When We Fall

by C.M. Lally

Frank
Life hates me. It’s punched me down so many times, I’ve lost count of the hits I’ve taken. But there’s always a final blow. The one that beats you up so f*cking bad, you’re barely recognizable. I lost my will to fight back when I lost my fiancé.

She was my greatest distraction. Her honeysuckle scent and addicting laugh were my sunshine. I was blinded by her charm and wasn’t ready for the sucker punch to my life. Love is the one thing I hate.

Until Isabella comes along…her stubborn attitude and feisty passion have set my life on fire and brought warmth to my cold heart. She’s got me doing things I vowed I never would again. I’m not strong enough to handle her, but damn I want to try with all that I am.

Isabella
Love is the one thing I love. I adore it and work with those committed to the idea of it. My life is beyond busy, leaving no time for a love of my own. Why do I need my own when I get to experience it every day without the heartbreak, dishonesty, and hidden truths that are inevitable by those who don’t believe?

But there is something about Frank. The broken heart he keeps buried inside him distracts me. For once, I want to fall deeply into that feeling I usually run from, but he won’t let me in. I’ve done everything I can to push through the walls he’s built, but I’m not strong enough. He’ll find out how pushy I can be!

Can love give us the strength to transform our pain into forever together?

196 pages, ebook

Published November 18, 2017

About the author

Tidbits (I'm not that interesting!):
Born: "We are Marshall", West Virginia
Hometown: "Censor"nati, Ohio; home of the Bungles football team
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Anything, but poor; or bored; or lazy.
Longest-standing hobby: Reading books and giving solo car concerts
Astrology: Sagittarius
Personality typing: Myers-Briggs ISFJ (“The Defender”)
Favorite Book: Gone With the Wind
Favorite Color: Red
If I could have a superpower: It would be the ability to teleport
Most annoying habit: Singing every song that I know on the radio
Life's philosophy: Do me wrong and I'll do you even worse; do me right and I'll do you even better.
Biggest fear: Heights and never being truly loved

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has so much happiness, love and joy in which Wedding Planner Isabella is involved in. Frank knows how grief can be paralyzing while still living and running his own business. And then Frank and Isabella meet, causing both have their lives to be upended.
When I reflect back on When We Fall the lyrics "love hurts" comes to mind. My heart ached for the situation that Frank and Isabella had to deal with. I liked his niece and her co-worker that both tell it like it is! This story is shows that falling in love is not all unicorns and stardust, but it takes work and is worth fighting for. I enjoyed the characters and the overall storyline. Great standalone!

[Porch Swing Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

When We Fall is the third standalone in CM Lally's Falling series. I absolutely adored the glimpses we were given into the lives of Aran, Kyle, Nick, and Jenna after their books. I typically don't enjoy romances with characters in this age bracket (35-45), but CM Lally did a stellar job telling Frank and Isabella's story. She had me engrossed in their whirlwind romance and invested in seeing Isabella help Frank overcome his guilt and grief. When We Fall is another wonderful romance from CM Lally!
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank is a complete mess because he just can’t seem to overcome his fiancé’s death. So he’s been mourning his beloved Olivia for 23 years and it seems as if he is destined to live in grief. His life abruptly changes when Isabella clashes into his life. She is his niece’s wedding planner and she is in Frank’s way because his niece’s wedding will take place at his bar. Initially his attitude will be very rude and inappropriate but as days go by he will realize that Isabella is the right person to help him get his life back. Besides being a second chance romance, I absolutely loved the fact that the main characters were mature of age. Frank is not the typical gorgeous guy the reader encounters in a book; on the contrary he is a handsome man with a heavy baggage upon his shoulder. Isabella is a strong and independent woman but deep down she is just a girl in need of love. These characters couldn’t be more wrong for one another yet they complement each other. The book is intense, the tragic accident has marked Frank’s life but thanks to a chance encounter with Isabella, life will throw him something wonderfully unexpected. Great book and beautiful story.

[Hazel Harkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Cyndy has done it again and I think this is her best book by far! I love reading her books and this one is AH MAZ ING!

Frank already had my heart from his brief appearances in previous books by this author but my heart literally broke for him in this book. As someone who has lost love to death all his emotions make perfect sense. It took him so long to forgive himself and he was just going through the motions.

When Frank decided he was ready to join the living again after over 2 decades, he was also ready to accept and give love and Isabella was the perfect woman for him.

This book has all the feels anyone would want from a love story. I cried as I read some parts.
This is comment by Frank to Isabella spoke volumes to my heart, " I was reminded what an empty life I live, and that it's not really living without love in it. It's merely existing.

Frank and his wedding planner got their HEA in a very unexpected way.
You need to grab a copy of this book on Amazon, you won't be sorry.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this Book.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love putting two stubborn, yet deserving people together. What they do now is up to them.

