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The Harder We Fall
For years, I’ve been bound by sleeplessness and sorrow. His voice threatens to set me free.
Insomnia. It’s part of the penance I pay for my greatest mistake. But when an ill-timed doze behind the wheel of my car nearly introduces me to a pole, I know something has to change.
Sleep with Me, a locally-made meditation app, promises a cure. I don’t expect it to work. Nor do I expect to become enthralled by the voice of its creator, Sam Stephenson. His ability to coax forth my nightly surrender is unnerving. I have to meet this man and learn the secret behind his techniques, so I can evict him from my head and get a good night’s sleep.
In person, the quiet and reclusive Sam is his own kind of complicated. He needs my business skills as much as I need his meditation skills and we forge an unlikely partnership. But the attraction between us soon flares into passion and, as we grow closer, I start to long for more than my guilty conscience will allow.
I have no right to love, not after the damage I’ve done. How can I give Sam all he deserves, when our chance at a happy ending was ruined before we even met?
THE HARDER WE FALL is a high angst, hurt/comfort MM Romance set in Australia. It will put you through the emotional wringer before leaving you with a hopeful smile on your face. HEA guaranteed.
Trigger This book deals with issues of long-term complicated grief over the death of a loved one.
Insomnia. It’s part of the penance I pay for my greatest mistake. But when an ill-timed doze behind the wheel of my car nearly introduces me to a pole, I know something has to change.
Sleep with Me, a locally-made meditation app, promises a cure. I don’t expect it to work. Nor do I expect to become enthralled by the voice of its creator, Sam Stephenson. His ability to coax forth my nightly surrender is unnerving. I have to meet this man and learn the secret behind his techniques, so I can evict him from my head and get a good night’s sleep.
In person, the quiet and reclusive Sam is his own kind of complicated. He needs my business skills as much as I need his meditation skills and we forge an unlikely partnership. But the attraction between us soon flares into passion and, as we grow closer, I start to long for more than my guilty conscience will allow.
I have no right to love, not after the damage I’ve done. How can I give Sam all he deserves, when our chance at a happy ending was ruined before we even met?
THE HARDER WE FALL is a high angst, hurt/comfort MM Romance set in Australia. It will put you through the emotional wringer before leaving you with a hopeful smile on your face. HEA guaranteed.
Trigger This book deals with issues of long-term complicated grief over the death of a loved one.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2021
61 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Raine
13 books231 followersRebecca is a long-time lover of all things romance. Whether it’s a book, movie, or real-life, she will always have more fun if there’s a love interest thrown into the mix. She lives in Queensland, Australia with her very own hero husband, two adorable children and one big, black dog. Other than reading and writing books, her favourite things include loud music, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, organising everything in existence, and spending too much time on the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 22, 2021
~4.5~
Tristan barely sleeps. When he does, nightmares plague him. He sees his sister falling, falling, falling. And he knows he's to blame. Even his mother told him so.
The only thing that's ever helped is the Sleep with Me app, created by a meditation teacher appropriately monikered Siren Sam. Tristan's colleague's wife is one of Sam's students and asks Tristan to help Sam grow his business (Tristan is a business consultant; his job is to help businesses succeed).
Raised by an agoraphobic, reclusive mom, Sam has severe social anxiety. He hates confrontation, and leaving his bubble (his flat and studio, which takes up the downstairs of his family home) causes him immense stress. But after Tristan creates a business improvement plan to help Sam's fledgling meditation business thrive, Sam vows to do just one thing on the list every day.
The men grow closer, becoming friends, then lovers. Tristan wants Sam more than anything, but he's determined not to shed his pain and sorrow. He's paying penance because he's alive and his sister isn't. Tristan puts the dead first.
This book is angsty, no doubt. Sam and Tristan's issues aren't brushed aside. They both have deep-seated fears. Sam is scared to die a recluse like his mom. Tristan is scared to live. It's complicated. They're complicated. But they're not willing to give up.
This was my first read by this author, and I really like her writing style. I love that the story is set in Australia and that it's willing to tackle difficult topics without dimming the brightness of the romance.
The last chapter serves as an epilogue with such a wonderful HEA, I had tears in my eyes.
If you like wounded MCs and some grit in your romance, this book's for you.
Tristan barely sleeps. When he does, nightmares plague him. He sees his sister falling, falling, falling. And he knows he's to blame. Even his mother told him so.
The only thing that's ever helped is the Sleep with Me app, created by a meditation teacher appropriately monikered Siren Sam. Tristan's colleague's wife is one of Sam's students and asks Tristan to help Sam grow his business (Tristan is a business consultant; his job is to help businesses succeed).
Raised by an agoraphobic, reclusive mom, Sam has severe social anxiety. He hates confrontation, and leaving his bubble (his flat and studio, which takes up the downstairs of his family home) causes him immense stress. But after Tristan creates a business improvement plan to help Sam's fledgling meditation business thrive, Sam vows to do just one thing on the list every day.
The men grow closer, becoming friends, then lovers. Tristan wants Sam more than anything, but he's determined not to shed his pain and sorrow. He's paying penance because he's alive and his sister isn't. Tristan puts the dead first.
This book is angsty, no doubt. Sam and Tristan's issues aren't brushed aside. They both have deep-seated fears. Sam is scared to die a recluse like his mom. Tristan is scared to live. It's complicated. They're complicated. But they're not willing to give up.
This was my first read by this author, and I really like her writing style. I love that the story is set in Australia and that it's willing to tackle difficult topics without dimming the brightness of the romance.
"Do you have any idea how you look right now? You look like you belong to me."
The last chapter serves as an epilogue with such a wonderful HEA, I had tears in my eyes.
If you like wounded MCs and some grit in your romance, this book's for you.
March 23, 2023
What a superb read that was!!! I’ve been in a horrible book slump for almost a week and I was about to decide to take a bigger break from reading or at least from MM ,fortunately I started this and even though it took me a while to get into it because of the apathy I was experiencing I absolutely loved it. I was very much invested in the characters and their hard journey . They each carried their burden and they were both broken in their own way. I love a tortured MC and I love it when his love interest is kind and patient ..Their dynamics here worked for me and the sex scenes were hot. Excellent book!
April 23, 2021
I absolutely love books with tortured characters who are struggling, so that we can witness them getting better and finally finding love and be happy.
What I don't like are characters who do not want to be helped, to whom it never occurs to go to therapy, and who are trying their best to keep their pain instead of finding ways out.
And Tristan was definitely such a character. He felt he didn't even deserve to heal, and didn't even want to be happy.
And I was not happy that this book only mentions therapy in passing, all the way at the end.
What I don't like are characters who do not want to be helped, to whom it never occurs to go to therapy, and who are trying their best to keep their pain instead of finding ways out.
And Tristan was definitely such a character. He felt he didn't even deserve to heal, and didn't even want to be happy.
And I was not happy that this book only mentions therapy in passing, all the way at the end.
December 27, 2021
4.5 stars
What a beautiful book this was!
Q&A
Q: *stares* Ok. Start from the beginning. What are the tropes in this book?
A: OK! It has friends to lovers, a bit of close proximity, mental health rep and hurt/comfort. #TropeHeaven
Q: *tears up from the tropes* What else did you like about the book?
A: The beautiful writing, the emotional connection, the way these guys just fit together, each one completing the other and the fact that I highlighted ALOT of quotes. #Unputdownable
Q: Well this sound absolutely beautiful! What about the characters?
A: Both are lovable and hurting in different ways, Sam is riddled with anxiety and fear, while Tristan is weighed down by guilt and sees himself as unworthy of love. I wanted to just cuddle both bebes because they were hurting and precious. #IWannaBubbleWrapTheHeckOutOfYou
Q: *wipes tears* Is it safe to ask about the angst-o-meter?
A: No it is not. It will hurt. Suck it up because #NoPainNoGain
Q: Okaaaaay. Steam-o-meter?
A: Medium steam with some pretty hot UST.
Q: Ok, so It's angsty and imma cry.... But there is an HEA RIGHT?
A: Yes!! A pretty. sweet, cute AF HEA that will be worth the sad. #SmileForMeNow
Fave Quote:
"I want to find all the dark places inside you that hurt, and I want to make them feel good for a while."
What a beautiful book this was!
Q&A
Q: *stares* Ok. Start from the beginning. What are the tropes in this book?
A: OK! It has friends to lovers, a bit of close proximity, mental health rep and hurt/comfort. #TropeHeaven
Q: *tears up from the tropes* What else did you like about the book?
A: The beautiful writing, the emotional connection, the way these guys just fit together, each one completing the other and the fact that I highlighted ALOT of quotes. #Unputdownable
Q: Well this sound absolutely beautiful! What about the characters?
A: Both are lovable and hurting in different ways, Sam is riddled with anxiety and fear, while Tristan is weighed down by guilt and sees himself as unworthy of love. I wanted to just cuddle both bebes because they were hurting and precious. #IWannaBubbleWrapTheHeckOutOfYou
Q: *wipes tears* Is it safe to ask about the angst-o-meter?
A: No it is not. It will hurt. Suck it up because #NoPainNoGain
Q: Okaaaaay. Steam-o-meter?
A: Medium steam with some pretty hot UST.
Q: Ok, so It's angsty and imma cry.... But there is an HEA RIGHT?
A: Yes!! A pretty. sweet, cute AF HEA that will be worth the sad. #SmileForMeNow
Fave Quote:
"I want to find all the dark places inside you that hurt, and I want to make them feel good for a while."
December 27, 2021
Speechless.
Only a few books have made me cry, and this book makes that short list. There were times I had to set it aside so I could catch my breath, and many passages I had to read multiple times because they were that powerful.
To say the writing is spectacular is an understatement. I’ve heard the phrase “defies the trope” before but never have I understood what that meant until now.
This story is unique, touching, and memorable. I’m a better human after reading this, and I’ll never forget it.
My kindle highlighter ran out of ink with this one lol.
Here’s one of my many, many, many favorite, quotable lines.
“Some moments in life are so big in their smallness, they come to define who you are. Not just who you are in those few seconds or who you become from then on. They define all of you. Outside of that moment, you are nothing. You can be nothing. You barely exist.”
With one book Rebecca Raine has become a one-click author for me.
It's in KU if you want to give it a go :)
Only a few books have made me cry, and this book makes that short list. There were times I had to set it aside so I could catch my breath, and many passages I had to read multiple times because they were that powerful.
To say the writing is spectacular is an understatement. I’ve heard the phrase “defies the trope” before but never have I understood what that meant until now.
This story is unique, touching, and memorable. I’m a better human after reading this, and I’ll never forget it.
My kindle highlighter ran out of ink with this one lol.
Here’s one of my many, many, many favorite, quotable lines.
“Some moments in life are so big in their smallness, they come to define who you are. Not just who you are in those few seconds or who you become from then on. They define all of you. Outside of that moment, you are nothing. You can be nothing. You barely exist.”
With one book Rebecca Raine has become a one-click author for me.
It's in KU if you want to give it a go :)
June 10, 2021
My first venture with this author and overall it went well.
Tristan has been having trouble sleeping. For about 8 years now, because of something traumatic that happened in his past that he blames himself for. So much so that he can't really sleep on a regular basis.
He has a friend at work whose wife recommends a sleep mediation app to help him, but Tristan is resistant, because all the things he's tried in the past have never worked. But when Tristan almost gets into a car accident because he's so sleep deprived, he figures he should try it, because he has to do something before he hurts himself or others with his sleep deprivation.
He isn't expecting it to work. But surprisingly, the owner of the app, Sam, has such a voice that it actually works to help Tristan sleep - and even turns him on a little bit too.
When Tristan finds that he wants a long-term solution to his insomnia and finds ways he could help Sam with his app and business, he asks to meet Sam in order to a little quid pro-quo.
And when they meet, it's not just Sam's voice captivating Tristan anymore, but Sam himself. Sam in turn is captivated by Tristan.
They're both a little - or a lot - broken, but they work together.
I enjoyed these two together. They had good chemistry and they just clicked from their first meeting. They made each other happy.
I did give a star off of this, however, but it was more for the plot than anything else. It just, at some point, started to drag a little. Not much was happening midway through this. And while I'm not one to mind if the plot isn't that much as long as the characters and romance is there, I do think the steam leveled off at some point and these two seemed to settle more into their relationship and nothing new and exciting wasn't really happening with them and in their personal lives, so it just dragged for me.
It did end up picking up again later on, but still. The middle-ish dragged. It just went on probably a little longer than it needed to.
Also, Tristan felt like he stayed stagnant in his brokenness a little too long. It took toward the end for him to see that how he was living was unhealthy and actually hurting those around him than actually being the "penance" he talks about.
Also for how broken he was, and how bad things were for him, it was a tad frustrating that he didn't go to therapy until the end of this book. Part of me gets it, because it's hard to admit when you need help, especially if you think you deserve to be so miserable, but at the very least, I feel like the people around him should have been suggesting it and pushing him toward it and they weren't.
So maybe Tristan, until the end, didn't need to think he should go, because of the mental state he was in, but his loved ones and friends around him should have, in my opinion.
So the slowness of the story and how long Tristan was in that mindset - it eventually started to feel a little old every time he thought about how he didn't deserve any nice or good things or happiness - dragged this story down for me, but overall it was still good and enjoyable.
Sam and Tristan really did have a great relationship together and I really enjoyed a majority of their scenes together, seeing their relationship come to be and then grow as the story went on.
So I definitely recommend, even with some niggles, this is still a solid story overall. Two thumbs up from me!
Tristan has been having trouble sleeping. For about 8 years now, because of something traumatic that happened in his past that he blames himself for. So much so that he can't really sleep on a regular basis.
He has a friend at work whose wife recommends a sleep mediation app to help him, but Tristan is resistant, because all the things he's tried in the past have never worked. But when Tristan almost gets into a car accident because he's so sleep deprived, he figures he should try it, because he has to do something before he hurts himself or others with his sleep deprivation.
He isn't expecting it to work. But surprisingly, the owner of the app, Sam, has such a voice that it actually works to help Tristan sleep - and even turns him on a little bit too.
When Tristan finds that he wants a long-term solution to his insomnia and finds ways he could help Sam with his app and business, he asks to meet Sam in order to a little quid pro-quo.
And when they meet, it's not just Sam's voice captivating Tristan anymore, but Sam himself. Sam in turn is captivated by Tristan.
They're both a little - or a lot - broken, but they work together.
I enjoyed these two together. They had good chemistry and they just clicked from their first meeting. They made each other happy.
I did give a star off of this, however, but it was more for the plot than anything else. It just, at some point, started to drag a little. Not much was happening midway through this. And while I'm not one to mind if the plot isn't that much as long as the characters and romance is there, I do think the steam leveled off at some point and these two seemed to settle more into their relationship and nothing new and exciting wasn't really happening with them and in their personal lives, so it just dragged for me.
It did end up picking up again later on, but still. The middle-ish dragged. It just went on probably a little longer than it needed to.
Also, Tristan felt like he stayed stagnant in his brokenness a little too long. It took toward the end for him to see that how he was living was unhealthy and actually hurting those around him than actually being the "penance" he talks about.
Also for how broken he was, and how bad things were for him, it was a tad frustrating that he didn't go to therapy until the end of this book. Part of me gets it, because it's hard to admit when you need help, especially if you think you deserve to be so miserable, but at the very least, I feel like the people around him should have been suggesting it and pushing him toward it and they weren't.
So maybe Tristan, until the end, didn't need to think he should go, because of the mental state he was in, but his loved ones and friends around him should have, in my opinion.
