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Then Came the Fall
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of One Week Later comes a poignant story about forgiveness, parenthood, grief, and the fragile hope of beginning again.
They thought their story was over. Life had other plans.
When Taylor Roberts learns that Matt Thompson has suffered a stroke at just 31 years old, the news shatters her. Life has already taught Taylor how quickly everything can change – and how easily the people we love can be taken from us.
She hasn’t spoken to Matt in seven years, not since the heartbreak that destroyed them both. But when Taylor stumbles across a GoFundMe posted by Matt’s girlfriend – who has since abandoned him and their young daughter to chase an acting career – she does the one thing she swore she never would:
She goes back.
Now Matt is struggling to rebuild a life he barely recognizes, raising a daughter alone while grappling with the fallout of his illness. And Taylor’s sudden return forces them both to confront the love they never truly left behind.
Told in alternating timelines, the friendship of Taylor and Matt’s early youth blooms into an achingly beautiful first love that spans their childhood years at summer camp. After tragedy separates them, they reunite in their twenties as adults both struggling to find their way. But the universe won’t let them off that easy, dealing them a second blow that will be even harder to come back from.
They thought their story was over. Life had other plans.
When Taylor Roberts learns that Matt Thompson has suffered a stroke at just 31 years old, the news shatters her. Life has already taught Taylor how quickly everything can change – and how easily the people we love can be taken from us.
She hasn’t spoken to Matt in seven years, not since the heartbreak that destroyed them both. But when Taylor stumbles across a GoFundMe posted by Matt’s girlfriend – who has since abandoned him and their young daughter to chase an acting career – she does the one thing she swore she never would:
She goes back.
Now Matt is struggling to rebuild a life he barely recognizes, raising a daughter alone while grappling with the fallout of his illness. And Taylor’s sudden return forces them both to confront the love they never truly left behind.
Told in alternating timelines, the friendship of Taylor and Matt’s early youth blooms into an achingly beautiful first love that spans their childhood years at summer camp. After tragedy separates them, they reunite in their twenties as adults both struggling to find their way. But the universe won’t let them off that easy, dealing them a second blow that will be even harder to come back from.
338 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️'s!! I absolutely love this author and the way she writes a romance backstory between characters. my only issue with this is that I don't like a cheating trope and unfortunately that takes over the whole plot of a book when it happens 😅
the childhood friends to lovers between the fmc and mmc was so so sweet and I loved the summer camp aspect throughout. I just really wish the mmc didn't treat his current significant other the way he did. her getting pregnant was just as much his "fault" yet he wanted nothing to do with the child and acted like the typical horrible man of "just get rid of it." I'm glad he started to redeem himself after that but him cheating while she was away, even if their relationship was strained was something I couldn't fully get behind and it made me root less for the fmc and mmc even though I believe they were soulmates 🥲
thank you again to the author for sending me a copy of this book 🤍🤍
the childhood friends to lovers between the fmc and mmc was so so sweet and I loved the summer camp aspect throughout. I just really wish the mmc didn't treat his current significant other the way he did. her getting pregnant was just as much his "fault" yet he wanted nothing to do with the child and acted like the typical horrible man of "just get rid of it." I'm glad he started to redeem himself after that but him cheating while she was away, even if their relationship was strained was something I couldn't fully get behind and it made me root less for the fmc and mmc even though I believe they were soulmates 🥲
thank you again to the author for sending me a copy of this book 🤍🤍
August 21, 2026
The second book I’m reading from the author and it didn’t disappoint me once again!
Usually I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but here it was done right. Adding the emotional childhood friends to lovers trope was the cherry on top.
I loved the whole camp storyline and the fact that you can have a family away from home there was such a nice touch.
There are some heavy topics in the book and I think they were handled very well! The romance of it all and all the relationship dynamics were just how I prefer.
I can say a lot more but I’ll stop here.
I’m definitely reading all future books from the author and I’ll make sure to read her previous ones too!
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC of the book! I loved it!
Usually I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but here it was done right. Adding the emotional childhood friends to lovers trope was the cherry on top.
I loved the whole camp storyline and the fact that you can have a family away from home there was such a nice touch.
There are some heavy topics in the book and I think they were handled very well! The romance of it all and all the relationship dynamics were just how I prefer.
I can say a lot more but I’ll stop here.
I’m definitely reading all future books from the author and I’ll make sure to read her previous ones too!
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC of the book! I loved it!
June 12, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For fans of:
Second chance romance
Summer camp nostalgia
Childhood sweethearts
Single dad MMC
Hurt/Comfort
Healing journey
Dual timelines
It’s always been you
Emotional slow burn
I went to bed at 2:00 a.m. because I simply could not put this book down. I needed to know what happened between Taylor and Matt, and every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” something else happened that kept me turning the pages.
This story follows Taylor as she returns to Sound Hollow, a place filled with memories, heartbreak, and the boy she never truly forgot. Through dual timelines, we get to see both the summer that changed everything and the consequences that linger decades later.
My poor heart could not handle one more obstacle between these two. Every time it seemed like they were finally getting somewhere, life had other plans. I was completely invested in their journey and rooting for them from beginning to end.
What I loved most was how emotional and nostalgic this story felt. It captures that bittersweet feeling of looking back on first love, missed opportunities, and wondering what might have been. The dual timeline was executed beautifully and kept me fully engaged as the pieces slowly came together.
For fans of:
Second chance romance
Summer camp nostalgia
Childhood sweethearts
Single dad MMC
Hurt/Comfort
Healing journey
Dual timelines
It’s always been you
Emotional slow burn
I went to bed at 2:00 a.m. because I simply could not put this book down. I needed to know what happened between Taylor and Matt, and every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” something else happened that kept me turning the pages.
This story follows Taylor as she returns to Sound Hollow, a place filled with memories, heartbreak, and the boy she never truly forgot. Through dual timelines, we get to see both the summer that changed everything and the consequences that linger decades later.
My poor heart could not handle one more obstacle between these two. Every time it seemed like they were finally getting somewhere, life had other plans. I was completely invested in their journey and rooting for them from beginning to end.
What I loved most was how emotional and nostalgic this story felt. It captures that bittersweet feeling of looking back on first love, missed opportunities, and wondering what might have been. The dual timeline was executed beautifully and kept me fully engaged as the pieces slowly came together.
July 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and Caberet Books for an ARC of this book!
I don’t think I will ever get over this book. This was such a sweet and thoughtful story. I loved the switching timelines as we moved through the different POVs with young Taylor through her teen and college years until she was a professional helping other kids overcome some of what she experienced. I loved the portrayal of camp through the eyes of the characters during childhood and again in adulthood. The author takes the reader on quite the journey from childhood to adulthood and will make you reflect on your own story as you read Taylor and Matt’s second, third, and fourth chance love story. I loved how gently the author handled the characters mental health throughout every stage of their lives. There is so much heartache and pain as we experience the right thing at the wrong time for this relationship between these two. Sometimes that childhood connection creates a tether with a special person, and the reader will be emotionally devastated at times while also rooting and hoping for the best and an epic ending for these two.