Oh my heart!
What a whirlwind C.M. Lally has created for us!
Frank, a stubborn, gruff, ex stock car racer, now bar owner has been living in the shell of his former self since his fiancee's death, wracked with survivors guilt, and deeply seeded depressive grief, he wants nothing to do with his niece's wedding or that maddening wedding planner Isabella. But family is important, he will suffer through the wedding for his niece's sake. As for this wedding planner- getting her stubborn, snobbish, mouthy, sweet smelling self out of his thoughts is proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated.
Isabella, is ready to show Mr gruff and grumbles she is not all snobbery like he claims.
Let the battle of stubborn and defensive begin!
I LOVED, this heart hurt, sweet heat, witty passionate insta-yum journey! Yes!This fast moving well thought out with it's beautifully written characters was an absolute pleasure read!
5 beautiful Stars from me!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank lost his fiancé over 2 decades ago in terrible circumstances and he blames himself, so much so that he refuses to move on. That is until Isabella walks into his bar and makes a few negative comments! Little does she know that the bar is owned by him and a place where she is planning a wedding for Aran!

Isabella is a successful ending planner, but unlucky in love! When she meets Frank they is definitely an attraction between the two of them. When the two of them realise that they more than like each other they decide to give a relationship a try, that is until Frank makes a huge mistake without realising! Can Isabella forgive him and can they move forward.

I have read all of Ms Lally’s books and I have to say that this is my favourite so far, I loved it!

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

[Jaimed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Frank is hiding from his past while blaming himself for the death of his fiance two decades ago. He has never been tempted by another woman until now. Now he has to play nice with the one woman that grabs his attention, makes him remember his past, and who works as the one job that made things worse during his fiance's death.

Isabella has a limited time to turn a bar into a wedding venue for Aran and Kyle. Aran's Uncle Frank tubs her the won't way, but he fills out his pants perfectly. She doesn't have time for his hot and cold act. Once they spend some time together things heat up until he messes up. Can they get it together in time for her to get the wedding completed?

I really enjoyed these two strong characters. They are great even when they are too stubborn for their own good. I loved the ending and I'm sure you will too.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome story that takes the reader on an emotional journey of allowing yourself to love again after tragedy. Frank has been alone for twenty two years after the death of his fiancé two days before their wedding. Isabella is the wedding planner who is helping plan a wedding at Frank’s bar. Their first meeting is a disaster, but the more time they spend together, the closer they become. When the sparks fly and the chemistry ignites will they learn to get over their differences Nd find love? Or will the ghost from his past keep Frank from loving again? With great characters and an emotional storyline this is one book that has it all. I was locked in from the opening pages and was sad to see it end. Another fabulous read from CM Lally.

[DM Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

28 chapters + Epilogue
Stars: 5 out of 5 for overall story
Chilies: 5 out of 5 for heat between the sheets/or anywhere else

Review: I LOVE THIS STORY!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the moral of this story! It’s never too late for love and for accomplishing your dreams. CM Lally has written an amazing story that every single man and/or woman frustrated with not finding their true loves and/or dealing with tragic issues from their pasts that is preventing them from having any type of future. Such an amazing story!

ARC read in exchange for honest review.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Frank and Bella’s story was certainly filled with ups and downs! I love how they hated each other in the beginning to only find out they were soul mates helping each other out to find happiness. It was A journey for their HEA but it eventually came! There was so many sweet times and others where you wanted to smack one on the head but it defiantly kept you reading!! I would defiantly recommend this book!!!! I am volunteerily leaving this honest review.

[Yeluz Selarom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished it and let me tell u how much I loved it.. love/ hate relationship Frank was a broken man full of guilt and remorse unable to move on from his fiancées death
Until he meets Isabella the stubborn wedding planner that makes him realize life ain’t worth living if you don’t have some one to share it with.. it was beautiful made me cry

[Lofty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*
Frank is still lost 22 years after loosing his fiancée in a car crash.
Isabella meets frank when planning his nieces wedding she’s the wedding planner who put her foot in it when expressing her opinion of the bar ooops.
What a beautiful story showing relationships are never easy.
Another brilliant story
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Emotional story

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, CM Lally for another beautiful read! This book was amazing. When you find your other half some times you go through very difficult times. It tests you in a way you think you would never be tested. But when you love someone so deeply you go through whatever it takes to be with the other half of you. Frank and Bella do this with help ofsome awesome friends along the way. ❤

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the feels!!! This book was amazing!! It swallowed me up from page one, I couldn't put it down! I loved it!!
The sparks fly between Frank & Isabella, you will undoubtedly fall in love with them! This book was so well written, my new favourite from CM Lally!! I felt all the feels while reading this; I laughed and cried so hard! Loved it!!!

[Bailey Roszko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of surprises and twists that had me guessing the whole time. This story is all about falling in love for real the hard way and working to overcome obstacles. I love the characters and their dynamic. The final surprise at the end came as such a shock and was amazing. This is a must read!

[Maija Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen

Once again, I have fallen in love with CM's characters. It flows so easy, and sucks you in from the beginning. The Up's and down's of life come full force in this epic tale. So warming of the soul from start to end.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Frank's story!

[Lyssa Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When We Fall is a sensational read that grabs ahold of you and won't let you go. All the characters are well developed and very realistic. I love this beautifully written emotional story. Ms. Lally takes us on such an amazing journey as Frank and Isabella discover what it’s like to truly find happiness. After so many years of his soul being broken, I'm ecstatic that Frank finally gets his HEA. 💜

I'm a huge fan of C.M. Lally, she has such a fresh and unique writing style. I've read all of her books to date and I must say this is the best one so far. I can hardly wait to see what she writes next.