So the slowness of the story and how long Tristan was in that mindset - it eventually started to feel a little old every time he thought about how he didn't deserve any nice or good things or happiness - dragged this story down for me, but overall it was still good and enjoyable.
Sam and Tristan really did have a great relationship together and I really enjoyed a majority of their scenes together, seeing their relationship come to be and then grow as the story went on.
So I definitely recommend, even with some niggles, this is still a solid story overall. Two thumbs up from me!
April 4, 2021
In Tristan’s chaotic world where he can’t find sleep, he finds a local app that gives him rest.
Could it be this simple?
He has to meet the man behind the voice which gives him release and sleep.
He has to get rid of Sam’s voice and find rest on his own. He’s lucky.
Sam isn’t what Tristan expected. He’s shy and also quite complicated, just like Tristan.
Tristan knows one thing, he doesn’t deserve Sam or anyone.
He’s offering Sam a business plan, his motives not quite for Sam, more for himself.
Tristan is weighed down by guilt. Bit by bit we get to know why.
I can’t tell too much or else I’ll spoil. But both men are heavyweight and struggle with life.
I can say Tristan’s on a split, he’s punishing himself, his guilt is pulling hard, maybe harder than his love.
“You never said anything about being happy.”
Two complex men with a difficult life. It’s heartbreaking at times, I couldn’t keep my eyes dry.
The redemption was palpable, this and the whole story are just beautifully written. A tender-hearted narrative, an emotional journey with two exquisitely souls who, thank goodness, get what they deserve!
A big thanks for the end, it was everything I wanted and hoped for!
Could it be this simple?
He has to meet the man behind the voice which gives him release and sleep.
He has to get rid of Sam’s voice and find rest on his own. He’s lucky.
Sam isn’t what Tristan expected. He’s shy and also quite complicated, just like Tristan.
Tristan knows one thing, he doesn’t deserve Sam or anyone.
He’s offering Sam a business plan, his motives not quite for Sam, more for himself.
Tristan is weighed down by guilt. Bit by bit we get to know why.
I can’t tell too much or else I’ll spoil. But both men are heavyweight and struggle with life.
I can say Tristan’s on a split, he’s punishing himself, his guilt is pulling hard, maybe harder than his love.
“You never said anything about being happy.”
Two complex men with a difficult life. It’s heartbreaking at times, I couldn’t keep my eyes dry.
The redemption was palpable, this and the whole story are just beautifully written. A tender-hearted narrative, an emotional journey with two exquisitely souls who, thank goodness, get what they deserve!
A big thanks for the end, it was everything I wanted and hoped for!
Read
April 17, 2021Dnf @ 46%. May just be my mood but I’m not feeling the connection between the characters.
April 6, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Harder We Fall was a really engaging and sweet novel about the power of love and the crushing weight of guilt. While at one point I felt the book took an “easy” way out, it was still well done.
Sam and Tristan are both sweet men in their own way and haunted by their pasts. Tristan read as the more developed character, but each man offers a balance to the other and they work well together. They’re a strong couple and they do a good job of supporting one another when needed. The romance moves a little fast, but it still reads as believable and relatable.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The Harder We Fall was a really engaging and sweet novel about the power of love and the crushing weight of guilt. While at one point I felt the book took an “easy” way out, it was still well done.
Sam and Tristan are both sweet men in their own way and haunted by their pasts. Tristan read as the more developed character, but each man offers a balance to the other and they work well together. They’re a strong couple and they do a good job of supporting one another when needed. The romance moves a little fast, but it still reads as believable and relatable.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
June 7, 2021
A beautiful story about forgiving yourself and being open to love.
Everything about this story is sweet and hopeful. There are a few dark undercurrents, but they never quite pull you under. I did keep expecting something bad to happen and was a bit surprised that it all stayed as light as it did. This book is surprisingly low angst.
Sam and Tristan are both complicated people with complicated pasts. They are both good people though and so good together. I loved how understanding they both were of each other and it was so wholesome.
I related to Sam so much. His worries and limitations feel like my own and it was such a wonderful experience to read about social anxiety in such a positive way. Thank you to the author for that.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Tristan’s parents. I tried to understand their loss and struggle, but I couldn’t. They failed their son for a very long time and I’m glad things got resolved, but it felt a little too late for me. I’m so happy the book ends with Tristan seeking professional help. It was sorely needed.
Everything about this story is sweet and hopeful. There are a few dark undercurrents, but they never quite pull you under. I did keep expecting something bad to happen and was a bit surprised that it all stayed as light as it did. This book is surprisingly low angst.
Sam and Tristan are both complicated people with complicated pasts. They are both good people though and so good together. I loved how understanding they both were of each other and it was so wholesome.
I related to Sam so much. His worries and limitations feel like my own and it was such a wonderful experience to read about social anxiety in such a positive way. Thank you to the author for that.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Tristan’s parents. I tried to understand their loss and struggle, but I couldn’t. They failed their son for a very long time and I’m glad things got resolved, but it felt a little too late for me. I’m so happy the book ends with Tristan seeking professional help. It was sorely needed.
May 29, 2021
Okay. This book made me laugh, cry, bite my nails and made me throw the phone over a 1000 feet at the same time. It's hard hitting Contemporary which includes characters dealing with past trauma of losing a family and having a hard time adjusting to life. It's triggering, so make sure to read the warning before you pick this up.
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🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Siren Sam. Omg that name cracked me up! The plot of the book was really simple, but the way the scenes and the characters were handled made it really heavy and complex and beautiful. Sam was a cinnamon roll and had an amazing sense of silent humour. The way he seemed to calm down Tristan. And the way Tristan finds his voice and stands up for what he loved? *Slow clappp* I loved that transformation! Both of them were weirdly explosive and shy and awkward at the same time, that it was funny sometimes. The author did a great job in trying to (and not) resolve past issues and it was believable. The characters were flawed, but got to know their strengths because of each other. I really loved the ending as well. This was such a good read and I am definitely reading more by this author!
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Thank you @gayromancereviews
For the gifted Review copy!
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🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Siren Sam. Omg that name cracked me up! The plot of the book was really simple, but the way the scenes and the characters were handled made it really heavy and complex and beautiful. Sam was a cinnamon roll and had an amazing sense of silent humour. The way he seemed to calm down Tristan. And the way Tristan finds his voice and stands up for what he loved? *Slow clappp* I loved that transformation! Both of them were weirdly explosive and shy and awkward at the same time, that it was funny sometimes. The author did a great job in trying to (and not) resolve past issues and it was believable. The characters were flawed, but got to know their strengths because of each other. I really loved the ending as well. This was such a good read and I am definitely reading more by this author!
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Thank you @gayromancereviews
For the gifted Review copy!
Read
August 29, 2025Calling it quits at 85%… 🥴 I’m just bored.
May 3, 2024
Ibeg give me a break from garbage lately
March 21, 2021
Rebecca Raine's writing captured my heart for the first time when I read her book The Experiment last year. That book made it to my most favorite reads of 2020.
As this one will definitely be on the list for 2021. Her writing is flawless, the beauty of her words and sentences telling an emotional story that is touching and poignant, yet hopeful. It has characters you come to care about a lot, who grow on you and grab you and who find a place close to your heart.
The emotions in this book caught me off guard, to be honest. When reading the blurb, you know you are about to read a book that features characters that suffer and are hurt. But this authors words grab you by your throat and make you FEEL all these feelings and emotions, and it was so much more than I was expecting. In fact, I closed the book about an hour ago, and I'm still going through all these feelings. Books hardly make me cry, but this one made me shed a couple of tears and that on it's own is kind of an achievement!
Tristan and Sam heal each other. They are exactly what the other one needs. I loved to witness that. I loved how they complemented each other so perfectly. Tristan had a lot on his plate, a lot of hurt and pain he lived with, denying himself happiness, convincing himself he wasn't worthy of it. He didn't deserve it because guilt was consuming him. And if the universe, nor anyone else punished him for what he'd done, he would complete the task himself.
