When We Fall

by Madeleine Labitan

Parker Holloway is an enigma.
Quiet. Brooding. Impossibly intimidating.

He also happens to be my boyfriend's best friend...and my best friend's boyfriend.

They say fate has a twisted way of bringing people into your life. I just didn't count on it to come in the form of a jarring betrayal.

Despite my best efforts, I find myself getting drawn to the emotionally unavailable boy who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I don't expect to fall fast.
I never expect to fall hard.

But that's the thing about fate—it always gets its way.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2020

About the author

Madeleine Labitan lives and breathes for three things: books, coffee and Netflix. Deny her of one and you'll make an enemy for life.

A former content writer and virtual assistant, she decided to leave the freelance world behind to spend the rest of her days falling for swoon-worthy book boyfriends and hating on their heroines while simultaneously pretending to be a dedicated author.

She's been writing most of her life, and after nearly a decade of procrastinating, finally decided to try her luck on being an author.

Truth or Dare is her first foray into the publishing world and hopefully not the last...

And, oh, she’s in social media. Not that active, but she tries:

Facebook: fb.me/myinkonpaper

Twitter: @myinkonpaper

Instagram: myinkonpaper

Reviews

[Tina Yarrall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphic

The book is well written and interesting on the whole but much to graphic for my liking. Large graphic sex scenes were not needed. The story still works well skipping them. There was also a lot of swearing. I was overall disappointed that these components were used as to me it took away from the story. I won’t be continuing this series.

[Fiction Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a good read. Loved every thing about this book. Gave a redemption arc for every character and I absolutely loved that. Sawyer and Tyler are the best, I might add Tyler to my Book Boyfriend List he is absolutely the sweetest guy, a cinnamon roll who can actually kill you😂
Loved how they started out, how it ended and all the things revolving around them.

I can't wait to read the remaining books from this series ♥

[Vibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

R-rated high school melodrama

On the positive side, I loved the references to Filipino cuisine in the story

If you're fine with stuff like Gossip Girl, the content in this book probably won't bother you at all. Sawyer is the naive pretty girl who finds out her best friend is sleeping with her boyfriend. Sawyer can't figure out that Parker wants her but has... issues. And her ex wants her back because he thinks Parker has her, & he's stupid jealous of Parker.

It's actually a fairly engaging melodrama, but then the f-bombs hit like an unpleasant series of road bumps. I finally DNFd at 42% when the protagonist stumbles across two secondary characters having a form of non-intercourse sex in the hall - she stays a moment & then tries to leave quietly "not wanting to continue feeling like a voyeur".

I agreed with her - I'm not into peeping tom porn, either - & closed the book.

I wish the author had done as many others do & provided a content warning, particularly given that this is a YA book. I'm well aware that many teens talk & act as the author describes - however, many do not, & have no interest in taking that road. It's in the author's best interest to provide readers with a little informed consent beforehand, as well, to avoid the negative feedback

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses, lots of locker room level talk, a couple is caught in bed together though nothing really graphic, another couple is getting sexually intimate in a school hallway & it's semi-graphic, didn't read further after that

*Language: fairly frequent use of all the more common swears & vulgar words, +79 f-bombs

*Religion: 4 dozen uses of God's Name in vain, sadly & totally unnecessarily, including a half dozen as curses

[Madeleine Labitan]

NOW AVAILABLE!!!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: When We Fall is a standalone and book one in a mature YA/new adult romance series.

[Lozz’s Random Reads McKenzie - Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Boyfriend & A Friends Betrayal. A Girl Finds From an Unexpected Person

Sawyer attends Holy Oaks Prep School.
Everything appears to be rosey, she has her hot boyfriend, quarterback Liam,
And
Her besties Quinn and Peyton and Braydon.

While attending a party one night, hosted by head cheerleader Carson,
Sawyer is witness to her boyfriend and her bestie, Peyton caught having sex.

This heartbreaking, embarrassing incident sets in motion the coming together of herself with Parker - who was the boyfriend of Peyton.

In the beginning it only seems to be comfort, and mutual support for each other after their to cheating partners were both caught.

But.
Things soon take a turn, as the two start to develop feelings for each other.

The rest of the story heals with the drama this creates amongst their tight group of friends.
Parker’s - Jamie, Bennett, Giovanni

And
Sawyers - Quinn, Braydon and (the cheater) Peyton.

However the course of true love never runs smooth as Parker struggles to dealing with his troubled family history, all while trying to juggle his new relationship of Sawyer.

Will he be able to cope?....Or will he decide to end things with Sawyer sacrificing his own chance a happiness.

This wasn’t a bad story.
It was kind of cute.
First real love between the two main characters.
Even IF the I knew where this was heading, (yeah. I didn’t bother with the epilogue, as it was just the HEA wrap up)
The ending was never in doubt.
***

[J. Lorenzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This love story between Sawyer and Parker is a must-read ❤

I like how the character of Parker cared for his beloved Sawyer and how the latter fell in love with him despite his issues. Good thing, Sawyer and Liam (her ex) didn't end up together because I was really rooting for Parker. 😬😊👍

Although Parker was a serious-type of man, he's able to make Sawyer fell for him THAT FAST. I'd say it's a typical characteristic of a guy that a lot of girls fall for. Including me!

I would also like to commend the author, Madeleine Labitan, for incorporating a touch of Filipino culture in her book. Also, the successful writing career of Sawyer's dad and her teacher, and of course her dream of becoming a writer herself is a thumbs up for me!

Looking forward to reading the next book under Holy Oaks Series. Again, kudos to the writer for this nice YA romance story.

[Book Junkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone looking for a sweet read with a little spice this is the book for you.

Parker and Sawyer at the beginning of the book are in relationships with other people but those 2 people cheat on them very early on. Parker has always had a thing for Sawyer but stood aside when his ex-friend Liam made a move. Sawyer is betrayed by her best friend Peyton who was also Parker’s girlfriend. They slowly become friends and then more and there is little to no angst in this book so fairly safe for someone looking for a quick read!

*cheating (not main characters)
*it’s always been you
*best friends boyfriend/girlfriend
*high school romance

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read similair book, but I must say I like this one better. I was so glad that Sawyer didn't forgive Parker right away. What can I say I am sucker for groveling.

Also this book has detailed sex scenes for a book set in high school, so this doesn't have to be for everybody.

[Harshika Khola]

This book is amazing... I finished it the same day I started it. I love it soo much that I read it even during school when I was supposedly studying!!
THIS PARKER-SAWYER ROMANCE IS A MUST READ...

[Suba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give 5 stars, only because of the author. The story is not a new plot, or with so much twist and turns.but still with the narration and characterization, i loved this book.

[Carefree Hijabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a little high-school melodrama is all you need to get yourself out of a reading slump 😉

[Igonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Can’t wait to read about the other hot boys club guys and their girls

[Yames Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I had to finished it the same day I started it!

Great couple from a prep school, and I really like the change that there’s no social status playing against them. It was nice and refreshing.

Sawyer is really smart, kind and a cool heroine without being naive or too good. Her clique is amazing and funny! Her friends are there for giving insight in different ways but I really like that she has a mind of her own.

Parker is also the perfect book boyfriend. His heart is big, I love his inner dialogue about responsibility and love. And he also owns his mistakes (refreshing!)

Also, I loved the Hot Guys Club! Every single character in it has a great personality and the hints of sexy interesting stories made me a fan. Plus, the interaction among them is fun but also really cool. I just love the loyalty they live by. It kind of reminded me to the bromance of “Binding 13” with the guys.

Anyway, can’t hardly wait for the next book!
Predictions?
Bennet & Quinn
Giovanni & Aria

So far, that’s what I have!