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Ocean Pines #1
The Fall We Fell
I thought proving myself worthy of her love would be the hard part. If only…
When I left my childhood small town, I had a lot to prove. Now, I have a lot to fix. Namely, my relationship with my best friends’ little sister.
We were just kids when I rejected Terra. Even then, I knew I was nowhere near good enough for her.
I was sure I’d eventually forget her. But a decade later, working as a firefighter, the one flame I can’t put out is the one I hold for her.
So I’m back in Ocean Pines, but Terra’s moved on with someone who doesn’t have my history of bad decisions and impulsive behavior.
And as if all that wasn’t enough, she’s sick. I’ll give her a kidney, my heart, the last breath in my lungs…anything she wants.
I’ll do anything to save her life, even if it means watching her live it without me.
The Fall We Fell, book one in the Ocean Pines series, is a sexy, angsty, friends-to-lovers contemporary romance featuring a firefighter who’ll do anything to win the smart, strong heroine of his dreams. Happily ever after and no cheating guaranteed.
When I left my childhood small town, I had a lot to prove. Now, I have a lot to fix. Namely, my relationship with my best friends’ little sister.
We were just kids when I rejected Terra. Even then, I knew I was nowhere near good enough for her.
I was sure I’d eventually forget her. But a decade later, working as a firefighter, the one flame I can’t put out is the one I hold for her.
So I’m back in Ocean Pines, but Terra’s moved on with someone who doesn’t have my history of bad decisions and impulsive behavior.
And as if all that wasn’t enough, she’s sick. I’ll give her a kidney, my heart, the last breath in my lungs…anything she wants.
I’ll do anything to save her life, even if it means watching her live it without me.
The Fall We Fell, book one in the Ocean Pines series, is a sexy, angsty, friends-to-lovers contemporary romance featuring a firefighter who’ll do anything to win the smart, strong heroine of his dreams. Happily ever after and no cheating guaranteed.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2021
50 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Denault
32 books834 followersSign up for Victoria's monthly newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/cexOL9
Victoria Denault loves ocean air, seventies music, strong heroines and flawed heroes. She is a former journalist, stand-up comic and corporate marketing minion. Victoria is a Canadian and former Californian who currently lives in a 225 year-old house with her husband, their Chihuahua Maximus and more spiders than she cares to think about.
Victoria Denault loves ocean air, seventies music, strong heroines and flawed heroes. She is a former journalist, stand-up comic and corporate marketing minion. Victoria is a Canadian and former Californian who currently lives in a 225 year-old house with her husband, their Chihuahua Maximus and more spiders than she cares to think about.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 29, 2021
OHMYFUUUCKING GOD! I made the mistake of going to bed to read last night....just for a bit! I've been wanting to read Victoria's books for awhile now so I thought why not, I'll just read ONE CHAPTER.
Well...I READ UNTIL 6:30 AM. This does not happen to me very often....
THIS BOOK! OMFG. Angsty, unrequited love, super-swoony hero, amazing heroine, friends-to-lovers, amazing family banter/dynamic! THERE WAS A MOMENT MY HEART SHATTERED AND I SAID NO! THIS CANNOT HAPPEN! MY HEART! IT IS EVERYTHING I CRAVE IN A ROMANCE! It wasn't even super dirty so for me to read and read and read...it's just one of those stories where I went - FUUUUCK! I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THESE TWO! I just finished it. I got to 80% PEOPLE!!! AT 6:30 AM.
This is going in my top reads if 2021 and I will DEFINITELY be checking out this author's backlist! I absolutely LOVED Jake and Terra's love story! Even if my heart shattered a few times!! That's what great love stories are all about, am I right?!
The Fall We Fell is LIVE!
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3hsrBJv
Well...I READ UNTIL 6:30 AM. This does not happen to me very often....
THIS BOOK! OMFG. Angsty, unrequited love, super-swoony hero, amazing heroine, friends-to-lovers, amazing family banter/dynamic! THERE WAS A MOMENT MY HEART SHATTERED AND I SAID NO! THIS CANNOT HAPPEN! MY HEART! IT IS EVERYTHING I CRAVE IN A ROMANCE! It wasn't even super dirty so for me to read and read and read...it's just one of those stories where I went - FUUUUCK! I NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THESE TWO! I just finished it. I got to 80% PEOPLE!!! AT 6:30 AM.
This is going in my top reads if 2021 and I will DEFINITELY be checking out this author's backlist! I absolutely LOVED Jake and Terra's love story! Even if my heart shattered a few times!! That's what great love stories are all about, am I right?!
The Fall We Fell is LIVE!
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3hsrBJv
May 29, 2021
4.5 - Tink - stars
The Fall We Fell is an emotional, beautiful and uplifting love story. It was my first novel by the author and I will definitely check out her other books and the next novel in this series. I love The Fall We Fell! There was a lot to love: the characters, the town, the emotions, the writing, … It read it in a couple of days and it had been long since that happened.
Terra is a determined, caring, kind hearted, forgiving and very strong woman. She has been ill for many years and it has gotten worse, but she doesn’t let it stop her from doing what she wants. I admired that about her. Terra has had a crush Jake from the moment she met him. She was too afraid to act on it, but when he returns, she decides to take a chance. Terra has always seen more in Jake and loves him for the man he is.
Jake is strong, determined, loyal, caring and kind hearted. He’s a firefighter and he’s a respected one. He loves his job and h couldn’t dream of doing something else. Jake doesn’t have the easiest childhood, but he always had Terra’s family to fall back on. Jake has had feelings for Terra for a long time, but had his reasons for not acting on it. When he returns, he will do anything to have Terra give him a chance. Jake melted my heart many times and I understand why he’s Terra’s dream man. Terra will always be Jake’s Tink.
