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Falling like a Johnson #1
The Gift
When Maya’s best friend, Charlotte, asks her to be her surrogate, she reluctantly agrees. Although pregnancy and motherhood were things Maya didn’t plan to deal with for years, she was willing to sacrifice nine months of her time for her best friend’s happiness.
Her world is turned inside out when Charlotte is murdered just as Maya gets confirmation of the IVF’s success. Now, Maya must raise the child she never intended to keep and preserve peace with Charlotte’s widower, Jaxon.
Soon Maya finds that pregnancy and impending motherhood are the least of her worries. She must fight against the tenderness she’s begun to feel for her best friend’s husband and she must atone for the sin she desperately tries to keep hidden.
Maya Jenkins killed her best friend.
Her world is turned inside out when Charlotte is murdered just as Maya gets confirmation of the IVF’s success. Now, Maya must raise the child she never intended to keep and preserve peace with Charlotte’s widower, Jaxon.
Soon Maya finds that pregnancy and impending motherhood are the least of her worries. She must fight against the tenderness she’s begun to feel for her best friend’s husband and she must atone for the sin she desperately tries to keep hidden.
Maya Jenkins killed her best friend.
181 pages, ebook
First published February 9, 2017
282 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Rilzy Adams
29 books914 followersRilzy Adams needs only five things to survive: sushi, coffee, Prosecco, cuddles and words (though not in that order).
She's a lawyer by day - writer by 'whenever she can get the free time' and believes that love makes the world go 'round. It is no small wonder, then, that she can't help but pen tales of people falling in love.
She's a lawyer by day - writer by 'whenever she can get the free time' and believes that love makes the world go 'round. It is no small wonder, then, that she can't help but pen tales of people falling in love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
February 26, 2021
Maybe I expected something else. But I think dead spouse trope is just one of those thing I'll never pick up again.
It's just very drama heavy, and get that's not me at all. Every chapter is lamenting of the death of the wife/best friend. Plus, chemistry? Where art thou?
It's just very drama heavy, and get that's not me at all. Every chapter is lamenting of the death of the wife/best friend. Plus, chemistry? Where art thou?
July 31, 2020
Unterhaltsam, sweet, bisschen viel Drama, leider mit relativ vielen Zeitsprüngen erzählt.
July 3, 2020
Con todo el movimiento #BlackLivesMatter y la falta de lecturas de autoras de color, tanto en mis libreros como en mi TBR, decidí que mi primer libro del mes de Junio fuera una representación de este movimiento, y es así como THE GIFT by Rilzy Adams se convirtió en mi primera lectura del mes.
En Twitter fue donde encontré a esta autora, alguien twitteo una de sus portadas y me enamoré completamente de ella. Lamentablemente, la portada que me flecho fue la del libro WILL YOU BE MINE, que es el segundo libro en la serie FALLING LIKE A JOHNSON, so en vez de leer ese, empecé con The Gift, que es el primer libro en la serie.
La trama en The GIFT es un poco complicada, ya que tener un hijo con el esposo de tu mejor amiga que acaba de fallecer, no es nada fácil. Afortunadamente, la autora supo como manejar el tema y el resultado fue una historia muy bonita. La manera en que Jaxson y Maya se enamoraron, se sintió real, no forzada o apresurada, y eso ayudo a que una como lectura pueda sentir esa conexión con los personajes.
No tengo queja de los personajes principales, realmente me gustaron mucho y ni hablar de la familia de Jaxson, me encantaron, así que espero leer pronto la historia de cada uno de ellos.
Si te gustan las historias con segundas oportunidad, union familiar, y te quieres dar la oportunidad de conocer nuevas autoras, esta es una buena opción.
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With all the BLM movement and the lack of black representation on my shelves and TBR, I decided to make THE GIFT by Rilzy Adams, my first book of the month.
Twitter was the place where I found Rilzy, I saw the cover of one of her books, and I fell in love.
The Gift was a story with a sensitive plot, but I think the author handled it beautifully. The way they fell in love felt real-not rushed or forced, and that made the story even better because it allowed you to connect with the characters.
Jaxon & Maya, I loved them both, and I also fell in love with Jaxson's family, so I can't wait to read the next books.
Overall, a sweet love story about second chances and family love.
December 23, 2022
This was such a unique plot! Jaxon and Maya hate each other. The only thing tying them together is Charlotte, Jaxon’s wife and Maya’s best friend. Charlotte convinces Maya to be their gestational surrogate for her and Jaxon’s baby. However, on the day Charlotte and Maya get the news that Maya is pregnant…..Charlotte is killed in a bank robbery, with Maya walking out alive.
