s enemy, and are now trying to make it on the west coast. They happen to work for the same corporation and both hate their jobs. For the most part, they ignore one another. Until one night they are commiserating over RumChatas in a local hang out and an idea is hatched. Things progress quickly from there. Their story is funny, sexy, fast-paced, and entertaining. The competition between the Daly brothers is fierce, but so is their love for one another. Their interactions are as frustrating as they are endearing. They are one loud and obnoxious family!
Make Me Fall is a case of acquaintances, barely, who grew up in the same small OH town, were taught they were one another’s enemy, and are now trying to make it on the west coast. They happen to work for the same corporation and both hate their jobs. For the most part, they ignore one another. Until one night they are commiserating over RumChatas in a local hang out and an idea is hatched. Things progress quickly from there. Their story is funny, sexy, fast-paced, and entertaining. The competition between the Daly brothers is fierce, but so is their love for one another. Their interactions are as frustrating as they are endearing. They are one loud and obnoxious family!
April 1, 2025
A generous 3.5 🌟 for this one.
A well-written, but simple and quick trope-heavy read that did what it set out to do.
Kinsley enters a fake dating situation with Connor, her teenage crush and son of her parents' nemesis.
Connor (who works as a programmer in the company where she's in HR) asks Kinsley to join him on a trip back home to their small town to pose as his girlfriend, essentially to make his ex jealous and to convince his family that he's got his life more together than his brothers do.
There is the usual angst. She feels self-conscious because she's not as "model-gorgeous" as Connor's usual type. Connor questions himself as to what it is that draws him to "average-looking" Kinsley. Of course, it's her actual personality! (though throughout their relationship she becomes more and more physically attractive to him too).
All the textbook tropes appear. The inevitable moment where fake becomes real/ only one bed/ the big reveal / the fallout and third act breakup/ grand gesture finale.
I was disappointed when Connor acted very poorly toward the end and I think he was lucky Kinsley took him back.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
A well-written, but simple and quick trope-heavy read that did what it set out to do.
Kinsley enters a fake dating situation with Connor, her teenage crush and son of her parents' nemesis.
Connor (who works as a programmer in the company where she's in HR) asks Kinsley to join him on a trip back home to their small town to pose as his girlfriend, essentially to make his ex jealous and to convince his family that he's got his life more together than his brothers do.
There is the usual angst. She feels self-conscious because she's not as "model-gorgeous" as Connor's usual type. Connor questions himself as to what it is that draws him to "average-looking" Kinsley. Of course, it's her actual personality! (though throughout their relationship she becomes more and more physically attractive to him too).
All the textbook tropes appear. The inevitable moment where fake becomes real/ only one bed/ the big reveal / the fallout and third act breakup/ grand gesture finale.
I was disappointed when Connor acted very poorly toward the end and I think he was lucky Kinsley took him back.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
July 23, 2025
No começo ele é um babaca e ela é chata pra caramba, e fiquei com a sensação de que faltava alguma coisa. Dai pra frente só pra trás. Péssima construção de personagens, ele chega até 75% do livro com as mesmas atitudes idiotas, pqp. E ela é uma otaria, quem é que se deixa fazer de gato e sapato assim? Sonsa, nunca vi uma personagem se humilhar tanto.
E a história do trabalho? Horrorosa. Sempre tentam colocar uma mulher em posição de poder como irracional e mesquinha, que não consegue passar por cima dos problemas pessoais pra ser profissional. Pô galera isso é misoginia.
E pro inferno com esse motivo dos pais deles se odiarem. Parece que a autora só quis dar um motivo pra eles nunca terem se falado direito mas não quis aprofundar muito, então só jogou a informação e não explicou porra nenhuma direito.
Horrível, e eu até tinha esperanças de que pudesse melhorar.
E o mais importante: livros de romance tem que te fazer sentir o romance, e esse falhou até nisso, por isso a avaliação tão baixa.
E a história do trabalho? Horrorosa. Sempre tentam colocar uma mulher em posição de poder como irracional e mesquinha, que não consegue passar por cima dos problemas pessoais pra ser profissional. Pô galera isso é misoginia.
E pro inferno com esse motivo dos pais deles se odiarem. Parece que a autora só quis dar um motivo pra eles nunca terem se falado direito mas não quis aprofundar muito, então só jogou a informação e não explicou porra nenhuma direito.
Horrível, e eu até tinha esperanças de que pudesse melhorar.
E o mais importante: livros de romance tem que te fazer sentir o romance, e esse falhou até nisso, por isso a avaliação tão baixa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews