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Reeling Through the Fall
Three years. It's been three years since Sven made the mistake of falling in love with his best friend's little brother. He's paid the price, picked up the pieces and managed to move on, forget about Leo and all those secret touches, kisses, smiles. Well, mostly.
Leo showing up at Sven's place of work, though? That wasn't part of the plan.
Leo showing up at Sven's place of work, though? That wasn't part of the plan.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2014
1 person is currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Zarah Detand
19 books438 followersWriter of M/M romances. Chaos monkey. Coffee snob. Cheese is her love language.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 12, 2017
Un 3 justito, aunque el estilo de Detand me encanta, no es su mejor trabajo.
December 13, 2022
Zarah Detand's an auto-buy for me. Her plots are generally just a little off-beat, she's got an eye for detail and a nice turn of phrase.
Having said that, this is not her best book (though at the top end of my 3-star ratings). The characters are too young (late teens / early 20s) for my preference, and the historic Big Misunderstanding that's the main source of conflict goes on just too long. Glad to have read it though—Detand does a good line in satisfying HEAs.
Having said that, this is not her best book (though at the top end of my 3-star ratings). The characters are too young (late teens / early 20s) for my preference, and the historic Big Misunderstanding that's the main source of conflict goes on just too long. Glad to have read it though—Detand does a good line in satisfying HEAs.
September 10, 2016
First time with this author and it was such a weird experience. On one hand, the plot and the way the story unfolds irritated the bejesus out of me, but, on the other hand, I really like the author's writing and the MC's inner voice. Can you see my dilemma here?
The third-person single POV worked great here, and Sven (the narrator) is funny as hell. His inner monologues and the way he saw things was hilarious. The story is not without feels, though, and there were some pretty emotional scenes too. There is also heat and the steam is just right.
What didn't work at all, is the conflict of this story. It's all big misunderstanding y'all! A stupid moment of miscommunication, utterly unbelievable and eye roll-inducing that happened a few years back and doesn't get resolved until the 63% mark of the book. Until then, the characters act like immature 5 yar-olds, pinching, tripping, elbowing or sabotaging each other at work! Who the hell does these things?
All these stupid things took too much page time, and the things that truly mattered (like Sven reconsiling with his friend, Julie) were mentioned in passing.
Bottom line, the story had heart, I liked certain elements, and I would read something else by the author. But I can't rate it higher because it was all based on contrived and irrational drama.
*Also posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
The third-person single POV worked great here, and Sven (the narrator) is funny as hell. His inner monologues and the way he saw things was hilarious. The story is not without feels, though, and there were some pretty emotional scenes too. There is also heat and the steam is just right.
What didn't work at all, is the conflict of this story. It's all big misunderstanding y'all! A stupid moment of miscommunication, utterly unbelievable and eye roll-inducing that happened a few years back and doesn't get resolved until the 63% mark of the book. Until then, the characters act like immature 5 yar-olds, pinching, tripping, elbowing or sabotaging each other at work! Who the hell does these things?
All these stupid things took too much page time, and the things that truly mattered (like Sven reconsiling with his friend, Julie) were mentioned in passing.
Bottom line, the story had heart, I liked certain elements, and I would read something else by the author. But I can't rate it higher because it was all based on contrived and irrational drama.
*Also posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
March 22, 2016
ITS ALL A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING!!! Yes in all caps because it doesn't get resolved til more than 2/3rds of the way. Meanwhile the MCs are engaging in truly childish behavior. And while yeah it's true they are only 19 &21 some of their actions are ridiculous.
If I had to sum up this book in one word it would be STUPID.
If I had to sum up this book in one word it would be STUPID.
August 5, 2014
As usual, beautiful. Can't get enough of Zarah's writing. Or characters. Or settings. Or universes. Or ideas. Or love stories.
You make it worth every words of angst. Thank you.
You make it worth every words of angst. Thank you.
March 10, 2015
3.5 stars
Def not Pull Me Under. But I like this authors style of writing. I like the inner thoughts.
It was enjoyable and had some UST.
Mare~Slitsread
Def not Pull Me Under. But I like this authors style of writing. I like the inner thoughts.
It was enjoyable and had some UST.
Mare~Slitsread
June 25, 2018
First and foremost: nice sexual tension. The should I, shouldn't I; do I, don't I was well done.
Funny in parts, and Sven's memories of him and Leo were charming and didn't make me feel as though I was being ripped from the story line.
Overall I enjoyed the first 85% enough to go back and rehash the cute parts, but something fell apart near the end and, unrepentant, I skimmed the last handful of pages.
Funny in parts, and Sven's memories of him and Leo were charming and didn't make me feel as though I was being ripped from the story line.
Overall I enjoyed the first 85% enough to go back and rehash the cute parts, but something fell apart near the end and, unrepentant, I skimmed the last handful of pages.
March 25, 2017
4 'I enjoyed this book, loved the I hate you but I wanna fuck you vibe they had going on. Was glad when Leo and Sven finally sorted their shit. Really enjoy this authors writing' stars.
January 7, 2016
Zarah Detand’s Reeling Through the Fall is another one of those chance 1-Click purchases that just so happened to pay off, where so many don’t. What this story lacks in page count it makes up for with a bit of angst, some indisputable chemistry between its MCs, a heaping helping of misunderstanding, and a jot of healing from past mistakes made when Sven and Leo were still innocent and green in the ways of love and sexuality. None of these themes may be original in the New Adult romance genre, but Detand’s breezy storytelling and the charm of her characters elevate this novella just enough that the sense of familiarity takes a backseat to our desire to discover what’d happened three years before that led to the hostility these two guys feel toward each other now.
Just sixteen and seventeen when their secret relationship imploded, now Leo and Sven, three years later, have been thrown together again in London after Leo’s given a job in the pub where Sven bartends while putting himself through law school. To say their reunion is nothing short of venomous isn’t understating the facts in the slightest. If these two could have killed each other with verbal barbs and stabby-eyed death stares, they’d have both been sliced and diced to a bloody pulp within the first few pages of the book. But then… then there’s the attraction to each other still bubbling just under the surface of all that acrimony… which does nothing but makes them even more hostile toward each other. Gotta love that irony, right?
Just when the story gets to the point where patience for their shenanigans begins to wear thin, the author pulls the story together in the nick of time, thanks to a couple of Sven and Leo’s good friends, and it wasn’t a moment too soon either. It worked well, though, the building tension, given that these two boys are still so young and are still trying to work through what had gone wrong—so many things—when everything in their relationship fell apart back in their small town where the walls of gossip and speculation and scandal closed in and made everything all the worse. But, they are earnest in their sincerity not to allow history to repeat itself, and that was the neon sign in the story that Sven and Leo were ready for a grownup relationship.
Reeling Through the Fall is a nice little tale to dig into when you’re looking for a bit of angst and a sweet resolution, all wrapped up in a quick and satisfying read.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Just sixteen and seventeen when their secret relationship imploded, now Leo and Sven, three years later, have been thrown together again in London after Leo’s given a job in the pub where Sven bartends while putting himself through law school. To say their reunion is nothing short of venomous isn’t understating the facts in the slightest. If these two could have killed each other with verbal barbs and stabby-eyed death stares, they’d have both been sliced and diced to a bloody pulp within the first few pages of the book. But then… then there’s the attraction to each other still bubbling just under the surface of all that acrimony… which does nothing but makes them even more hostile toward each other. Gotta love that irony, right?
Just when the story gets to the point where patience for their shenanigans begins to wear thin, the author pulls the story together in the nick of time, thanks to a couple of Sven and Leo’s good friends, and it wasn’t a moment too soon either. It worked well, though, the building tension, given that these two boys are still so young and are still trying to work through what had gone wrong—so many things—when everything in their relationship fell apart back in their small town where the walls of gossip and speculation and scandal closed in and made everything all the worse. But, they are earnest in their sincerity not to allow history to repeat itself, and that was the neon sign in the story that Sven and Leo were ready for a grownup relationship.
Reeling Through the Fall is a nice little tale to dig into when you’re looking for a bit of angst and a sweet resolution, all wrapped up in a quick and satisfying read.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
July 9, 2016
Ok let's be honest, the situation that led to Leo and Sven's conflict is just not rational AT ALL. With the love they had, it seems so absurd and plainly stupid to break up over that reason ( u have to read to find it out).
Normally, a forced situation does not get good review from me, but this one somehow managed to captivate my romantic soul... (Yea, you heard it right).
Maybe it helps that the story is short, so there is not too much information to annoy me with their past unreasonable selves. What is emphasized during the book is Leo, and especially, Sven's present, which I truly hold dear to my heart. I love how the author can describe very delicate movements of the characters and the environments to make me feel their emotions. And some scenes just appear inside my head, clear and beautiful, with two young men so in love with each other showing their innocent yet powerful affection.
I loved Pull Me Under and now RTTF just one more time prove Ms. Zahah's talent in presenting the most beautiful and sophisticated feelings of her characters, which I'm sure can be found in her upcoming works.
Normally, a forced situation does not get good review from me, but this one somehow managed to captivate my romantic soul... (Yea, you heard it right).
Maybe it helps that the story is short, so there is not too much information to annoy me with their past unreasonable selves. What is emphasized during the book is Leo, and especially, Sven's present, which I truly hold dear to my heart. I love how the author can describe very delicate movements of the characters and the environments to make me feel their emotions. And some scenes just appear inside my head, clear and beautiful, with two young men so in love with each other showing their innocent yet powerful affection.
I loved Pull Me Under and now RTTF just one more time prove Ms. Zahah's talent in presenting the most beautiful and sophisticated feelings of her characters, which I'm sure can be found in her upcoming works.
January 10, 2015
This was okay. I love the trope. In fact, it contains too of my most favorite things: younger brother of best friend and post-breakup. But it was very rambly--to the point of distraction. I wanted Sven to stop talking so the story could move forward. Could have done with a bit more angsting, too. And I feel like we really missed out by not seeing .
But overall, enjoyed enough and read quickly.
But overall, enjoyed enough and read quickly.
May 8, 2016
It was a fantastic read, quick, a definite page-turner yet gripping thanks to an effortless writing style that read as if you were observing the couple through a magnifying glass. Great one to spend the long train rides to uni and back home reading it... that is, if you're not too worried someone will peek over your shoulder and have their brains fried by lots of smut (pleasurable to read, obviously, for a fan).
February 12, 2015
Ahhh, the feels that the book brings. She's an amazing writer. It doesn't matter that the subject matter is cliche. It doesn't matter that there's no complicated plot. It doesn't matter that its so overly dramatic. I love the characters. Sometimes, its not the technical things that make a book precious, but the feels it gives you. Not everything has to make sense, not everything has to be intelligent. As long as it makes me feel happy, the 5 stars is worth it.
April 6, 2015
While ripping off your own boyband fanfic is in poor taste I guess it happens pretty often around here in m/m world. This story was meh... and all the weird conflict and drama was too constructed and unnecessary. I went through most of this fic having only the vaguest idea what these guys look like, except that one had curly hair.
Also the gloss over of Sven's reunion with his best friend was pretty lazy. Two stars for the smut.
Sigh.
Also the gloss over of Sven's reunion with his best friend was pretty lazy. Two stars for the smut.
Sigh.
October 3, 2014
Another winner from this crazily talented author. I just love the style of writing, Sven/Leo's interaction and the internal dialogue constantly second guessing and justifying everything in a way that makes me alternate between smiling wistfully and chuckle/guffaw!
Definitely a reread and recommendation.
Definitely a reread and recommendation.
April 12, 2017
5/5
So I read the fanfic version of this book but I'm going to review it anyways because why not, right?
Okay so I loved the whole friends-to-haters-to-lovers kind of thing that happened. I also loved the way Harry and Louis's previous experiences were revealed and also the way just how wrong things can sometimes get was shown. Bonus points for adorable Zayn and Liam.
So I read the fanfic version of this book but I'm going to review it anyways because why not, right?
Okay so I loved the whole friends-to-haters-to-lovers kind of thing that happened. I also loved the way Harry and Louis's previous experiences were revealed and also the way just how wrong things can sometimes get was shown. Bonus points for adorable Zayn and Liam.
August 18, 2016
This one peeved me a bit. It was only four chapters long and the blurb should be read in concurrent with the story since it picks up where the blurb leaves off.
For a majority of the book the characters were rubbing me the wrong way with how antagonistic they were towards each other. It took me halfway through the book to actually get into the book and by then it was just those two chapters.
For a majority of the book the characters were rubbing me the wrong way with how antagonistic they were towards each other. It took me halfway through the book to actually get into the book and by then it was just those two chapters.
November 16, 2016
I'm sad I spent money on this when apparently it was available on AO3 for free. It's been years since I read something of Zarah's and nothing has changed. The best parts are the pining and drunk house party hook ups in the middle. The beginning was slow and the end dragged on unnecessarily.
May 11, 2014
Hot. Poignant. Funny.
Zarah manages to create just the right balance between blatant sexual attraction and confusing heart-felt emotions.
I'd definitely recommend it.
Zarah manages to create just the right balance between blatant sexual attraction and confusing heart-felt emotions.
I'd definitely recommend it.
April 29, 2015
I just love Zarahs writing style. Another great story with just the right amount of angst sprinkled with some really sweet and hot steam.
October 26, 2015
Sweet second chance MM romance.
May 31, 2016
Speechless. Such a beautiful read (I did read it on ao3 first), I adore the writing style, love, love, love!
January 15, 2017
As a fanfiction (which I had read before too) I'd give this five stars and much kudos. Zarah is one of my favourite ff writers. Or was, seeing as she doesn't write ff anymore, I don't think. But as an ~actual, real book~ I feel, at least for me, the standards are a bit different than what they are for ff, so it's just three stars. It's still the same warm, fuzzy feelings inducing little story though. Just the way I like them.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews