When We Fell

Machado Family #1

by Cristina Santos

In book 1 in the Machado Family Series we'll find out more about the eldest brother, Arthur.

You can
-horses
-a grumpy MMC who is secretly soft
-plus-size FMC
-mental health rep
-cameos from lots of the Love in LA Series characters
-a loving family

Genres: Found Family, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance, Age Gap Romance, Workplace Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2025

About the author

Cristina Santos is a mom of two little boys who hopefully will never read her books. She is married to the man of her dreams and lives lakeside with all her wild boys (pup included) in Nova Scotia, Canada. She loves a good sunset and will forever and ever and ever believe in the power of playlists, 90’s romantic comedies and love stories.

Reviews

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice & Arthur 🥹 adored these cuties!!

Thank you Hayling Bookstorm & Cristina Santos for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
🐎 workplace/equine therapy
🏠 roommates
✨ age gap (27/35)
❤️‍🩹 addiction/recovery + chronic pain rep
🫂 caretaking
🔗 forced proximity
🐢 slow burn
🫶🏼 found family
💞 dual 1st person pov
🇨🇦 Canadian author

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

ebook | ⭐️: 4.5 | 🌶️: 2.5 |

This book was so sweet, I loved the connection between Alice & Arthur. I particularly fell for Arthur and his vulnerable, caretaking ways 🥹

They both gave each other the love and support they were lacking, and were exactly what the other needed to help heal from past wounds.

I love when MCs meet in chapter 1, and loved their first impressions of each other.

I always love how Cristina uses chapter titles!

At times I struggled a bit with the pacing, the writing felt repetitive in certain parts.

📖 When We Fell by Cristina Sanros
📚 book 1 • Machado Family series
💜: contemporary romance

*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.2✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - September 15, 2025

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• forced proximity
• age gap romance
• found family
• addiction & recovery
• chronic pain rep
• workplace setting
• slow burn romance

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
When We Fell is the first book in the Machado Family series and it honestly gave me all the feels. The story starts when Alice moves to Ojai to take care of her grandmother and unexpectedly ends up living with Arthur, a quiet horse trainer who is healing from his own painful past. What begins as a simple arrangement soon turns into a journey of trust, healing, and love.
I loved the way Cristina Santos created such a cozy ranch setting, it felt like I was right there with the horses and open skies. The equine therapy program was such a beautiful touch and it added so much meaning to their bond. Alice is strong yet vulnerable, Arthur is soft-hearted with hidden strength, and together their chemistry slowly builds into something breathtaking. The slow burn kept me hooked and made every small moment between them feel magical.
The representation in this book was also so heart-touching. Addiction, recovery, and chronic pain were written with care and honesty. It gave the story so much depth while still keeping it tender and romantic. It’s not just a love story, it’s also about finding hope, family, and a safe space to be yourself.
By the end, my heart felt full and warm. This book is emotional, sweet, and swoony all at once. A perfect start to the Machado Family series and I’m already excited for what’s coming next. If you love slow burn, emotional romance with strong healing vibes, this one is a must-read.
Thank you so much hayling bookstorm for the free ARC!

[Lira · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we open this book and read the dedication: “If you’ve ever done something difficult even though you didn’t think you could, this is for you, too. You did that shit. Own it!” we immediately realize the reading will be something special. And that’s exactly what it was!
For me, reading this book felt like receiving a hug from a friend. I saw so many familiar traits of myself in Alice, and the same happened with Arthur. That connection made the experience even more intense and emotional.

The premise takes us to Alice, a young woman carrying emotional scars and doubts about her place in the world. On her journey of self-discovery, she crosses paths with Arthur, someone who also carries his own marks and, in his own way, is trying to rebuild himself. Together, they show us how unexpected encounters can change the way we see ourselves and life.

The author leads us through a beautiful, real, and deeply human story. She reminds us that there’s the family we are born into (which doesn’t always turn out as we might have wished) and the family we choose, who often welcome and embrace us even more.

It’s hard to put into words everything this book conveys, but I truly believe many readers will see themselves in Alice and Arthur’s journey. A book that moves, warms the heart, and reminds us that strength and love can arise in the most unexpected places!

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕!

[Julie Alma Tranholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been sitting here trying to find the right words for When We Fell, and honestly, Cristina has done it again. Alice and Arthur’s story absolutely wrecked me (in the best way), and I know a piece of my heart will forever belong to them. When We Fell is a romance that feels both tender and powerful, weaving together themes of healing, vulnerability, and second chances in a way that lingers long after the last page.

Alice and Arthur’s story is a beautiful slow burn—equal parts aching and hopeful. Their connection grows so naturally, full of stolen moments, quiet strength, and the kind of caretaking that feels deeply intimate. I adored the forced proximity and workplace dynamics, but what really shined for me was the found family on the ranch. Every side character added warmth and depth, making Ojai feel like a place I never wanted to leave. What a joy it was to get little glimpses of beloved characters from Cristina’s other books.

From the very beginning, I was hooked by the quiet, steady pull between these two — every single moment had me fully invested. Their chemistry was magnetic, but what really got me was the tenderness: the way Arthur’s gentle strength gave Alice a safe space she didn’t even know she needed, and the way Alice’s determination and care made Arthur believe in love again.

Arthur. Oh my god, Arthur. He might just be one of my favorite MMCs. The tattoos, the quiet resilience, the addiction recovery journey handled with so much authenticity — he is everything. And Alice, with her strength, vulnerability, and her fight to create something meaningful with equine therapy, was inspiring and so real.

The chronic pain and recovery rep was handled with such care and beautifully written, layered seamlessly into the story. For me, this made the romance richer, proving that love doesn’t erase our scars but gives us the courage to live with them. Together, they were perfection.
The humor, the family, the swoony slow burn — it was all chef’s kiss. This book made me laugh, cry, blush (because Arthur says things 😳), and above all, it made me believe in the healing power of love and trust. By the end, I felt like I’d not only read a romance but also witnessed a story about trust, belonging, and the bravery of letting yourself be loved.

“When We Fell” wasn’t just a romance, it was a story about finding home in another person and learning that your scars don’t make you unlovable — they make you human. Cristina’s writing is exquisite, her cover gorgeous, her playlist and titled chapters are as always perfection. She’s magic, and this book is proof.

If you love slow burn, caretaking, and stories about two broken souls finding a home in each other, this is a must-read. When We Fell is easily one of my favorite romances of the year.

Thank you, Cristina, for giving us Alice and Arthur. I am completely and utterly in love with this story, and I’ll be shouting about it forever.

*Thank you to Cristina Santos and Hayling Bookstorm Ltd. for the arc.*

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When We Fell is the first book in the Machado Family Series by Cristina Santos and it was a perfect book to start this series.

The dynamic between Arthur and Alice was genuinely compelling, built on a foundation of mutual support and a slow-burn romance that felt earned and authentic.

As they shared a house, worked together and became friends; the connection between them deepened and they started revealing the scars they carried.

Seeing them help each other realise their own self-worth, be reminded that they deserve happiness and that people care about them were touching!

This book is a heartfelt journey of healing, proving that sometimes, we find love, happiness and where we belong in the most unexpected places and moments!

What you’ll find:
🏔️ Workplace
🍂 Forced Proximity
🏔️ Found Family
🍂 Brazilian MMC
🏔️ Age Gap
🍂 Addiction/Recovery Rep
🏔️ Chronic Pain Rep
🍂 Caretaking
🏔️ Slow Burn

*I’d like to say thank you to Cristina Santos for giving me the opportunity to read When We Fell as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Traci_reads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart strings pulled. Emotions everywhere. Heart is full. I fell hard for Arthur & Alice is a force to be reckoned with. Their genuine meet cute at the bar was everything. Walls were down & I felt the attraction & chemistry immediately.

Both Arthur & Alice (their names are perfect together) have different difficult pasts to work through, but they support each other through it all. When they finally get it together & are honest with each other; they are utter perfection. The ying to each others yang.

