Afraid to Fall

by Ari Reavis

Don’t be afraid to fall in love. That’s much easier said than done.

Layla’s on the run and the very last thing she should be doing is noticing the mechanic working on her car. Using a fake name and with her guard all the way up, she keeps telling herself having feelings for someone is off limits. But it isn’t long before her heart stops listening to her head.

Nathan knows he’s found someone special from the moment he pulls a woman out of her smoking car. He can see she’s been hurt and that she’s still scared. But he wants to help her move forward, into a future with him. Can he get her to open up and let him prove he’s what she needs?

You can’t run forever and when the past comes back to steal every bit of happiness she’s fought for, neither Layla nor Nathan is willing to give it up. That doesn’t mean it can’t just be snatched from them.

This is a standalone romance with scenes of domestic violence that some might find triggering.

Genres: Contemporary Romance

118 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2020

About the author

Ari Reavis is a wife and mother of seven. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, she enjoys staying in, devouring books and watching movies. Her kids are running around, her husband is trying to show her martial arts moves, and she's trying to write. Her day in a nutshell.

She publishes contemporary and fantasy romance. Her books, while filled with love, also deal with issues that affect many, from trauma and abuse, to mental illness and discrimination. With each book, she writes from the heart, because she feels that’s the way to capture the hearts of readers.

Connect with her on twitter @authorarireavis
On instagram @authorarireavis
On facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AriReavisAuthor
And on her website https://arireavis.com

Reviews

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layla had finally built up the nerve to leave her abusive boyfriend. While she continued to look over her shoulder, certain Troy was lurking just around the corner, she found a new life waiting for her. From the comforting arms of the woman who runs the bed and breakfast she's settled in to the spark of newness she finds with Nathan, would she allow herself a shot of happiness?

I really enjoyed this story. There was a bit of violence portrayed in the relationship Layla had with Troy, but it was necessary to see how far she had come. In order to understand how much she'd grown, we had to see how far she had fallen. And it was low. I thought for sure she could have left a long time ago. That her mom's words should have reached her. But that's just me 🤷🏽

I loved how understanding the author made the hero, Nathan. He was considerate and patient and kind and very easy to fall for. I only wish we were given his perspective. Layla's view was limited (and fraught with doubts and inconsistencies) and there were certain things that would be so much clearer from Nathan's pov.

Sexy and heart-warming, Afraid to Fall made for an entertaining read.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/9/2020)! 🎁

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tugs hard on the heartstrings and evokes a variety of reactions. First there is anger and empathy for all the abuse and pain Layla went through before she finally broke free. Then a sense of relief takes over as she discovers her inner strength and confidence again. Happiness comes into play as she begins to fall for Nathan, a really great guy who respects and values women and is willing to take things slow and easy with Layla. Anger resurfaces as her ex becomes bound and determined to reclaim Layla and his threats begin to escalate. Can Nathan protect Layla from her ex? How will they secure the happily ever after that they both so richly deserve?

This book provides readers with strong, memorable and relatable characters. They effortlessly draw readers into their story and hold them as eager captives until the last word has been read. This book does have a very satisfying HEA, but the journey taken to get there is bumpy, captivating and inspiring. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla/Michelle is a strong woman who knows she had to leave. Her story is sad, emotional and she needs to know that love doesn't hurt and falling doesn't have to either.

Nathan is too perfect. He's the man you dream about and don't want to wake up from. As their journey moves forward, he finds a way to shock me, wow me and steal my heart. It made me love him even more. Layla is in good hands with a man and his sweet mom that prove instant attraction can lead to falling without it hurting. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my soul.
I felt like i was reading a piece of my own history.
I was this girl in man ways a long time ago and came out stronger.

She was trying to escape a bad relationship and like a bad penny, the ex wouldn't stop.
Can the new town she finds be the support she needs?

Loved so much about this novel.

[Sandra Lope · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a raw and emotional story, which women have experienced in real life. This is the story of Layla/Michelle and Nathan. Layla has finally found the means to leave her abusive boyfriend.

She meets Nathan while on the run, Nathan is everything her ex is not and what she is looking for, he is gentle and sweet. She is in good hands with him and his mother.
It was nice to experience the journey and to read that she learns that love shouldn't hurt and that not all men are like her ex. The attraction was there but it still took a while before she dared to take the step to discover that isn't wrong. This is emotionally but beautifully described by the author, the character and characters are well articulated. I even shed a tear while reading this book, it is definitely recommended!!

I have received an Advance Review Copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has all the elements of an interesting book. 3.5*
Almost till the end, I thought that this book had a good storyline and well-described characters. Layla, a brave, severely abused heroine by Troy her ex-boyfriend, Nathan, a hunky protector, offers hope for a better future, and a lot of steamy intimacy with true love. Then, said hunky hero brings the suspenseful danger to Layla to a resolution that is criminal, illegal and unlawful. That is unacceptable, no matter the altruistic reasons.! There is no justification for the events that have just been brushed on by the author. That is why I have given the book only a 3.5-star rating. Such a shame, because with alternative plans to deal with the threat, I would have happily given this book 4.5 stars. Nevertheless, I am happy to recommend this book, which although has trigger points, is a well-written emotional romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla has been planning and biding her time to get away from Troy, ever since he beat her so bad she lost her baby. She has been working from home secretly, bought a car off craigslist and got an ID as her mother. On the day she leaves he comes back to catch her putting a suitcase in the car, she tazzes him and takes off. When her car starts of overheat, she has get off the highway, it is really smoking when she pulls into a mechanics shop. The man is gorgeous but she need not to think that way. Nathan knows she is who he would risk it all for, but he knows she has been hurt and is scared so he will have to tread lightly.

This is a great story, Nathan comes into Layla's life just when she needs someone, as she has been scared and all alone for a long time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I liked this story. Layla finally escapes the clutches of her abusive boyfriend, driving for hours until her car breaks down at an auto repair shop. You know she & shop owner Nathan are going to hit it off, you can automatically feel it.

The story is about trust issues, letting oneself heal after extensive abuse, believing that friendships & kindness can be genuine & that there are good people out there.

Nathan & his mom were perfect & the best thing Layla could hope for & so desperately deserved. I loved how the romance kicked in, tentatively & at Layla's pace.

I did struggle with one thing though...there was an incident & the response was a quick ok, thank you & then it was never mentioned again. So bizarre.

After such a tumultuous experience with her ex, Layla & Nathan's story became a happy one. And that worked for me!

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! love Nathan... swoon... love Layla... sweet... this is their story... a fast paced drama... Layla has been planning a long time to leave Troy ... ever since she lost the baby... the car she got over heats and starts to smoke real bad... she had to get of the highway... she just makes it to a mechanic's shop... Nathan is there to pull her out of the car... swoon... he knows right away that she is the one... but, she's afraid and has been hurt badly... he will take it slow...what a powerful story... heart breaking ... and heart wonderful..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. This story will swallow you from the beginning. A strong storyline and if you don't like reading stories that aren't always hearts and roses, this one isn't for you. This was a meaningful read and the entire time I felt like I was reading Colleen Hoover's novel-and she is my favorite author when it comes to "tell it like it is" stories. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TELA666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

*spoilers*
The trigger warnings on the blurb are needed as tough topics are included all the way through. The hero though is a true flawed hero with good intentions. I liked that the story was set over a realistic time period that reflected the time it would take to develop a relationship and trust.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla is on the run from a monster, she meets Nathan who would do anything for her once they get to know each other. The story is well written and well worth reading. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Taylor Monaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to take from this book. I truthfully really enjoyed it, in a different way. This isn’t my normal type of book/story but I enjoyed the heck out of it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.