I don’t think I will ever get over this book. This was such a sweet and thoughtful story. I loved the switching timelines as we moved through the different POVs with young Taylor through her teen and college years until she was a professional helping other kids overcome some of what she experienced. I loved the portrayal of camp through the eyes of the characters during childhood and again in adulthood. The author takes the reader on quite the journey from childhood to adulthood and will make you reflect on your own story as you read Taylor and Matt’s second, third, and fourth chance love story. I loved how gently the author handled the characters mental health throughout every stage of their lives. There is so much heartache and pain as we experience the right thing at the wrong time for this relationship between these two. Sometimes that childhood connection creates a tether with a special person, and the reader will be emotionally devastated at times while also rooting and hoping for the best and an epic ending for these two.
June 13, 2026
For anyone who has ever dreamed of going to sleepaway camp, this ones for you! Talk about a nostalgic read. This story effortlessly takes you from past to present, and back again, telling the story of Matt and Taylor,two people trying to find both themselves and each other.
What really stood out to me was K.J. Micciche's ability to bring the story to life. Especially during the chapters set in the past. From the cabins and campfires, to the friendships and activities, I felt completely immersed in the story, as if I was there with the campers. The setting was so vividly written, it sort of became a character in its own right.
The love story was epic. I could feel the longing between these two grow through the years, and I found myself completely wrapped up in their journey. These are the kind of characters that will have you rooting for them from begining to end.
This is the kind of book you will want to savor, the kind you never want to end. I was hooked from the very beginning, and found it impossible to put down. Even when I wasnt reading it, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and wondering what would happen next.
I really cant say enough good things about this heartfelt and beautifully written story. If I were you I would grab this book, your favorite drink,and a cozy spot in the sun. This is one summer read you wont want to miss!
Thank you K.J. Micciche for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What really stood out to me was K.J. Micciche's ability to bring the story to life. Especially during the chapters set in the past. From the cabins and campfires, to the friendships and activities, I felt completely immersed in the story, as if I was there with the campers. The setting was so vividly written, it sort of became a character in its own right.
The love story was epic. I could feel the longing between these two grow through the years, and I found myself completely wrapped up in their journey. These are the kind of characters that will have you rooting for them from begining to end.
This is the kind of book you will want to savor, the kind you never want to end. I was hooked from the very beginning, and found it impossible to put down. Even when I wasnt reading it, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and wondering what would happen next.
I really cant say enough good things about this heartfelt and beautifully written story. If I were you I would grab this book, your favorite drink,and a cozy spot in the sun. This is one summer read you wont want to miss!
Thank you K.J. Micciche for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An emotional childhood friends to lovers romance that explores the magic of second chances and falling in love with the same person over and over again.
Taylor Roberts assumed her chance to be with Matt Thompson was long gone. When she discovers that Matt had a stroke at only thirty-one years old, Taylor shows up on his doorstep seven years since they’ve last seen one another determined to tell him that she’s loved him all this time. Matt is shocked to see her and tries to turn her away, but Taylor is persistent that he lets her back in. Told in alternating timelines, Taylor and Matt’s love story shows just how quickly things can change and that sometimes the universe seems to push people together again and again.
I’m a big fan of emotional romances and the childhood friends to lovers trope, so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this one, I knew I had to jump on it. Thank you so much K.J. Micciche for taking a chance on me and gifting me a physical ARC!
Where do I even start with this one? This is such a beautifully penned story that’s told in dual timelines that present different eras of Matt and Taylor’s love story. Seeing them as young kids at summer camp and growing into awkward teens in love was so wholesome. These two are given many chances to be together, but things always get between them. I was curious to see how these two were going to finally get together because they have so much history and I could tell that these two loved each other dearly, yet there still seemed to be so many obstacles between them.
One of my favorite parts about this book was Brett, Matt’s daughter. I think it’s always so sweet when romances include a child that the love interests cherish with all their hearts. Matt loves his daughter (despite the complicated emotions he feels for Brett’s mother), and it melted my heart to see Taylor fall in love with Brett, too.
Another awesome part of this book was the summer vibes that the sleep away camp exudes. For Taylor and Matt, the summer camp of their youth was like a home to them, so there a ton of powerful emotions associated with this camp. I think it is so sweet that this camp stays pivotal to the plot line until the very end, as it is the place that Matt and Taylor fell in love.
Despite all the cozy summer vibes, this book talks about a ton of hard topics. Health concerns (both physical and mental) surrounding Matt’s stroke are front and center. This book also showcases grief of losing a parent, heartbreak of losing a soulmate, depression, and child negligence. Taylor goes through some pretty heavy things in her youth between her parents’ anger towards one another, financial struggles, loss of a parent, her entire world being flipped upside down by shocking events, and the depression that ensued. This book definitely has some emotional depth, which I was a huge fan of. Just treat yourself with care when approaching this one, because some parts can be hard to swallow.
The way that the dual timelines unwind is actually brilliant. I’m always hesitant when I start a book told in dual timelines, as often times it makes more sense for a book to be told in chronological order. That was not the case with this one; the dual timelines paired with each other masterfully. It made some reveals even more impactful and had me doubly invested in Matt and Taylor’s relationship.
I must say, there was a section of this book in which I was hesitant about all that was going on. Despite the fact that Matt was allegedly dating another woman, Taylor and him were acting very cozy with one another. I really don’t appreciate cheating in romances, but as more details were revealed things began to make more sense. I was a bit shocked to learn that Taylor was such an unreliable narrator, but hey, it made the reveals more shocking. Also, there is an accidentally pregnancy involved, but it’s actually important to the plot and not just there to add drama, so I’d say that it was done well.
I did think that this one wrapped up a tad too quickly. I would have loved to see more of a resolution of the third act conflict. Learning more about what happened between Matt and Leyla would have made me feel made me feel more confident in the ending, but I can say with certainty that Matt and Taylor truly get their happily ever after in the end.
I wanted to take one moment to appreciate the double meaning of the title “Then Came the Fall.” At first glance, you would assume that it refers to the falling out of Taylor and Matt’s relationship. You’d be right, but it also refers to the end of summer. After summer, then comes the fall. I thought this was so smart, and I just wanted to give it a little shoutout.
Overall, “Then Came the Fall” is a beautifully penned second chance romance that is perfect for summer. It is filled with cozy summer vibes while also exploring deep topics such as grief, mental health, terminal illness, child negligence, and so much more. It is so obvious that Taylor and Matt are meant to be together, but it just goes to show that life gets in the way sometimes. One stupid decision can lead to years of torment or an absolute blessing. Every decision we make impacts our lives, and this book does a great job of highlighting this fact. I’m a huge fan of the childhood besties to lovers situation that Matt and Taylor have going on, and I’m glad that they finally were given the chance to reconcile all their years of complex history.
Taylor Roberts assumed her chance to be with Matt Thompson was long gone. When she discovers that Matt had a stroke at only thirty-one years old, Taylor shows up on his doorstep seven years since they’ve last seen one another determined to tell him that she’s loved him all this time. Matt is shocked to see her and tries to turn her away, but Taylor is persistent that he lets her back in. Told in alternating timelines, Taylor and Matt’s love story shows just how quickly things can change and that sometimes the universe seems to push people together again and again.
I’m a big fan of emotional romances and the childhood friends to lovers trope, so when I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this one, I knew I had to jump on it. Thank you so much K.J. Micciche for taking a chance on me and gifting me a physical ARC!
Where do I even start with this one? This is such a beautifully penned story that’s told in dual timelines that present different eras of Matt and Taylor’s love story. Seeing them as young kids at summer camp and growing into awkward teens in love was so wholesome. These two are given many chances to be together, but things always get between them. I was curious to see how these two were going to finally get together because they have so much history and I could tell that these two loved each other dearly, yet there still seemed to be so many obstacles between them.