The secondary characters made the story complete. Terra’s family is awesome. They will always support and love each other. Jake was always welcome into their home and they see him as a part of the family. That was beautiful to read. I have to mention Aspen. I had mixed feelings about her during my read, but in the end she won me over. I really hope her book is next!
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book - -
The Fall We Fell is an emotional, beautiful and uplifting love story. It was my first novel by the author and I will definitely check out her other books and the next novel in this series. I love The Fall We Fell! There was a lot to love: the characters, the town, the emotions, the writing, … It read it in a couple of days and it had been long since that happened.
Terra is a determined, caring, kind hearted, forgiving and very strong woman. She has been ill for many years and it has gotten worse, but she doesn’t let it stop her from doing what she wants. I admired that about her. Terra has had a crush Jake from the moment she met him. She was too afraid to act on it, but when he returns, she decides to take a chance. Terra has always seen more in Jake and loves him for the man he is.
Jake is strong, determined, loyal, caring and kind hearted. He’s a firefighter and he’s a respected one. He loves his job and h couldn’t dream of doing something else. Jake doesn’t have the easiest childhood, but he always had Terra’s family to fall back on. Jake has had feelings for Terra for a long time, but had his reasons for not acting on it. When he returns, he will do anything to have Terra give him a chance. Jake melted my heart many times and I understand why he’s Terra’s dream man. Terra will always be Jake’s Tink.
The secondary characters made the story complete. Terra’s family is awesome. They will always support and love each other. Jake was always welcome into their home and they see him as a part of the family. That was beautiful to read. I have to mention Aspen. I had mixed feelings about her during my read, but in the end she won me over. I really hope her book is next!
-- My honest review is based on an advanced reader copy of this book - -
May 30, 2021
I LOVE this author's sports series. This was definitely different and not ultimately a bad thing but it didn't work for me.
I like different but the whole story/relationship between Jake and Terra was muddled by so many untruths, lies, secrets, failed opportunities and illness it gave this book a heavy feel I wasn't expecting.
I don't want to say the heroine illness dragged the story down but... it kinda dragged the story down. I didn't like how this important life event for her was the trigger to finally get something to happen between Terra and her long time crush.
There was also the many ties between both MCs exes, I suppose it was meant to bring some angst into the picture and put this second chance at love romance on the rocky side but for me it just dragged the story a little bit further and prevented me to root for the romance interest bewteen the MCs.
I positively couldn't root for a hero deliberately hiding to the heroine his possible paternity of an unborn child with her archnemesis. Just wrong and reeks of cowardice. Own your shit, man. Seriously.
The reasons for keeping the heroine in the dark about this whole thing were weak. Jut nope.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
I like different but the whole story/relationship between Jake and Terra was muddled by so many untruths, lies, secrets, failed opportunities and illness it gave this book a heavy feel I wasn't expecting.
I don't want to say the heroine illness dragged the story down but... it kinda dragged the story down. I didn't like how this important life event for her was the trigger to finally get something to happen between Terra and her long time crush.
There was also the many ties between both MCs exes, I suppose it was meant to bring some angst into the picture and put this second chance at love romance on the rocky side but for me it just dragged the story a little bit further and prevented me to root for the romance interest bewteen the MCs.
I positively couldn't root for a hero deliberately hiding to the heroine his possible paternity of an unborn child with her archnemesis. Just wrong and reeks of cowardice. Own your shit, man. Seriously.
The reasons for keeping the heroine in the dark about this whole thing were weak. Jut nope.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
November 18, 2021
Jake’s been away for eleven years. He came to town to interview not telling anyone for fear that he might not get the position. Running into Aspen, both lonely, needy, and frustrated with life… it happened.
Aspen runs a private detective firm and had been hired by the bar owner to pretend to be an employee. She was working the bar and Jake played along in the charade. Staying until closing when he was the only one left in the place, they spoke candidly. She was getting out of a relationship that had soured and all he admitted was that he’d been recently rejected. It felt true after witnessing Terra with Tom. By three in the morning they were in his motel room, exorcising their ghosts.
Drunk, he decided to use Aspen as a distraction realising he might never get a real shot at dating Terra. Yes, one way to win her affection is being with her arch nemesis.
The night of Jake’s return celebration, Terra fired Tom as her unsupportive boyfriend. The same night Aspen announced her pregnancy to Jake, telling him the paternity is uncertain, there’s a fifty-fifty chance, it’s his.
Aspen was not a likeable character, she didn’t respect a twelve-year friendship, knowingly recognising that Terra had feelings for Jake: she is also pregnant and the father is engaged.
Mixed feelings of Jake dating Aspen while lusting after Terra, he didn’t seem to demonstrate an attraction to Terra. When did his feelings develop? He dated Aspen for a year, without regret, then eleven years later he falls onto her vagina, again. (Yes, certainly unrequited love).
Aspen and Terra were once friends and Aspen out of jealousy and pique broke the girl code and went after the boy her friend crushed on. Asking Jake to the prom, he said yes. Then they started dating crushing her eighteen year-old heart.
Terra has Lupus. She needs a kidney. No one else is a viable match.
“You cared?”
“Why the hell do you think Aspen ended up wearing spaghetti?”
“Is this finally the truth?”.”
“I still had a crush on you and she asked you to prom and I wanted to kill her. I knew you’d end up dating, which you did.”
“I would never have said yes if I knew that,” if I believed Terra still had an interest in me, I wouldn’t have dated Aspen.
“You seemed to hate me so much, I figured I lost my one and only chance and that you wouldn’t care if I dated Aspen or anyone for that matter,”
“I have a chronic illness. I’m really good at pretending,” she replies
“Aspen and I have been broken up for years, and you never—”
“Set myself up to be rejected again? I know you think it’s no big deal, that stupid game from Abbott’s sixteenth birthday party, but it was everything to me at the time. I had just found out I had lupus. I felt like damaged goods on top of the regular awkward teenage girl insecurities, and it took every ounce of courage I had to say your name that night. I wanted that perfect, normal kid moment with the hottest guy in school.”
Aspen had always felt envious of Terra’s life, the unconditional affection. Terra had parents who loved her, her brothers supported, adored and protected her, a town that seemed to know who she was everywhere she went, with an outpouring of affection for her. The only person to not love Terra Hawkins, was Jake. When he turned her down in that closet. She deviously orchestrated luring the unattainable Jake.
She asked him to prom and insinuated herself into his life.
“So you were using me to hurt her?”
“No. You were hot and sweet and I was totally, honestly into you, but I knew she was into you despite pretending that she hated you, I went for you anyway. Broke the girl code. Obliterated a twelve-year friendship. And in the end, I didn’t even get the guy.”
She’s hurt herself and she knows it. I was just kind of an unwitting pawn. Man, I was stupid. “Aspen, it’s never too late to try and mend fences.”
So, the senior year food fight that ruined their friendship was not about the prom dress but the prom date. Aspen is very blasé about her actions, as though she hasn’t been hiding it from him for a decade.
Jake’s childhood was a cycle of abandonment. He feels deeply, betrayal of exclusion drove him away, his confidence shaken. He believes people desert him despite his actions or feelings. He’s disposable. Unworthy. His feelings easily dismissed.
He almost kissed Terra on the beach but then spent the next several hours spiraling over the fact that he might have impregnated her sworn enemy and his ex-girlfriend, Aspen.
It’s been ten years since they dated, He hadn’t slept with her in eight years, and never would have thought to do it again if she wasn’t working undercover in the one bar he wandered into during an emotional tailspin.
Terra capitulates to Jake and unquestionably accepts and forgives. Other than expressing minor objections, her sworn enemy and herself were holding hands at the end of the book, without reservations.
I’ve been a fan of this writer’s work since ‘One More Shot’ unfortunately this one was not a favourite. Her books regularly incorporate OW and conflict.
I thought the characters were insipid and the intimacy was disjointed. At the end of the story Aspen and Terra mend fences, revealing the father of her unborn baby.
Told in dual POV, using a combination of past and present to depict the story.
Aspen runs a private detective firm and had been hired by the bar owner to pretend to be an employee. She was working the bar and Jake played along in the charade. Staying until closing when he was the only one left in the place, they spoke candidly. She was getting out of a relationship that had soured and all he admitted was that he’d been recently rejected. It felt true after witnessing Terra with Tom. By three in the morning they were in his motel room, exorcising their ghosts.
Drunk, he decided to use Aspen as a distraction realising he might never get a real shot at dating Terra. Yes, one way to win her affection is being with her arch nemesis.
The night of Jake’s return celebration, Terra fired Tom as her unsupportive boyfriend. The same night Aspen announced her pregnancy to Jake, telling him the paternity is uncertain, there’s a fifty-fifty chance, it’s his.
Aspen was not a likeable character, she didn’t respect a twelve-year friendship, knowingly recognising that Terra had feelings for Jake: she is also pregnant and the father is engaged.
Mixed feelings of Jake dating Aspen while lusting after Terra, he didn’t seem to demonstrate an attraction to Terra. When did his feelings develop? He dated Aspen for a year, without regret, then eleven years later he falls onto her vagina, again. (Yes, certainly unrequited love).
Aspen and Terra were once friends and Aspen out of jealousy and pique broke the girl code and went after the boy her friend crushed on. Asking Jake to the prom, he said yes. Then they started dating crushing her eighteen year-old heart.
Terra has Lupus. She needs a kidney. No one else is a viable match.
“You cared?”
“Why the hell do you think Aspen ended up wearing spaghetti?”
“Is this finally the truth?”.”
“I still had a crush on you and she asked you to prom and I wanted to kill her. I knew you’d end up dating, which you did.”
“I would never have said yes if I knew that,” if I believed Terra still had an interest in me, I wouldn’t have dated Aspen.
“You seemed to hate me so much, I figured I lost my one and only chance and that you wouldn’t care if I dated Aspen or anyone for that matter,”
“I have a chronic illness. I’m really good at pretending,” she replies
“Aspen and I have been broken up for years, and you never—”
“Set myself up to be rejected again? I know you think it’s no big deal, that stupid game from Abbott’s sixteenth birthday party, but it was everything to me at the time. I had just found out I had lupus. I felt like damaged goods on top of the regular awkward teenage girl insecurities, and it took every ounce of courage I had to say your name that night. I wanted that perfect, normal kid moment with the hottest guy in school.”
Aspen had always felt envious of Terra’s life, the unconditional affection. Terra had parents who loved her, her brothers supported, adored and protected her, a town that seemed to know who she was everywhere she went, with an outpouring of affection for her. The only person to not love Terra Hawkins, was Jake. When he turned her down in that closet. She deviously orchestrated luring the unattainable Jake.
She asked him to prom and insinuated herself into his life.
“So you were using me to hurt her?”
“No. You were hot and sweet and I was totally, honestly into you, but I knew she was into you despite pretending that she hated you, I went for you anyway. Broke the girl code. Obliterated a twelve-year friendship. And in the end, I didn’t even get the guy.”
She’s hurt herself and she knows it. I was just kind of an unwitting pawn. Man, I was stupid. “Aspen, it’s never too late to try and mend fences.”
So, the senior year food fight that ruined their friendship was not about the prom dress but the prom date. Aspen is very blasé about her actions, as though she hasn’t been hiding it from him for a decade.