Can you imagine how that conversation went when Maya had to tell Jaxon she’s pregnant?
It was so interesting to see Jaxon and Maya go from hating each other, especially with Jaxon wanting someone to blame for his wife’s death. However, for the sake of the baby, these two have to set their deep rooted hatred of each other aside. It’s not surprising that they end up having more in common than they thought. But what happens when romantic feelings appear?
I enjoyed the progression of Jaxon and Maya’s relationship. It was natural and slow burn, as expected given the guilt these two felt about even starting a relationship and forming a family. I will say the ending was a bit abrupt and the epilogue ended up being from the POV of the hero of the next book, which I didn’t like. Also, 3rd person POV generally annoys me, so all of this combined is why I gave it 4 stars.
I would still recommend because I love this author’s writing and I’ve never read anything with this storyline before, but it worked!
TROPES: forbidden (dead wife’s best friend) widow H; pregnant heroine (she is a gestational surrogate); forced proximity/roommates; slow burn; OWN voices/BIPOC rep (MCs are black, author is black); found family
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a loved one; grief/healing from that loss
Can you imagine how that conversation went when Maya had to tell Jaxon she’s pregnant?
It was so interesting to see Jaxon and Maya go from hating each other, especially with Jaxon wanting someone to blame for his wife’s death. However, for the sake of the baby, these two have to set their deep rooted hatred of each other aside. It’s not surprising that they end up having more in common than they thought. But what happens when romantic feelings appear?
I enjoyed the progression of Jaxon and Maya’s relationship. It was natural and slow burn, as expected given the guilt these two felt about even starting a relationship and forming a family. I will say the ending was a bit abrupt and the epilogue ended up being from the POV of the hero of the next book, which I didn’t like. Also, 3rd person POV generally annoys me, so all of this combined is why I gave it 4 stars.
I would still recommend because I love this author’s writing and I’ve never read anything with this storyline before, but it worked!
TROPES: forbidden (dead wife’s best friend) widow H; pregnant heroine (she is a gestational surrogate); forced proximity/roommates; slow burn; OWN voices/BIPOC rep (MCs are black, author is black); found family
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a loved one; grief/healing from that loss
April 12, 2018
It was a sweet story that made me cry and smile
I gave it 4 atars because it was a sweet story but I did have a few complaints about it.
At first I wasn't a fan of the plot but the writer does a great job of making the reader fall in love with all of the characters, especially Charlotte, who passed away and is Jaxon's wife and Maya's bestfriend. I felt like I could connect with each character and their emotions thoughtout.
The romance and the process of them falling in love felt real and comforting. It wasn't rushed or forced.
My complaint with the story would be the time jumps. Large parts of their lives that should have been Crucial to the plot, were essentially fastfoward. Months would fly by randomly and that was annoying and made parts of the story feel rushed.
The love scenes were a little boring and rushed.
I would definitely recommend this story to others. I loved it and look forward to reading from the author again.
I gave it 4 atars because it was a sweet story but I did have a few complaints about it.
At first I wasn't a fan of the plot but the writer does a great job of making the reader fall in love with all of the characters, especially Charlotte, who passed away and is Jaxon's wife and Maya's bestfriend. I felt like I could connect with each character and their emotions thoughtout.
The romance and the process of them falling in love felt real and comforting. It wasn't rushed or forced.
My complaint with the story would be the time jumps. Large parts of their lives that should have been Crucial to the plot, were essentially fastfoward. Months would fly by randomly and that was annoying and made parts of the story feel rushed.
The love scenes were a little boring and rushed.
I would definitely recommend this story to others. I loved it and look forward to reading from the author again.
August 30, 2019
Great Romance
I was recommended this story and started it a month ago but work took over. Now that things are settling down, I had a chance to read it and it was a great story. I enjoyed the hate to love trope Rilzy Adams utilized and how this romance stemmed from tragedy. I think the main subject matter was tough but handled delicately. My only complaint was how quickly we jumped through time so sometimes we were only given snippets in a four month time period but that may be because I enjoyed the characters and wanted to see more. Maya and Jaxon are very entertaining characters together, but I wish I knew more about Maya's past...then again this is a series so I am bound to find out eventually. It was definitely worth the read.
I was recommended this story and started it a month ago but work took over. Now that things are settling down, I had a chance to read it and it was a great story. I enjoyed the hate to love trope Rilzy Adams utilized and how this romance stemmed from tragedy. I think the main subject matter was tough but handled delicately. My only complaint was how quickly we jumped through time so sometimes we were only given snippets in a four month time period but that may be because I enjoyed the characters and wanted to see more. Maya and Jaxon are very entertaining characters together, but I wish I knew more about Maya's past...then again this is a series so I am bound to find out eventually. It was definitely worth the read.