One of my favorite parts about this book was Brett, Matt’s daughter. I think it’s always so sweet when romances include a child that the love interests cherish with all their hearts. Matt loves his daughter (despite the complicated emotions he feels for Brett’s mother), and it melted my heart to see Taylor fall in love with Brett, too.
Another awesome part of this book was the summer vibes that the sleep away camp exudes. For Taylor and Matt, the summer camp of their youth was like a home to them, so there a ton of powerful emotions associated with this camp. I think it is so sweet that this camp stays pivotal to the plot line until the very end, as it is the place that Matt and Taylor fell in love.
Despite all the cozy summer vibes, this book talks about a ton of hard topics. Health concerns (both physical and mental) surrounding Matt’s stroke are front and center. This book also showcases grief of losing a parent, heartbreak of losing a soulmate, depression, and child negligence. Taylor goes through some pretty heavy things in her youth between her parents’ anger towards one another, financial struggles, loss of a parent, her entire world being flipped upside down by shocking events, and the depression that ensued. This book definitely has some emotional depth, which I was a huge fan of. Just treat yourself with care when approaching this one, because some parts can be hard to swallow.
The way that the dual timelines unwind is actually brilliant. I’m always hesitant when I start a book told in dual timelines, as often times it makes more sense for a book to be told in chronological order. That was not the case with this one; the dual timelines paired with each other masterfully. It made some reveals even more impactful and had me doubly invested in Matt and Taylor’s relationship.
I must say, there was a section of this book in which I was hesitant about all that was going on. Despite the fact that Matt was allegedly dating another woman, Taylor and him were acting very cozy with one another. I really don’t appreciate cheating in romances, but as more details were revealed things began to make more sense. I was a bit shocked to learn that Taylor was such an unreliable narrator, but hey, it made the reveals more shocking. Also, there is an accidentally pregnancy involved, but it’s actually important to the plot and not just there to add drama, so I’d say that it was done well.
I did think that this one wrapped up a tad too quickly. I would have loved to see more of a resolution of the third act conflict. Learning more about what happened between Matt and Leyla would have made me feel made me feel more confident in the ending, but I can say with certainty that Matt and Taylor truly get their happily ever after in the end.
I wanted to take one moment to appreciate the double meaning of the title “Then Came the Fall.” At first glance, you would assume that it refers to the falling out of Taylor and Matt’s relationship. You’d be right, but it also refers to the end of summer. After summer, then comes the fall. I thought this was so smart, and I just wanted to give it a little shoutout.
Overall, “Then Came the Fall” is a beautifully penned second chance romance that is perfect for summer. It is filled with cozy summer vibes while also exploring deep topics such as grief, mental health, terminal illness, child negligence, and so much more. It is so obvious that Taylor and Matt are meant to be together, but it just goes to show that life gets in the way sometimes. One stupid decision can lead to years of torment or an absolute blessing. Every decision we make impacts our lives, and this book does a great job of highlighting this fact. I’m a huge fan of the childhood besties to lovers situation that Matt and Taylor have going on, and I’m glad that they finally were given the chance to reconcile all their years of complex history.
July 29, 2026
Quick Summary: A leaving & staying, going & coming romance
My Review: Then Came the Fall by KJ Micciche is a contemporary women's fiction romance. It was released today (7/28/26).
About the Book: "...a poignant story about forgiveness, parenthood, grief, and the fragile hope of beginning again.
They thought their story was over. Life had other plans.
Taylor Roberts learns that Matt Thompson has suffered a stroke at just 31 years old...
She hasn’t spoken to Matt in seven years, not since the heartbreak that destroyed them both.
She goes back.
And Taylor’s sudden return forces them both to confront the love they never truly left behind."
In My Own Words: Timing is everything when your heart is on the line and life gets in the way.
Reasons I Liked (coded, in part, so as to avoid spoilers):
- Friendship to Forever Fluctuations
- Second Chance Setup
- Caring for a Loved One
- Life, Loss, & Love Thread
- Emo-rich/Realistic Conflict Arc
- Could've/Should've/Would've...Will
- Found Family
- Time Shifts
- Growth Journeys (Ripples & Waves)
My Final Say: This. Then Came the Fall is an emotional seesaw slide. It's the ugly cry you try to hold in and realize you can't. It's the conversation you should have had back then but couldn't. It is yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows wrapped up in trauma, loss, and hearts that need mending.
Timing between Taylor and Matt was right until it was wrong, and then until it was perfect. What's that saying about the course to true love? Well, it lives and breathes in this one.
In the end, when these two these wounded hearts find their way past star-crossed moments in time, eventually life, love, healing, and home become the balm that was inevitable.
I love reading KJM's books. She has a way of connecting readers with deep feelings, and she speaks in the love language of the heart.
Other: Readers, this novel is book club worthy. [Raise your hand, if you want to go there. (Me! That is a sure thing. I am raising my hand from yesterday.)]
Note: Potential readers should be mindful of any or all author/publisher notes related to this title.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🤍❤️🩹💛❤️🩹🩷❤️🩹❤️❤️🩹💜🤍
Format: 📱
Cover: +
Title: +
Appreciation is extended to the author (KJ Micciche), to the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Cabaret Books), and to NetGalley. It was a pleasure to review this wonderful work of fiction. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC. It was my pleasure to read it and to provide my take on the novel.
My Review: Then Came the Fall by KJ Micciche is a contemporary women's fiction romance. It was released today (7/28/26).
About the Book: "...a poignant story about forgiveness, parenthood, grief, and the fragile hope of beginning again.
They thought their story was over. Life had other plans.
Taylor Roberts learns that Matt Thompson has suffered a stroke at just 31 years old...
She hasn’t spoken to Matt in seven years, not since the heartbreak that destroyed them both.
She goes back.
And Taylor’s sudden return forces them both to confront the love they never truly left behind."
In My Own Words: Timing is everything when your heart is on the line and life gets in the way.
Reasons I Liked (coded, in part, so as to avoid spoilers):
- Friendship to Forever Fluctuations
- Second Chance Setup
- Caring for a Loved One
- Life, Loss, & Love Thread
- Emo-rich/Realistic Conflict Arc
- Could've/Should've/Would've...Will
- Found Family
- Time Shifts
- Growth Journeys (Ripples & Waves)
My Final Say: This. Then Came the Fall is an emotional seesaw slide. It's the ugly cry you try to hold in and realize you can't. It's the conversation you should have had back then but couldn't. It is yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows wrapped up in trauma, loss, and hearts that need mending.
Timing between Taylor and Matt was right until it was wrong, and then until it was perfect. What's that saying about the course to true love? Well, it lives and breathes in this one.
In the end, when these two these wounded hearts find their way past star-crossed moments in time, eventually life, love, healing, and home become the balm that was inevitable.
I love reading KJM's books. She has a way of connecting readers with deep feelings, and she speaks in the love language of the heart.
Other: Readers, this novel is book club worthy. [Raise your hand, if you want to go there. (Me! That is a sure thing. I am raising my hand from yesterday.)]
Note: Potential readers should be mindful of any or all author/publisher notes related to this title.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🤍❤️🩹💛❤️🩹🩷❤️🩹❤️❤️🩹💜🤍
Format: 📱
Cover: +
Title: +
Appreciation is extended to the author (KJ Micciche), to the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Cabaret Books), and to NetGalley. It was a pleasure to review this wonderful work of fiction. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC. It was my pleasure to read it and to provide my take on the novel.
