When I Fall

Montgomery Manor #2

by Tamara Morgan

Book two of Montgomery Manor

Socialite Rebecca Clare gets through life one vodka tonic at a time. Emotionally shattered after her best friend's death, she's cast as the latest pseudo-celebrity screwup and hounded by paparazzi 24/7. So naturally, the cameras are rolling when she gets into a scrap at a club (he started it). But then an unexpected white knight steps in.

Playing caretaker isn't Jake Montgomery's usual role, but Becca is his stepmother's little sister. As they bond over their bad reputations, they find they have a lot more in common than the spotlight. When a photo of the nightclub incident goes viral, it raises protective instincts that Jake never knew he had. What better way to save Becca—and the family—from scandal than by claiming he's her fiancé?

Becca agrees to play along, never expecting a fake engagement to feel so right. But she's vowed never to depend on a man for happiness; how can Jake convince her that falling in love is worth the risk?

96,000 words

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Adult

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2014

About the author

Tamara Morgan is a contemporary comedy romance author. Ninety-nine percent of her information comes from television, movies, books, and all other pop culture activities that limit the amount of time she has to spend in polite company.

Her long-lived affinity for romance novels survived a B.A. degree in English Literature, after which time she discovered it was much more fun to create stories than analyze the life out of them. She lives with her husband and teen in the Inland Northwest, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and coffee is available on every street corner.

Reviews

[Samadrita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why the best romance novels are the most obscure and underrated I will never understand.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I sort of feel like I should've liked this more than I did, but I just didn't feel like a lot was justified? Both plot and emotionally, I was just like . . . oh, okay. Didn't really see evidence for that. (And I am a reader who is happy to fill in plot holes in my head!)

Also the conflict was so late in the book that at first I wondered if there even was going to be one and then I wondered if maybe my book was defective and there were supposed to be like five more chapters resolving it. Nope!

One content warning of sorts: The epilogue mentions the heroine started a "Better Than Therapy Boot Camp" and physical exercise is a huge help for my mental health and it totally makes sense for the character to to start a program about this because that's true for her, too, buuuut THAT NAME. Both! Both are good! Don't call it BETTER than therapy! I haven't gone to therapy (yet?), but the name really bothered me.

Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 4/5 for the month

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I shouldn't have liked this as much as I did, but wow are emotionally co-dependent people who make each other grow up my thing. Plus fake engagement! Almost incest! These are things that I approve of.

[MaggieReadsRom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! I loved it even more than I did IF I STAY. Becca is hilarious and complex and so is Jake. Underneath their shallow-looking veneer of indifferent playboy and reckless socialite there is so much hurt and some heavy-handed issues that bring this book to a whole other level. Jake is sweet and chivalrous and Becca is loyal and resilient. They are both flawed and I loved them more than I ever imagined when the author first told me who the main couple of this second book in the series was going to be. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Becca says to Jake:
“It’s a hell of a lot easier to critique than it is to create, to react instead of act. And that’s what you do. You let everyone else make the first few clumsy mistakes so you can swoop in and dazzle us with a checkmate.”
This was so spot-on! As it is exactly what Jake does.

There was just one full-on sex scene in the entire book and it happened past the 3/4 point of the book and yet this is the sexiest Tamara Morgan book I've read to-date. The build-up and chemistry was more than able to keep the sexy vibe going strong. And that one sex scene was brilliant and sexy.

Just as I expect from Tamara Morgan she lightens up the heavy burdened themes with laugh-out loud humor, dry wit and dirty sexy chemistry. I think I've said this about every Tamara Morgan book I've read but the humor is so great! When I read her books a smile, chuckle, grin or laugh is never far away as the humor always wins from the sad or heavy parts in the books. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for Monty and I really hope she gets the chance to write Jenna’s story and a bunch of others too in this series.

And I know I say this about every Tamara Morgan book I read as well but this might be my all-time favorite by her. I know it's definitely a 2014 favorite!