One night I ran into a couple of guys who took a dislike to me. "Maybe it was the way I'd shoved my way between them that set them off. Maybe it was the less than savory things I'd said about the taller one's mother when he demanded an apology."
..."It took the guys three tries to put me on the ground." I shouldn't have laughed when I finally hit the cement. I shouldn't have dared him to hit me harder. Maybe he would have kept going and I'd have managed to get my outsides to match my insides."
As this one will definitely be on the list for 2021. Her writing is flawless, the beauty of her words and sentences telling an emotional story that is touching and poignant, yet hopeful. It has characters you come to care about a lot, who grow on you and grab you and who find a place close to your heart.
The emotions in this book caught me off guard, to be honest. When reading the blurb, you know you are about to read a book that features characters that suffer and are hurt. But this authors words grab you by your throat and make you FEEL all these feelings and emotions, and it was so much more than I was expecting. In fact, I closed the book about an hour ago, and I'm still going through all these feelings. Books hardly make me cry, but this one made me shed a couple of tears and that on it's own is kind of an achievement!
Tristan and Sam heal each other. They are exactly what the other one needs. I loved to witness that. I loved how they complemented each other so perfectly. Tristan had a lot on his plate, a lot of hurt and pain he lived with, denying himself happiness, convincing himself he wasn't worthy of it. He didn't deserve it because guilt was consuming him. And if the universe, nor anyone else punished him for what he'd done, he would complete the task himself.
One night I ran into a couple of guys who took a dislike to me. "Maybe it was the way I'd shoved my way between them that set them off. Maybe it was the less than savory things I'd said about the taller one's mother when he demanded an apology."
..."It took the guys three tries to put me on the ground." I shouldn't have laughed when I finally hit the cement. I shouldn't have dared him to hit me harder. Maybe he would have kept going and I'd have managed to get my outsides to match my insides."
Sam suffers from social anxiety and his safe bubble is his home, as it was to his mother. Going out, meeting new people is usually too much for him. I loved to see how Tristan teaches Sam how to challenge himself to take one step at the time. To go out. Meet new people. Do things he usually was too afraid to do. In return, Sam helps Tristan to let go of the unbearable burden he's been hauling with him for the past eight years. It was a beautiful exchange of their individual strength to help the other. They were meant to fall in love, to want to open up so they could heal each other.
I suppose I thought you'd enjoy the opportunity to see the world without the world seeing you.
I highly recommend this book. Rebecca Raine has become one of my favorite authors and any new M/M romance she'll release in the future, will be a one click for me.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest and objective review
April 4, 2021
Love and caring are the best medicine to heal unfortunate events of the past. In The Harder We Fall, by Rebecca Raine, two tormented individuals find a reason to change, a reason to love, a reason to regain control of their lives and live again. The Harder We Fall reminds me of the song “The Story” sung by LeAnn Rimes.
The Story sung by LeAnn Rimes
At the age of sixteen, Tristan Whitmore and his family suffered a tragic loss brought on by an accident – Tristan blames himself for it. He can’t let go and has been punishing himself ever since that fateful day. Insomnia is draining and after a near death experience he downloads Sam Stephenson’s Sleep with Me app which promises – “The space where meditation meets slumber.” Tristan has tried meditation before without success, but Sam’s voice lulls him into slumber.
Sam Stephenson was twelve years old before he saw the inside of a public-school classroom. His mother’s anxiety kept him isolated throughout his youth, creating his terrible battle with social anxiety. His studio and his meditation are a practice to feel freedom, and the anxiety dissipates for a brief period of time. However, it’s challenging to run your own business when you fear the outside world. Sam needs to increase his cash flow; the breadbox in the corner is full of bills that need to be paid.
Tristan seeks solace and an understanding of why Sam’s techniques, or is it Sam himself, let him get just enough sleep to take the edge off his insomnia. He reaches out to Sam with a proposal to help each other. Tristan is a business consultant and offers to help Sam expand his income in exchange for help with his insomnia and, just as important, with the undeniable pull Sam has on him.
Gradually, as the two interact, they explore their intense connection. Tristan believes he only has physical gratification to offer as he continues to punish himself. Sam sees the potential between them, but treads lightly so as not to scare Tristan off.
The struggles are real for Tristan and Sam and the lines on their faces tell their story. As they open up and support each other they find “the one” with whom to share their history. The past will always be there, and it will haunt them at times. But, having each other in their corner allows them to take the steps necessary to see a future that isn’t quite as daunting. There are surprises along the way that shock and fulfill. Who knew that Sam could be bossy in the bedroom and that Tristan would enjoy it? That’s all you get…
The Harder We Fall feels like fate stepped in, allowing Tristan and Sam to accept their pasts and find their “person”, the one who knows their story like no other, allowing them to live again.
The Story sung by LeAnn Rimes
At the age of sixteen, Tristan Whitmore and his family suffered a tragic loss brought on by an accident – Tristan blames himself for it. He can’t let go and has been punishing himself ever since that fateful day. Insomnia is draining and after a near death experience he downloads Sam Stephenson’s Sleep with Me app which promises – “The space where meditation meets slumber.” Tristan has tried meditation before without success, but Sam’s voice lulls him into slumber.
Sam Stephenson was twelve years old before he saw the inside of a public-school classroom. His mother’s anxiety kept him isolated throughout his youth, creating his terrible battle with social anxiety. His studio and his meditation are a practice to feel freedom, and the anxiety dissipates for a brief period of time. However, it’s challenging to run your own business when you fear the outside world. Sam needs to increase his cash flow; the breadbox in the corner is full of bills that need to be paid.
Tristan seeks solace and an understanding of why Sam’s techniques, or is it Sam himself, let him get just enough sleep to take the edge off his insomnia. He reaches out to Sam with a proposal to help each other. Tristan is a business consultant and offers to help Sam expand his income in exchange for help with his insomnia and, just as important, with the undeniable pull Sam has on him.
Gradually, as the two interact, they explore their intense connection. Tristan believes he only has physical gratification to offer as he continues to punish himself. Sam sees the potential between them, but treads lightly so as not to scare Tristan off.
The struggles are real for Tristan and Sam and the lines on their faces tell their story. As they open up and support each other they find “the one” with whom to share their history. The past will always be there, and it will haunt them at times. But, having each other in their corner allows them to take the steps necessary to see a future that isn’t quite as daunting. There are surprises along the way that shock and fulfill. Who knew that Sam could be bossy in the bedroom and that Tristan would enjoy it? That’s all you get…
The Harder We Fall feels like fate stepped in, allowing Tristan and Sam to accept their pasts and find their “person”, the one who knows their story like no other, allowing them to live again.
April 22, 2021
I mostly liked this. The premise was interesting but I feel like the execution fell short of it.
I expected more grittiness from the story, more angst, rather than an insta-love plot with little to differentiate both characters. I felt for Sam but I wish we'd seen more of his actual anxiety, rather than been told about it. Same with Tristan... he had little to him other than his grief.
Everything got solved far too neatly and sweetly (the parents, the social anxiety, etc.) and why does every epilogue need freaking babies? It's really not the pinnacle of happiness. Not much to say other than I didn't love it.
I expected more grittiness from the story, more angst, rather than an insta-love plot with little to differentiate both characters. I felt for Sam but I wish we'd seen more of his actual anxiety, rather than been told about it. Same with Tristan... he had little to him other than his grief.
Everything got solved far too neatly and sweetly (the parents, the social anxiety, etc.) and why does every epilogue need freaking babies? It's really not the pinnacle of happiness. Not much to say other than I didn't love it.
December 31, 2021
Beautifully written
This was not an easy book for me to read . Not because of the writing, as that's top-notch, but because of the plot. It took me a while to get past the anger and frustration with Tristan and his family so I could focus on the romance, which is sweet and ultimately wins out for a satisfying HEA.
This was not an easy book for me to read . Not because of the writing, as that's top-notch, but because of the plot. It took me a while to get past the anger and frustration with Tristan and his family so I could focus on the romance, which is sweet and ultimately wins out for a satisfying HEA.
January 23, 2022
•Complex characters
•Heartbreak
•Family
•Trust
•Forgiveness
Tristan and Sam stole my heart; they both had such painful backstories. Some moments took my breath away; they hurt. But as the story progresses, you begin to feel the hope of healing togetherness, and the epilogue makes it all worthwhile.
Beautiful writing.
March 28, 2021
4,5 ☆
Two broken character, two men in a need of love.
The story was really great, I loved Sam and Tristan's story. They both had demons in their life and when both characters are in this situation, the story could get both really good or really bad. In this case, it was really good!
Tristan, who has insomnia, and haven't slept in 8 years because of one event in his past. I couldn't wait to find out what his demon was, why he couldn't sleep and why was he so desperate and afraid of love.
Sam, who has a meditation group and app, but is really shy and has social anxiety. Phew, I love awkward, shy characters with anxiety, and Sam was really cute, I could connect with him. His anxitey was well written - just as Tristan's insomnia. It's the best thing in the book.
Loved the romance between them and loved that Sam was the one who initiated the first step. They were really cute and great together and I loved seeing them grew into their better self.
Enjoyed the book, and the grand love gesture at the end was perfect too - it wasn't as perfect as you wish, but just as everything in life, nothing can be perfect.
The epilogue was a bit too much for me. It's syrupy a bit, and it doesn't fit their character, but it was great to see them 5 years later.
Two broken character, two men in a need of love.
The story was really great, I loved Sam and Tristan's story. They both had demons in their life and when both characters are in this situation, the story could get both really good or really bad. In this case, it was really good!
Tristan, who has insomnia, and haven't slept in 8 years because of one event in his past. I couldn't wait to find out what his demon was, why he couldn't sleep and why was he so desperate and afraid of love.
Sam, who has a meditation group and app, but is really shy and has social anxiety. Phew, I love awkward, shy characters with anxiety, and Sam was really cute, I could connect with him. His anxitey was well written - just as Tristan's insomnia. It's the best thing in the book.
Loved the romance between them and loved that Sam was the one who initiated the first step. They were really cute and great together and I loved seeing them grew into their better self.
Enjoyed the book, and the grand love gesture at the end was perfect too - it wasn't as perfect as you wish, but just as everything in life, nothing can be perfect.
The epilogue was a bit too much for me. It's syrupy a bit, and it doesn't fit their character, but it was great to see them 5 years later.
Read
April 2, 2021This book needs a TW: grief, depression, guilt, anxiety.
I'm not rating this one. Can't. Spoilers ahead.
Ok, so I would like to start saying that this book is my worst nightmare in book form. I have woken up crying because I was dreaming something similar to what happened to Tristan.
Claire, Tristan's younger sister, dies because of an accident. They were running down the stairs and Tristan falls, taking Claire with him. She hits her head and dies. And that's definitely my worst nightmare, my sisters dying and me not being able to help them.
So from the moment I realized where this was going (and I did pretty early on) I was an absolute mess. I probably should have stopped? Yes. But I didn't. I cried a lot. Had a headache for the entire day. My anxiety peaked.
Keep this in mind if any of this is triggering for you.
This, obviously, colored my experience with this book and it's why I'm not rating it.
Now, to my thoughts on the actual book:
Tristan's (24yrs) issues are very clear from the beginning: grief and guilt. He is drowning in them. I really loved the character but he was such a heavy one. As much as this is a book on Tris and Sam's romance it's very focused on Tris' trauma. His character arc is present and very easy to see but, in my opinion, not very realistic. So much of the book is spent on his all consuming grief and when he does let go it doesn't feel like a process, more like a moment of clarity. And that's not how letting it go of grief works
Sam (22yrs) has his own issues that are also very obvious: his social anxiety disorder. I really loved Sam, his determination of not letting his disease take control of his life, how he still valued all the good things in his life, how he doesn't resent his mother, even though it would be completely understandable if he did. But all of Sam's arc went in the backseat because of Tristan's issues, at least for me.
Tris and Sam's relationship. I loved how understandable they both were of each other's issues. That was my favorite part of the book. There is no big fight even though they face a problem regarding Tris' priorities, but they talk and fix it. I loved that.
Tristan's parents. The failed Tris in a way that, for me, it's unforgivable. His mother resentment of him and his father focusing only on keeping him alive and not happy or healthy. There were two moments that made me want to die:
First, "you killed my baby girl". Saying that to a sixteen year old grieving his sister is not ok, even if you are drowning in your own grief. And, while it might make it forgivable, not apologizing for eight years makes it despicable, for me. Parents should not fail their children like this.
Second, "He said I'd lost the right to it [Tristan's life] the night Claire died". How do you say that to a teenager? How do you say to a kid, who lost his sister and is drowning in his guilt, that? I can't.
No therapy. Tris doesn't get professional help. Not his parents, teachers or any other adult in his life thought it would be a wise decision to get the sixteen year old who lost his sister therapy? Sam doesn't get therapy, either. No one thought the kid who had lived most of his life with his agoraphobic mother might need therapy? There is no mention of Tris' parents getting therapy. So many characters needed therapy, but only in the epilogue Tris mentions seeing a therapist and only for himself.
The epilogue. It's set five years after the last chapter and it was so sweet. It gave the book a beautiful HEA. A lot of the development I would like to have seen on page (THERAPY) was implied to have happened in those five years. That helped me.
I guess this is it. It left me kind of broken. But I really enjoyed the book. It just sucked every single drop of energy out of me. I was a VERY different mood than the other book I have read from Raine, The Experiment.
If the triggers on this book are not a problem for you, go ahead and enjoy this book. It's probably really beautiful if you are not drowning in your fears. I hope you enjoy it. :)
I'm not rating this one. Can't. Spoilers ahead.
Ok, so I would like to start saying that this book is my worst nightmare in book form. I have woken up crying because I was dreaming something similar to what happened to Tristan.
Claire, Tristan's younger sister, dies because of an accident. They were running down the stairs and Tristan falls, taking Claire with him. She hits her head and dies. And that's definitely my worst nightmare, my sisters dying and me not being able to help them.
So from the moment I realized where this was going (and I did pretty early on) I was an absolute mess. I probably should have stopped? Yes. But I didn't. I cried a lot. Had a headache for the entire day. My anxiety peaked.
Keep this in mind if any of this is triggering for you.
This, obviously, colored my experience with this book and it's why I'm not rating it.
Now, to my thoughts on the actual book:
Tristan's (24yrs) issues are very clear from the beginning: grief and guilt. He is drowning in them. I really loved the character but he was such a heavy one. As much as this is a book on Tris and Sam's romance it's very focused on Tris' trauma. His character arc is present and very easy to see but, in my opinion, not very realistic. So much of the book is spent on his all consuming grief and when he does let go it doesn't feel like a process, more like a moment of clarity. And that's not how letting it go of grief works
Sam (22yrs) has his own issues that are also very obvious: his social anxiety disorder. I really loved Sam, his determination of not letting his disease take control of his life, how he still valued all the good things in his life, how he doesn't resent his mother, even though it would be completely understandable if he did. But all of Sam's arc went in the backseat because of Tristan's issues, at least for me.
Tris and Sam's relationship. I loved how understandable they both were of each other's issues. That was my favorite part of the book. There is no big fight even though they face a problem regarding Tris' priorities, but they talk and fix it. I loved that.
Tristan's parents. The failed Tris in a way that, for me, it's unforgivable. His mother resentment of him and his father focusing only on keeping him alive and not happy or healthy. There were two moments that made me want to die:
First, "you killed my baby girl". Saying that to a sixteen year old grieving his sister is not ok, even if you are drowning in your own grief. And, while it might make it forgivable, not apologizing for eight years makes it despicable, for me. Parents should not fail their children like this.
Second, "He said I'd lost the right to it [Tristan's life] the night Claire died". How do you say that to a teenager? How do you say to a kid, who lost his sister and is drowning in his guilt, that? I can't.
No therapy. Tris doesn't get professional help. Not his parents, teachers or any other adult in his life thought it would be a wise decision to get the sixteen year old who lost his sister therapy? Sam doesn't get therapy, either. No one thought the kid who had lived most of his life with his agoraphobic mother might need therapy? There is no mention of Tris' parents getting therapy. So many characters needed therapy, but only in the epilogue Tris mentions seeing a therapist and only for himself.
The epilogue. It's set five years after the last chapter and it was so sweet. It gave the book a beautiful HEA. A lot of the development I would like to have seen on page (THERAPY) was implied to have happened in those five years. That helped me.
I guess this is it. It left me kind of broken. But I really enjoyed the book. It just sucked every single drop of energy out of me. I was a VERY different mood than the other book I have read from Raine, The Experiment.
If the triggers on this book are not a problem for you, go ahead and enjoy this book. It's probably really beautiful if you are not drowning in your fears. I hope you enjoy it. :)
April 21, 2021
Tristan caught my attention right from the start with his stubbornness, his damage, and his unnamed trauma. His personality was gruff, but you could immediately tell that he had a hugely valid underlying cause. As the story unfolded I was floored by just how deep his guilt went and just how far he was willing to go to keep it as he would a lover.
So when the real-life lover came along, I had to find out exactly how Sam would fit, would provide the path to healing and forgiveness. Sam had his own bag of problems and a past holding him prisoner, but unlike Tristan, Sam's problems were more mental than emotional. His tenderness, insight, and patience were a testament to the quality of human he was and how much he could come to care for Tristan.
Despite everything Sam was and provided for Tristan, true forgiveness and healing came only after he found it within and what gave him the key to that was a very surprising source. It was exactly right. The romance gave Tristan the foundation and support he needed to walk his path. I did have issues with Sam's reaction to a big disappointment though. It spoke to a selfishness that I hadn't seen before then. The disappointment was exactly what Sam needed to find his freedom too though, so laying it all on Tristan was unfair and I didn't like it at all.
But all's well that ends well, because they came together and forged something stronger in the end.
So when the real-life lover came along, I had to find out exactly how Sam would fit, would provide the path to healing and forgiveness. Sam had his own bag of problems and a past holding him prisoner, but unlike Tristan, Sam's problems were more mental than emotional. His tenderness, insight, and patience were a testament to the quality of human he was and how much he could come to care for Tristan.
Despite everything Sam was and provided for Tristan, true forgiveness and healing came only after he found it within and what gave him the key to that was a very surprising source. It was exactly right. The romance gave Tristan the foundation and support he needed to walk his path. I did have issues with Sam's reaction to a big disappointment though. It spoke to a selfishness that I hadn't seen before then. The disappointment was exactly what Sam needed to find his freedom too though, so laying it all on Tristan was unfair and I didn't like it at all.
But all's well that ends well, because they came together and forged something stronger in the end.
June 5, 2021
Excellent
The blurb really does not do this story justice. The author does an excellent job of depicting grief without getting too dark, and showing how love can encourage us to be better people -- without getting too preachy or cliche. Tender and sweet, this story hit a lot buttons for me. The one thing that really stood out was that both main characters were imperfect, yet they still were perfect for each other. They were very human, and they messed up at time, but they grew together through those times of heartache to form a strong bond. Simple, elegant story that says a lot of the role love plays in our lives.
The blurb really does not do this story justice. The author does an excellent job of depicting grief without getting too dark, and showing how love can encourage us to be better people -- without getting too preachy or cliche. Tender and sweet, this story hit a lot buttons for me. The one thing that really stood out was that both main characters were imperfect, yet they still were perfect for each other. They were very human, and they messed up at time, but they grew together through those times of heartache to form a strong bond. Simple, elegant story that says a lot of the role love plays in our lives.
March 29, 2021
Where is the 6 star rating when I need it? 10 stars? Rebecca Raine’s The Harder We Fall deserves all the stars.
I’ve read a lot of excellent M/M romance books, but it’s rare that one sinks into my consciousness and just lingers there. I wanted to read this book in one sitting, but logistically couldn’t (I had to work - ugh adulting). The hours I had to wait to get back to it were downright painful. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I needed to get back to Tristan and Sam to see that they were alright, that they would be alright. So fair warning: The Harder We Fall and its two beautiful but broken men will embed themselves in your heart, until you feel like it will burst if you don’t share with someone, anyone, everyone, how amazing this book is.
I am making a deliberate choice in this review not to tell you much about the plot. Why? Because there’s a natural tension that develops as you read this story and start to get to know Tristan and Sam. Ms. Raine drops breadcrumbs for us to follow on our journey with these men. Just like Tristan and Sam yearn to understand all the pieces of the other, of the events that shaped them, the trauma they’ve experienced and the scars that they bear, so do we. As the story unfurls before us, we wonder what happened before and what happens next. We ache with the need to know. This anticipation and accompanying tension are, in my view, an integral part of the full experience of this book. It’s something you need to feel, and I want you to feel it.
So what will I tell you? Just broad outlines: Tristan is a successful businessman who lives in self-imposed isolation. He has no friends and a strained relationship with his parents. His health is failing him mainly because of his chronic insomnia. Traumatic events play on repeat in his minds-eye. Nightmares haunt him. Sleep is a place of anguish not peace. So he avoids it. When we meet Tristan, we see a man who has virtually destroyed his life paying a penance he believes is due.
Tristan is grief-stricken, but it’s grief he thinks he’s caused. So he wears guilt like a cloak. Always there keeping the pain in and blocking out anything that would provide him with relief because he doesn’t think he deserves it. This story is so immersive that we feel like we are under the cloak with Tristan, trying to protect ourselves from the active pain and suffering that endlessly rains down on him.
Then Sam Stephenson’s dulcet tones invade Tristan’s mind when Tristan tries out Sam’s Sleep With Me meditation app. Sam offers Tristan relief. He tells Tristan he doesn’t have to give up his burden - Tristan’s self-flagellation would never allow that - but he can put down his burden, at least for the night, so he can sleep. Tristan hits a point where he is desperate enough to finally accept the respite. So Sam helps Tristan sleep, and sleeping helps him function and stay alive. But it also amplifies his guilt. Tristan has brought to life his own Scylla and Charybdis and trapped himself between them.
Sam has his own scars and crosses to bear. Ms. Raine delivers an astonishing portrayal of Sam grappling with his crippling social anxiety disorder and its debilitating effect on his life. It’s astonishing because it’s so. damn. accurate. And real. The authenticity of it hit me hard. Sam’s bright spirit and indefatigable will not to buckle under and give in is simultaneously heartbreaking and redemptive. Tristan’s trauma may be more identifiable, even understandable, but Sam’s somehow felt more impactful because of its pervasiveness. It’s not tied to an isolated, devastating event that Sam can mark as the cause of his difficulties. It’s not obvious or pronounced. This is something Sam has, and will, deal with for his whole life and many people may not even realize how he suffers. Have your tissues at the ready.
No doubt, The Harder We Fall is an angsty read, but it has a definite HEA that will make you rejoice. It’s poignant, meaningful and very rewarding. I can’t imagine not having read this beautifully, expertly crafted story. Or not having met Tristan and Sam.
Ms. Raine’s writing demonstrates her obvious skill at constructing sentences, paragraphs and pages of exquisitely expressive, crafted words. She deftly spins out a story with just the right pacing and emphasis. But her ability to impactfully convey complex emotional content in a straightforward, non-inflammatory way, without melodrama, is what sets her apart. She puts the words on the page and lets them speak for themselves without hitting us over the head with the meaning or overblowing the emotional content to make a point. When I reviewed her book, The Experiment, last year, I remarked on this same quality because it stood out to me then, just as it does now. It’s a rare thing. The restraint shown in not overdoing.
Rebecca Raine is an author that doesn't get enough attention. I truly hope you will read this review, read The Harder We Fall and spread the word. When I read The Experiment, Ms. Raine was a new author to me. That book absolutely and unexpectedly floored me. Coming into The Harder We Fall, my expectations were set higher since I now knew the quality of her work. And yet, still, The Harder We Fall managed to blow me away. My hope is that I get to enjoy more content from this talented author this year.
I’ve read a lot of excellent M/M romance books, but it’s rare that one sinks into my consciousness and just lingers there. I wanted to read this book in one sitting, but logistically couldn’t (I had to work - ugh adulting). The hours I had to wait to get back to it were downright painful. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I needed to get back to Tristan and Sam to see that they were alright, that they would be alright. So fair warning: The Harder We Fall and its two beautiful but broken men will embed themselves in your heart, until you feel like it will burst if you don’t share with someone, anyone, everyone, how amazing this book is.
I am making a deliberate choice in this review not to tell you much about the plot. Why? Because there’s a natural tension that develops as you read this story and start to get to know Tristan and Sam. Ms. Raine drops breadcrumbs for us to follow on our journey with these men. Just like Tristan and Sam yearn to understand all the pieces of the other, of the events that shaped them, the trauma they’ve experienced and the scars that they bear, so do we. As the story unfurls before us, we wonder what happened before and what happens next. We ache with the need to know. This anticipation and accompanying tension are, in my view, an integral part of the full experience of this book. It’s something you need to feel, and I want you to feel it.
So what will I tell you? Just broad outlines: Tristan is a successful businessman who lives in self-imposed isolation. He has no friends and a strained relationship with his parents. His health is failing him mainly because of his chronic insomnia. Traumatic events play on repeat in his minds-eye. Nightmares haunt him. Sleep is a place of anguish not peace. So he avoids it. When we meet Tristan, we see a man who has virtually destroyed his life paying a penance he believes is due.
Tristan is grief-stricken, but it’s grief he thinks he’s caused. So he wears guilt like a cloak. Always there keeping the pain in and blocking out anything that would provide him with relief because he doesn’t think he deserves it. This story is so immersive that we feel like we are under the cloak with Tristan, trying to protect ourselves from the active pain and suffering that endlessly rains down on him.
Then Sam Stephenson’s dulcet tones invade Tristan’s mind when Tristan tries out Sam’s Sleep With Me meditation app. Sam offers Tristan relief. He tells Tristan he doesn’t have to give up his burden - Tristan’s self-flagellation would never allow that - but he can put down his burden, at least for the night, so he can sleep. Tristan hits a point where he is desperate enough to finally accept the respite. So Sam helps Tristan sleep, and sleeping helps him function and stay alive. But it also amplifies his guilt. Tristan has brought to life his own Scylla and Charybdis and trapped himself between them.
Sam has his own scars and crosses to bear. Ms. Raine delivers an astonishing portrayal of Sam grappling with his crippling social anxiety disorder and its debilitating effect on his life. It’s astonishing because it’s so. damn. accurate. And real. The authenticity of it hit me hard. Sam’s bright spirit and indefatigable will not to buckle under and give in is simultaneously heartbreaking and redemptive. Tristan’s trauma may be more identifiable, even understandable, but Sam’s somehow felt more impactful because of its pervasiveness. It’s not tied to an isolated, devastating event that Sam can mark as the cause of his difficulties. It’s not obvious or pronounced. This is something Sam has, and will, deal with for his whole life and many people may not even realize how he suffers. Have your tissues at the ready.
No doubt, The Harder We Fall is an angsty read, but it has a definite HEA that will make you rejoice. It’s poignant, meaningful and very rewarding. I can’t imagine not having read this beautifully, expertly crafted story. Or not having met Tristan and Sam.
Ms. Raine’s writing demonstrates her obvious skill at constructing sentences, paragraphs and pages of exquisitely expressive, crafted words. She deftly spins out a story with just the right pacing and emphasis. But her ability to impactfully convey complex emotional content in a straightforward, non-inflammatory way, without melodrama, is what sets her apart. She puts the words on the page and lets them speak for themselves without hitting us over the head with the meaning or overblowing the emotional content to make a point. When I reviewed her book, The Experiment, last year, I remarked on this same quality because it stood out to me then, just as it does now. It’s a rare thing. The restraint shown in not overdoing.
Rebecca Raine is an author that doesn't get enough attention. I truly hope you will read this review, read The Harder We Fall and spread the word. When I read The Experiment, Ms. Raine was a new author to me. That book absolutely and unexpectedly floored me. Coming into The Harder We Fall, my expectations were set higher since I now knew the quality of her work. And yet, still, The Harder We Fall managed to blow me away. My hope is that I get to enjoy more content from this talented author this year.
April 10, 2021
Tristan needs help. He suffers from insomnia. Badly. For almost 8 years now.
Finally, a new app for meditation seems to be helping.
“Sleep with Me”, the app offers nothing new, that Tristian hasn´t tried countless times before, except THAT amazing voice.
Soothing, soon addictive and enchanting, with this voice in his ear, Tristan is actually able to get some sleep.
Tristan decides, he needs to find the man behind the voice and meet Sam Stephenson in person.
Sam is reluctant to meet with this stranger, but once they see each other for the first time, their incredible chemistry and attraction convinces him to work with Tristan in exchange for some help for his struggling business.
But, there is so much more under the surface of Tristan´s insomnia, that Sam is about to discover.
Guilt. So much guilt.
Hurt. Grief.
Regret. Selfloathing.
And Sam, sweet, kind and patient Sam, has to battle with his own demons every day.
But he is determined to fight.
Fight for himself. And fight for Tristan.
Wow, what a story. I truly don´t know where to begin with my thoughts and feelings.
What an emotional and tearful journey with Tristan and Sam.
It was so very painful to learn what both men have been going through for all their life.
Meeting, finding and falling in love with each other, Tristan and Sam finally have the chance for letting go of their past, finding forgiveness, hope, love and happiness.
Together they fight against their demons, supporting each other, giving strength and unconditional love.
Highly recommended!!
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 !!
Finally, a new app for meditation seems to be helping.
“Sleep with Me”, the app offers nothing new, that Tristian hasn´t tried countless times before, except THAT amazing voice.
Soothing, soon addictive and enchanting, with this voice in his ear, Tristan is actually able to get some sleep.
Tristan decides, he needs to find the man behind the voice and meet Sam Stephenson in person.
Sam is reluctant to meet with this stranger, but once they see each other for the first time, their incredible chemistry and attraction convinces him to work with Tristan in exchange for some help for his struggling business.
But, there is so much more under the surface of Tristan´s insomnia, that Sam is about to discover.
Guilt. So much guilt.
Hurt. Grief.
Regret. Selfloathing.
And Sam, sweet, kind and patient Sam, has to battle with his own demons every day.
But he is determined to fight.
Fight for himself. And fight for Tristan.
Wow, what a story. I truly don´t know where to begin with my thoughts and feelings.
What an emotional and tearful journey with Tristan and Sam.
It was so very painful to learn what both men have been going through for all their life.
Meeting, finding and falling in love with each other, Tristan and Sam finally have the chance for letting go of their past, finding forgiveness, hope, love and happiness.
Together they fight against their demons, supporting each other, giving strength and unconditional love.
Highly recommended!!
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 !!
April 2, 2021
Ripped me apart and put me back together again.
I loved this book so much, every little angsty bit of it! It’s only the second book I’ve read by Rebecca Raine and now I must make time to read her backlist.
Sam is borderline agoraphobic. He knows he needs to make some changes in order for his meditation business to succeed. Tristan has insomnia and a friend refers him to Sam’s Sleep With Me app. To his great surprise, the app actually does help him get to sleep.
Tristan and Sam are perfect for each other. Tristan has the business expertise and patience to help Sam gently ease into doing the things he needs to do to help his business. Sam’s voice calms Tristan and helps him get the sleep he really needs.
We know nearly from the beginning that something in Tristan’s past is haunting him and causing his insomnia but it’s a ways into the book before we find out exactly what it is. This slow build up was perfect. It made me wish I could read faster to get to that point in the story while at the same time wanting to go slow enough that I didn’t miss a single word. 🥰
I wish I had the words to convey how this book made me feel. Rebecca Raine’s writing was sublime. The intensity of her words added real beauty to the intimate scenes between Tristan and Sam. The connection between the two of them was palpable.
I knew the story was going to rip my heart out but I was also confident that Tristan and Sam would get their HEA and boy did they. I especially like the final chapter which took place 5 years later (just like an epilogue; one of my favorite parts of a book). It was wonderful to find out how these two were doing and where their lives had taken them as a couple.
This is a book that’s going to stick with me for a while.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com on April 3, 2021***
I loved this book so much, every little angsty bit of it! It’s only the second book I’ve read by Rebecca Raine and now I must make time to read her backlist.
Sam is borderline agoraphobic. He knows he needs to make some changes in order for his meditation business to succeed. Tristan has insomnia and a friend refers him to Sam’s Sleep With Me app. To his great surprise, the app actually does help him get to sleep.
Tristan and Sam are perfect for each other. Tristan has the business expertise and patience to help Sam gently ease into doing the things he needs to do to help his business. Sam’s voice calms Tristan and helps him get the sleep he really needs.
We know nearly from the beginning that something in Tristan’s past is haunting him and causing his insomnia but it’s a ways into the book before we find out exactly what it is. This slow build up was perfect. It made me wish I could read faster to get to that point in the story while at the same time wanting to go slow enough that I didn’t miss a single word. 🥰
I wish I had the words to convey how this book made me feel. Rebecca Raine’s writing was sublime. The intensity of her words added real beauty to the intimate scenes between Tristan and Sam. The connection between the two of them was palpable.
I knew the story was going to rip my heart out but I was also confident that Tristan and Sam would get their HEA and boy did they. I especially like the final chapter which took place 5 years later (just like an epilogue; one of my favorite parts of a book). It was wonderful to find out how these two were doing and where their lives had taken them as a couple.
This is a book that’s going to stick with me for a while.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com on April 3, 2021***
March 21, 2021
Rebecca Raine has crafted a beautiful story about two men drawing strength from one another to find peace from their mental anguish. Tristan has been punishing himself for eight years after a terrible accident. He doesn’t sleep and has cut himself off from the people in his life. After a dangerous close call when he falls asleep while driving, he tries a meditation app to help him sleep and is amazed when it starts to work. In an effort to figure out why the app works, he seeks out the creator, Sam, to cure him of his insomnia and with a proposition to improve Sam’s business. Sam has his own challenges with social anxiety and a bit of agoraphobia. Tristan helps Sam learn to stand on his own, and Sam teaches Tristan how to let go and how to feel worthy of love. Raine writes a thoughtful story that’s tough to read at times and filled with sadness and guilt but is also uplifting and sexy. It’s wonderful to see the growth of Sam and Tristan as the story progresses. The ending is also really lovely. I was provided with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2021
The blurb reeled me in to this book, and I’m happy to say that the story lived up to it. It’s a little bit unique in the way Tristan only knows Sam by his voice on the meditation app at first. I loved the premise; I found I was as drawn to discovering more about Sam as Tristan was. When they do meet, it’s to find they have chemistry in spades, and a passion between them that is so intense. It’s nowhere near easy for them on the road to love though because Tristan is weighed down by the guilt he feels from his past. And Sam, he’s struggling to deal with his crippling social anxiety. The issues are hard-hitting and so very raw and real. I won’t spoil the plot by going into detail because I feel it’s one of those books that has a natural tension that slowly develops bit by bit. Just know that it is an incredibly emotional read and may have you tearing up at times! Stick with it though and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and well-deserved HEA!
December 29, 2021
Heartbreakingly beautiful story 💔
Sam and Tristan were such complex characters. They each had their own demons, but the peace and acceptance they found with each other was poetic. Their attraction was instant, but their friendship and trust was built at the perfect pace.
Their give and take was met with small touches, coy smiles and some serious sexual attraction. Their "issues" broke my heart, but the way they soothed each other in a way no one else had was perfection. They simply understood and accepted one another, their journey had all the feels.
This was my first read by Rebecca Raine. I'm impressed and intrigued. I loved the writing, she pulled me into their world immediately and continued to the very end!
Sam and Tristan were such complex characters. They each had their own demons, but the peace and acceptance they found with each other was poetic. Their attraction was instant, but their friendship and trust was built at the perfect pace.
Their give and take was met with small touches, coy smiles and some serious sexual attraction. Their "issues" broke my heart, but the way they soothed each other in a way no one else had was perfection. They simply understood and accepted one another, their journey had all the feels.
This was my first read by Rebecca Raine. I'm impressed and intrigued. I loved the writing, she pulled me into their world immediately and continued to the very end!
March 21, 2021
What a fantastic read! It was an emotional and heartfelt story, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Tristan and Sam, read the synopsis and get reading you won’t be disappointed!
Both men are diminished by their problems, but together they support one another and fight hard to overcome their difficulties. I'm not going into any detail, with the story, but I found it very moving and just wanted to gather them both in my arms for a massive hug.
It's well written, Tristan and Sam's relationship develops beautifully, and they learn from one another. I did like the fact that there, was no easy solution to their problems. They fight hard for their HEA, and encounter problems a long the way. Good read.
Both men are diminished by their problems, but together they support one another and fight hard to overcome their difficulties. I'm not going into any detail, with the story, but I found it very moving and just wanted to gather them both in my arms for a massive hug.
It's well written, Tristan and Sam's relationship develops beautifully, and they learn from one another. I did like the fact that there, was no easy solution to their problems. They fight hard for their HEA, and encounter problems a long the way. Good read.
March 30, 2021
I can't believe I haven't discovered Rebecca Raine before. The Harder We Fall is her first book I've read, but I'm going to pick up the others, because she's an immensely gifted author whose work is a pleasure to read. I found the plot compelling and the storytelling gorgeous, easily evoking empathy for her leading men.
Both Tristan and Sam really struggled during the course of the story. Tristan's insomnia and heavy guilt due to a horrible accident were ruining his life, and Sam had been living with social anxiety for many years. Both fragile in so many ways, fighting their fears with such raw emotions that it felt like a relief to have them get some comfort from one another, to find strength in each other.
I fell completely in love with Tristan and Sam. It was beautiful to witness their romance, to be included in the way they dealt with their issues together. Their love didn't solve their problems, and I liked that. They just found someone to trust and to lean on, someone to share their lives with.
These two men definitely won a piece of my heart and, although their story wasn't always easy to read, it left me with a happy sigh and a delighted smile on my face.
Both Tristan and Sam really struggled during the course of the story. Tristan's insomnia and heavy guilt due to a horrible accident were ruining his life, and Sam had been living with social anxiety for many years. Both fragile in so many ways, fighting their fears with such raw emotions that it felt like a relief to have them get some comfort from one another, to find strength in each other.
I fell completely in love with Tristan and Sam. It was beautiful to witness their romance, to be included in the way they dealt with their issues together. Their love didn't solve their problems, and I liked that. They just found someone to trust and to lean on, someone to share their lives with.
These two men definitely won a piece of my heart and, although their story wasn't always easy to read, it left me with a happy sigh and a delighted smile on my face.
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