July 28, 2026
It's the right person at the wrong time... over and over again.
Some love stories ask... "Will they fall in love?"
This one asks... "What happens when they've loved each other all along?"
And honestly... that question broke me.
Matt and Taylor don't just fall in love once. They find each other... Lose each other...Find each other again... Over and over.
Watching their story unfold through dual timelines felt like piecing together a scrapbook full of memories, missed chances, and moments that almost changed everything. And every flashback somehow made the present hit even harder.
The childhood best friends. The summer camp. The awkward teenage crushes. The years apart.
The hope that maybe... Just maybe... The universe wasn't finished with them yet.
This book is wrapped in cozy summer nostalgia, but don't let that fool you. It also carries some heavy emotions.
Grief.
Mental health.
Family struggles.
Healing after unimaginable loss.
And learning that sometimes love isn't enough unless the timing is finally right.
One of my favorite surprises was Brett.
Every scene with her melted my heart, and watching Taylor and Matt's connection grow through her made the story feel even more beautiful.
And can we talk about the dual timeline?
Usually I'm a little nervous when books jump between the past and present... But this one absolutely understood the assignment.
Every reveal landed exactly when it needed to.
Every memory made the next chapter even more emotional.
This wasn't the kind of romance that gave me butterflies.
It gave me that ache in my chest that only happens when you care so deeply about fictional people that you just want life to finally be kind to them.
If your heart loves childhood friends, second chances, summer nostalgia, emotional healing, and romances that remind you love isn't always about finding the right person...
Sometimes it's about finding the right moment...
Please don't miss this one.
Mood Readers: Read this when you're craving summer camp nostalgia, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chances, dual timelines done beautifully, emotional healing, found family moments, and the kind of romance that makes you believe some hearts are meant to find their way back to each other... no matter how long it takes.
Some romances make your heart race. This one quietly broke mine... and then carefully put it back together.
Thank you to the author K.J. Micciche for the book. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: This book didn't make me cry because it was sad... it made me cry because it reminded me how many people spend years loving each other while life keeps getting in the way. And that hurt in the most beautiful way.
Some love stories ask... "Will they fall in love?"
This one asks... "What happens when they've loved each other all along?"
And honestly... that question broke me.
Matt and Taylor don't just fall in love once. They find each other... Lose each other...Find each other again... Over and over.
Watching their story unfold through dual timelines felt like piecing together a scrapbook full of memories, missed chances, and moments that almost changed everything. And every flashback somehow made the present hit even harder.
The childhood best friends. The summer camp. The awkward teenage crushes. The years apart.
The hope that maybe... Just maybe... The universe wasn't finished with them yet.
This book is wrapped in cozy summer nostalgia, but don't let that fool you. It also carries some heavy emotions.
Grief.
Mental health.
Family struggles.
Healing after unimaginable loss.
And learning that sometimes love isn't enough unless the timing is finally right.
One of my favorite surprises was Brett.
Every scene with her melted my heart, and watching Taylor and Matt's connection grow through her made the story feel even more beautiful.
And can we talk about the dual timeline?
Usually I'm a little nervous when books jump between the past and present... But this one absolutely understood the assignment.
Every reveal landed exactly when it needed to.
Every memory made the next chapter even more emotional.
This wasn't the kind of romance that gave me butterflies.
It gave me that ache in my chest that only happens when you care so deeply about fictional people that you just want life to finally be kind to them.
If your heart loves childhood friends, second chances, summer nostalgia, emotional healing, and romances that remind you love isn't always about finding the right person...
Sometimes it's about finding the right moment...
Please don't miss this one.
Mood Readers: Read this when you're craving summer camp nostalgia, childhood friends-to-lovers, second chances, dual timelines done beautifully, emotional healing, found family moments, and the kind of romance that makes you believe some hearts are meant to find their way back to each other... no matter how long it takes.
Some romances make your heart race. This one quietly broke mine... and then carefully put it back together.
Thank you to the author K.J. Micciche for the book. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: This book didn't make me cry because it was sad... it made me cry because it reminded me how many people spend years loving each other while life keeps getting in the way. And that hurt in the most beautiful way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️
If you ever need proof that childhood friends to lovers is one of the most emotionally devastating tropes to exist… Then Came the Fall is right there waiting to ruin your life.
This book put my heart in a blender and then had the audacity to slowly piece it back together.
Taylor and Matt meet at summer camp when they’re 6 years old, and we get to follow them through every stage of their lives. Their friendship, first love, heartbreak, mistakes, and eventually their journey back to themselves (and maybe each other) had me hooked. Watching them grow from kids to teenagers to adults made every moment hit so much harder because you feel like you’ve grown up right alongside them.
One thing this book encapsulated so well was first love. When you’re young, you truly believe love can survive anything… until life happens and you realize sometimes love isn’t enough. Seeing Taylor and Matt go from best friends to lovers to strangers hurt my heart.I felt every bit of their happiness, heartbreak, betrayal, hope, and healing. If a book can make me physically stop reading just to stare at the wall and process my feelings, it’s doing something right.
I also really appreciated how the story handled both Taylor’s and Matt’s mental health. They’ve each experienced significant trauma, and I loved that their healing journeys looked completely different. There wasn’t some magical fix or perfect answer… it felt honest, messy, and realistic.
Also… I stayed up until 3AM because I wasn’t going to sleep without knowing how this ended. Zero regrets. My sleep schedule may never recover, but my heart eventually did.
If you love childhood friends to lovers, second-chance romance, stories that span years, and books that emotionally body slam you before lovingly putting you back together, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Just maybe don’t start it at bedtime unless you’re okay functioning on three hours of sleep. 🙃
Thank you KJ and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Then Came The Fall (publishing July 28, 2026).
If you ever need proof that childhood friends to lovers is one of the most emotionally devastating tropes to exist… Then Came the Fall is right there waiting to ruin your life.
This book put my heart in a blender and then had the audacity to slowly piece it back together.
Taylor and Matt meet at summer camp when they’re 6 years old, and we get to follow them through every stage of their lives. Their friendship, first love, heartbreak, mistakes, and eventually their journey back to themselves (and maybe each other) had me hooked. Watching them grow from kids to teenagers to adults made every moment hit so much harder because you feel like you’ve grown up right alongside them.
One thing this book encapsulated so well was first love. When you’re young, you truly believe love can survive anything… until life happens and you realize sometimes love isn’t enough. Seeing Taylor and Matt go from best friends to lovers to strangers hurt my heart.I felt every bit of their happiness, heartbreak, betrayal, hope, and healing. If a book can make me physically stop reading just to stare at the wall and process my feelings, it’s doing something right.
I also really appreciated how the story handled both Taylor’s and Matt’s mental health. They’ve each experienced significant trauma, and I loved that their healing journeys looked completely different. There wasn’t some magical fix or perfect answer… it felt honest, messy, and realistic.
Also… I stayed up until 3AM because I wasn’t going to sleep without knowing how this ended. Zero regrets. My sleep schedule may never recover, but my heart eventually did.
If you love childhood friends to lovers, second-chance romance, stories that span years, and books that emotionally body slam you before lovingly putting you back together, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Just maybe don’t start it at bedtime unless you’re okay functioning on three hours of sleep. 🙃
Thank you KJ and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Then Came The Fall (publishing July 28, 2026).
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August 18, 2026Thank you Netgalley and Cabaret Books for the chance to read and review this book. Author KJ Micciche is new to me and I was excited to read this book but writing this review has been a bit of a struggle for me.
At times the dual timelines were frustrating. I had a feeling of "OK, let's get this show on the road and go!" but then the story went back and while it needed that flavor, I wanted "now". I did like the development of the relationship, the bond that Matt and Taylor had. It felt real and authentic. The road to their happy ending was full of obstacles. Matt had a stroke at age 31 and had a daughter, Brett. Taylor's family life was a mess and she was essentially dumped at camp every summer, but she works very hard to overcome this. When Taylor learns about Matt's stroke she finds him and attempts to help him and Brett. Matt is very unsure and uncomfortable about accepting her help and her money.
As I read this book, I stumbled on something that I had to read out loud to my husband. Here is the scene: a library is having a children's reptile show to teach the kiddies but uh-oh, there is a Komodo Dragon, a venomous predator, that can be up to ten feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds!!! Why would that be in a children's library presentation? "Come over here kids and touch the big lizard.". Yikes, what a way to take me right out of the story.
Overall, I had a lot of ambivalent feelings about this book. Matt got drunk and slept with another girl ( resulting in that daughter), that back and forth timeline kind of messed with my ability to really grab ahold of the emotional thread ( maybe it was me!) and was summer camp really that great, year after year, the same cabin, over and over?
At times the dual timelines were frustrating. I had a feeling of "OK, let's get this show on the road and go!" but then the story went back and while it needed that flavor, I wanted "now". I did like the development of the relationship, the bond that Matt and Taylor had. It felt real and authentic. The road to their happy ending was full of obstacles. Matt had a stroke at age 31 and had a daughter, Brett. Taylor's family life was a mess and she was essentially dumped at camp every summer, but she works very hard to overcome this. When Taylor learns about Matt's stroke she finds him and attempts to help him and Brett. Matt is very unsure and uncomfortable about accepting her help and her money.
As I read this book, I stumbled on something that I had to read out loud to my husband. Here is the scene: a library is having a children's reptile show to teach the kiddies but uh-oh, there is a Komodo Dragon, a venomous predator, that can be up to ten feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds!!! Why would that be in a children's library presentation? "Come over here kids and touch the big lizard.". Yikes, what a way to take me right out of the story.
Overall, I had a lot of ambivalent feelings about this book. Matt got drunk and slept with another girl ( resulting in that daughter), that back and forth timeline kind of messed with my ability to really grab ahold of the emotional thread ( maybe it was me!) and was summer camp really that great, year after year, the same cabin, over and over?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book stole my heart.
It was so hard to watch Taylor grow up feeling so neglected and alone, but seeing Matt become the person who took away some of that loneliness made their relationship so special. Getting to watch them grow up together over the years and seeing their friendship naturally turn into something more was one of my favorite parts of the book. It never felt rushed, and it made me root for them from the very beginning.
I'll admit, there were quite a few times I wanted to shake Taylor for pushing Matt away although I could understood why she did.
There were also moments where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat worrying about Matt's health and what it meant for their future. I honestly didn't know how everything was going to work out, and I was completely invested until the very last page.
One thing I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did was Brett and Taylor's relationship. Watching that bond grow over the years was so heartwarming, and it added another layer to an already emotional story.
This book is so much more than a romance. It's about found family, forgiveness, second chances, and finding your way home. Sound Hollow became just as memorable as the characters themselves, and by the end I wasn't ready to say goodbye. This is one that's going to stick with me for a long time.
This book stole my heart.
It was so hard to watch Taylor grow up feeling so neglected and alone, but seeing Matt become the person who took away some of that loneliness made their relationship so special. Getting to watch them grow up together over the years and seeing their friendship naturally turn into something more was one of my favorite parts of the book. It never felt rushed, and it made me root for them from the very beginning.
I'll admit, there were quite a few times I wanted to shake Taylor for pushing Matt away although I could understood why she did.
There were also moments where I was genuinely on the edge of my seat worrying about Matt's health and what it meant for their future. I honestly didn't know how everything was going to work out, and I was completely invested until the very last page.
One thing I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did was Brett and Taylor's relationship. Watching that bond grow over the years was so heartwarming, and it added another layer to an already emotional story.
This book is so much more than a romance. It's about found family, forgiveness, second chances, and finding your way home. Sound Hollow became just as memorable as the characters themselves, and by the end I wasn't ready to say goodbye. This is one that's going to stick with me for a long time.
August 22, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
This was my first KJ book, and I really wanted to like it, but it didn't hook me in the way I wanted. I enjoy reading about real life struggles in books: single parents, characters with a sick/dying parent, solo pregnancy, health complications, etc. They appeal to me more because they provide a realistic and emotional situation I can empathize with. In this case, Matt has a stroke and his partner leaves him, making him a single parents. Sounds interesting, right? Well, Matt is the MMC, but he has no POV in this story. The book is written from Taylor's POV entirely. Which, if done well, it can work. But in this circumstance, I wish we had POV from Matt, to get more side of his story.
Also, I can fully admit, that this is a me problem and not a book problem: this book has flashback chapters. I do not like this story telling and will actively avoid books with flashback chapters. I always go into books 100% blind, so I was excited to read this book. But when I learned it had flashback chapters, it was like someone let the air out of the balloon. I metaphorically deflated and forced myself to read on. Again, this situation is me!! Not the books/authors fault for choosing this story line.
I complete understand why some readers have scored this book high, but 'flashbacks' are just not my thing.
This was my first KJ book, and I really wanted to like it, but it didn't hook me in the way I wanted. I enjoy reading about real life struggles in books: single parents, characters with a sick/dying parent, solo pregnancy, health complications, etc. They appeal to me more because they provide a realistic and emotional situation I can empathize with. In this case, Matt has a stroke and his partner leaves him, making him a single parents. Sounds interesting, right? Well, Matt is the MMC, but he has no POV in this story. The book is written from Taylor's POV entirely. Which, if done well, it can work. But in this circumstance, I wish we had POV from Matt, to get more side of his story.
Also, I can fully admit, that this is a me problem and not a book problem: this book has flashback chapters. I do not like this story telling and will actively avoid books with flashback chapters. I always go into books 100% blind, so I was excited to read this book. But when I learned it had flashback chapters, it was like someone let the air out of the balloon. I metaphorically deflated and forced myself to read on. Again, this situation is me!! Not the books/authors fault for choosing this story line.
I complete understand why some readers have scored this book high, but 'flashbacks' are just not my thing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely adored this book! Maybe I'm a little biased because I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and I'm from the middle of Long Island where much of the book is set.... but this story is just so adorable. I love how the "Present" is consistent, but the past moves forward, so you're seeing where things started and getting little pieces of how they got to today as you go and it all comes together in the end.
I really enjoyed the way the parts of Taylor's life were so different--- crap home life in the city, idyllic summers at a tight knit summer camp--- and how the author did a great job of showing the reader the two different worlds and building a good cast of characters in both. All of the characters seemed real and the relationship between Matt & Taylor seemed believably screwed by timing, their reactions were always reasonable given the situation.
The only thing I didn't love was that the past chapters were labeled '19 years ago', '17 years ago' ect. and I wish they would have been labeled simply with the year, because it was often distracting to be trying to figure out what year they were in or how old they were, whether or not the details make sense. The book was so good it didn't really matter though.
