When They Fell

Falling #1

by Madi Danielle

THE PAST can look different in hindsight, whether that’s good or bad.
The memories with the biggest impact stick.
They have been best friends since they were five.
Friends turned into more when they were teenagers.
Then it was over.

THE PRESENT can be hard to live in especially when the past seems so much better.
The present can be full of too many changes.
He’s back after ten years, and she wants them to be how they were before.
They want everything to be back to how it was.
Their attraction is stronger than ever. Their chemistry is explosive.
But the present comes with complications.
They have complications.
Love has complications.
When they fell in love, they never knew it would come down to this.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Dark Romance, Smut, Second Chance, Contemporary

354 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2022

About the author

Madi is 20 something trying to figure out what “adulting” is. Madi has been writing stories since she was a teenager she continues to express all her emotions in her writing. She’s also an avid reader. Madi lives in the PNW where she attended college after moving from the unforgiving heat of Arizona. Madi spends her free time with her husband, daughter and family of pets (3 dogs and 2 cats).

Reviews

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

''Everything has come full circle''

Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Violence/Kidnapping
- Drugs
- Blackmail
- HEA

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

I signed up for the ARC of the third book, but I wanted to read the entirety of this series before getting to it so here we are!

This is a friends to lovers story turned into a second chance romance with a ton of twists and turns.

Obviously, I would advise everyone to go in blind but if you are curious then keep reading!

This book has two different timelines: one where the MC's are in the past (we watch them grow up and eventually become lovers as teenagers) and the second one is the present. We get a lot of flashbacks within this book to really give us the story of what happened between them and how things progressed after they got together.

The Past:
Mel and Zander were friends since they were children, Zander moves away when he is 10 years old and obviously loses contact with his friends until he moves back to the same town when he is 17. However, he knows that they are only there for a year, and they will be moving again for his senior year of High School. He reconnects with Mel who is just as happy to see him, she is dating someone but that dies pretty quickly (he cheats) and Mel and Zander finally get together. Zander however never tells her about having to move right after the school year is over and Mel is none the wiser.
He eventually tells her WAY TOO LATE and she explodes with anger and these two part ways on bad terms and both never contact each other throughout the 10 years that follow.

The Present:
Mel is a writer and Zander is well he got involved in some deep shit with his stepbrother that involves drugs and dealing. We find out he was in prison on charges of possession and was in for a year. He wants to get out of the ''business' but Trent won't let him and threatens him every chance he gets. They eventually move back to Portland and Zander automatically wants to reconnect again with Mel, he messages her on Instagram and she responds. They meet and start getting to know each other again but of course Zander is vague about his life and Mel knows.

These two get back together and fall back in love as if the years apart never happened.

I should mention that neither of them was celibate during their separation and honestly that part annoys me lol I know it's unrealistic BUT Zander's whole ''I always loved her'' made me feel sad when he was known to getting with so many women throughout the years that (FOR ME) diminishes things. Again, unrealistic in real life and it doesn't bother me in the real world but in the book world I have expectations lol

Mel gets sadly involved in the shit show that is Zander's life since Trent wants to keep control but sees Mel as a potential destroyer of what he has built.

A lot happens and both Mel/Zander are in trouble for their relationship and sadly Mel gets kidnapped but thankfully Zander finds her along with a new friend he made aka the police. He decided to go to the cops and tells them everything he could (without incriminating himself) to stop Trent. It works and Trent is taken away for 5 years.

I will say that these two could have been together this entire time if Zander had just tried (I mean really tried) to show her that one year apart would be NOTHING since they were so in love, but he gave up and let her think the worst and left her without really fighting for them which upsets me. This is why friends to lovers/second chance romance is not my ultimate favorite trope as there are so many instances where things could have worked out, but it was just swept under the rug for too long. His reasoning for not telling her the entire year that he knew about moving away was not enough for me but I’ll blame it on their teenage minds? Lol

I'm happy they got their HEA after all this time, and you can tell how madly in love they are, but I fear for them when Trent gets out because he is the MMC in book 3!

Book 2 is about Mel's best friend Aylin and the cop (Nate) Zander worked with. A duo pairing, I did not see coming (there is no hint of them in the first book!).

[Lizzie Lioness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this one yesterday.

I absolutely loved the storyline. If there as ever a couple who deserved and were fated to be together it was these two!

Mell bell was a sweet character and Zander was the love of her life whom she had known since they were kids.

The two characters had swerved in and out of each other's lives a few times, and each time it became more difficult to walk away.