Memorable Scenes:
- the one with Becca's striptease to prove Jake a point > well played, Becca! Well played!
- the one in the club after Monty leaves > Jake and Becca set the dancefloor and pages on fire!
- the one where Jake watches Becca's solo-performance > even during one of the sexiest scenes of the book Tamara Morgan managed to make me smile.
- the one with Greg in the tree > I laughed and laughed and laughed
- the one with the engagement party > annnnnd cue my standard sobfest at the end of a Tamara Morgan book

Favorite Quotes:
“If I lend you my belt, I think you can pull that shirt off as a dress. It’s scandalous, but doable. You’ve worn less.” She giggled. “I’ve worn less.”
“Yes, you have, you dirty slut.”
“Take that back. I’m a clean slut, thank you very much.”

Second of all, there was no way she was risking her own cootchie making an impromptu appearance tonight. Not that anyone could accuse her of being overly modest, but she was under strict orders from her mother. The world has seen enough of your lady garden for one lifetime, Rebecca Louise. Wrap it up or I’m shipping it out.

Jake could just make out the hint of a nipple peeking over the tight black band across her breasts and swallowed heavily, determined to avoid even thinking about it. For the duration of this evening, Becca had no nipples. No sex organs. She was a pod person.

He knew she could pull out all the stops and lead a man by his balls, but there was something about her innocent acceptance of her nudity that hit him on a deeper level.
She wasn’t showing off. She wasn’t trying a different tactic after last night’s efforts at seduction failed. She was just Becca—take her or leave her or stand around stupefied while you searched for a third option.

“Well, I still say that’s not the right shade of pink for you, but you look delicious.” Livvie straightened the dress with a grin. “If he hasn’t popped the question yet, it’s only because he hasn’t caught a glimpse of the killer side boob you’ve got going on over there.”
Becca groaned. “No man is moved to commit to a life of monogamy because of side boob.”

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Montgomery Manor series, it focuses on Rebecca Clare, who is still mourning her best friend's suicide, which she contends was caused by Sara's last boyfriend. Along comes Jake Montgomery, Becca's nephew after her older sister married Jake's father. Jake's been playing the extreme playboy role for too many years, Jake decides that he needs to protect her--from whom? The papparazzi, for one, and for anyone else who wants to catch Becca doing something stupid or at least worthy of news coverage.

The trouble with Becca's willingness to let Jake take care of her is their respective attraction to each other, which neither will admit to the other, though it's become increasingly obvious to others. Particularly after Jake proposes to Becca to prevent her mother from having her recommitted to a jail-like rehab center when she's not on drugs or even alcohol. What's she's on is grief.

Trouble is Becca would love for that engagement to be real, even if it means she'll have to depend on Jake forever. That's something she is determined not to do. But what if Jake wants to make it real and then tries? What's Becca going to do then--particularly when the man she is certain killed her best friend shows up at the engagement party Jake's family insists on hosting for the so-called happy couple?

[Tina "IRead2Escape" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Hotness Rating 3 out of 5

Color me surprised. I think When I Fall, book 2, was my favorite book of the Montgomery Manor so far. I really thought Rebecca's party girl reputation was going to drive me crazy. I immediately judged her as shallow and frivolous just based on the little she was mentioned in book 1. I am so glad I didn't let my preconceived notion stop me from reading this book.

Rebecca Clare and Jake Montgomery have a lot in common. Mainly their reputations for being the wild children of the family. But, that has never been enough to really make them a part of one another's inner circle. Now, things are changing. She's landed herself in the spotlight and is getting attention in all the wrong ways. Much to his surprise this brings out a protective side in Jake that he didn't realize he had.

The connection and growth this couple showed from the beginning to the end was so fun to read. These characters were so real and likable. I truly enjoyed this book!

You can find this book and others at www.riverinaromantics.com

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake, he might be an uptight boob, but he sure knows how to take one for the team, "they're still watching," Jake said grimly, as if reading her thoughts. "Make it a few more feet without attacking anyone, and I'll let you claw my eyes out in the car all you want." Jake, he likes to motivate Becca in her times of need, "I'll tell you what. You get up off that floor right now and take my clothes off for me, and I'll eff you any way you want." He's also one to not like to be disturbed when he's on a roll, "eff off," Jake called back. "I'm proposing to my lady. Show some respect." In all honesty I loved this one so much more than the first one, I hope this is how the series is going to go each one getting better than the last and I want Monty's story next.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tamara Morgan used her wicked humor to showcase characters’ faults of the people she writes about. They are real in depth true to life characters you can see in your head. You wouldn’t think that at first since they’re overly pampered rich kids, adults truthfully.
Yes, you can, though. Rebecca Clare is a party girl through and through. She goes clubbing and drinking all night then works out like a crazy person in the mornings. With Mean Max, a very expensive trainer. Everyone looks at her as an airhead and an ex on the verge or relapsing druggie. Really, she is just a young scared woman of 24, trying to survive.
When one-night clubbing having a good night, table dancing with a friend she runs into her step-nephew, who by the way is older than her, Jake Montgomery, 31. Her sister married his father. Yeah, weird doesn’t begin to cover it. Anyway, he tries to save her from herself because he notices that she is dancing up there with no panties. Now, he has seen her goods the day of his dad’s wedding when they did the deed. But right now, he is being the good nephew. Something would ever call him is good. Still.
He stays the night with her because she is scared of the dark all the light switches have duct tape so they stay on. The next day he goes to tea with her and when her mom and friend verbally attack her Jake tries to rescue her by saying they are engaged. It does keep her mother from sending her from the rehab center for another stay since she bothers the number one rule going out into public without panties but she also struck two people.
This is not normal Jake behavior. Jake once stopped a wedding by winking at the bride while on the alter. When they return to her apartment she says now we have to remain engaged for at least a week he counters for 3 months till after the first of the year. She says until so he will have a place to live you mean. He is shocked that she caught on. From here on out it is a fast-moving snowball effect with these two. They lose control of what they thought something they could handle.
This fake engagement means dealing with some ghost and some real emotions which both have stuffed down for so long they have been tripping over them, for way too long.
Loved this book. Sexually charged yet not graphic at all but boy do you feel the energy. Not saying there are not scenes that get dicey. So, good, though. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

[Anne Dirty Girls' Good Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for this book, I was really intrigued. I wondered if I could enjoy a story about a character who seemed to have no redeeming qualities. Becca is a socialite in all the tabloids described in the book blurb as getting through life one vodka tonic at a time. When all cameras are on her at a night club she finds an unexpected savior in Jake, her older sister’s step son. (That’s right, Becca is Jake’s aunt, if you’re keeping track!) So, I dove into the book wondering how I’d feel and if the author could make me sympathetic to Becca. I’ve really liked other books I’ve read by Tamara Morgan, so I was hopeful.

Then I started reading, and it got worse! Not only does Becca try to drink herself into a stupor in order to try to sleep through the night, but Jake turns out to be a total wastrel. That’s right, I’m using a historical term in contemporary romance, but it totally applies! Jake drifts through life. His family is loaded and he’s always had more money than he knows what to do with. He’s never held a job and he’s involved in one scandal after another. It got so bad that his father cut him off and he’s been couch surfing with friends who are willing to pay his way at clubs.

When he sees drunken Becca at the club, he does step in to minimize the damage. At the same time, he’s thinking to himself that taking Becca home will probably give him a place to sleep for the night, as he’s getting tired of the friend he’s staying with.

So these characters are not very likable to me. At all. But that’s when the magic starts to happen. The more I learned about Becca, the more I understood her and felt for her. I never had quite as much sympathy for Jake as I did for Becca, but he turns out to have a huge protective streak for Becca. So by page 85 I knew pretty much all their dirty laundry, and I was totally rooting for them. It wasn’t just my sympathy for Becca and Jake that turned me around, it was that they were incredibly honest with each other. Becca knew Jake needed a place to stay and he didn’t try to hide it. They were very open with each other, and it was wonderful!