I really enjoyed the way the parts of Taylor's life were so different--- crap home life in the city, idyllic summers at a tight knit summer camp--- and how the author did a great job of showing the reader the two different worlds and building a good cast of characters in both. All of the characters seemed real and the relationship between Matt & Taylor seemed believably screwed by timing, their reactions were always reasonable given the situation.
The only thing I didn't love was that the past chapters were labeled '19 years ago', '17 years ago' ect. and I wish they would have been labeled simply with the year, because it was often distracting to be trying to figure out what year they were in or how old they were, whether or not the details make sense. The book was so good it didn't really matter though.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a romance that will quietly break your heart before putting it back together, Then Came the Fall needs to be on your TBR.
This is a childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance that follows Taylor and Matt from the day they meet at summer camp all the way into adulthood. Because you watch them grow up together, every milestone, every heartbreak, and every reunion feels incredibly personal.
What really stood out to me was how authentic their journey felt. This isn't a story where love magically fixes everything. Both characters carry deep emotional wounds, and their healing is messy, complicated, and beautifully realistic. The dual timeline keeps revealing new pieces of their history, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
Beyond the romance, this is a story about found family, forgiveness, resilience, and discovering that sometimes home isn't a place—it's the people who never truly leave your heart. If you love emotional romances with unforgettable characters and a love story that spans years, this one absolutely delivers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cabaret Books for the eARC!
Pub. date: July 28th 2026
#ThenCametheFall #NetGalley
This is a childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance that follows Taylor and Matt from the day they meet at summer camp all the way into adulthood. Because you watch them grow up together, every milestone, every heartbreak, and every reunion feels incredibly personal.
What really stood out to me was how authentic their journey felt. This isn't a story where love magically fixes everything. Both characters carry deep emotional wounds, and their healing is messy, complicated, and beautifully realistic. The dual timeline keeps revealing new pieces of their history, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
Beyond the romance, this is a story about found family, forgiveness, resilience, and discovering that sometimes home isn't a place—it's the people who never truly leave your heart. If you love emotional romances with unforgettable characters and a love story that spans years, this one absolutely delivers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cabaret Books for the eARC!
Pub. date: July 28th 2026
#ThenCametheFall #NetGalley
July 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
this book was so much more than a second chance romance it’s about finding yourself, coming back to what and who means the most in your life. it’s being with who your heart never stopped yearning for.
this story was one i could not put down. their story shows real romance. the flaws, the hurt, the happy times, the hard times. it shows that romance isn’t perfect. it’s messy and bumpy along the way.
these characters are so flushed out due to the past and present chapters we get so much of their story that you want them to be together. you yearn for it. the chemistry between them is one in a million.
their time at camp was so fun to read about, as someone who never went to camp, it was like a way to experience it. the way their friendship grew over the years and they became each others person was heart warming.
we see taylor’s regret and heartbreak as the story progresses especially in the present but also towards the end of the past chapters. while we didn’t get a pov from matt, you could still see the turmoil and pain he was in from everything that was happening, especially the present. these two had to go through so many obstacles. i longed for them to be together just like they wanted to be together.
i love the relationship taylor built with matt’s daughter, how easily they connected. we see that grow and how much she leans on taylor for things.
this was such a beautifully written book, one i couldn’t read again and again and still feel the same emotions i felt the first time.
this book was so much more than a second chance romance it’s about finding yourself, coming back to what and who means the most in your life. it’s being with who your heart never stopped yearning for.
this story was one i could not put down. their story shows real romance. the flaws, the hurt, the happy times, the hard times. it shows that romance isn’t perfect. it’s messy and bumpy along the way.
these characters are so flushed out due to the past and present chapters we get so much of their story that you want them to be together. you yearn for it. the chemistry between them is one in a million.
their time at camp was so fun to read about, as someone who never went to camp, it was like a way to experience it. the way their friendship grew over the years and they became each others person was heart warming.
we see taylor’s regret and heartbreak as the story progresses especially in the present but also towards the end of the past chapters. while we didn’t get a pov from matt, you could still see the turmoil and pain he was in from everything that was happening, especially the present. these two had to go through so many obstacles. i longed for them to be together just like they wanted to be together.
i love the relationship taylor built with matt’s daughter, how easily they connected. we see that grow and how much she leans on taylor for things.
this was such a beautifully written book, one i couldn’t read again and again and still feel the same emotions i felt the first time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Taylor and Matt...starting off as friends bound by summer camp. Quickly evolving into best friends and then eventually falling in love even though they came from entirely different backgrounds. Matt grew up in a loving family and never wanted for anything. Taylor's life was much harder, a childhood marked by domestic strife and constant worries about money. When her mom dies and her dad ends up in prison, she has no other choice but to move in with her aunt. This takes her out of Matt's life for several years. Eventually they find their way back to each other for one brief summer. And then it's over. Taylor makes the hard decision to leave Matt. It's what's best for both of them. Fast forward to several years later. Matt's sick and Taylor finds herself drawn back into his life. But this time it's not just Matt. There's his young daughter Brett to think about. Taylor tells herself she's there as a friend but can't help falling back into old habits. This was a really good story. The story shifts from past to present as we find out what caused Taylor to leave Matt all those years ago and what finally brought them back together.
June 22, 2026
I gave this 5 ⭐️—this book is perfection.
The FMC, Taylor, struggles with depression and anxiety rooted in a difficult childhood. Home is tough, and her escape is an agricultural summer camp she attends every year.
At camp, she meets Matt, our MMC. In Taylor’s eyes, he has the perfect family, and the two quickly become best friends at Sound Hollow. Matt cares deeply for her and becomes her emotional anchor during those summers. As they grow into their teen years, their friendship turns into something more.
The story is told across dual timelines—one at summer camp and one in the present day. In the current timeline, Matt has suffered a stroke at a young age, which brings them back into each other’s lives. What unfolds is a second-chance romance that explores what truly makes a “home.”
The writing and pacing are spot on, with twists that hit at just the right moments. If you’re looking for a summer romance with real emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC!
The FMC, Taylor, struggles with depression and anxiety rooted in a difficult childhood. Home is tough, and her escape is an agricultural summer camp she attends every year.
At camp, she meets Matt, our MMC. In Taylor’s eyes, he has the perfect family, and the two quickly become best friends at Sound Hollow. Matt cares deeply for her and becomes her emotional anchor during those summers. As they grow into their teen years, their friendship turns into something more.
The story is told across dual timelines—one at summer camp and one in the present day. In the current timeline, Matt has suffered a stroke at a young age, which brings them back into each other’s lives. What unfolds is a second-chance romance that explores what truly makes a “home.”
The writing and pacing are spot on, with twists that hit at just the right moments. If you’re looking for a summer romance with real emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Taylor and Matt meet at summer camp when they're six, and this story follows them through life as their friendship grows into something more. Watching them grow up made every high and low so much more emotional.
This book captures the messiness of life in such a raw and honest way. We see the contrast between Matt's loving, supportive family and Taylor's dysfunctional home life. The dual timeline adds so much depth to this aspect of the story because experiencing the contrast through a child's eyes was absolutely heartbreaking.
This book also showed how life can pull even the closest people apart. Taylor and Matt share a bond built on trust, love, and unwavering friendship, but sometimes love isn't enough to overcome life's challenges., I felt every moment of their love, loss, and healing right alongside them.