I loved their relationship and how much they were fighting to be with each other and I was definitely rooting for them.

The story switched between past and present and it was a great way to see how they were and then how things changed (and what stayed the same)

Loves this childhood friends to lovers story! Looking forward to the second book! Definitely recommend!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad these two found each other again - ten years apart, is a long time - but to still love each other so much, must've felt like an eternity.

Mel and Zander have been friends since they were little kids, they've had there eye on each other almost as long. Zander's life has had him moving all over the place, the relationship they started years ago, was put on the back burner because of family movement; finally Zander comes back to their 'hometown' and decides to contact Mel - secretly hoping she is unattached. She is leery about seeing him - but she goes out on a date with him, everything is so easy, it's like they were never apart. Zander is holding back - he has secrets, secrets that could harm Mel - her safety is of the utmost importance to him - but he can't help himself. They fall head over heels in love, wasn't hard - they both never stopped. But Zander has those pesky secrets, and a stepbrother who is anything but nice.

Suspenseful - YES, worth the read - DEFINITELY.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! A realistic, steamy, and heart warming love story that you cant put down. I love how the story appeared simple but was multi-layered. The author has an amazing ability to bring her characters to life, and their situations and experiences feel real and believable. You will get wrapped up in the main characters lives and need to know that some how, some way, everything will be okay. That these characters that you have come to love and care about will somehow have everything they ever wanted, deserved, and needed, and there will be a happy ending by the end. The author also did a brilliant job of weaving from character to character and to past and present tense without confusing the reader which is not an easy task! A five star rating from me!

[shesbookedallday_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young author Madi did an amazing job with this book, the characters were multi layered and able to draw in the reader so you’re wondering what twists will happen next
I loved how despite years apart Mel and Zander are able to reclaim the love that’s been there since they were just young kids, the telling of their relationship over a span of 20+ years was beautiful
Also a brilliant job changing between POV’s and between past and present tense without the reader experiencing any confusion

[Brianna Blanzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a beta reader for this book and I devoured it!

I’m typically not a fan of books that have chapters dedicated to flashbacks, but all of the past tense chapters actually have a purpose and pertain to the story.

Mel and Zander are old friends who lost touch with each other and have managed to find their way to one another again. It’s more than just a typical romance, he has secrets, dangerous ones. I don’t want to give away too much.. so I’m leaving it at that 🤫

Available on KU!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🦋🦋🦋🦋/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

When They Fell was great!

When They Fell, book 1 of the The Falling Series, by Madi Danielle @madidaniellewrites. I've loved Madi’s hockey books & have no doubt I will love this one as well!

This was a fantastic book about Mel & Zander. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like MF, I'd call this a light-grey romance (not dark), a small 3rd act breakup, really low angst & a fantastically written book, this is for you!

[Pallavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so hard to put down! Steamy and full of action, it was insanely entertaining. I absolutely loved the first half of the book, mostly because of the comfort of a well cooked friends to lovers trope (though I needed more banter). The second half had more plot and was very eventful. Overall, it is a quick, fulfilling read that sucks you in and I cannot wait for Aylin's sequel!

[Skyler Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

THis is the story of Zander and Mel. They get together again after 10 years apart. And reconnect. And between secrets and past flashbacks their difficult love story grows.

This book was good. The characters well written and developed. They had a burning attraction going on and the steamy scenes were great!
Good luck to this author😊

[Yvette McCourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zander 😮‍💨

I really enjoyed this book! The flashbacks between the ages were great, I wish there were more from their teenage years! Teenage Zander and Mel seemed like so much fun! But overall a nice quick easy read! Hard not to get sucked in when you have a hottie like Zander to read about!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very Steamy. Madi did amazing writing this book. This is was my first time reading Madi and I'm so impressed. Can't wait to read more books from her.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing debut from a young author! Really enjoyed the read and cannot WAIT for Aylin’s story 😮‍💨

[itsmekaylalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loveeee this second chance romance! Such good spicy scenes 🙌🏼

[Sarah Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author Madi Danielle did an amazing job with her first book! She had the uncanny ability to suck me into the story and to keep me intrigued to continue turning the pages to see what happened next!

Melody and Zander formed a fast friendship just at the age of five and that friendship continued all the way through high school. Zander had to unexpectedly leave and did not return back to town until 10 years later. His first stop, to find Mel. However, a lot happened in those 10 years and Mel is determined to find out all his secrets.

“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑴𝒆𝒍, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

I loved how the author jumped from the past to present to give us more details about Mel and Zander from children into adults. To see how their friendship blossomed into a relationship over the course of several years pulled at my heart strings.

"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒐."

Madi did not disappoint with the steamy scenes between these characters and the dirty talk from Zander...my oh my, I need to find me a man like that!

“𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈.”

The angst, drama, and suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat scared about what was going to happen next. Madi did a phenomenal job with keeping me engrossed and falling in love with these characters and rooting for them until the very end.

𝒁𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝒁𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝒁𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒚𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

[Ioanna_loves_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the debut of Madi Danielle and she did not disappoint. Mel and Zander became friends the first day of kindergarten and they formed a strong bond until Zander had to move. But the last year of school he returns and it is apparent from the beginnig that these two need to be close to one another first as friends since Mel is in a relationship and then as a couple. Unfortunately their relationship will be tested since Zander will need to relocate again with his family due to his dad's job but he fails to discuss this with Mel in due time.

Ten years later they are re-united but this time Zander has made choices that threat his future with Mel. Their attraction is sizzling and it is obvious that these two belong together, however they need to overcome obstacles from Zander's past that put them both in danger. They deserve a second chance and it was amazing seeing Zander trying to protect Mel and build a new life with her without any burdens. Difficult choices need to be made but Zander loves fiercely and will do anything for Mel. A trait that any book boyfriend should have.

Cannot wait for Aylin's book, the best friend of Mel.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zander was five when he knew that Mel was meant to be more than his best friend. He was 17 when she became more. To Mel, Zander was her whole world, her everything and then suddenly nothing. But unlike Zander, those first love feelings don’t just walk out the door and disappear for ten years before sending an Instagram message one random night after returning to Portland. And unlike first loves, Mel tries her hardest to be cautious with her once broken heart. But what’s a girl to do when the boy she once fell in love with shows up in front of her apartment building as a grown man, more handsome, more tattooed, more charming, more perfect than ever? Can a once scorching flame reignite to burn as bright or will the baggage, complications and secrets from the last ten years be too much to handle?
I looooved this story. And Zander? Heart eyes all around. I do wish that there was a little more depth with Mel. I would have liked to have gotten into her head a little bit more without Zander being the only thought. But overall this was a great easy read that I could not put down once I started.

[Julyjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut by Madi Danielle!

Enjoyed the angst between the two characters and reading about them through the years.

[Patricia’s Corner (lostwithinabook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

“You ruined me for anyone else the first time we kissed ten years ago.”

Summary:
Mel and Zander were friends a long time ago but hasn't seen each other in ten years because he has to leave before their senior year in HS. They reconnected after that and the chemistry between them was still as strong as when they were teens and so they decided to explore what they are feeling towards each other, however; secrets are bound to ruin their second-chance and they have to fight for each other to get to the other side.

Thoughts:
This is quite hard for me to rate because I enjoyed the majority of the book. The chemistry was very clear from when they met again to when they started reminiscing about their past friendship and relationship. The banters and intimate scenes were also fun to read because the author wrote those with a natural flow and funny vibes to it. The thing that I could not get past from is the fact that he keeps saying (in his internal dialogue) that he wanted out but most of the book shows that he is still very much doing what Trent wanted him to do without a concrete plan of really going out. He only came up with a plan around 80% of the book and from then, it felt a bit rushed. that being said, I decided to continue the series and knowing now, that Trent will have his own book got me curious and excited because it will be (for sure) a redeeming MMC kind of plot.

@lostwithinabook

[bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I read the first half of this book in one night and then I just lost interest. This book was mainly smut with little to no plot, which I don't exactly have a problem with. I love smut as much as the next person but I need a little more plot to help guide the story. The major conflict of the story didn't even show up until 70% of the book was done. However, the main relationship was cute and I love me some friends to lovers. I liked being able to see them as their younger selves together compared to as estranged adults. It made the whole relationship pull together really nicely.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic enemies to lovers romance with a lot of steam and spice! Loved it! Wonderful main characters. Entrancing storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars if I’m honest lol it took me toooo long to finish this book and I only really finished because I hate not finishing. It wasn’t the worst and it wasn’t the best either it is what it is

[Rin Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great debut book for this author! Loved the story and can't wait to read about the other characters!

[Echo's Journey Through Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Ahhh so good!

[JessiBookSage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this book on my feed and I jumped right into it! glad I did since it was it was soo good!

Great debut ❤️❤️❤️