It was a cliché term and one that no man ever wanted to hear. But it defined Micah’s relationship with Claire Alexander. She was so out of his league that he had given up hope from day one.
A relationship with Claire was not a possibility. She simply would never be his. He was broken and she was too good for him – out of his league in every way. Micah and Claire were friends. That’s all they had ever been and all they would ever be.
Brooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.
The series started with one of Micah's fans learning about his addiction recovery & conversion story at one of his concerts, & how it led to her happily-ever-after. Now we finally get Micah's own happily-ever-after -- along with Claire's 💕
It's got some really sweet moments, though I did wish there was a little more substance to it. I do enjoy romance development stories, but I was expecting Micah's story to be the best of the series & it just didn't have much happening. So, not as satisfying as I was hoping, but still enjoyable.
About to Fall , third book in the Alexander Family series set in Seattle, tells the charming story of Micah Lacey and Claire Alexander.
When we meet Micah, he’s named Logan and living on the street near a soup kitchen, strung out on drugs and alcohol. An older woman named Rita Alexander offers him a room upstairs in the building she owns, upstairs from the roast beef restaurant she owns with her husband. (Rita and her secret room are the reason why Jordan Matthews came to Seattle from Oklahoma in Book One, Somewhere in Seattle.)
Logan detoxes and gets to know Rita’s granddaughter, Claire, who calls Rita “Birdy”. She talks with him about Jesus and inspires him to change his name to a Biblical one. He chooses “Micah”, which is featured in a painting on his room’s wall. That becomes his stage name and is how his fans know him.
Claire has been dating doctors and lawyers and not finding anyone special enough to stay with long term. Since Rita has unofficially adopted Micah as her grandson, he attends all family dinners, and at one of those dinners Claire announced that she’s found Micah old guitar. She had to go through three Seattle Seahawks to get it, but she hopes he can identify it as the one someone stole from him when he arrived in the city at age 16. Claire’s boyfriend, a professor, goes into a jealous rage and grabs her arm, leaving fingerprints. She breaks up with him on the spot. Later that night, she notices that her “brother”, Micah, has grown into a handsome, muscled man. Speaks begin to fly on her end, but she doesn’t know that Micah has cared for her for a long time. Her brother Isaac and cousin JD know, and they warn her not to break his heart—as if there was any danger of her doing that!
The story moves forward fairly quickly, with a red herring involving an obsessed fan and an accidental nap that proves innocent and doesn’t scandalize anyone in the family. Rita inquires of Claire whether her relationship with Micah is serious or a rebound from her last boyfriend, but nobody else thinks twice about them being a couple. Cue the HEA!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves sweet romance and wonders about the backstory of Micah Lacey and Rita Alexander. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Alexander Family series!
I loved the storyline of About to Fall. Don't get me wrong, I love the getting-to-know-you stage and the how-are-they-going-to-get-together stage of books, but I also thoroughly enjoy when the main couple know they want to pursue a relationship early in the story. And then they do. Whether it's a new friend or friends that have known each other for years, I love it when they realize they've found that special person and don't want to wait around. Micah is an imperfect guy who's moved on from past mistakes and trying to make the best of life he can, but he's so relatable--a hero I could really get behind. I love how, once Claire really opened her eyes, she realized she felt more for Micah than she knew. Brooke St. James writes some of the best kissing scenes, and this book was no different. Her characters are human and relatable, and you can't help but root for them. I especially love that all her books are clean--no swearing and no sex--and yet I still get all the happy feels. I can't wait for the next one!
A must read! Stop what you are doing and check out this lovely story!
I had all sorts of plans for my Saturday afternoon. I thought I’ll just read a couple chapters while I have a late lunch. Well, you know how the story goes….I could not put this down! It was fabulous! I loved loved loved it! From the first book I really liked Micah. Now to see his start getting his life cleaned up, how he got into music, and the role that Claire had played thru it all just made me want to cry so many parts of the book. The background on the guitars was so cool. It was just a beautiful story. So incredibly touching! A must read for all Brooke St. James fans! Rating: PG, has some brief discussion of the withdraws from detoxing your body from harmful substances. Clean, no language, no sex.
So, when I started with this book, I was a bit confused as the guy was called Logan but the book synopsis referred to someone called Micah. Kept think I must be reading the wrong book but was really enjoying the book. I really enjoyed the beginning I thought it was heart-warming and I liked the time jumps. Though I wished more time was spent on Micah’s drug recovery as it felt like it was brushed over. Once Claire realised that she loved Micah the story really dragged. I though more would happen with the stocker lady but nothing. Thought that Micah would have some accident or something just to add some struggle to the story but nothing. It had a hint of Christian faith but it was so brief that if you blinked you missed it.
This is a closed door romance kind of book. No sexual situations at all so it's very clean. The problem is that nothing much happens. Like literally, nothing. It's not even a "boy meets girl, loves girl, loses girl, makes up, happy ever after" kind of story. It's more like "boy meets girl, falls in unrequited love for some years, becomes a star musician, girl opens eyes one day, falls madly in love with boy's physical attributes, and then they marry." I'd say it's sweet, no conflict, falling in love kinda thing, but there's so much telling and not showing that I didn't feel much connection with any of the characters. Anyway, this book is great if you're looking for a quick read.
I loved the whole book, from when Birdie finds and redeems Micah to the end where Claire and Micah get together. My favorite part is where Claire tells him she has never been with anyone else; and then Micah says he wishes he could say the same. Claire's reaction to his response is beautiful, so that part you must read yourself. I would recommend this for anyone 16 years old and up.
This is my favorite of this trilogy. She saved the best for last. (Although the journey was much sweeter for having gone the whole way. Read the other two first.) I love how God makes beauty from broken things, filling the cracks with gold. He does the same with Micah, using darling Birdy to pave the way.
Clean, lightly Christian and an excellent read, this is a story I will be reading again.
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Micah is a famous songwriter and singer but once was homeless until he met Rita Alexander who gave him a room and helped get him on his feet. Her granddaughter, Claire has been Micah’s friend, and he has feelings for her, but thinks she is out of his league. Until they realize their relationship has changed. A touching story of friendship, love, and commitment.
This might be my absolute favorite book by Brooke St James. I love her books, reading them each multiple times. This one had me hooked. I love that she leaves out the whole conflict break up reconcile trope that is so typical of romance books. Seriously, this book is so so good!
I had been itching to know what happened to Micah and Claire and now you put both together as a couple! It was definitely a beautiful story about being broken and unworthy to be together for eternity!! I loved how you put down the salvation part which gave me a new insight!!
I loved Brooke St James’s latest Alexander Family book. It started with Micah & he was always in the wings waiting for his story to be told. It was a cold day cozy up near the fire satisfying romance. And Brooke doesn’t disappoint. I very definitely have my favorites & this will be one of them. Along with the Tanner family, the Blair brothers and The Bishop Family stories. I can read them again & love them still. I keep checking for her next new book. Thank you Brooke
I loved this story so much! I always hoped Micah would get his own story and Claire too. Being best friends first always helps, as you have something to fall back on when things are a little tough. I couldn’t put this down. Wonderful author, and I love all her books! Highly recommend this book and author.
I could not have been happier to find that the final Alexander Family book was focusing on Claire and Micah. We got Micah's full backstory and to see how he and Claire met. He has always thought her out of his league but all it took was her eyes to open. I love these two and the Alexander family. I am sad to see this short series end but I am always looking forward to the next family!!
Every time I sit down to read something by St. James I know I won't want to put it down until I'm finished. And there will be butterflies. This was no exception. Another great escape that left me feeling happy. Like dessert. Loved it!
This was a really sweet clean romantic story but it dragged on I’m many many places and I just wasn’t in to it at all. It’s time for me to take this author off my list.
This is a very interesting and exciting story. Micah is a very interesting and inspiring person. All he has been through and what he has become. Amazing. I think Claire 's friendship at the beginning made a a great impression on Micah. This is a great read.
I absolutely loved Micah and Claire. They are so sweet together. I enjoyed navigating with them through their relationship. This is a sweet, clean romance.
Had to read this again as felt that I rushed through the story the first time. Quite a nice story of unrequited love, though the last part of the book feels rushed. It was a nice read.
4* A satisfying romance for Micah. I was worried there was going to be some drama, but this was just the type of story I know and love from BSJ. The ending was a bit abrupt. Will we hear more about these folks?