I also appreciated that both Taylor and Matt had individual mental health journeys. KJ Micciche handles each with care, giving them distinct, authentic paths toward healing. Their struggles felt messy, realistic, and deeply genuine.
This book captures the messiness of life in such a raw and honest way. We see the contrast between Matt's loving, supportive family and Taylor's dysfunctional home life. The dual timeline adds so much depth to this aspect of the story because experiencing the contrast through a child's eyes was absolutely heartbreaking.
This book also showed how life can pull even the closest people apart. Taylor and Matt share a bond built on trust, love, and unwavering friendship, but sometimes love isn't enough to overcome life's challenges., I felt every moment of their love, loss, and healing right alongside them.
I also appreciated that both Taylor and Matt had individual mental health journeys. KJ Micciche handles each with care, giving them distinct, authentic paths toward healing. Their struggles felt messy, realistic, and deeply genuine.
August 7, 2026
Matt is terrible - story overall was flat
Seriously - Matt gets a pass every time but Taylor doesn’t? Like - he sleeps with another chick right before seeing Taylor “because he’s nervous and got drunk” and then Years later picks his estranged wife over her out of anger about something Taylor did out of love - never lets her explain. He never grovels. Just shows up after 2 years of nothing and boom she takes him back.
Like —- Taylor just takes his crappy behavior. Like - it’s very just… ok I deserve it and .. 2 more years go by at 96% . Yes I am not exaggerating. NINETY SIX PERCENT.
Like … also most of this is spent on Taylor and her PoV. You don’t get Matt’s at all. So it’s very one sided.
For all the past / present flashbacks — it was just straight dialogue but no real descriptions of the characters or their emotions or actions or inflections in their voices .
It’s basically “he said XYZ” and “she said ABC”.. very very flat dialogue
More time was spent on the descriptions of things and places where Taylor was at or doing
Seriously - Matt gets a pass every time but Taylor doesn’t? Like - he sleeps with another chick right before seeing Taylor “because he’s nervous and got drunk” and then Years later picks his estranged wife over her out of anger about something Taylor did out of love - never lets her explain. He never grovels. Just shows up after 2 years of nothing and boom she takes him back.
Like —- Taylor just takes his crappy behavior. Like - it’s very just… ok I deserve it and .. 2 more years go by at 96% . Yes I am not exaggerating. NINETY SIX PERCENT.
Like … also most of this is spent on Taylor and her PoV. You don’t get Matt’s at all. So it’s very one sided.
For all the past / present flashbacks — it was just straight dialogue but no real descriptions of the characters or their emotions or actions or inflections in their voices .
It’s basically “he said XYZ” and “she said ABC”.. very very flat dialogue
More time was spent on the descriptions of things and places where Taylor was at or doing
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you KJ Micciche for the gifted advanced copy in exchange for this review!
This book will make you want to call up your childhood besties to make friendship bracelets and roast s’mores by the bonfire. It’s not often a book has made me feel so nostalgic - brought me right back to my summer vacations spent outside, making friends and (of course) crushing on boys.
Matt & Taylor’s individual stories were both captivating which I appreciated, and the dual timeline created so much emotional depth. I love a story where we know the characters as children and as adults. Makes you feel like you’re on a lifelong journey with them. This book epitomizes the meaning of a second chance romance, and has some pretty unique conflicts and plot twists, definitely not your average or predictable romance book.
I looked forward to each day that I got to pick this book up and continue following Matt & Taylor’s journey
This book will make you want to call up your childhood besties to make friendship bracelets and roast s’mores by the bonfire. It’s not often a book has made me feel so nostalgic - brought me right back to my summer vacations spent outside, making friends and (of course) crushing on boys.
Matt & Taylor’s individual stories were both captivating which I appreciated, and the dual timeline created so much emotional depth. I love a story where we know the characters as children and as adults. Makes you feel like you’re on a lifelong journey with them. This book epitomizes the meaning of a second chance romance, and has some pretty unique conflicts and plot twists, definitely not your average or predictable romance book.
I looked forward to each day that I got to pick this book up and continue following Matt & Taylor’s journey
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you K.J. Micciche for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review!
I tend to be picky about second-chance romance, but I really enjoyed this! I feel like the reasoning behind Taylor and Matt falling apart and getting back together again made sense.
This book touched on real-life problems, grief, forgiveness, and mental health. I think K.J. did a really good job integrating those themes into the book.
As someone who is on anxiety and depression medication, I related to Taylor a lot. It is really difficult to find the right medication for you. I appreciated the representation in this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Even though I never went to a sleepaway camp, I felt nostalgic while reading this.
If you are a fan of second-chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, and dual timelines, this is for you!
Then Came the Fall comes out July 28th. Make sure you add it to your tbr!
I tend to be picky about second-chance romance, but I really enjoyed this! I feel like the reasoning behind Taylor and Matt falling apart and getting back together again made sense.
This book touched on real-life problems, grief, forgiveness, and mental health. I think K.J. did a really good job integrating those themes into the book.
As someone who is on anxiety and depression medication, I related to Taylor a lot. It is really difficult to find the right medication for you. I appreciated the representation in this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Even though I never went to a sleepaway camp, I felt nostalgic while reading this.
If you are a fan of second-chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, and dual timelines, this is for you!
Then Came the Fall comes out July 28th. Make sure you add it to your tbr!
Review of advance copy received from Author
There were two quotes that stuck with me.
"Matt contemplated me with the yearning of a man who had it all, lost it, and newly found it again."
"I'm sorry it took me so long."
I open my eyes. "It's okay." I reply.
"You're home now."
This was a such an emotional read omgg. I loved the dual timeline. The authors takes you back to the beginning on how both Matt and Taylor first met as children through summer camp and then you see them each year at the camp as they grow up and fall in love with each other and then she takes you the present timeline. I loved how I could imagine the camp and vibes in my head as I was reading. The emotions from the characters as children and when they become adults. If you love childhood friends to lovers and a second chance romance this one is for you. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Especially in the end!
Thank you so much to author for my gifted copy! All thoughts are my own.
"Matt contemplated me with the yearning of a man who had it all, lost it, and newly found it again."
"I'm sorry it took me so long."
I open my eyes. "It's okay." I reply.
"You're home now."
This was a such an emotional read omgg. I loved the dual timeline. The authors takes you back to the beginning on how both Matt and Taylor first met as children through summer camp and then you see them each year at the camp as they grow up and fall in love with each other and then she takes you the present timeline. I loved how I could imagine the camp and vibes in my head as I was reading. The emotions from the characters as children and when they become adults. If you love childhood friends to lovers and a second chance romance this one is for you. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Especially in the end!
Thank you so much to author for my gifted copy! All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a story of heartbreak, hope, childhood stories, dreams and unconditional friendship.
Point of view is a mix of reliving the past while confronting the present and anticipating the future. This past/present style makes you eager to turn the next page.
Matt and Taylor have two very different upbringings yet the place that brings them together is camp. Camp is cake, beaches, first loves, nature and building a new future for generations. As their past and present come closer they realize unspoken truths and that camp may hold a special place in both their hearts.
This book felt heavier than a previous KJ Micciche book I've read but is worth a read and pulling those heartstrings reflecting back on days of camp and young love.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity of reading this ARC.
Point of view is a mix of reliving the past while confronting the present and anticipating the future. This past/present style makes you eager to turn the next page.
Matt and Taylor have two very different upbringings yet the place that brings them together is camp. Camp is cake, beaches, first loves, nature and building a new future for generations. As their past and present come closer they realize unspoken truths and that camp may hold a special place in both their hearts.
This book felt heavier than a previous KJ Micciche book I've read but is worth a read and pulling those heartstrings reflecting back on days of camp and young love.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity of reading this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars**
This one completely pulled at my heartstrings.
Told in dual timelines, we follow Taylor and Matt from the moment they first meet, through everything that drove them apart, and ultimately to their reunion years later. Their connection runs soul-deep, and if you've ever experienced a relationship like that, you know how rare and unforgettable it is.
I knew there had to be a reason behind Taylor reaching out to Matt in the present day, but I wasn't prepared for the reveal. It absolutely wrecked me.
With summer magic, found family, and a beautiful second-chance romance, this story is equal parts nostalgic, hopeful, and emotional. If you're looking for a love story that will make your heart ache before putting it back together, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This one completely pulled at my heartstrings.
Told in dual timelines, we follow Taylor and Matt from the moment they first meet, through everything that drove them apart, and ultimately to their reunion years later. Their connection runs soul-deep, and if you've ever experienced a relationship like that, you know how rare and unforgettable it is.
I knew there had to be a reason behind Taylor reaching out to Matt in the present day, but I wasn't prepared for the reveal. It absolutely wrecked me.
With summer magic, found family, and a beautiful second-chance romance, this story is equal parts nostalgic, hopeful, and emotional. If you're looking for a love story that will make your heart ache before putting it back together, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story was about the right person, wrong time. Matt and Taylor have been friends since childhood. They meet in summer camp and eventually grow into something more. However, life wasn't always easy for Taylor like it was for Matt. Micciche does a great job with the pacing of the story with the dual timelines. It helped build the tension and heartache as we see these two navigate from childhood to adulthood and what life throws at them. This story will have you in your feelings. I really liked the FMC Taylor because she’s strong and resilient, but also vulnerable. I loved her journey of perseverance and forgiveness. Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who love a summer love, second chance romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
Then Came the Fall by KJ Micciche
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“ We’re two friends who love each other but are bound by circumstances beyond our control. Its the worst and best kind of torture.”
From the moment I started reading Then Came the Fall by KJ Micciche I could not put it down. This story was written beautifully, well-developed, and emotionally deep. This book is a second chance, friends-to-lovers romance that follows Taylor and Matt, two characters who fell in love at Sound Hollow summer camp. The book was well paced, and I really enjoyed the flashback chapters as we got to watch the characters fall in love twice over. This is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after the last page! I highly recommend checking out Then Came the Fall! A huge thank you to the amazing KJ Micciche for this ARC copy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“ We’re two friends who love each other but are bound by circumstances beyond our control. Its the worst and best kind of torture.”
From the moment I started reading Then Came the Fall by KJ Micciche I could not put it down. This story was written beautifully, well-developed, and emotionally deep. This book is a second chance, friends-to-lovers romance that follows Taylor and Matt, two characters who fell in love at Sound Hollow summer camp. The book was well paced, and I really enjoyed the flashback chapters as we got to watch the characters fall in love twice over. This is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after the last page! I highly recommend checking out Then Came the Fall! A huge thank you to the amazing KJ Micciche for this ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC of this novel.
This is a book about second chances. It is told in a dual timeline, dual POV.
The story takes the 2 main characters from childhood sleep away camp to adulthood. The chapters on the sleepaway camp made me feel like I missed out on a childhood staple as I never attended camp.
It is hard to review this book without giving away the story and I feel that you need to experience the events as they occur in the book. I will just say that the author has you rooting for the characters.
I loved the author's writing style and it was so descriptive that I could "see" the sleep away camp in my mind while I was reading.
So if you attended a sleep away camp in your childhood and thought you met "the one" during camp, this is the book for you.
This is a book about second chances. It is told in a dual timeline, dual POV.
The story takes the 2 main characters from childhood sleep away camp to adulthood. The chapters on the sleepaway camp made me feel like I missed out on a childhood staple as I never attended camp.
It is hard to review this book without giving away the story and I feel that you need to experience the events as they occur in the book. I will just say that the author has you rooting for the characters.
I loved the author's writing style and it was so descriptive that I could "see" the sleep away camp in my mind while I was reading.
So if you attended a sleep away camp in your childhood and thought you met "the one" during camp, this is the book for you.
August 12, 2026
The love story of Matt and Taylor is way more than a second chance romance. It’s a tale of how life puts you through impossible situations and you have to show bravery, find your true self and be there and love your people fiercely.
KJ Micciche’s book will always be instant buys for me as they speak to my heart. This book in particular, it left me looking for glass at the beach, dreaming of a tight knit community and a sleep-away camp where magic happens.
Not only is “Then Came The Fall” a wonderful summer read, but it will also fill your heart and mind with hope: no matter how tough life gets, you’ll always find the way to your people. And your people will always be your people, mistakes be damned.
Thank you to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
KJ Micciche’s book will always be instant buys for me as they speak to my heart. This book in particular, it left me looking for glass at the beach, dreaming of a tight knit community and a sleep-away camp where magic happens.
Not only is “Then Came The Fall” a wonderful summer read, but it will also fill your heart and mind with hope: no matter how tough life gets, you’ll always find the way to your people. And your people will always be your people, mistakes be damned.
Thank you to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As soon as I was finished I DM'ed K.J. and told her this was one of the most beautifully written books I've read. Wow, I loved it so much.
It was truly unputdownable for me.
This is a second (maybe third?) chance romance. Where you flip between past and present. Matt and Taylor meet at a summer camp as kids and you follow their story and try to put the pieces back together along side of them.
This book made me envious I never went to sleep away summer camp and made me long for the innocence of summer before life took over.
The reality of the characters, the development, the love, all of it - I am so blown away.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Out everywhere July 28th - add it to your TBR!
It was truly unputdownable for me.
This is a second (maybe third?) chance romance. Where you flip between past and present. Matt and Taylor meet at a summer camp as kids and you follow their story and try to put the pieces back together along side of them.
This book made me envious I never went to sleep away summer camp and made me long for the innocence of summer before life took over.
The reality of the characters, the development, the love, all of it - I am so blown away.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Out everywhere July 28th - add it to your TBR!
June 28, 2026
***Review of Advanced Reader Copy
This book was perfection!
I feel like this store captured the feelings of change, starting over and finding love when you least expect it perfectly.
I loved watching the relationships between the characters develop. It just felt so real and relatable. Not only was I rooting for Matt and Taylor throughout the entire book but also for Taylor and her father.
This book was full of heartfelt and emotional moments that kept me reading and engaged right from the very beginning. It’s the perfect example that life may not always lead us down a path of sunshine and rainbows, but it will always lead us to exactly where we are supposed to be.
If you are looking for a summer read about friends to lovers and second chances, then this is the book for you!
This book was perfection!
I feel like this store captured the feelings of change, starting over and finding love when you least expect it perfectly.
I loved watching the relationships between the characters develop. It just felt so real and relatable. Not only was I rooting for Matt and Taylor throughout the entire book but also for Taylor and her father.
This book was full of heartfelt and emotional moments that kept me reading and engaged right from the very beginning. It’s the perfect example that life may not always lead us down a path of sunshine and rainbows, but it will always lead us to exactly where we are supposed to be.
If you are looking for a summer read about friends to lovers and second chances, then this is the book for you!
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