Even though I’ve said the characters aren’t very likable, there was a lot I liked about them. I didn’t like how they’d chosen to live their lives – basically not doing any productive work and just creating scandal and partying. I did like who they were. Jake was very loyal to his family and very protective of Becca.

Becca was very honest about who she was. She was sexually active and not ashamed about that. I know there may be some romance readers who will have a problem with that, but I really enjoyed it. Becca also turns out to be a lot stronger than she appears. I would have had problems with this story if Jake had been the magical thing to make Becca better. By the end of the story I was confident that Becca would have taken care of herself just fine without Jake. Her life was better with him in it, but he didn’t save her, and I liked that!

The sex in this story is really hot and really well written. There’s a lot more anticipation than there is sex, but when you get it, it’s worth the wait!

This story is also filled with humor, and a lot of it is pretty raunchy. I loved that! Becca has quite a potty mouth, and that seemed totally in character. For example, here’s Becca’s reaction to seeing a crotch shot picture of her taken at the club the previous night printed in the paper:

“I like how they blacked my twat out with a star, “ she mused, tilting the picture so that her legs were vertical to her line of vision. “It’s so much more exciting that way. Like the force of my vulva cannot be contained.”

The worst part of this story for me was how sad Becca’s life was. She was grieving a friend and depressed. It was so horrible it was making me sad reading it, and I wondered how she could possibly be in a place to start a relationship – even a fake one!

I was also pulled out of the story at times by the many point of view changes. It happened a lot and was hard to keep up with.

This is the second book in the Montgomery Manor series. I didn’t read the first one, and I had no problem keeping up. Tamara Morgan continues to write wonderful and witty contemporary romance! She’s pushing herself up my favorite authors list!

[Gokce G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems like the Montgomery Manor folk know the how to of easy banter. Having already met Jake and his flirtatious ways in the previous-and very much fun- book of the series, I knew what I was getting into. What I didn't expect was the whirlwind that Rebecca was. I don't know why, but when it comes to overly seductive men I always figure the one to bring them to their knees is going to be a prim and proper woman. Maybe it's the opposites attract thing that lures me into this way of thinking, but this is what I expect. And Rebecca is no prim and proper woman, let me tell you. As seductive and overly friendly-not at all in a creepy way though- Jake was, Rebecca was all those things as well. From the first page on, we get the kind of crazy character she is, though maybe crazy is too strong a word here since we do discover an inner layer to her that's hidden from everyone else. But with the careless way she handled things around her and her impulsiveness, I thought she wouldn't complete Jake's irresponsible character. I was wrong.

This is the point where I'll say that we met a new Jake in this book. Those of you who read the previous book will know how much of an overgrown child Jake was, but in this book I saw that he matured. Or perhaps we only saw what he wanted the people in the first book to see, but I wasn't prepared-though pleasantly surprised- by his development. Seems like lately I'm pleasantly surprised by a lot of good things, and this makes the obsessive reader in me very happy.
From the first moment Jake and Rebecca come together, there's a balance between them that puts Jake, of all people, in place of the caretaker. He saves Rebecca from a potentially scandalous situation only to be plunged into an even bigger one together-though through no fault of his. He sees through Rebecca and tries his best to organize the mess-and I mean this in the sweetest way possible- that Rebecca's life is. And her life isn't easy either. I never paid much attention or interest to the lives of high society, but I figured it must be a tough one. Sure, they have all the money and fame, but it comes with a price tag that I know I wouldn't be able to afford. Being followed everywhere by men who mostly want to catch you doing or saying something scandalous, or adapting situations in such ways to make you look your worst. It must be tiring. So, even though at first I thought Rebecca was a bit silly, I think this was her coping mechanism with her past and present, and her possible future, and I can respect that.

I liked the way Jake and Rebecca fell into an easy friendship and even easier romance, though they both couldn't see it that way in the beginning. They fell for each other almost instantly-or maybe they've been in love for a long time and didn't even know it- but opted to bury the feelings deep down instead of facing them. They were, in every sense of the word, cute together. They clearly loved each other, they were both protective over one another, and it was- yes, it's that word again- cute. And I liked reading about them growing up a little together. I'm saying only a little because in the end I like to think that they both preserve their inner children.

A fun addition to the Montgomery Manor romantic adventures. Almost made me wish there were more snippets later to tell us of the life of Jake and Rebecca. I'm sure they'd be able to make me laugh even though every muscle twitching means more sweating in this heat. I can't wait to read about the big brother too, the workaholic Monty to find his way in the love department. I say it'll be yet another pleasure to read. I mean, clueless men make great heroes, right?

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4 STARS

Review copy provided for an honest review


This is one of those reviews that is hard for me to write. There were so many things I loved about this book but I had a very hard time liking the heroine and therefore it was hard for me to really get into the story. However, Ms. Morgan always writes and intricately woven tale and as the book went on I got more and more caught up in the story and was more than satisfied with the ending. While not my favorite in this author’s body of work, When I Fall is an entertaining and well written story with interesting characters that really grow and change as the story unfolds.
Maybe it is just me but I’m not a person who has ever been interested in celebrity gossip or who has ever cared about what drunken socialite has gotten herself in trouble this week. Perhaps that’s why I had a hard time liking Rebecca Clare or perhaps it was just the way she floated through life clinging to whoever was convenient at the moment. She didn’t impress me at all; she’s spoiled, careless, and at times ungrateful. I get that she grew up being in the limelight but instead of showing the public her “good side,” the side she hides except from those closest to her she continues to show them her “wild side.” I’m sorry but I simply don’t get that; grow up, take responsibility and prove you are worthy of the attention you get.
We met Jake Montgomery in the first book of this series, If I Stay, and I’ll admit I had a little bit of a soft spot for him. Yes, he’s very much like Rebecca in that he gains way too much attention for the bad things that he does but in the first book we also learned that he has a heart and he’s a little bit damaged from the neglect he felt from his parents as a child. When he sees his aunt (by marriage) out of control at a nightclub, he steps in and helps her and winds up kind of taking over her life.
For a while in this book I didn’t really feel the heat between these two. They had a previous one night stand encounter and so maybe it was because they already knew one another that way that the heat just didn’t bubble over. Jake refused Rebecca’s advances repeatedly so yes the tension and heat were on a low simmer throughout most of the book so once they did finally have some intimate time it was pretty sexy. However, this book was more about the changes these two went through as they spent time as an “engaged couple”…yes, to keep Rebecca’s mother from sending her back to rehab Jake fakes an engagement. I really loved seeing Jake in a new light and caring about someone so much that he just wanted to help her get her life on track. It was out of character for him and it was quite beautiful to watch. Rebecca became stronger and seemed to take a more active role in her own life when she was around Jake which was pretty satisfying to watch.
I very much enjoyed the part of the book that took place at Montgomery Manor and seeing Ryan and Amy again as well as Jake’s dad who continues to be a mystery and even his step mom (and Rebecca’s sister) Serena. The one thing I question about this book is the fact that Linda, Jake’s former nanny and for all intents and purposes the mother figure in his life, didn’t have a role in this book. I think a really good heart to heart with her when he realized he was falling in love with Rebecca would have been a really nice touch.
Excellent writing and an entertaining plot made When I Fall enjoyable and I can’t wait to see what happens next at Montgomery Manor.

[Karina Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

So i LOVED this book

The book started off a little slow, but at around 20% it picked up and I was in love!

When socialite Rebecca Clair does things she does them big. From partying and drinking, to going off to rehab. There is never a dull or uncaptured moment in her life. Out one night having a good time, Becca runs into her er-nephew Jake Montgomery, who is about six years her senior. Since her eldest sister married his father. And currently penniless after getting cutoff. Coming to her aid Jakes goes to help his commando aunt out of the club when she quite literally attacks his friend. Tackling him in the back alley and slamming her fist into him repeatedly, the paparazzi are there to capture everything. Managing to get her away Jake takes her back to her house where he spends the night.

THe next morning a very exposed Becca is on the front cover. Going over to her mothers for damage control, Jake attends as well. When Becca goes off on one of her mothers friends, her mother tells Becca she's going back to the looney bin for the rich and famous. Fearing the loss of his crash pad for the next few month Jake tells her mother that they are engaged and that he'll take care of her, thus saving her from going back.

Now the two must act as the dotting couple when asks to stay with his father in their CT home. The only problem is the two begin to fall for one another. Something neither of them every thought would happen.

----

So I think I'm join to go re-read this book.

It literally had everything. I loved her trainer the friends, everyone! Especially Jake. He was amazing and so caring even when he thought he wasn't join to be. And the proposal my gosh! swoon

I really liked Jake's dad as well. I thought it was a great story and all of the characters were developed really really well!

Definitely a must read!

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I Fall, Tamara Morgan
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Second in the Montgomery Manor series, though I haven't read book one. I thought this sounded a fun read, and it was but....it was a bit “middle of the road”, lots of happy but not much on the downside, and regular readers of my reviews will know by now that I want to wallow in the grief, feel that the characters are really upset, before I get to the happy ending. Here I didn't feel that, there was a bit of a hiccup but that all.
Becca was more than her socialite, drunken, flighty appearance suggested, and still grieving deeply at the death of her friend. She's a shame to her family, a blight on the name with her constant press appearances, and yet when we get to see her, to know her, we see its not all her fault...Then there's Jake, seems like a rich playboy, never doing anything much other than gambling and spending money. He's at a loose end as his family have frozen his accounts. By chance he teams up with Becca and pretends to be her fiance to stop her family from sending her to rehab once again. He knows – as he was there – that the recent incident wasn't her fault, and rehab won't help her but hinder her recovery from grief. She's not the drug addled person her family seem to think she is. He needs somewhere to stay so it works for him too. Then things get moved along quickly, and before they know it the families are arranging an engagement party. Jakes fallen for Becca, but he's having trouble getting her to let go and trust in him.
It's afun read, light and frothy but somehow I never really felt there was much depth to the story. If you want a light, easy, well written read this will work, but for me I need a bit more.
Stars: three, a decent read but light on drama and emotion for me.
ARC supplied via Netgalley and publishers.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my usual genre since I am a fervid reader of romantic suspense. However, I also like books with plenty of angst which is what I thought this book would be. The major character, Rebecca Clare seems to be getting over her best friends death by continuously drinking vodka tonics. She has a problem at a club and, because she is a socialite the paparazzi take pictures of her trouble.

Jake Montgomery knows Rebecca because she is his stepmother's little sister, so he decides to help her. When these pictures go viral Jake tries to help Rebecca by pretending to be her fiance. This is important because Rebecca is already considered the back sheep of the family, and they have already sent her once to rehab.

But instead of being full of angst, it turns funny when the family pushes them into an engagement party. I did like that Jake fell in love with Rebecca first and then had to convince her to trust him and consequently fall in love with him.

This is the first time that I have ever read this author, and I and honestly say that I enjoyed the book. Once I changed my mindset to realize that I was reading a romantic comedy, I was able to go with the flow. I would next like to read the other books in this series and see if they are as fun as this book.

[LPJ]

Oh the problems of rich, privileged, white people. How little I care. I barely got past the first chapter of this one. They both seemed spoiled and self-indulgent, and lending your best friend your panties is not exactly a "save the cat" moment. Just couldn't hang... DNF.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Montgomery -- playboy cares about nobody but himself, that is until Rebecca - his stepmom's younger sister. Rebecca is fighting demons and Jake finally finds the one thing he will stand up for and open his heart. Going to be a good read series

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

likeable and genuine maincharacters, great development of conversation and emotions

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Montgomery Manor