September 10, 2021
This book is well written. It starts out with a bang, but it's really contemporary. I liked the originality of the storyline.
March 1, 2017
Emotional roller coaster
This book will definitely have you staying up way past your bedtime as I am right now. The development of characters and the way the characters interacted felt so real to me. I found myself yelling bits of advice at them. This book will have you smiling laughing crying and wanting a baby all at the same time! Great read. So ready for the sequels.
This book will definitely have you staying up way past your bedtime as I am right now. The development of characters and the way the characters interacted felt so real to me. I found myself yelling bits of advice at them. This book will have you smiling laughing crying and wanting a baby all at the same time! Great read. So ready for the sequels.
June 17, 2021
Just the kind of book I needed!
Content notes: shooting + robbery, pregnancy, surrogacy, on-page sex
07-issa-no-for-me
April 2, 2020I unfortunately can't make it through this one. I tried!!! I really did. The Premise was something I was sooo interested in, but the way things are playing out, just isn't working for me. I understand people deal with grief in their own way and their is no time limit on it, but i'm finding it hard to buy in to the fact that these two characters are so quickly falling for one another considering the traumatizing and abrupt way they both loss the person they loved. Like I said, I understand people grieve differently and the pacing of the manifestation of the feelings they have for one another could very well be realistic and happen in real like. I'M just having trouble as a reader, buying into it and thus I am having trouble rooting for them...making me not want to read the book altogether.
So...its been about 2 months...and there are just too many books to read. So in the spirit of reading what I want to read when I want to read it, or in this case...Not reading what I don't want to read, if I don't want to read it, I am going to put this one back on the shelf....
So...its been about 2 months...and there are just too many books to read. So in the spirit of reading what I want to read when I want to read it, or in this case...Not reading what I don't want to read, if I don't want to read it, I am going to put this one back on the shelf....
February 13, 2017
Second Chances
I have a deep love for books about people finding love after loss so I went into this book knowing I'd love it. The grief was handled extremely well for both characters and the love that grew between them felt real. I loved the friendships and other relationships in the book too. I can't wait for the sequel. I'm a new fan.
I have a deep love for books about people finding love after loss so I went into this book knowing I'd love it. The grief was handled extremely well for both characters and the love that grew between them felt real. I loved the friendships and other relationships in the book too. I can't wait for the sequel. I'm a new fan.
December 19, 2017
👍👍👍👍👍
Loved this love story. First time reading one of this author's books, I'm a fan. Loved how this couple took their time in dealing with Charlotte's death before they had sex. Loved Maya for being a good friend. Hope in the next book we will find what's happening between Jasper & JT.
Loved this love story. First time reading one of this author's books, I'm a fan. Loved how this couple took their time in dealing with Charlotte's death before they had sex. Loved Maya for being a good friend. Hope in the next book we will find what's happening between Jasper & JT.
November 12, 2017
Heat breaking and heart warming at the same time.
Such an agonizing story that displays real pain before it tempers it with all that's sweet. Loved the development between Jax and Maya and just everything they shared. Can't wait to read the next installment!
Such an agonizing story that displays real pain before it tempers it with all that's sweet. Loved the development between Jax and Maya and just everything they shared. Can't wait to read the next installment!
June 1, 2017
Beyond good
This was my first read from this author. I must say I was not disappointed. This was great. The character development was well put together. I can't wait on the next one in this series.
This was my first read from this author. I must say I was not disappointed. This was great. The character development was well put together. I can't wait on the next one in this series.
April 27, 2021
Gripping, full of angst and heartwarming!
What can I say about this book? There really is too much to say but I’ll try sum it up! This book was exactly what I needed to get myself out of a book slump! It had two characters who had never given one another a chance and a situation that forced them to really get to know each other. It had a big family full of love and mischief and siblings fighting it out but staying on each other’s team while they did it. It had Maya and Jaxon and a little baby whose mother died on a bank floor but who was the key to a second chance for her dad and her mother’s best friend.
One thing Rilzy did amazingly in this novel - amongst so many - was to make you feel the angst the characters felt about having feelings for each other. Urgh, I just wanted to hug Maya and Jax and tell them everything would be alright! I could see how easy it would be for outsiders to judge them and I feel like they held up beautifully under the pressure. I personally would have broke out into a sweat at the thought of what to tell people when I was pregnant with my best friend’s baby and was seen about town with her husband after her tragic death!