Alice is so lucky to find a found family like the Machado’s, she definitely hit the lotto on that one. There were sad moments, lots of funny moments & serious situations that made this so so good.

Fun tidbit: Ojai is less than an hours drive from me so that’s fun.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC • 🇨🇦

Cristina Santos does it again, this was an easy five stars. I ADORED this entire book and read it in one sitting up. Cristinas writing has a way of making you feel seen. I cried, I laughed and I loved. The chapter titles had me cackling so hard. I also enjoyed that this book centered around horse therapy. Arthur and "Whinny" or Alice were such well rounded and well written characters. They weren't perfect people but perfect examples of real life. I've said it before but I will absolutely read anything Cristina writes she is THAT good.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

5⭐|2🌶|9% frequency

It's no secret I'm in love with Cristina's books. And I'm always very excited to read her next book 🤩
If you have read the "Love in LA" series, you will meet a lot of characters again. Not just that Arthur is Rafael's big brother (book #3), but also the range Arthur and Alice are working at is Maeve and Owen's (book #2). And I so loved seeing them all again 😍

If you know Cristina's books, you know that her books always have a deeper meaning or include illnesses, disorders, or something like that. If you don't know her books, you know it now 😁
This time, it's Alice's chronic pain and Arthur's addiction. He is sober, but you are fighting against it forever. Especially when you get in contact with the source you were addicted to again.

And even with all these sad topics, there is so much to laugh and swoon, too 😁
Arthur, in general, is soooo swoon-worthy 🥰 And as always, make a man a dog dad, and I'm a goner. God, Luther is sooooo cute, I'm completely in love with him. Sorry, Arthur, but your dog wins 😎 But they are a team, so I would still get both 🤣

The chemistry between Arthur and Alice is so wonderful. With both having difficult lives, or difficult parts of their lives, they complete each other perfectly 🩷

And sorry if you think that's a spoiler, but OMG, the proposal 🤣🤣🤣 God, I loved it 😎

And the epilogue already includes such high teasers for the next book in this series 🤩


Thanks to the author and @haylingbookstormltd for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[Alyssa J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was super cute!!

My first book by her & id def recommend it for a simple cutesy but emotional pulling read.

Some of the connections were off but then the next chapter brought them together so I was a bit confused a few times. But it didn’t take away from the story. I really do love a good age gap romance

[Drey Blackbeak · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5✨️

A veces es mono, pero el romance me ha parecido demasiado rápido, no he conectado con los personajes y siento que el tema de la adicción ha pasado solo por el drama, porque el conflicto de Arthur con su padre es absurdo. Creo que ha sido demasiado corto para poder desarrollar lo que habría sido, pero bueno.

Al menos al final se puede intuir qué hermano es el siguiente, and Im here for it

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, no notes. No one writes a man obsessed quite like Cristina does! There is humour, heartfelt moments, sweet and spicy (ohhhh are there some spicy moments!!), hard truths and past demons to overcome. There’s hard family dynamics but also the best found family you could ask for. Arthur and Alice are perfectly imperfect, yet perfect together and I loved watching them fall for each other.

There are some familiar characters, especially from Out of Focus as Rafael and Arthur are brothers! And we get the rest of the brothers (and sister!) books to come!

I will be rereading this book very soon because I miss these characters oh so much ❤️❤️

[Melting Into Fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.6 out of 5 stars ⭐️

So, my childhood friend has been raving about Cristina Santos to me for the past few months and I do not know why I took so long to read one of her books. After reading When We Fell, it's safe to say I totally get the hype from my friend!

When We Fell is a heartfelt slow burn romance and the first book in the Machado Family Series by Cristina Santos. It's about two imperfect, but good-hearted people, who are perfectly matched for one another. I loved that Cristina didn't shy away from difficult topics, such as addiction and recovery, as well as chronic pain. All of which were well portrayed and carefully integrated into the storyline. The underlying messages throughout were just so touching, including giving yourself grace and allowing yourself to start over, accepting the love and help you deserve and that chosen family can be more meaningful than the family you're born into.

I loved the connection between Arthur and Alice (our MCs). Both struggle with their pasts: Arthur is a recovering addict trying to slowly rebuild his life as a horse trainer and make amends with his family. Alice works in equine therapy and is forced to return to her hometown of Ojai to care for her grandmother who blames Alice for the death of her mother. The attraction these two have for each other is palapable, but much like the horses they work with, they both need to be handled with care. I love that the story is told from dual POV because the readers get to see how careful both Alice and Arthur are with each other and how they quietly take care of one another. It's the little things that become so meaningful for the two of them. Arthur's gentle attention to Alice and her chronic pain, while Alice offers support to Arthur as he tries to integrate himself back into his family. The two of them are truly better together than they are apart. Two puzzle pieces that were always meant to be connected.

There is so much to love in this book. The romance is not only sweet, but there's plenty of heat for those seeking it (3 out of 5 🌶). The secondary characters, including the Machado family, are such a wonderfully chaotic mish mash of personalities, which is super reminiscent of my husband's large extended family. Cece and her pickle plushie were a highlight as well 🥒. Not to mention the thoughtful representation of autism through her character. Arthur's rescue dog, Luther, reminds me so much of my younger rescue, Gus Gus. I love that Alice goes from being nervous of Luther to slowly building a strong bond with him. And, of course, the integration of the ranch and horses into the storyline really painted a beautifully vivid backdrop.

You'll love this book if you enjoy tropes such as forced proximity, found family, and slow burn workplace romance. There is also an age gap with our MCs having an 8 year difference, but it was never an issue and Alice (the younger of the two) is clearly mature beyond her years, as well as, established in her own career and life.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading When We Fell by Cristina Santos. It was my first foray into her books and it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait for the second book in this series, but for now, I will entertain myself with the rest of her catalogue! I give this book a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars ⭐️.

A huge thank you goes out to Cristina Santos and Hayling Bookstorm Ltd. for giving me the opportunity to read the eARC ahead of its release!

[C_C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

"When We Fell"

The Machado Family Series # 1

by Cristina Santos

Tropes:
🐎Workplace (horse trainer and occupational therapist)
🛻Forced proximity (roommates)
🐎Found family
🛻Latino MMC (Brazilian)
🐎Age gap (8 years)
🛻Addiction/recovery rep
🐎Chronic pain rep (cervicogenic headaches)
🛻Caretaking
🐎Slow burn


Antes de mais, Cristina: que bom ver uma represente da nossa amada língua Portuguesa a ter este sucesso. Fico muito contente por si e pelo seu trabalho 💗 A avaliar por este livro, vou querer ler tudo o que escrever.


I always love a book with chapter titles; they have me smiling every time.


I felt instantly connected with Alice: I LOVE bread, I used to have terrible migraines, my emotions are always all over my face, and my childhood was... challenging.

Arthur is a beautifully written MMC: hardworking, cowboy-feelings, hot and caring.

This book is about Love, sure. But it is so much more: it teaches how life can be struggling and difficult and sad. But it also teaches you that you are made of Love, you just have to be able to give and receive.

And the side characters teach us that family is not always blood related. And the love they all share for dog Luther? Oh my heart.

Oh, and Cristina: when I read "Bença, Vó", I had instant tears in my eyes. I felt really connected to you and your book and our way of being and our "Vós".

I'm in love with this book.


Thank you to the author and to @haylingbookstormltd for this loving ARC.

---

some my favorite quotes:

"You know, Arthur, that lopsided smile and wink of yours are nothing but trouble."

I just recommended smut to a woman whose first name I don't know.

Time comes to a standstill as we sit and stare at each other.

Son of a biscuit. It's going to be really hard not to like this guy.

He's a little rough around the edges, and yet there's a softness to him.

"I'm home, tesouro."

"That man looks at you like he wants to do very naughty things to you."

her eyes are like champagne bubbles

"I'm tired of being scared of anything good."

I want to see that smile every day and be the reason for it always.
I want the impossible.

This woman is my undoing. My end and my beginning.

"I'm here and I'm yours, Arthur."

