Fall from Grace

Worlds Collide: The Duets #3

by L.L. Meyer

Books 3 and 4 are a standalone duet in the Worlds Collide universe.

Sophie
From the beginning, I've been warned away from Alejandro Bernal-Acosta.
He's not a good man.
He's dangerous.
Keep your distance.
But every time our paths cross, the interest in his eyes is such a rush. Maybe it's just the dark beard, or the tattoos, or the way he radiates intensity, but something tells me there's more to him than meets the eye. And I want to know what it is.

Alejandro
From the beginning, I've fought my instincts to make Sophie Summers mine.
She's too young.
She's too sweet.
There's an air of sadness to her already.
The violent world I inhabit would eat her alive. Besides, something tells me once I get a taste, I'll be hard pressed to give her up. The possibility that there's more between us than just lust is enough to keep the predator in me at bay . . . until a brush with death changes everything.

And once we give in to each other, there seems to be no turning back. Too bad the real world finally catches up with us. There's hell to pay and blood will be spilled before all is said and done.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Dark Romance, Mafia Romance

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2021

About the author

Always feel free to contact me at lisalynn_meyer@outlook.com or here on GR.

Follow me on Instagram @ author_ll_meyer for updates on current and future projects!

I may be a sucker for an HEA, but I like my romance to have an edge to it! My heroes are never clear cut white knights, and my heroines are never pushovers - but they do have something in common: they're always devoted to each other.

I write new adult contemporary romance as LL Meyer, and young adult sci-fi/fantasy as Lisa Lynn Meyer.

Reviews

[EmBibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Sophie and Alejandro’s story and it was just as great as I expected it to be! Their chemistry was just so freakin explosive!!


I loved Alejandro from the very first chapters with the way he treated Sophia, which was so heartwarming, and the way he took care of her, specially that scene in her sister’s weeding which was so sweet and full of tension? Idk I just really liked it.

I really liked these two together. Alejandro is that mafia hard guy on the outside, but he’s a total softie family man on the inside. Their banter was so fun and every encounter is full of sexual tension. Every scene with them together you could just feel it in the air around them and their chemistry is so freakin undeniable!

You could expect; little flirtation, forced proximity, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, undeniable chemistry, a caring hero, a sweet charming heroine, addicting writing, and such an enjoyable book. This was a great introduction to Sophia and Alejandro’s story. I can’t wait to read the rest of their story. Also, one of the highlights of the book was meeting those little girls again and Scott and Ellie! Oh and Bruce Wayne, I was definitely a fan of him as well!

[Isabella. R · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Regret is Useless Stars ⭐

Just a few pages and I was instantly enamoured with our hero Alejandro Bernal-Acosta. The Kingpin himself is rightfully feared, however when the balance of good and bad is spot on, his sins can be mostly forgiven and overlooked. Alejandro is firstly a family man, and how he treated Sophia was completely heartwarming and endearing. I dare you not to fall hard for him...

Sophia Maria Summers is a shell of her former self. Caught up in crime 18 months prior, she is riddled with anxiety and trauma. And the one man she's been crushing on shouldn't have to see her in this state. And yet he does over and over. Instead of dismissing her, he becomes an unlikely comfort.

The problem is that visceral punch of lust I get whenever her big, blue eyes land on me. At a glance, they convey sweet innocence, but closer inspection always reveals they’re hungry. For me.

This little flirtation Alejandro and Sophie have dabbled with in the past was harmless. Yet seeing the once vibrant girl struggling makes it difficult for him not to aid her. When a good deed goes pear shaped, Sophie is officially in his world. Exposed and now in danger.

Whilst technically in hiding at a lakeside cabin, desire and want can't be ignored. And I'm so glad it wasn't because these two together were spectacular. Forget chemistry, Alejandro and Sophie were the perfect shade of dark and light. Two irresistible forces. Except how can a Mexican drug lord and a bright girl meet in the middle? You have to want to.

“Mmm,” he groans at my ear, having leaned forward. “Tell me what that thought was.”

Nuzzling into his neck, I breathe him in. “That, my devil, has me coming while my mouth is stuffed full of you.”

Fall from Grace was an utter pleasure to read. Beautifully written, steamy and authentic, it was magic. I can't remember the last time I read a mafia age gap romance where both characters were on par. Emotionally intelligent, honest and respectful. It was so refreshing. I am counting down to the next book in this duet, The Devil's Own. I can't recommend enough. ❤️

ARC provided by author in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'Mariposa' stars

I’d told her she reminded me of a mariposa for crying out loud. But she’d lit up at the nickname of butterfly and rendered any embarrassment I’d felt null and void.

Ever since I learnt that Alejandro and Sophie will be a couple of the next duet, I was giddy with excitement. I just knew that these two are gonna be an explosive combination. And I wasn't wrong.

I already adored both of them in Not So Far Away and The Here and Now and they just made me love them even more here. Since their first meeting, there was a tangible connection between them. They were drawn to each other like magnets.

God help me but Sophie has somehow set up permanent residence in my head over the last eighteen months. My lip curls. I have nothing but contempt for myself. Despite having tried everything short of an exorcism to purge her, she’s remained. I blame her. If it weren’t for the way she looks at me, I’d never even have noticed her.
Okay, that’s a lie.

They are a perfect example of opposites attract each other. Alejandro all grumpy and deadly and full of hard edges, while Sophie is sweet and caring and practically sunshine impersonate. And what a delightful combination that was!

“I’m going to be very unhappy if you’ve made me sit here for hours just to murder me out in the bush,” I say mutinously.
“You’re much too pretty to kill.” He’s obviously as tired as I am. “I may lock you up in a basement though.”

Their banter is golden!! And the sexual attraction between them is off the charts hot. I mean HOT 🔥🔥🔥

“Really?” she drawls. “Do we really want daddy vibes between us? Because considering your age, I’d say that’s a pretty slippery slope.”
Her ire crackles between us before her actual words register. Then, I laugh. Daddy vibes? Who is this girl? Daddy vibes, my ass. Only if it involves spanking her.

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted my hands on you?” I pinch gently at her nipple and the grip on my forearm tightens. “Look at me.” Through drooping lashes, she obeys. “Do you know how long?”
She licks her lips as she shakes her head.
I kiss the side of her mouth, then pinch again and she gasps. “Too. Fucking. Long.”

The story is fast-paced. I like how you're thrown into the action from the start and the plot holds your attention to the very last page. Also, I really like how the mafia things are handled. Not that I know a single thing about the mafia, lol, but it feels very authentic here. I know that it's very thrilling to have an explosion every ten pages and dumping of bodies every three pages but it's also very OTT, while these things are more subtle in this book and I really like it.

It was amazing to see all my beloved characters! Scotty and Ellie and the girls 💗💗 and the new characters are equally amazing. Maybe I'm imagining things but I'm kind of seeing Louis and Lainey together??! Just a thought 😄

Can't wait for the next book!! I think Alejandro owes us, haha well Sophie, a spectacular groveling session. Not that he's the kind of person who would grovel but for Sophie... We'll see 😆

“I love you, Sophia. I’ve been miserable without you and I need you back in my life.”

Thank you, Lisa, for the ARC and I was so excited to be a part of Alejandro and Sophie's story making. 💗

*************************************


WE HAVE THE COVER AND IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL 💖💖

[Arena♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

so this book was filled with all the favourite tropes of moi:

➺ mafia
➺ age gap
➺ forced proximity
➺ grumpy/sunshine
➺ angst
➺ a lot of steam

so obviously it was a one click for me but was i expecting too much?? bc it honestly didn't totally reach the mark i was hoping it would.

I’d told her she reminded me of a mariposa for crying out loud. But she’d lit up at the nickname of butterfly and rendered any embarrassment I’d felt null and void.

// plot //
↪︎ so our girl Sophia aka strawberry shortcake met Alejandro about two yers ago when their encounter left her thinking of him all the time. About almost a year before present day, Sophia had almost died bc of a robbery at a shop she was it, but managed to come out with a grotesque scar around her neck. For Alejandro, Sophia has been a constant. While he knew she and him could never be together, due to the fact that he was the drug dealer and very dangerous, he always watched her from afar and pushed her away but helped her when she needed it.

fast forward to where the book starts. Sophia and Alejandro are at a family gathering (Sophia's sister is married Alejandro's nephew) and the heat between them is palpable. Sophia faints as she is still scared of loud noises after the tragic night and Alejandro helps her through it but is also sort of a jerk about it. then he does something super sweet and—

Easing it aside, I find a medal inside . . . a Catholic medal. San Cristobal, it reads below the image. St. Christopher . . . the patron saint of travellers. Oh my god, he left me a St. Christopher pendant to keep me safe?

when he did things like this?? i—

*Alejandro, Sir, what cAN I DO TO BE YOUR MARIPOSA*

but then that man had to go ruin it. it took me what, 5 days to complete the book?? all bc the start was so boring with us getting a lot of information but no actual story and like no actual things happening and that disappointed the fuck out of me.

i wanted a possessive, obsessive, dangerous, does-what-he-wants H but what i got was.. well, not that. but as disappointed as i was with the start, the mark after 60% really shot up and made me unhealthily interested in the book, so much so, that i read halfway through the second book and skipped all my lectures

"Really?" she drawls. "Do we really want daddy vibes between us? Because considering your age, I’d say that’s a pretty slippery slope."
Her ire crackles between us before her actual words register. Then, I laugh. Daddy vibes? Who is this girl? Daddy vibes, my ass. Only if it involves spanking her.

the steam and banter was just— mwah but i felt that after the song of we can't be together that they sung for two years (that we were told), it certainly didn't take them more than two days to jump each others bones.

the worst part was that over those two years, they hardly met more than twice but then 20% into the book and Sophia is already in love with Alejandro which was borderline insta-love. more so, when they don't talk and just sleep together all the time.

"You're going to be the death of me," he says, pulling his fingers from my mouth.
I smile lazily at him. "Well, you are old."

but while i had those little problems, and expected a little more (??) from Alejandro, the banter and steam was certainly on point and like i said, after the initial part of the book, their relationship and characters definitely took off that i started enjoying the book.

"You’re an idiot. Obviously, she’s not made for this life," I say, gesturing around us.
His gaze follows my hand as if in search of the evidence I’m pointing out, confusion all over his stupid face. "She’s not made for . . .?" he repeats incredulously. "You killed a man in front of her and still she looked at you with hearts in her eyes. She loves your broody ass."

also, can i just say that i love niner and his relationship with ben??? like ms.meyer, when is their book coming out bc i need

"I love you, Sophia. I’ve been miserable without you and I need you back in my life."

overall, it was an enjoyable read and i would definitely recommend it. did i have my problems with it? yes but did i still enjoy it? also yes.

// 3.5 stars //
__________

Fall from Grace ★★★.5
The Devil's Own ★★★

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5. The story was okay, but I didn’t connect with the female character!!!!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping myself convinced that this affinity between us is based solely on lust is barely an option anymore. In this kiss, I can feel the strength of the underlying bond, as if threads of steel have woven themselves into the connection. It's a heady realization amplified by the feel of her body against mine.

5+ stars!

Holy hotness y'all. This book was everything I was looking for and more! I've been a friend of Lisa's here on Goodreads for a few years now, so when she shared that she was working on a new romance story centered around a broody mafioso and his full-of-sunshine match, I just knew that I had to read it. And even though I had high hopes and expectations for this novel, FALL FROM GRACE still managed to blow me away and leave me wanting more.

Sophie and Alejandro live in two completely different worlds--one of privilege and comfort and the other of secrets and death. Despite all of the forces working against them, both Sophie and Alejandro find themselves drawn to each other by curiosity and lust, but their physical interactions never mature into what they both want...until one fateful afternoon thrusts Sophie into Alejandro's world of deceit and blood, and Alejandro discovers just how far he'll go to protect his mariposa.

From the very first chapter, I found myself hooked and completely invested in the forbidden love story growing between Sophie and Alejandro. What begins as a mutual fascination for the unknown slowly morphs into an undeniable physical attraction then inescapably blooms into a friendship of deep understanding and loving acceptance. I absolutely LOVED the dynamic and chemistry between Alejandro and Sophie! I loved how Sophie wasn't afraid of Alejandro's broodiness and how Alejandro was adorably baffled by how much he liked Sophie.

I also loved how Lisa managed to weave so many familiar pieces of my Hispanic heritage into her novel without it coming off as cliché or stereotypical. I'm not used to seeing my Hispanic heritage or Spanish language portrayed in books, so it was nice reading about mentions of Catholic guilt and La Virgen's judgmental stare (both of which are real, LOL). The ending had the perfect amount of danger and angsty longing before Alejandro groveled for being an idiot. Overall, I truly loved everything about this novel, and I cannot wait to read the rest of Alejandro and Sophie's story ♡

My Alejandro, the broody mafioso who would do anything for his mariposa...

[juli✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ 𝟯.𝟳𝟱 ✧

♪♫ … Beggin', beggin' you
Put your loving hand out, baby
Beggin', beggin' you
Put your loving hand out, darling ... ♪♫

✒ 𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘

so… this is a bit awkward. 

you see, i liked FALL FROM GRACE, but i don't know if i necessarily loved FALL FROM GRACE. and man that disappoints the ever loving crap outta of me, because i was really looking forward to Alejandro and Sophie's story.

there was something missing, at least for me, from this story… and i guess i'm gonna use this review to sort out why i felt that way.

so, to recap, i liked this book, but i had my issues with it. that said, a lot of people loved this one. so, do yourself a favor and check out these fabulous reviews as well. 

see here, here, and here.

-ˏˋ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 - 𝗙𝗙𝗚 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 ˎˊ-

My mariposa had been withdrawn, her fire all but snuffed out.

🅾🅺🅰🆈 ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ꜰᴀʟʟ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ… ɢᴏᴏᴅ. at times i'd even say it was great. but, there were times when the romance was just… meh for me. which - as i stated at the beginning of this review pains me to say. i went into FFG expecting to adore Alejandro and Sophie's romance from beginning to end. instead… well instead they had me waffling back and forth.

see, on the one hand they'd have heart-achingly sweet//thoughtful moments like this, ↯↯

Easing it aside, I find a medal inside . . . a Catholic medal. San Cristobal, it reads below the image. St. Christopher . . . the patron saint of travellers. Oh my god, he left me a St. Christopher pendant to keep me safe?

and extremely hot moments like this, ↯↯

❝So what if you like it when I tell you what to do?❞
❝I wasn’t talking about – ❞
❝Because the flip side is also true. Your every surrender makes me so fucking hard.”

but on the other hand… it seemed like their romance never really progressed beyond those really hot moments. what i mean is, i wanted to see Sophie and Alejandro forging that connection. instead, they pretty much just had sex all the time.

which, again, i'm not complaining, but i will say i felt like the ratio of sex vs. actual conversing was very skewed. i think i went into FFG expecting a more slow-burn romance between Alejandro and Sophie. instead, they kinda danced around each other for a while and then boom. they're jumping each others bones.

ultimately, i liked the romance between Sophie and Alejandro. i thought it was well done, but i wanted a bit more from it. i wanted more communication. i wanted to see them get to know one another more. then again… those sex scenes were fucking hot, sooooo


✔ ᴀʟᴇᴊᴀɴᴅʀᴏ ᴛᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴘᴀᴛɪᴇɴᴄᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴍᴏꜱᴛʟʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴡᴀʏ. mostly. see for most of the book i waffled between wanting to b-slap Alejandro and wanting to manifest him into reality. he was that complex of a character.

for example, he was extremely soft and kindhearted towards Sophie in one breath, ↯↯

Not the attempt on my life. The last one wouldn’t have me so bent out of shape if it hadn’t involved Sophie. I can handle whatever comes at me. If it’s my day to die, then it’s my day to die. But my mariposa? Fuck.

and then in the next we would see him be stubborn, hardheaded, and demanding. or he would be both sweet and assholish all in the same sentence… ↯↯

❝Anyway, thanks for coming and,❞ I wave a vague hand at the table, ❝for lunch. It was really good.❞
❝I’m not.❞
I frown. ❝Not what?❞
❝Sorry I got roped in. I’ll always come for you, Sophia.❞ His words send a wash of pleasure over me, and he must notice, because he adds more. ❝But I can’t be the one to take care of you.❞

all in all, Alejandro was a true "anti-hero." and honestly, that's what made him both great and infuriating. there was something so… mesmerizing about him. he was like an onion, he had layers baby.


✔ ꜱᴏᴘʜɪᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ ꜱᴛᴀʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱʜᴏᴡ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴍ ɢʟᴀᴅ ꜱʜᴇ ɢᴏᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘᴏᴛʟɪɢʜᴛ. now, did i end up loving Sophie more than her sister Ellie? lololololol, no. but, did i appreciate Sophie for who she was and the journey she was on? heck yeah i did.

you see, Sophie was a lot different from Ellie, and that wasn't a bad thing. Sophie was a lot softer and more kindhearted than Ellie. she definitely wore her heart on her sleeve. which again, is not a bad thing. she was little less… grounded then Ellie was.

for example, her naïveté towards Alejandro and what he did. Ellie clocked him right away in her two books. meanwhile, Sophie never really seems to grasp just how dangerous Alejandro was, ↯↯

❝Are you, uh . . . happy with your . . . work?❞ My curiosity is rewarded with stony defiance.
❝Sophia,❞ he says harshly and my stomach drops, ❝are you asking if I enjoy breaking kneecaps for a living?❞
❝What?❞ I sputter. ❝No, I . . . what? You’ve done that? Break knee caps?❞ He tries to repress a chuckle as he places the log on the block. Shit, he’s teasing me. I think.
❝Actually,❞ he says dryly. ❝I don’t think I have.❞

which, honestly i didn't mind. if anything it was part of her Sophie charm and really fit with her personality. and honestly, this book was all about Sophie reclaiming and finding who she was again. after going through a really traumatic incident we witness her, with the help of Alejandro, become her vibrant, happy, and outgoing self again.

the Sophie we meet in FFG is shaken, but not broken. her character was complex, fragile yet tough, extremely empathetic, as well as funny and sweet. Sophie was a really great heroine, and for the most part i greatly enjoyed her as a character.


✘ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏɢʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴡᴀꜱ… ɴᴏᴛ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ. and what i mean by that is… i didn't like that Alejandro and Sophie stayed in one set location for almost half the book. i get what author LL Meyer was trying to do, buuuut idk. it didn't really work for me.

see, Alejandro and Sophie keep running into each other in the first half of FFG. and then while out to lunch together they both get shot at. so, Alejandro takes Sophie with him to a safe house in the middle of nowhere. thus, almost the entire second half of the book takes place at a secluded cabin.

now, usually i don't mind this sorta thing. but, i think what made the first two books so good was the fact that Ellie and Scott had to make their relationship work in the "real world." in FFG we really only see Alejandro and Sophie make their romance happen in their own little bubble.

also, not even gonna lie… i got bored after a while. there wasn't a lot going on with them in the cabin, except sex. which, fun, but still. i wanted to see Sophie interacting with Alejandro in her world. or i wanted to see Sophie interact and fall in love with Alejandro in his world.


♥ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴇᴅʏ ꜱᴘʀɪɴᴋʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴘᴏᴛ ᴏɴ. cause, as you all know, i love me good couple banter moments. and AlejandroSophie had that in spades. and tbh, this is why i was sorta bummed that most of the book was them having sex. i wanted more cute banter moments between Sophie and Alejandro. i wanted more moments of Sophie being laugh out loud hilarious, and i wanted to see Alejandro surprise Sophie with his moments of unexpectedly dry humor.

but alas… anywho, here are some of my favorite bantery moments, ↯↯

❝You sound like my therapist now.❞
❝What can I say, I’m old and wise.❞
I gape at him. ❝Was that a joke?❞
He’s trying to stay serious as he shrugs but it’s a losing battle. ❝Fucking you must bring out my inner comedian.❞

↯↯

❝Yeah, right,❞ she finally wheezes. ❝Knocked up by the kingpin. It’s every girl’s dream.❞

↯↯

❝You’re going to be the death of me,❞ he says, pulling his fingers from my mouth.
I smile lazily at him. ❝Well, you are old.❞

basically, anytime Alejandro and Sophie weren't fucking or fighting bantery gold was being made.


♥ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɪᴅᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ, ᴇꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ɴɪɴᴇʀ. which, i'm gonna be honest, i wasn't expecting. then again, i really shouldn't have doubted LL MEYERS supreme ability to craft likable and scene stealing side characters.

Niner especially was a real screen hog. i mean this scene was one of my favorites,

❝You’re an idiot. Obviously, she’s not made for this life,❞ I say, gesturing around us.
His gaze follows my hand as if in search of the evidence I’m pointing out, confusion all over his stupid face. ❝She’s not made for . . .?❞ he repeats incredulously. ❝You killed a man in front of her and still she looked at you with hearts in her eyes. She loves your broody ass.❞

i loved not only his decades long friendship with Alejandro, but also his budding friendship with Sophie. honestly, i kinda want to petition for LL MEYER to tell his story… maybe as a novella?? please?


✘ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴɪɴᴛʜ ʜᴏᴜʀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋᴜᴘ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴘɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴏꜰꜰ… ᴛʜᴇɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴅᴏ. and honestly i saw this one coming from a mile away. and, to be honest, i wouldn't have been mad except it happened at like eighty something percent. there was no time for the Sophie and Alejandro to really communicate with one another. i think their breakup happened for somewhat valid reasons, and yet… and yet they barely talk about why it occurred and they barely address what they need to fix moving forward.

now, was the apology scene between SophieAlejandro sweet, af? of course it was. but, idk… it left me feeling some type of way.

❝I love you, Sophia. I’ve been miserable without you and I need you back in my life.❞

i liked it and i didn't. i wanted more and yet at the same time it was enough. i guess i just felt like things wrapped up a bit too quick for my liking. i think their breakup was sorta inevitable, especially given how emotionally constipated Alejandro could be. but, i do wish they'd had more time to sit with the why of their breakup.


✒ 𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗪𝗥𝗔𝗣 𝗨𝗣

✔ overall, i actually really liked FFG and i stand by my 𝟯.𝟳𝟱 rating. now, did i have my issues with it? hells yeah. but, did i also enjoy myself and have a great time reading FFG? yes. yes i did. 

i think what makes FFG so good was its characters. Alejandro and Sophie were flawed, they were complex, they were realistic, and they were engaging as all get out. there were times when i wanted to shake both of them. there were also times when i could've sworn they were real people. essentially, what i'm saying is… AlejandroSophie got under my skin. 

ultimately, i do recommend this duet. there's a lot to love within FFG. a compelling romance, steamy as fuck sex scenes, complex characters, and a mafia-shit plot that didn't make me want to pull my hair out. so yeah. give FALL FROM GRACE a try. i think you guys will like it.

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𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗'𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗘: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗨𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ: ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴀʀ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ~ 𝟰.𝟳𝟱 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ: ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴡ ~ 𝟰 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ: ꜰᴀʟʟ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ ~ 𝟯.𝟳𝟱 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ꜰᴏᴜʀ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ'ꜱ ᴏᴡɴ ~ 𝟯.𝟱 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ꜰɪᴠᴇ: (ꜱʜᴀɴᴇ & ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇᴇ) ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ꜱɪx: (ꜱʜᴀɴᴇ & ᴅᴇꜱɪʀᴇᴇ) ~ 𝙩𝙗𝙧
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[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ‘my mariposa’ stars!

I have to be honest with you, mafia reads are not my go-to and I usually avoid them. But I’ve come to love LL Meyer’s writing and needed to check out this mafia romance regardless. I loved every minute of it! While yes, this is a mafia romance, I loved that this book was a love story first and a mafia story second.

Sophia is still dealing with some trauma that happened 18 months ago and struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. It was hard to watch Sophia want so much to be rid of her fears and just be who she was before. There’s something about Alejandro that just calls to her and calms her. It was wonderful to see Alejandro bring out Sophia’s snarkiness and a bit of the old Sophia come through. I loved how she was always pushing his buttons and bringing some sunshine into his dark world.

Somehow she brings things out in me that I thought were long dead; contentment, playfulness . . . she reappears and I get a glimpse of my handiwork . . . mischief.

When I imagine Alejandro, it’s him sitting in an armchair in a dimly lit corner, with his tailored suit unbuttoned at the neck, holding a glass of whiskey, and his dark eyes piercing my soul. I loved how gentle and caring he was with Sophia, even though he is a tough, relentless, demanding, mafia boss.

He looks up at me, his dark eyes burning. “I’ve waited way too long to rush this,”

For a majority of the book Alejandro and Sophia are together in a small lakeside cabin (with only one bed!) and let me tell you the steam that erupts is scalding!! I wanted to stay in that cabin forever with these two!

I may be the one who’s invaded her body, but she’s inside me now, inside my mind and my very soul.

I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing Scott & Ellie and their three precocious girls again!

LL does leave us with the teensiest of a cliffhanger that feels more like a HFN, but still left me wanting to read the conclusion to this love story when it comes out later this month!

[Lana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally found a quiet moment and read the whole duet at once and LOVED it. After some kind of a book slump this summer, where nothing was good enough and I ended up re-reading some of my favourites from previous years, getting to this gem was like breathing in fresh air.

If you've ever read anything by this author, you probably know how deep into the characters she goes and scratching the surface is just not her style. So yeah, Sophie and Alejandro were not just some typical sweet girl getting into a dangerous twist with a bad boy; they were real people with real freaking emotions and I loved the hell out of them!!

Sophie was fabulous, finding her new normal after a traumatic experience. She slowly but surely grew a backbone and started a journey toward becoming her better self in a beautiful way. Alejandro was such a perfect dirty anti-hero who started his own journey toward redemption and I was in for the ride. They were funny and their chemistry... OHMYGOD, their chemistry was H.O.T. right from the beginning.


The story continues in the second part - so I'm off.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. It’s a mafia, age-gap romance, but so much more.
The main characters, Alejandro and Sophie, have been drawn to each other from the start. She is warned against him and he believes she can do better than him. However, every time their paths cross, the attraction gets stronger. Sophie is struggling to get her life back on track after a traumatic experience and her brief interactions with Alejandro bring glimpses of the girl she was. Alejandro is the mafia boss, feared and revered, yet Sophie is able to hold her own with him. The tension and chemistry between the two of them is intense and sets the pages alight when they finally give in to it. These two are so evenly matched with their intellect and passion for each other, it is a fun ride watching them go toe to toe.
This is my first L. L. Meyer read and it won’t be my last. This book was well written, the main characters have depth and back stories that give the reader a better understanding of each of them.
The plot flowed smoothly from start to finish – from the build-up of their relationship, the impact Alejandro’s position had on their relationship, and interactions with the secondary characters. This book is a duet, yet it does not finish on a cliffhanger. It did leave me wanting to know more about how their story unfolds. I would definitely recommend this book if you like mafia or age-gap romances or both. Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Tenley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I read Fall From Grace yesterday and lemme tell you…..



This chemistry between the H/h is HOT!!!!

I had seen a couple of reviews for this book on goodreads that piqued my interest.

A mafia romance with some seriously delicious chemistry between the MCs?



I really enjoyed this story. It’s told from alternate POVs, which I appreciated and it was a quick read (a hair under 250 pages). I liked Alejandro and Sophia individually and I loved their chemistry together.

So, why not 5 stars?

Well, this book is considered to be a standalone, but I was a *tad* lost following some of the characters and how everyone was related… and some of the 'mafia stuff' was a little shaky for me. There is a Part 2 to this story, so perhaps some of the questionable stuff will be answered in the next book, but I’m not sure. I also feel like the last quarter of the book lost momentum.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this read and will be reading Part 2 ASAP.

P.S. Both are free on KU!!!

[Leigh]

DNF@31% I'm not sure what it is but I'm not feeling this one at all.

[Angela Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger and desire are successfully merged into one irresistible story that Ms. Meyers delivers—flawlessly. Falling from Grace is THE read of summer 2021.

Alejandro Bernal-Acost is not dating material. But he does ignite a fire in Sophia Maria Summers (Sophie) with his ‘piercing dark eyes, tattoos, and a hot-as-hell beard’. Leaving her breathless, she cannot deny her feelings. Even when warned by family of his dangerous way of life. Will she enter the territory of—just one time?

“A man who’s only supposed to be a fantasy, a man my heart is stupidly trying to chain itself to.”

He also fights the attraction. The family. The age gap. Is she too sweet for his violent world that would eat her alive?

“My belief that ‘setting her straight’ would cure her – us – of this . . . affinity we have for each other isn’t panning out.”

“But I’m past the point of no return. She’s mine.”

Fate keeps bringing them together, but she’ll have to work to get him to let her in—work she's determined to do. But when she gets wrapped up in his dangerous organization, things begin to heat up between them as they have no choice but to stay under the radar—to stay alive.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with him, where the possibilities between us feel endless and awe-inspiring, like our star-filled sky.”

A steamy, adrenaline rush of an adventure lined with a suspenseful
dangerous race to stay alive.
Lust. Love. Danger. This story has it all! It will keep you on the edge of your seat as they fight to act on their mutual attraction. A slow burn, fuelled with explosive chemistry that makes you forget about the dangerous world surrounding them.

“Skin to skin, together we burn up. I push my fingers into her hair and deepen an already impossibly deep kiss.”

Will they give into temptation?
And find the courage to be together.

And as a Batman addict here…I cannot forget to mention the adorable rescue dog they find along the way—they name Bruce Wayne!

The author’s writing is clever and brilliant which makes her tales distinct. There are 4 books broken down into two duets and each can be read as stand-alones but having read the first set of duets, I got to know and love other characters that meld these stories perfectly together. So if you crave
adrenaline-laced, passionate stories—check them out!
I devoured this on little sleep and I’m living for the next to see how life with this dangerous sexy man turns out—and of course how Bruce Wayne will be part of it.

[T.M. Shivener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still thinking of Sophie and Alejandro.
That’s how you know the romance novel is good. It ends, and yet, you’re still thinking about the couple. This is the first in a duet, so I know there is more, but the ending was not disappointing at all. No cliffhanger, but left you wanting to know more about them.
Mafia, Suspense, Romance, Age Gap, and STEAMY scenes!!
I’m not going to lie, I’m not really into to Mafia type things, but I saw a teaser:

“𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?”

𝐆𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. “𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲?” 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐬. “𝐃𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬? 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞.”

I’m a sucker for gummy worms and I needed to know their story! I am so glad I did and cannot wait for book two in the duet!!

[The Lushy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alejandro, you hot alpha bastard…why do you mess with my heart over and over and over again.

This is an incredibly thrilling ride filled with hot mafia men who are dangerous, volatile, protective, and FN ruthless. And the big boss of all that, ALEJANDRO. He is the literal embodiment of what I want my mafia man to be! I mean, why have a drug dealer when you can have the whole Cartel!!! Ugh, but this heartless bastard also has the biggest heart. He’s frustrating but he’s understandable. It’s completely obvious how he feels about Sophie, but hurt her one more time and I swear, I’m coming for you!! Haha

Sophie is such a sweet and loving woman but the trauma she endured has stuck with her. It affects her life in a big way but seeing her grow will make any mama bear proud.

These two have some serious heat that no extinguisher can put out. Since their first meet, it’s been a tiny little ember that eventually becomes a raging inferno.

Lisa has created an excitingly dangerous world that will fill you with all the emotions…oh and the freaking angst…ahhhhh

Can’t wait to see what’s next up her sleeve!

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh my !!! I was so freaking excited to hear LL came out with another book!!! She is an amazing writer and this is another great book. Alejandro ... loved loved loved his brooding self. He was all alpha but oh how our sweet Sophie got under all of that. This book will keep you thinking "what is going to happen and when" all awhile learning to love our characters. There could not be two people who are so different and from different worlds. I loved we got to get some of Scott and Ellie plus those adorable kids!! I loved the side characters and the loyalty. I just loved this book! This is an age gap read and does end on a cliffhanger. I can't wait till the next book. Thank you LL for letting me go on this journey with you!!!

[D O M I · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!

It's been a few days since I read this wonderfully written story and I can't still stop thinking about it. After reading the first two books in this series Lisa Meyer quickly become one of my favorite authors and again, she did not disappoint. Her words are like prose, they flow effortlessly and connect into a story full of angst, frustration, drama, and love.

From the beginning of the book, we can clearly experience the lust between the two main characters (Alejandro and Sophie). I loved how this "lusting" was portrayed via all the small details and I quickly fallen in love with these two damaged people. Alejandro is far from perfect and Sophie has a lot to overcome but when they are together everything is on fire.

I don't want to write more because I would gladly recommend this book to everyone.
It's a package of perfection - mafia romance, age gap, forced proximity, and the writing is phenomenal.

I can't even remember when was the last time since I was so obsessed with the fictional world! I'm looking forward to reading more about all these characters.

I would like to thank the Author for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC it was an amazing experience.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall From Grace is an age-gap, mafia romance with forced proximity. Alejandro Bernal-Acosta is a feared Kingpin and lives a life of privilege, comfort and devotion to his family. Sophie Maria Summers is a college graduate who is overwhelmed with anxiety and trauma after getting caught up in crime months prior. These two meet, sparks ignite, and they are drawn to each other in an unexplainable way. Danger forces them to run for their lives and this forced proximity allows them to explore the tension and chemistry building between them.

I love age-gap, mafia romances, and this one does not disappoint. This is my first book by L.L. Meyer and it certainly won’t be my last. Fall from Grace is beautifully written with amazing characters. The story flows effortlessly and held my attention from the first page. I loved this book so much! Alejandro was the perfect alpha male, yet turned putty in Sophie’s hands and Sophie’s transformation to a defiant and fierce woman was something I loved. These characters were written so perfectly to contrast to each other; I couldn’t get enough of them. This book was hawt! While this book did not end on a cliffhanger, I’m anxious for more of these characters and this world! I can’t wait to read the second part of this duet, The Devil’s Own.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Lauren * · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for am honest review.

Alejandro is alpha as it gets and head of the Mafia. I loved both of these characters. The age gap was hot AF. The action in this really sucked me in and had me dying to finish to see what would happen next. I definitely can't wait for more of these two.

[Mimiorphee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
“Cuidado, mariposa. My patience only goes so far.”

There is that subtle something when I read a LL Meyer book, that enthralls me. I think it is the realism of her characters. Like reading the extraordinary adventures of your friend or a member of your family.


Fall From Grace is no different. Alejandro and Sophie piqued my curiosity in Not So Far Away and The Here and Now. I'm glad they got their duet.

Alejandro, ruthless gangster, dangerous, intense.

Sophie, survivor of an attack, huge heart, and super funny.

“Did I scare the devil himself?”

The author captured with brio the sizzling anticipation. I savored the connection between Alejandro and Sophie, the age gap bringing a deliciously taboo note. Her determination and vulnerability made of Sophia a touching heroine. Alejandro had me screaming a time or ten but I loved more than anything else the life he kept instilling in her. Their reactions at turn made me laugh, swoon, fan myself. They even melted my heart.

Their tribe felt energetic, as toxic as family can be, it can also prove to be resourceful and show unconditional love.


Fall From Grace is a clever romance that will never leave you unfeeling, I highly recommend it.

[Seline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Perfect!

[Yvette | The Saucy Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

*NO SPOILERS*

This book had me frustrated, angry, shocked, happy, HOT (🔥), broken-hearted, content, scared, giggling (at Sophie’s ways) and worn out by the end!

This was my first book by LL Meyer and it most certainly won’t be the last! I love the way she wrote, the tone of her writing and that each chapter was written was either Alejandro or Sophias point of view. I love reading from both sides but I especially love reading from a guys point of view.

The lead male, Alejandro was ALL male. I mean alllll male. But I loved how Sophia would stand up to him how many others wouldn’t. I loved how protective Alejandro was over Sophia too.

Their relationship blossomed slowly, but the heat!! It got hot. They didn’t need words all the time, they could feel what was growing between them.

I loved this book, truly and it’s one I know I’ll have to read again 📚♥️

[L.L. Meyer]

FALL FROM GRACE and its sequel THE DEVIL'S OWN are now on sale for .99 until Sunday, November 27/22!

✔mafia romance
✔age gap (he's 39, she's 26)
✔grumpy/sunshine
✔forced proximity
✔banter and button-pushing
✔18+

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st of all - ALEJANDRO CAN LAY ME ON A TABLE AND SNACK ON ME ANYDAY Bhahaha.
2nd of all - Mafia, Age Gap, Grumpy and Miss sunshine tropes, yes, yes, and yes.
3rd of all - I freaking loved this.
Meet Sophia - beautiful, happy and caring.
Then there's Alejandro - Mafia Leader, Gorgeous, Moody Alpha Male.
The attraction between the two is hotness with a capital H!!
Alejandro tries to keep Sophia at arm's length because of his job and the age gap.
Due to incoming danger, this ends up making them come into forced proximity and the passion is on.
The smut is hot, steamy and cold towel worthy.
Lisa had me captured from the first page and I freaking loved every page of it.
As a first time reader of hers I'm so pleased I read this - fantastic story and characters.
Now I need book 2 please and thank you.

[Seis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alejandro Alejandro Alejandro... oh my
A delicious read!

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this first half of Alejandro and Sophie’s story! The characters were very relatable and I was so invested in their love because their reactions/interactions with each other were so authentic. If you like stories where opposites attract with a strong male+female lead, this is a story you’ll want to read. This story ends on a cliffhanger- book 2 coming soon!

SYNOPSIS:
Devotion to family creates a chance meeting between Underworld Kingpin Alejandro and sweet college grad Sophie that ignites a spark neither can easily ignore. At first, it’s just a heated glance from across the room, but the next time they meet, their flirtatious banter leaves no doubt that they are magnetically attracted to each other. Alejandro is old enough to know better than to pull Sophie into his violent world and risk her life, but even his iron resolve is no match for fate. Time and time again, he is enlisted to rescue her from precarious situations and soon they find themselves in one of his own making because of who he is and what he symbolizes. What begins as a run for their lives turns into the catalyst they need to confront their feelings for each other; which is easy when they’re in a world of their own. It all falls apart when they return and he’s forced to put her safety above her happiness; and his own.

I was given an ARC for my honest review.

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book up when this new to me author was having some trouble publishing the paperback. I don’t like when they get the run around for stuff out of their control. But it wasn’t just out of support. It was because it was mafia’ish and the blurb suggested age gap. So, yeah. Two of my favorite things.

The story was excellent. Although I was beginning to worry the slow burn would keep on burning, all the way to the end. But fear not, they do get together and it was everything glorious. Their chemistry even before they become something more, is off the charts. They just fight it for so dang long. But halfway through and we are rewarded for our patience and their story becomes so dang explosive.

Alejandro’s bossy tendencies took some getting used to. Sometimes they would come off as daddy like. And not in a good way. I am sure that was to keep Sophie at arms length and not to fall prey to their chemistry and land them both in a world of trouble.

I didn’t even read the blurb to the second book, THE DEVIL’S OWN, I just snatched it up. I am not even close to being done with these two yet. 5 Stars!!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

beta

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Lisa for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

The romance between Alejandro & Sophie just got me swooning 😍😍 and the attraction between both of them is just 🔥🔥🔥

Sophie was a victim of a crime that left her scarred & traumatised, and she is still trying to get back on track with her life. Alejandro is like her guardian angel keeping her safe from afar.

It’s in human that we will only appreciate what we had after its gone. I was so proud of Sophie when she walked away and continue living her life despite being heartbroken. It made Alejandro realise how much he loves her & when he decided to get her back….. it melts my heart. He just put himself out there, that’s the way to go. Just honest, heartfelt truth.

I love the gradual build-up of their relationship through their daily interaction and how Sophie managed to soften him up.

There is no cliffhanger in this book but i’m very curious to know how their story unfolds!!

[L.M. Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Cannot wait to dive into the next book.