I loved getting to know the Johnsons and really wished the story had lingered more on the moments with them and the romance between Maya and Jax. Otherwise, a wonderful 4 star read!
What can I say about this book? There really is too much to say but I’ll try sum it up! This book was exactly what I needed to get myself out of a book slump! It had two characters who had never given one another a chance and a situation that forced them to really get to know each other. It had a big family full of love and mischief and siblings fighting it out but staying on each other’s team while they did it. It had Maya and Jaxon and a little baby whose mother died on a bank floor but who was the key to a second chance for her dad and her mother’s best friend.
One thing Rilzy did amazingly in this novel - amongst so many - was to make you feel the angst the characters felt about having feelings for each other. Urgh, I just wanted to hug Maya and Jax and tell them everything would be alright! I could see how easy it would be for outsiders to judge them and I feel like they held up beautifully under the pressure. I personally would have broke out into a sweat at the thought of what to tell people when I was pregnant with my best friend’s baby and was seen about town with her husband after her tragic death!
I loved getting to know the Johnsons and really wished the story had lingered more on the moments with them and the romance between Maya and Jax. Otherwise, a wonderful 4 star read!
February 11, 2023
Maya Jenkins never pictured life without her best friend, Charlotte. Before tragedy took Charlotte away from her, Maya agreed to become a surrogate for Charlotte and Charlotte’s husband. Now, Maya must break the news to Charlotte’s widower, Jaxon, that she is pregnant with his and Charlotte’s child. Jaxon has never been a fan of Maya so these two are forced together under unfortunate circumstances.
Jaxon and Maya never expect to develop a connection as they both settle into a new routine of parenthood and grieve the loss of a wife and friend.
Rilzy Adams brought such a unique story to the table with the The Gift and I actually enjoyed all the tropes in this one. Maya and Jaxon are an unlikely pair and some readers may not love how these two found their connection but I loved it.
I think the first half of this story was stronger than the second half. Considering this book is under 300 pages, Rilzy put a lot of detail in the beginning where I was deeply invested in the set up between these two and the unfortunate events they experienced. Since this book is so short and in order for us to really get down with the fact that Maya and Jaxon should be together, I can understand that the time jumps were necessary. I guess it just felt really rushed in the second half.
I feel like this would have benefitted if the story completely focused on their relationship and the baby rather than any other details about each of their careers. It would have been a guaranteed 5 star for me but that is just my personal taste! I will definitely be picking up more of Rilzy’s books because I think this entire concept was really different and I am curious what other unique plots she has up her sleeve.
List of Themes in The Gift:
- MF Romance
- Love after loss
- Forbidden Romance (Widow and Surrogate)
- Hate you to like to love
- Not supposed to fall for you
- Ride or die family
My Ratings:
Overall - 3.5⭐️
Angst - 3💗
Spice - 1.5🌶
Jaxon and Maya never expect to develop a connection as they both settle into a new routine of parenthood and grieve the loss of a wife and friend.
Rilzy Adams brought such a unique story to the table with the The Gift and I actually enjoyed all the tropes in this one. Maya and Jaxon are an unlikely pair and some readers may not love how these two found their connection but I loved it.
I think the first half of this story was stronger than the second half. Considering this book is under 300 pages, Rilzy put a lot of detail in the beginning where I was deeply invested in the set up between these two and the unfortunate events they experienced. Since this book is so short and in order for us to really get down with the fact that Maya and Jaxon should be together, I can understand that the time jumps were necessary. I guess it just felt really rushed in the second half.
I feel like this would have benefitted if the story completely focused on their relationship and the baby rather than any other details about each of their careers. It would have been a guaranteed 5 star for me but that is just my personal taste! I will definitely be picking up more of Rilzy’s books because I think this entire concept was really different and I am curious what other unique plots she has up her sleeve.
List of Themes in The Gift:
- MF Romance
- Love after loss
- Forbidden Romance (Widow and Surrogate)
- Hate you to like to love
- Not supposed to fall for you
- Ride or die family
My Ratings:
Overall - 3.5⭐️
Angst - 3💗
Spice - 1.5🌶
July 8, 2021
This was so good! It was sad and heartwarming at the same time. Maya and Jaxon’s romance was so organic and I loved watching it come to fruition. The way they bond over their shared trauma was excellently done.
September 24, 2020
This was such an intense read. I can’t imagine being in jax’s or maya’s shoes or even writing their story, but Rilzy did a fantastic job.
July 20, 2022
While I'm not a fan of the whole "falling in love with your dead best friends husband"... I did LOVE this book. Such a beautiful, but emotional story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ I think it stretched it out for to long but other than that I loved this couple!