[Siddhi Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read Christina's work for so long and I finally got my hands on When We Fell. It's the first book in the Machado Family series and I absolutely loved every part of it.🩷

The story begins when Alice moves to Ojai to take care of her grandmother. Her plan was to leave the city as soon as possible but life had other plans. She was lucky to find a job here. But something happens on the first day and she finds herself at a bar.✨ There she meets a handsome and mysterious man whose name was Arthur. Their connection instantly clicked. The twist came when both of them found they are now roomates.👀

What begins as co-workers and roommates slowly turns into something deeper and more beautiful. I loved how their bond grew. 🩷There were misunderstandings at first but it was soon followed by love and cute moments. Arthur literally stole my heart with the way he fell for Alice at the first glance. 😭I adored how he noticed and cherished even the smallest details about her.🤌🏻

Both Alice and Arthur had painful pasts and complicated family relationships but they both created a safe space for each other.✨ They made each other feel wanted, seen and loved. Alice who never felt wanted in her own family found a home and a family in Ojai.🩷My heart literally ached every time she struggled to the accept kindness because she thought it came with conditions and was transactional.

And can we talk about the dog. Arthur had the cutest dog. I loved how Alice overcame her fear for dogs and bonded with Luther. It was very cutee🥹 And how Arthur took him to therapy so that he could become calm🤌🏻

This story also explores important topics like chronic headaches, addiction, healing, and reconnection with family. The end was emotional but felt beautiful. This story was heartfelt, emotional and full of love. This story had it all. When We Fell didn’t just tell me a story, I truly fell in love with it.💗

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️Arc Review⭐️

When We Fell by @cristinasantosauthor
Machado Family Series Book 1
Available 09.15.2025
4/5⭐️

From the chapter titles to the sprinkling of Portuguese words and phrases throughout, this book was just the type of feel good joy that my heart needed. It’s a sweet, easy read that had me flipping pages, eager to see how these two would finally find their happily ever after.

Alice moves to Ojai to care for her grandmother who has Alzheimer’s and due to unexpected circumstances ends up living with Arthur. He’s a quiet, horse trainer carrying the weight of his own painful past and struggles. What starts as a simple living arrangement gradually unfolds into a touching journey of trust, healing, and love. Finding a strength in yourself that you didn’t know existed and learning that you are enough and can survive were strong points made in this book in my option.

What really touched me was the thoughtful representation. Topics like addiction, recovery, and chronic pain were written with such care and authenticity. They added emotional depth without ever losing the warmth and tenderness of the romance. This story is about more than just love, it’s about finding hope, family, and a place where you feel safe being yourself.

A heartfelt, healing journey that proves love often shows up when you least expect it. I can’t wait to read more about the Machado family, this series already feels so special.💛

Thank you to Cristina Santos and @haylingbookstormltd for giving me the opportunity to read When We Fell as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Books_and_coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐎 When we fell - ARC Review 🐎

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One word : HEARTFELT ! 🥹 This book touched my soul in ways I didn’t expect. @cristinasantosauthor , you absolutely outdid yourself once again and I already know my review won’t do justice to the emotions I felt while reading this😭

Alice and Arthur… where do I even begin? Their story was raw, tender, and so beautifully real. Alice felt like someone I could be friends with instantly, strong yet vulnerable, carrying so much on her shoulders. And Arthur? This man deserves all the love in the world. He was soft, patient, and the way he cared for Alice had me melting chapter after chapter 🥹 Book boyfriend material for sure!

I adored the slow burn between them. All those little looks, the unspoken care, the gentle moments that built into something breathtaking. Add in the horses, the equine therapy, and the cozy Ojai setting, and it felt like I was right there with them !

What really struck me was how Cristina portrayed hard subjects like addiction, recovery, and chronic pain with so much care and honesty. It made the story even more meaningful, while still keeping it full of warmth, family, and hope.

By the end of this book, my heart was so full and I didn’t want to let them go. A perfect start to the Machado Family series! I can't wait for more !

Thanks a lot to @cristinasantosauthor and @haylingbookstormltd for this ARC !

[callmefreesoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written with all my favorite tropes slow burn, small town, forced proximity and it’s such a cute story.

I love all the characters in this book, the friends, the family, it’s such a cozy book.

The topics discussed in this book are really important,

-like childhood trauma and feeling unwanted. When a kid hears a million times that life was better before them, it can be really hard for them to love themselves.
They always feel unwanted and unneeded. It’s so important for parents to speak positively and let their kids know how blessed they are to have them.

-I also loved how the book tackled past trauma and how it affects your whole life. You often make decisions based on your past experiences, so it’s crucial to figure out what’s causing the issue and work through it.

-Addiction is one of the worst things someone can experience, whether it’s drugs or anything else. It often starts as a way to overcome depression, but it can become a huge problem. It’s essential to understand what’s causing the issue and work on it.

-As a parent, it’s also important not to pressure kids too much. Teach them but never impose your expectations on them because it can ruin their ability to excel in anything.

I loved this book, the story, everything.

(It has a lot of spice but the writer handled it well and gave readers the option to skip those parts if they wanted to)

Overall, I really enjoyed ‘When We Fell’ and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good, cozy read.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparks fly from the first moment, Alice and Arthur meet. You can see this slow burn and internal turmoil with their obvious attraction. I liked the chronic pain rep and the addition/recovery rep giving different layers to the characters, and learning about their professions with horses on the ranch.

Alice was vulnerable and strong at the same time, and I loved seeing how caring Arthur was with her, even if she wasn’t used to that. Arthur is “a little rough around the edges, and yet there’s a softness to him.” Despite his misjudgment of Alice, he learned from his mistake, and when it was time to take care of himself to take care of Alice, he did just that. Both characters see the best in each other and they support each other as well through difficult situations. They recognize their own value and the love they deserve. The titles of each chapter were so funny. You don’t know what they are about until you get to the part of the chapter when it makes sense.

The horse ranch setting was cozy and full of warmth. We get secondary characters and their unique personalities and nicknames, always supporting the MCs. This is a romance with second chances, found family, learning your value, and that your past doesn’t define you. I liked that the second chance was also paralleled with Luther the dog and the horses.

Thank you to the author and Hayling Bookstorm for the early copy. This is my honest opinion.

[Alicia Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is one of those characters I found myself identifying with often, which made it so easy to feel the intensity and excitement of her feelings throughout the book. I was rooting for her from the very beginning and knew that her story was not only one I identify with but also one that many people will relate to. From chronic condition rep to complicated family dynamics, Alice's struggles were very real and they played out in tangible ways. The author did an incredible job showing how these things affected her but didn't define her, leaving any reader who has faced similar things feeling seen and understood.

Arthur may be my new favorite MMC, and that's saying something! (Just don't tell Leo 👀...) In an effort to not give up too much, I will say that his journey through family and personal turmoil was one that warmed my heart and reminded me how often we judge others without knowing what they are facing internally. Arthur's story is so important, and I feel like the author did a truly beautiful job of sharing his story with truth and empathy, something we all could use more of. Be forewarned, you'll leave this book with an odd craving for stew and horseback riding, just in time for autumn!

I highly recommend you check out this book on September 15th, which is the first in a new series that I am certain you will fall in love with like I have!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I waited so long to read one of Cristina's books I'll never know, but I'm so glad I picked this one to start with!

~~~~~~~~~~

Alice returns to her hometown to care for her grandmother and to start a new job as an occupational therapist at a horse ranch. Little does she know, the man she met at the bar on her first night would also be her boss and new roommate.

What you'll find inside:
♥️ Small town
♥️ Workplace
♥️ Roommates to lovers
♥️ Caretaking
♥️ Slow burn
♥️ Found family
♥️ Age gap
♥️ Chronic pain & addiction rep

Arthur and Alice were such an interesting and complicated couple (in a good way). They both felt like extremely real people with tortured pasts that they keep close to the vest. Over time, they finally opened up to each other and were able to be the best partners they could be for the other person.

I love that Arthur wasn't willing to let Alice leave, but pushed her just enough to allow her to work through her fears and doubts with him and Luther, his adorable rescue puppy.

I'm excited to really meet the rest of the Machado family throughout the rest of the series!

Thank you to Cristina Santos and Hayling Bookstorm Ltd. for sending me an ARC to read and review ahead of release!

[Meg Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Reviews✨
📚When We Fell- Cristina Santos📚
📖4/5

First I want to thank Cristina for trusting me to be an ARC reader and for sharing Arthur and Alice’s story with me.

This is a perfect small town, workplace romance. I’m not usually an “age gap romance” fan but this was absolutely perfect and didn’t give me the ick I normally get… probably because these two were just meant for each other.

I loved every character but Luther had my heart from his first appearance. Both our MMC and FMC are loveable and you can’t help but hope they can get over their baggage and accept they deserve to be loved.

Overcoming past trauma, hard family dynamics and Alice’s fear of dogs, Alice and Arthur fall hard and fast. This one had the perfect amount of spice to believe the love story, without feeling over the top.

Highly recommend for anyone who likes :
🐴forced proximity
🐴age gap romance
🐴found family
🐴a slow burn

Hitting shelves September 15th add this to your TBR and fall in love with Alice and Arthur’s story (and Luther of course)

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice and Arthur stole my heart!!

Written by at Canadian and Nova Scotian author!!

Tropes
Roommates
Age gap (27/35)
Workplace - Ranch stetting with Equine Therapy
caretaking
forced Proximity
slow burn
found family

This book started with a cute meeting between Alice and Arthur at a bar, they hit it off dancing and having a good time with some mutual attraction. But, due to a misunderstanding and a series of unfortunate circumstances the evening ends poorly.

When Alice need a place to live her employers suggest her "boss" lets her stay with him at his house. After some time living together but missing each other like ships in the night Alice finally meets her roommate ..... Arthur.

The small town ranch setting (and all the horses) with found family is just so well described and a place that you'd love to visit or live.

Cristina did such a good job with slow burn swooneyness of the story, and also the topics of addiction, recovery, healing and chronic pain.

I'm so excited to see what is next for the Machado Family

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur and Alice are both perfectly imperfect.

Arthur is building himself a new life, one he can be proud of now that he’s sober. But his past has left him with some bridges needing to be rebuilt.

Alice is trying to leave her old life behind, including the residual pain from her addict mother and neglectful grandmother. But to be free of her past she may have to walk away from the relationships she is building along the way.

Strangers-to-enemies-to-roommates-to-lovers was not a trope on my book bingo card, but it should have been. Reading about these two falling in love and helping each other heal was a delight.

I really appreciated the way Cristina wrote the relationship dynamic between Alice and her grandmother. I’ve read plenty of books with the sorrow of a loved one losing their memory, but hadn’t seen the other side represented before. When the person who is forgetting was toxic, and the “good days” are the ones when they don’t know who you are.

Bonus star for the third act complication not being typical.

As usual, I can’t wait for the next book!

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When We Fell by Cristina Santos
Machado Family Series, Book 1
Interconnected standalone
288 pages

Why I suggest reading this story.......
-First and foremost, please check the content before diving in. There are some very difficult topics that could upset some readers. This is an adult story that should be consumed by those 18+
-Christina has built a family legacy series that will be filled with romance, secrets, and angst that will keep you invested through each beautifully tough tale. These characters are flawed but bewitching at the same. The family aspect of this story is amazing and one of my favorite parts of this series. In stead of found family, Cristina uses the term "Chosen family"and I love this sooooooo much!
-There are some very heavy topics in this book. I truly believe you need to see the hard side of the story before you can truly understand the beauty of what these characters achieve.
-Alice and Arthur....So broken inside but their relationship heals the parts of themselves that they believe are not worth loving.
-So many times through this book, I found myself wishing I could hug these characters, They go through so much turmoil before they find their beauty.
-there is a conversation that Arthur has with his dad and that broke my heart.
-Luther the dog....I loved Luther.
-I could tell you so many amazing things about this book but just know that if you pick it up (and I highly recommend it) you will find the grace that I found and I hoe you enjoy it as much as I did. thank you Cristina for giving us Alice and Arthurs story.

[Alison Chorney-Dubien · Rating 4 out of 5]

FMC - Alice
MMC - Arthur

Tropes - history substance misuse, slow burn, age gap, open door spice

This book starts out with Alice at a bar where she meets Arthur. This is Alice’s first time at a bar and drinking and Arthur is a recovering substance user. The interaction was a classic meet cute until it wasn’t. It turns out that Alice gets drunk and bar owner/employee Josie takes her home (and this is after her and Arthur just met). Arthur, is completely dismayed by Alice‘s behaviour and so tries to put her out of his mind. Turns out that something went wrong when Alice drank, and since it was her first time using alcohol, she didn’t know that she would react the way she did.

The book was set up in a way that you were able to get the backstory from both main characters and how their paths cross in the current time. Lots of miscommunication, eventually fun banter, and slow burn/open door scenes.

This book was well done and I enjoyed this story very much and would recommend.

4-⭐️

[Readingwithmammabear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read almost every Cristina Santos book, and what she always hits out of the ballpark is character development, showing the reader how they fall in love, and characters that are realistic and easy to like. this book is no different. Alice and Arthur are both very well developed, the plot is easy to follow (albeit a bit boring, but the focus of the book is on the characters and not the plot in my opinion).

the only things I didn't like were some of the dialogues between characters didn't seem authentic...it seemed scripted rather than authentic. there was also a lot of focus on the characters falling in love, but not when they were actually in love and living through their happy phase. I would have liked a bit more focus on that, so I could see why they were so unbreakable.

all in all, I love Cristina's stories, and I will continue to wholeheartedly read them.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
What an amazing start to the Machado family series. Arthur is the eldest son, and currently estranged from his family due to past troubles. On one of his rare nights out, he has an interesting meet-cute with Alice who is new to town.

As we slowly learn more about their respective pasts, it was so easy to root for them. Hoping that they would soon become each other’s support through the ups and downs in life, and realising that they have both found their “home” with each other.

I really loved the found family vibes here too, and there were so many scenes which brought tears to my eyes. Knowing what Alice went through and seeing how her found family accepts her and loves her was just so heartwarming.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

Thank you to Cristina & Hayling Bookstorm for sending me an ARC copy to read and review.

I’m going to be honest, I wasn’t sure about this book at first. It was really slow for me at the beginning, even though it looked like it was going to be insta love trope between the two main characters at first (it kinda was). However, as I continued I finally got into the flow of Cristina’s writing.

I loved that Alice & Arthur helped each other overcome their pasts & brought out the best in each other. They’re both overthinkers and I think that’s why I enjoyed reading their journey. I too am an overthinker.

It truly was a beautiful story.

The other thing I loved…chapter titles. The ones in this book made me giggle.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice has reluctantly moved back to her hometown, the only benefit being an opportunity to work in her dream job. Arthur has rebuilt his life on the ranch, keeping his head down and proving he's reliable. A chance encounter ending in a huge misunderstanding followed by an arrangement worthy of a sitcom has Alice and Arthur circling each other with all their assumptions and traumas. And the more time they spend together, the more they wonder how they'll return to their previous life plans.

I think it's safe to safe at this point that I'm going to love anything Cristina Santos writes. I can't stop thinking about Alice and Arthur and everything that goes down between them. Plus the appearances from our favourite Love in LA couples that are just the icing on the cake.

[Ana Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC review
I devoured this heartfelt story in no time. If you love stories about slow-burn romance, found family, and overcoming deep, personal scars, this book is exactly what you need. The raw portrayal of addiction recovery and chronic pain adds real depth that will stay with you long after the last page.

Alice and Arthur’s journey shows that sometimes the greatest risk is letting someone stay, even when you feel you’re too broken to love. This story about trust, second chances, and building a home you never expected will hold a special place in your heart.

I’m eagerly waiting to see what’s next from this beautiful author.
Thank you to Hayling book storm for letting me be an ARC reader!