Jake’s childhood was a cycle of abandonment. He feels deeply, betrayal of exclusion drove him away, his confidence shaken. He believes people desert him despite his actions or feelings. He’s disposable. Unworthy. His feelings easily dismissed.
He almost kissed Terra on the beach but then spent the next several hours spiraling over the fact that he might have impregnated her sworn enemy and his ex-girlfriend, Aspen.
It’s been ten years since they dated, He hadn’t slept with her in eight years, and never would have thought to do it again if she wasn’t working undercover in the one bar he wandered into during an emotional tailspin.
Terra capitulates to Jake and unquestionably accepts and forgives. Other than expressing minor objections, her sworn enemy and herself were holding hands at the end of the book, without reservations.
I’ve been a fan of this writer’s work since ‘One More Shot’ unfortunately this one was not a favourite. Her books regularly incorporate OW and conflict.
I thought the characters were insipid and the intimacy was disjointed. At the end of the story Aspen and Terra mend fences, revealing the father of her unborn baby.
Told in dual POV, using a combination of past and present to depict the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
I enjoyed this, my first from this author and I'd like to continue the series to read about the rest of the family. I wish it hadn't taken this medical event for Jake & Terra to be together but still what he did for her was so selfless. I didn't understand the big time jump since everything they mentioned happened 3years prior. I almost wish that's what we read about instead of being told about it. Also him and Aspen getting together in the first place was pretty shitty but it gave for some good drama. Still a really good start to the series and I enjoyed the writing style and story
May 26, 2021
5 BLEW ME AWAY STARS!! This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last. I was sucked in from the first page....Jake and Terra squeezed my heart with all the feels. I want more....it was so good.
May 24, 2021
I have been reading Victoria Denault books since One More Shot was released years ago. She very quickly became one of my favorite authors to read. Her books are always so witty, emotional and so full of love. This book was all of that and so much more. This is absolutely her best book to date. Terra and Jake are what a romance book is all about. An unconditional love, one in which you will do absolutely everything for the one you love. I will have a book hangover for weeks because of this book. It had so much heart, so much love and what Victoria writes best family! I need so much more of this series in my life. I highly recommend this book. It's a brand new series! Eeek!
I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
July 20, 2021
This book was a total surprise.... New to me author so I read the blurb (which I almost NEVER do).... it had me at "She was my best friend's sister" and I was sold..... then when I got to reading it..... this story started out by breaking my 14 year old heart! The age difference was only 2 years, but Terra was in love with Jake and he didn't want to piss off his friends (because his best friends were her twin brothers).
Flash forward to grown up years and you have all the drama that goes along with a small town. The Hawkins family is totally that family you want to be "adopted" into! They are all so supportive and loving. There is a lot of family love in this story. There is some brotherly threats when Jake finally gets up the guts to cop to his feelings. And there is definitely some girl drama.... what I wouldn't GIVE to be able to bitch slap Aspen. And while this story does end with a HEA.... there is still so much I want to know about the people of Ocean Pines! Especially the twins!!!
This story pulled so many different emotions out of me that I am quite confident with my 5 🎇 rating! It had family fun. It had angst. Who doesn't love that unrequited love that finally is returned?!?!? It checks off so many of the boxes of things I look for in a romance book that there is NO WAY I wouldn't give it 5 stars!!! It even had a puppy!!!! Totally going to be on my Top Reads of 2021 list!
Flash forward to grown up years and you have all the drama that goes along with a small town. The Hawkins family is totally that family you want to be "adopted" into! They are all so supportive and loving. There is a lot of family love in this story. There is some brotherly threats when Jake finally gets up the guts to cop to his feelings. And there is definitely some girl drama.... what I wouldn't GIVE to be able to bitch slap Aspen. And while this story does end with a HEA.... there is still so much I want to know about the people of Ocean Pines! Especially the twins!!!
This story pulled so many different emotions out of me that I am quite confident with my 5 🎇 rating! It had family fun. It had angst. Who doesn't love that unrequited love that finally is returned?!?!? It checks off so many of the boxes of things I look for in a romance book that there is NO WAY I wouldn't give it 5 stars!!! It even had a puppy!!!! Totally going to be on my Top Reads of 2021 list!
May 25, 2021
Well, based on The Fall We Fell i have a new to me author to binge read!! I'm always a little hesitant going into a book by an author I have read yet. Is it going to be the escape I'm looking for? Am I going to like the writing style? Does he or she create a great storyline? The answer is yes, yes and YES!!!
TFWF hooked me from page one. It starts with Terra, 14, and Jake, 16 and unrequited crash, leading to a broken heart. Fast forward a few years and much has changed for these two characters and maybe that unrequited crush wasn't unrequited. Filled will family shenanigans, humor, angst and drama, and some steamy sexy times this was a great introduction to author Victoria Denault!!
TFWF hooked me from page one. It starts with Terra, 14, and Jake, 16 and unrequited crash, leading to a broken heart. Fast forward a few years and much has changed for these two characters and maybe that unrequited crush wasn't unrequited. Filled will family shenanigans, humor, angst and drama, and some steamy sexy times this was a great introduction to author Victoria Denault!!
May 25, 2021
Oh my goodness! Terra and Jake are simply just...swoon!!! I could not put this down and read it straight through the two times I sat down to read. Such a beautifully written love story with angst and turmoil weaved in! Throughout, I kept wanting stories of the other characters so fingers crossed more Ocean Pines will be coming! My first Victoria read and what an amazing one it was!
May 25, 2021
All. The. Feels.
Brothers best friend to second chances to epic conclusions. This book had it all!
I cried
I swooned
I laughed
This was a book about circumstance and hard knocks!
I loved the writing and story development!
I highly recommend
Brothers best friend to second chances to epic conclusions. This book had it all!
I cried
I swooned
I laughed
This was a book about circumstance and hard knocks!
I loved the writing and story development!
I highly recommend
May 19, 2021
I started reading Victoria Denault's books several years ago, when I stumbled upon One More Shot. Her Hometown Players series hooked me on hockey, and all sports, romance novels. She has knack for creating characters with depth, and storylines that evoke all the feels. (The San Francisco Thunder series, anyone?) When she announced that she was taking a step back from sports romances, I wasn't concerned, because I knew that she could write pretty much anything and I would follow her. Then, when she went the indie publishing route, I was honestly pretty excited. No limitations to what she was writing. And OH MY GOSH IT WAS SO WORTH IT!
The Fall We Fell hooked me from the very first line. I think Jake may be my new favorite Denault hero. And Terra...wow. Denault handled a story rife with emotional baggage with her usual adept skill. I cried. A LOT. The ending was perfect. (I'm not a spoiler-y reviewer, so this is all I'll say about the storyline.) I honestly can't wait to see more of this series! I want Terra's whole family to have their own stories, as well as Aspen! GO BUY THIS BOOK (so that the author knows we want more)!
*I received a free copy of this book for an honest review*
The Fall We Fell hooked me from the very first line. I think Jake may be my new favorite Denault hero. And Terra...wow. Denault handled a story rife with emotional baggage with her usual adept skill. I cried. A LOT. The ending was perfect. (I'm not a spoiler-y reviewer, so this is all I'll say about the storyline.) I honestly can't wait to see more of this series! I want Terra's whole family to have their own stories, as well as Aspen! GO BUY THIS BOOK (so that the author knows we want more)!
*I received a free copy of this book for an honest review*
May 24, 2021
The Fall We Fell is the first book in Victoria Denault’s brand new Ocean Pines series, and it is simply outstanding. I fell in love with the story, the setting, the characters from the first chapter and I didn’t want it to end. I cannot wait to read more books in this series. I will be counting the days.
The Fall We Fell is a small town, older brothers’ best friend, frenemies to lovers story filled with heat, heart and laugh-out-loud moments. I loved everything about this book. It’s heartbreaking at times but also heartwarming and heartfelt. I just couldn’t put it down.
I loved the small town vibe in this book so much. The story is set in a small coastal town in Maine, and it gave the story a very special feel. The beach, the woods, the small town architecture, the festival, the fishing boats, every detail helped bring the town to life in my mind.
I loved both Jake and Terra. Terra is a very strong woman who’s been dealt a very tough hand in life but has learned to deal with adversity. Jake had a difficult childhood and found the support and love he craved in the Hawkins family, and is now a respected and condecorated firefighter.
Terra and Jake’s story is heartwarming and emotional. They have enough chemistry to set the whole town on fire, a complicated history, and a chance at forever if they are willing to fight for it.
I also fell in love with Terra’s family, especially her overbearing brothers. I would love to see them find their HEA. One can hope, right? I’m really looking forward to the next books in the series.
The Fall We Fell is a beautiful story filled with heat, romance, emotional turmoil, and laugh-out-loud moments. I highly recommend it.
The Fall We Fell is a small town, older brothers’ best friend, frenemies to lovers story filled with heat, heart and laugh-out-loud moments. I loved everything about this book. It’s heartbreaking at times but also heartwarming and heartfelt. I just couldn’t put it down.
I loved the small town vibe in this book so much. The story is set in a small coastal town in Maine, and it gave the story a very special feel. The beach, the woods, the small town architecture, the festival, the fishing boats, every detail helped bring the town to life in my mind.
I loved both Jake and Terra. Terra is a very strong woman who’s been dealt a very tough hand in life but has learned to deal with adversity. Jake had a difficult childhood and found the support and love he craved in the Hawkins family, and is now a respected and condecorated firefighter.
Terra and Jake’s story is heartwarming and emotional. They have enough chemistry to set the whole town on fire, a complicated history, and a chance at forever if they are willing to fight for it.
I also fell in love with Terra’s family, especially her overbearing brothers. I would love to see them find their HEA. One can hope, right? I’m really looking forward to the next books in the series.
The Fall We Fell is a beautiful story filled with heat, romance, emotional turmoil, and laugh-out-loud moments. I highly recommend it.
May 26, 2021
This was my first book by Victoria, and it will not be my last.
The Fall We Fell was a heart touching read, it had me crying so much. This was a small town, older brothers best friend read, it was one that you will not forget. I won't give away anything about this book, other than it talks about something I haven't read in any book yet, and the way it was written was so real I was in tears.
If you are looking for a book that will have you hooked from the very first page, look no further, this book is a must read!!
The Fall We Fell was a heart touching read, it had me crying so much. This was a small town, older brothers best friend read, it was one that you will not forget. I won't give away anything about this book, other than it talks about something I haven't read in any book yet, and the way it was written was so real I was in tears.
If you are looking for a book that will have you hooked from the very first page, look no further, this book is a must read!!
May 14, 2021
This book just made my heart melt! I’m so, so glad its the first of many in the series as the secondary characters have taken hold of my heart too! Terra & Jake’s story has all the feels. The storyline & characters are written so well you’ll feel as if you’re right there with them. It is just a really good HEA! Don’t pass it up! I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
May 24, 2021
4.5 Stars! Holy bad decisions. This one was a damn emotional roller coaster. I just love Second Chance Romances so much. And it’s funny, because ones that start when they’re teenagers usually make me want to smack both the characters for a variety of reasons. The main one being that the teenage decisions usually cause the characters so much grief that could have been avoided. This one definitely starts off like that, so I really wanted to get to the second half. I just knew all the goodness was coming! It was definitely a journey for both of these characters. I felt all the emotions, because there was a lot going on. By the end of the book, I was ecstatic for these two and their story left me with a huge smile. Victoria did exactly what she needed to do with this book. I really like her writing and the way she brings a lot of different elements to the story that challenge the characters and really illustrate their growth. I would love to see more about some of the side characters in this book. I don’t know if she has a plan for that yet, but I would be here for it. As I learned more about this family, I totally fell for them!
May 26, 2021
I really liked this story, I was hooked from chapter 1! I read it in one sitting!
May 12, 2021
The Fall We Fell confirmed for me yet again that Victoria Denault is a “go to” author! I’m a huge fan of all her books and this one is no different!
Her hero and heroine won my heart and gave me all the feels. Jake is perfection. It was a romance that made my heart squeeze and me wishing for the next one in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next in Ocean Pines!
Her hero and heroine won my heart and gave me all the feels. Jake is perfection. It was a romance that made my heart squeeze and me wishing for the next one in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next in Ocean Pines!
May 16, 2021
The Fall We Fell is the first book in Victoria Denault's new Ocean Pines series and I was in this book from the very first page! This small town has plenty of interesting personalities and what every small town does, plenty of gossip!
Terra and Jake have been in one another's lives for years. Her brothers are Jake's best friends and Jake has recently returned to town after being gone for a few years. Jake spent a lot of time with Terra's family and she always had a crush on him growing up, but when he rejected her when she was in her teens, and just after learning about her illness, she felt rejected and small.
When Jake returns he learns that Terra's illness is causing more problems and she needs a kidney transplant. He's ready and willing if he's a match. The chemistry between the two is hard to miss even though they fight it for some time. Will the surgery bring them closer together or push them further apart? Not to mention the will the other "complications" that come with living in a small town stop the relationship before it gets started?
The romance between Terra and Jake is exactly what you want in a romance book. It had everything; an amazing hero, a strong heroine, friends-to-lovers romance, angst and an amazing family and group of townspeople that help to make the story have the richness it does. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year and I am eagerly awaiting the next books in this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Terra and Jake have been in one another's lives for years. Her brothers are Jake's best friends and Jake has recently returned to town after being gone for a few years. Jake spent a lot of time with Terra's family and she always had a crush on him growing up, but when he rejected her when she was in her teens, and just after learning about her illness, she felt rejected and small.
When Jake returns he learns that Terra's illness is causing more problems and she needs a kidney transplant. He's ready and willing if he's a match. The chemistry between the two is hard to miss even though they fight it for some time. Will the surgery bring them closer together or push them further apart? Not to mention the will the other "complications" that come with living in a small town stop the relationship before it gets started?
The romance between Terra and Jake is exactly what you want in a romance book. It had everything; an amazing hero, a strong heroine, friends-to-lovers romance, angst and an amazing family and group of townspeople that help to make the story have the richness it does. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year and I am eagerly awaiting the next books in this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
May 26, 2021
What a wild ride of extreme emotions!
This book really did a number on my heart and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I really loved Terra and Jake. Terra is a strong character who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is resilient and feisty and very head strong. Jake had a very rough childhood and thought that he had something to prove to himself and the family that took him in and loved him as their own, including Terra.
Their situations and feelings were so realistic. Their journey to each other was not easy and lighthearted, it was nitty gritty but also so swoon worthy and perfect. The story starts with both as teens. Terra puts herself out there and makes herself vulnerable for Jake and he turns her down. This event snowballs their entire relationship and sets things in motion.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. I loved Terra's family. I really wanted more information on all of her brothers! You get bits and pieces of their stories but I'm really hoping for more!
This book really did a number on my heart and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I really loved Terra and Jake. Terra is a strong character who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is resilient and feisty and very head strong. Jake had a very rough childhood and thought that he had something to prove to himself and the family that took him in and loved him as their own, including Terra.
Their situations and feelings were so realistic. Their journey to each other was not easy and lighthearted, it was nitty gritty but also so swoon worthy and perfect. The story starts with both as teens. Terra puts herself out there and makes herself vulnerable for Jake and he turns her down. This event snowballs their entire relationship and sets things in motion.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. I loved Terra's family. I really wanted more information on all of her brothers! You get bits and pieces of their stories but I'm really hoping for more!
September 19, 2021
I'm starving for lobster rolls, lobster chowder, lobster bisque, lobster bombs, lobster grilled cheese and all the lobster things. I've never been to Maine, but I've just put it on my bucket list and I'm hoping to find a local spot like the Hawkins Lobster Shack to feed me. This small town series starter is amazing with the depth of characters in the town and this large Irish Hawkins clan. I was attracted to every part of this story. I'm only slightly irritated at the few things left hanging. That'll keep me reading the rest of the series to find out all the secrets.
Jake is my kind of hero. He's humble and proves himself no matter how long it takes. He's got a strong sense of honor and is trustworthy, all the traits I expect in a fireman. *sigh* He knows who he loves and he's the kind to love her until his dying day. I find that very attractive. Terra has the perfect amount of snap to her and is completely entertaining. Three overprotective older brothers have given her a tough hide. A lupus diagnosis at a young age has shaped her life and personality as well.
I love second chance stories. Jake and Terra have earned theirs. There are secrets and outside influences that are making things complicated. They also have very important people in their corner. I am invested and will continue to read this series. The brothers have some secrets to tell.
Jake is my kind of hero. He's humble and proves himself no matter how long it takes. He's got a strong sense of honor and is trustworthy, all the traits I expect in a fireman. *sigh* He knows who he loves and he's the kind to love her until his dying day. I find that very attractive. Terra has the perfect amount of snap to her and is completely entertaining. Three overprotective older brothers have given her a tough hide. A lupus diagnosis at a young age has shaped her life and personality as well.
I love second chance stories. Jake and Terra have earned theirs. There are secrets and outside influences that are making things complicated. They also have very important people in their corner. I am invested and will continue to read this series. The brothers have some secrets to tell.
May 18, 2021
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. I was captivated right at the start. Terra and Jake basically grew up together as he was best friends with her brother. Jake had a horrible upbringing by a single mom who cared more about drugs and drinking than she did about her son. The Hawkins family often took Jake in, included him as if he was their own son. When an incident happens with Terra at 14 who crush turns into hate. Jake ends up dating her best friend before he leaves to create a life for himself to prove he was worthy of the friendship and love the Hawkins family gave him. Jake returns a hero, and a lieutenant firefighter. He is immediately drawn to Terra again but thinks she is off limits as she is dating someone. Turns out Tom wasn't the man Terra thought he was or needed him to be. Terra is struggling with her health and looking for an organ donor, Jake immediately gets tested as there is nothing he won't do for Terra. Through the journey of an organ transplant and with a few surprises along the way. Can Terra and Jake end up together this time? This definitely is the first of the series and I can't wait to read the others. This book was incredible, showed the true meaning of friendship and love. I highly recommend it, as I read it in 3 days!
May 23, 2021
I stumbled across this author from another author's recommendation, and like the characters of this sweet, small town romance, I have fallen hard.
The FALL WE FELL is a sweet, sometimes angsty, unrequited love story turned around, that you will fall hard for and struggle to leave behind.
This easy page turner is big on heart, heat and family.
What it is to yearn for all these things; to have them and to covet them from afar, beautifully written through two destined souls and the family and community that surround them.
Terra and Jake are superbly characterised, their individual issues and traits respectfully handled by the author, I could empathise with them both throughout the story and support their pain, anger and joy equally.
Likewise, the supporting characters added perfectly to the storyline and held enough appeal that draws the reader in, so that you will be looking forward to their own individual stories as this series hopefully develops.
As fast as I turned the pages of this delightful read, I found myself not wanting to leave Ocean Pines and the Hawkins Clan, so you can bet that I will be back when this author gifts us another visit!
The FALL WE FELL is a sweet, sometimes angsty, unrequited love story turned around, that you will fall hard for and struggle to leave behind.
This easy page turner is big on heart, heat and family.
What it is to yearn for all these things; to have them and to covet them from afar, beautifully written through two destined souls and the family and community that surround them.
Terra and Jake are superbly characterised, their individual issues and traits respectfully handled by the author, I could empathise with them both throughout the story and support their pain, anger and joy equally.
Likewise, the supporting characters added perfectly to the storyline and held enough appeal that draws the reader in, so that you will be looking forward to their own individual stories as this series hopefully develops.
As fast as I turned the pages of this delightful read, I found myself not wanting to leave Ocean Pines and the Hawkins Clan, so you can bet that I will be back when this author gifts us another visit!
March 7, 2022
I have a lot of issues with this book, and please forgive me while I get on my therapist soap box. I am a licensed therapist, as I’ve said in other reviews when authors pet my peeves. Where is the context? Where is the trauma? Family history of mental illness and substance dependence issues? People don’t just develop these things without activating events. Oldest brother attempts to die by suicide but is all good now, but where’s the context? Is he in counseling, taking medications, something? Middle brother has alcohol dependence, but where did this begin? Chemical dependency does have some genetic links, but is usually fostered by some kind of activating event/trauma. These people come from an intact family with supportive parents who provided a stable home life, so I’m assuming the author is pointing to genetics, but even then there has to be more to it. This turned into a rant that wasn’t really about the story itself, which I guess was okay but not my favorite. I have read many books by this author that I’ve adored, so I’m sure she’ll produce more that I enjoy in the future, but this wasn’t it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2022
3.75 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Things I Liked:
-brothers best friend trope
-the Hawkins family dynamic (I am curious about Terra’s siblings stories)
-the chemistry between Jake and Terra
-Jake’s relationship with Finn, Logan, and the rest of the Hawkins family (I love the found family trope)
-that Terra’s family didn’t react badly to Jake and Terra being together
-that Jake didn’t even think twice about donating his kidney to Terra (even before they were actually together)
Things I Didn’t Like:
-how badly Aspen treated Terra when they were in high school (she ruined their friendship - and Terra’s trust - over jealousy and a boy)
-the potential fatherhood storyline. I think there was enough drama/uncertainty with Terra’s health so to me, this storyline was unnecessary
-Tom’s existence and that he thought he could get Terra to forgive him by paying for her hospital bills (he treated her awfully)
Things I Would’ve Liked To See:
-flashbacks - they have a past, so why not show us?
-an epilogue further into the future
-more about the after effects of Terra’s kidney transplant (her doctor appointments, being on immunosuppressants, etc.)
-more of Terra’s parents (their relationship with their kids and Jake)
I am looking forward to the rest of the series!
Things I Liked:
-brothers best friend trope
-the Hawkins family dynamic (I am curious about Terra’s siblings stories)
-the chemistry between Jake and Terra
-Jake’s relationship with Finn, Logan, and the rest of the Hawkins family (I love the found family trope)
-that Terra’s family didn’t react badly to Jake and Terra being together
-that Jake didn’t even think twice about donating his kidney to Terra (even before they were actually together)
Things I Didn’t Like:
-how badly Aspen treated Terra when they were in high school (she ruined their friendship - and Terra’s trust - over jealousy and a boy)
-the potential fatherhood storyline. I think there was enough drama/uncertainty with Terra’s health so to me, this storyline was unnecessary
-Tom’s existence and that he thought he could get Terra to forgive him by paying for her hospital bills (he treated her awfully)
Things I Would’ve Liked To See:
-flashbacks - they have a past, so why not show us?
-an epilogue further into the future
-more about the after effects of Terra’s kidney transplant (her doctor appointments, being on immunosuppressants, etc.)
-more of Terra’s parents (their relationship with their kids and Jake)
I am looking forward to the rest of the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2023
I have enjoyed Denault's sports romances in the past and was excited to see what she would do with a small town romance. Well, I was NOT at all disappointed.
This was a friends-to-lovers story which is my catnip. Jake had be unofficially adopted as part of the Hawkins family in his teens. Being best friends with the Hawkins boys meant denying his feelings for their sister, Terra. Fast forward to Jake's return to Ocean Pines, and he now felt he was worthy of Terra's heart. It was a bit of a bumpy road due to some unfinished business, but I was rooting for this couple the whole time.
How could I not adore a man who gave up a kidney for the woman he loved!! That plus the familial love of the Hawkins family had me bursting with joy. I am very much looking forward to returning to Ocean Pines for Logan's story.
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This was a friends-to-lovers story which is my catnip. Jake had be unofficially adopted as part of the Hawkins family in his teens. Being best friends with the Hawkins boys meant denying his feelings for their sister, Terra. Fast forward to Jake's return to Ocean Pines, and he now felt he was worthy of Terra's heart. It was a bit of a bumpy road due to some unfinished business, but I was rooting for this couple the whole time.
How could I not adore a man who gave up a kidney for the woman he loved!! That plus the familial love of the Hawkins family had me bursting with joy. I am very much looking forward to returning to Ocean Pines for Logan's story.
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May 22, 2021
This was my first Victoria Denault read and I couldn’t put it down. I don’t have enough good things to say about this book. Terra and Jake are absolutely two amazing characters, both with hearts of gold. Terra is going through such a difficult time in life, but she always remains optimistic and keeps a smile on her face even on her toughest days. Her and her family are hoping to find a suitable match for her health needs so that she can live a long healthy life.
Jake is a friend of Terra’s brothers. He’s been like part of the family for as long as they can remember, but ultimately wants to be so much more than that for Terra. He winds up being the match that Terra needs.
While you hope for all sunshine and rainbows for these two, life doesn’t always work that way and they will go through some things that will test their strength.
I really hope for some future books on some of these side characters because I really loved these characters. What a beautifully written book!
Jake is a friend of Terra’s brothers. He’s been like part of the family for as long as they can remember, but ultimately wants to be so much more than that for Terra. He winds up being the match that Terra needs.
While you hope for all sunshine and rainbows for these two, life doesn’t always work that way and they will go through some things that will test their strength.
I really hope for some future books on some of these side characters because I really loved these characters. What a beautifully written book!
January 6, 2024
Talk about bad timing, some miscommunications, and some pretty bad inconveniences. The story starts with a prologue of a teenage Terra and Jake. Terra has recently learned that she has lupus and will be feeling sick basically for the rest of her life. She and her best friend attend a party with her four older brothers and the guy who is basically family and also her teenage crush. But when the party ends up with a game and Terra and Jake in a closet, Terra's heart starts breaking. Jake won't ruin his relationship with Terra's brothers and family. They are the only family he has. So he lies to Terra and tells her he doesn't see her the way she sees him. Breaking both of their hearts. Years pass and a lot has changed for the both of them. Jake comes home and he is determined to win Terra and show how far he has come. But his plans don't exactly pan out the way he hoped. Lots of complications arise. And for Terra too, who has recently learned that she needs a kidney and those who are willing to donate, aren't a match. Until Jake is. They may have a lot to figure out when it comes to them and their current predicaments, but nothing has been easier for Jake to say yes to when it comes to saving Terra's life. A good story with, let me tell you, lots of drama and complications for literally everyone. The series go to each of Terra's brothers and from what we have learned so far, I'm interested to see how it plays out for all of them.
May 25, 2021
This wasn’t your typical crush on older brother best friend story. There was lots of emotion between Jake and Terra. She didn’t know until years later that he felt the same and when she needed him the most he stepped in. There childhood were very different but her family was a constant in his life; he was the unofficial son. But when they got older things were different and a bit complicated. I didn’t like Terra’s childhood best friend until the very ending but in the beginning I wasn’t a fan. These two had so many things to clear up between them before making their relationship official; Terra was very stubborn and Jake had a chip on his shoulder of thinking he wasn’t good enough for her. But everyone else saw that they were meant to be together. Good thing they came to their senses. Side note: the secret of Terra’s best friend I knew who the other person was all along. It was obvious.
May 24, 2021
Note: An ARC was provided by the author.
This book had a lot of my must-haves when it comes to a romance read. There was chemistry between the main characters, a satisfactory bit of wit, an entertaining amount of snark, and a dash of angst. It also succeeds as a series starter because it offers up a great romance while also introducing readers to this small town of Ocean Pines and a cast of characters that I'm sure I'm not the only one intrigued about. I was curious, though, as to whether or not Declan, the eldest among the Hawkins siblings, already had a book out since he was already married to Nova. Victoria Denault's previous series and her most recent standalone, which was my first read from her, were all sports romances. Either way, I look forward to more from this new series. Four stars go to The Fall We Fell.
This book had a lot of my must-haves when it comes to a romance read. There was chemistry between the main characters, a satisfactory bit of wit, an entertaining amount of snark, and a dash of angst. It also succeeds as a series starter because it offers up a great romance while also introducing readers to this small town of Ocean Pines and a cast of characters that I'm sure I'm not the only one intrigued about. I was curious, though, as to whether or not Declan, the eldest among the Hawkins siblings, already had a book out since he was already married to Nova. Victoria Denault's previous series and her most recent standalone, which was my first read from her, were all sports romances. Either way, I look forward to more from this new series. Four stars go to The Fall We Fell.
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