October 1, 2019
Vickie J
Great book can't wait to read the next one about IT it's going to be interesting. Awesome keep doing your thing.
Great book can't wait to read the next one about IT it's going to be interesting. Awesome keep doing your thing.
February 10, 2021
Decidí empezar a leer esta serie porque leí otro excelente libro de romance de esta autora y les puedo confirmar que no decepcionó.
Esta historia es muy diferente a las de romance que usualmente leo, aquí seguimos a la mejor amiga y al esposo de una mujer que al principio de la historia fue asesinada mientras tratan de lidiar con sus sentimientos por la pérdida de la muchacha y además tienen que convivir, apesar de odiarse, porque la mejor amiga está embarazada con el hijo de ellos(surrogate).
La historia estuvo llena de momentos dolorosos en los que se sentían culpables por sus emociones, sus risas mientras recordaban a la persona que perdieron. Me encantó el desarrollo de su relación, se sintió bastante orgánica y me enamoré de su viaje.
Super recomendado!
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Esta historia es muy diferente a las de romance que usualmente leo, aquí seguimos a la mejor amiga y al esposo de una mujer que al principio de la historia fue asesinada mientras tratan de lidiar con sus sentimientos por la pérdida de la muchacha y además tienen que convivir, apesar de odiarse, porque la mejor amiga está embarazada con el hijo de ellos(surrogate).
La historia estuvo llena de momentos dolorosos en los que se sentían culpables por sus emociones, sus risas mientras recordaban a la persona que perdieron. Me encantó el desarrollo de su relación, se sintió bastante orgánica y me enamoré de su viaje.
Super recomendado!
YouTube
June 17, 2019
Emotional read!
It is amazing how we come to conclusions about people, without ever taking the time to get to know them. Jax and Maya did just that. After dealing with a devastating loss, Jax finds out they are bound together. While trying to make the best of the situation at hand, they realize they were wrong about each other; and start to fall in love. It was painful for them, but beautiful to watch/read. Great story about second chances, hope and forgiveness. Really enjoyed it.
It is amazing how we come to conclusions about people, without ever taking the time to get to know them. Jax and Maya did just that. After dealing with a devastating loss, Jax finds out they are bound together. While trying to make the best of the situation at hand, they realize they were wrong about each other; and start to fall in love. It was painful for them, but beautiful to watch/read. Great story about second chances, hope and forgiveness. Really enjoyed it.
February 12, 2018
Truth With Love
Great plot with awesome sentence structure and paragraphs which created a read! I enjoyed the characters and how they resolved their conflicts. Awesome writing that kept me wanting to read more!
Great plot with awesome sentence structure and paragraphs which created a read! I enjoyed the characters and how they resolved their conflicts. Awesome writing that kept me wanting to read more!
August 14, 2019
Beautiful Read
I was almost expecting this book to be the standard tragedy, but the author surprised me with a beautiful story about finding love after such heartbreak. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I was almost expecting this book to be the standard tragedy, but the author surprised me with a beautiful story about finding love after such heartbreak. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
August 19, 2019
This was my first Rilzy Adams read and I am hooked!
I'm sad that Charlotte didn't get to meet..
But I love the way the story unfolded.
Jaxon and Maya couldn't stand one another at all in the beginning and at the end I was like
"Oh I know she lyin" lol
Onto Book 2
I'm sad that Charlotte didn't get to meet..
But I love the way the story unfolded.
Jaxon and Maya couldn't stand one another at all in the beginning and at the end I was like
"Oh I know she lyin" lol
Onto Book 2
March 18, 2017
Unlike them
Jade was the gift that held everything together. The gift of love renewed in him found in her. Love the ghost of Charlotte. Homie lover friend for JT???
Jade was the gift that held everything together. The gift of love renewed in him found in her. Love the ghost of Charlotte. Homie lover friend for JT???
November 8, 2017
A Nice Gift
At first, I was struggling with the best friends husband surrogate mommy thingy. Once I was able to get past that, the story flowed much better.
At first, I was struggling with the best friends husband surrogate mommy thingy. Once I was able to get past that, the story flowed much better.
January 18, 2018
Really good book!
This was a really great story I can't wait to read book two. I truly recommend this series. Thank you for writing this book
This was a really great story I can't wait to read book two. I truly recommend this series. Thank you for writing this book
June 25, 2018
Good read
I picked this book from my recommended read. I have to say it was an awesome read and storyline. Will continue the series
I picked this book from my recommended read. I have to say it was an awesome read and storyline. Will continue the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews