The Only Way to Fall

Summer Lake Seasons #8

by S.J. McCoy

After his time serving as a Marine, Jake moved to Summer Lake to start the next chapter of his life.

He loves the small town. He loves living close to his dad, and he's just opened his own business as a mechanic. In that respect, everything is going according to plan.

What he didn't plan for was meeting Savannah. She seems to be his perfect girl. She’s a pretty blonde, who drives a Chevy Camaro - that she restored herself. Jake seems to be Savannah's ideal guy, too. But her life is less than ideal when they meet. They'll have to put her past behind them before they can have a future together.

Summer Lake Seasons series is sweet n steamy, small town romance with a focus on fun, friendships and happily ever afters. It follows a group of friends in a small lakeside town in the California hills.

Take These Broken Wings - Angel and Luke
Too Much Love to Hide - Mara and Zack
Sunshine Over Snow - Logan and Roxy
Chase the Blues Away - Ivan and Abbie
Forever Takes a While - Colt and Cassie
Tell the Stars to Shine - Austin and Amber
Please Don't Say Goodbye - Donovan and Elle
The Only Way to Fall – Jake and Savannah
Coming Next
What’s a Guy to do? – Tiffany and Brayden

Summer Lake Series
In the original Summer Lake Series each book can be read as a standalone – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story.

Love Like You've Never Been Hurt - Emma and Jack
Work Like You Don't Need the Money - Pete and Holly
Dance Like Nobody's Watching - Missy and Dan
Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded - Smoke and Laura
Laugh Like You've Never Cried - Michael and Megan
Sing Like Nobody's Listening - Kenzie and Chase
Smile Like You Mean It - Gabe and Renée
The Wedding Dance - Missy and Dan's Wedding
Chasing Tomorrow - Ben's backstory with Charlotte
Dream Like Nothing's Impossible - April and Eddie
Ride Like You've Never Fallen - Nate and Lily
Live Like There's No Tomorrow - Ben's story
The Wedding Flight – Smoke and Laura’s Wedding

Summer Lake Silver is a new series featuring couple in their fifties and older. Just because a few decades—or more—have skipped by since you were in your twenties it doesn’t mean you can’t find love, does it? Summer Lake Silver stories find happily ever afters for those who remember being thirty-something—vaguely.

Marianne and Clay in Like Some Old Country Song
Seymour and Chris in A Dream Too Far
Ted and Audrey in A Little Rain Must Fall
Diego and Izzy in Where the Rainbow Ends
Silhouettes Shadows and Sunsets – Manny and Nina
More Than Sometimes – Cal and Teresa
Like a Soft Sweet Breeze - Russ and Alexandria
When Words Are Not Enough – Adam and Evelyn
Can’t Fight the Moonlight – Dalton and Taryn
Meet Me Where the Stars Fall – Lucky and Dee
Walking on Sunshine - Damon and Jo
Life Should Be Beautiful – Davin and Alexis
When Morning Comes Around – Dominic and Sadie

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2025

About the author

Hi, I'm SJ. A coffee addict, lover of chocolate and drinker of good red wines. I'm a lost soul and a hopeless romantic. Reading and writing are necessary parts of who I am. Though perhaps not as necessary as coffee! I can drink coffee without writing, but I can't write without coffee.

I grew up loving romance novels, my first boyfriends were book boyfriends, but life intervened, as it tends to do, and I wandered down the paths of non fiction for many years. My life changed completely a couple of years ago and I returned to Romance to find my escape.

I write 'Sweet N Steamy' stories because to me there is enough angst and darkness in real life. My favorite romances are happy escapes with a focus on fun, friendships and happily-ever-afters, just like the ones I write.

These days I live in beautiful Montana, the last best place. If I'm not reading or writing you'll find me just down the road in the park - Yellowstone. I have deer, eagles and the occasional bear for company, and I like it that way :0)

Reviews

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in this phenomenal series, and this is Jake and Savannah’s story.
Jake has served his time in the marines, and he moves to Summer Lake, while Savannah has recently returned home, and there is an instant connection between them.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, emotions, engaging and realistic characters, challenges, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, sweet, and heartfelt, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Michelle Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and enjoyed finally seeing Savannah and Jake become more than crushing on each other and friends. I like how Tiffany and Josh are their biggest cheerleaders and it was nice to see. On their first time out together Jake gets a call to help someone with car trouble and of course Savannah was able to determine what was wrong and get the young lady on her way and I really loved that Jake just took a step back and let her diagnose the problem and let her have her moment. Most guys would have handled the situation in a different and not a good way. Of course I love Taryn and her being so supportive of everyone and what a great boss to her employees including Savannah. I also liked her ‘suggestion’ to Jake about the restaurant and if he wanted to ask Savannah a certain question. I was mad when her past in the form of Rick made an appearance and ended up on the wrong side of Tiffany but Tiffany held her own and ultimately Rick was caught. Also liked how our older characters are just as important in the story and as our younger characters and I like how the song and story title were incorporated in the book. We definitely have another story looming iit seems for Tiffany and Brayden and I hope if these two get together, he treats her amazingly well because she more than deserves it. My favorite line in this story is ‘we all have pages in the stories of our lives that we don’t want anyone else to read’. Great book and excited to be back with the Hamilton’s for the next book.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always fun to go back to Summer Lake and catch up with everyone. Jake and Savannah or Savie had started seeing each other when Savie left town abruptly. I was so sad for how Savie had grown up, but even though it was not good she was such a loving and giving person. I was glad that her friend from the city moved back with her to Summer Lake as she was a good influence for Savie. I liked how Ms. McCoy gave Savie a job she loved, which was a mechanic, as that is not what I would normally expect a woman as a mechanic. Unfortunately though she worked as a waitress as not many men would give a woman that job. Jake had bought the garage and loved that Savie wanted to help out when she could. Jake still had feelings for Savie but decided he needed to go slow with her. It was sweet how they started seeing each other so they could get to know each better. Plus Savie finally told Jake why she had to leave and he was upset for her and wanted to help her. It was so sweet how people supported Jake and Savie. I strongly encourage you to read the book.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a lovely, heartfelt read! This is book 8 in the Summer Lake Seasons series. This love story is brought to us by Jake and Savannah, whom we’ve met before in a previous story. I love the way S.J. McCoy introduces characters and hints at next book fodder. As is the case with characters introduced in this book. I also love how we get to visit with previously introduced characters and catch up with them. A small town romance with a happily ever after, can’t be beat! Looking forward to the next offering!

[Kali M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to say this in every SJ review lately, but I absolutely love the common theme that shows up in her books of found family. Savannah doesn't have any family left and yet everyone takes her under their wing, supports her, encourages her, and accepts her as their own and I absolutely love that. I also love Jake's persistence as he slowly breaks down Savannah's hesitations. 10/10. This book gave me cozy, happy feels throughout and had me hooked from the start.

[Orla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 8 in Summer Lake Seasons brings us back to our happy place in Summer Lake. We meet ex Marine Jake who is looking for a change and Savannah who is returning home and sparks start to fly from the beginning. Like all of the stories in Summer Lake you are brought to a town of love hope and friendship and where new beginnings is possible. We meet old and new ones along the way. This is a great read.

[Brandi Sartin lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Savannah fall hard and fast. It was kid of like love at first sight. But then Savannah had to leave and no one knows why. When she returns her and Jake start dating but will the relationship last? Savannah has some secrets she hasn’t told anyone. She doesn’t want to burden anyone. Will Jake be able to convince her she has family know and isn’t alone.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IN SUMMER LAKE!!

A great place to visit, an even better place to live. Savannah finally gave in and started dating Jake. Such a great couple and great mechanics. Working together could be a dream. Love the friends and family that they have created. Keep them coming! Love this series.❤️❤️

[Laurie Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.
The story of Jake and Savannah is so fun and exciting. A great story of love is worth the wait.
It’s always fun to catch up with the characters from the other series but I am excited about the little “family” that Jake and Savannah are helping to create.

[alfawolf1 ~Sherri K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Savannah's story was sweet and fun! I like how they got to know each other and fell in love. I always love books by SJ McCoy, and it's fun to visit with the people from previous books in the stories! It's wonderful how SJ McCoy ties them together with characters we already know and love.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so enjoying this series and all the characters. I absolutely loved Jake and Savannah's story. These two are perfect for each other. They had a lot to work through and I really enjoyed watching them get their HEA. A wonderful read.

[Carrie LaForge · Rating 5 out of 5]

SJ does it again. What an awesome story. Love and working on cars!! This is a great read as is all her books. Keep writing them, I”ll keep reading them!

[Veronica Mostel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

What a beautiful book. The way they were friends and turned into something more. They were perfect for each other. Through it all. Great book