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Ready to Fall
Charlotte Whittaker is used to putting her dreams on hold for others. So it was no surprise she agreed to return to her hometown of Nine Pines after university. Who else was going to help? Her parents’ house is falling apart and the bills aren’t getting paid. They need her. Despite loving her hometown, it’s a reminder of all the things she would give up, all the people she’ll be leaving behind when she returns for good at the end of the semester. If Charlotte has a polar opposite, it's Mitchell Rizzo. Artistic and free-spirited, Mitchell left Nine Pines and never looked back. His band Forever July is a raging success and only growing with chart-topping fame. He refuses to let anything keep him from reaching his full potential and living the life he deserves. Women and family are kept at arm’s length. He's learned from his parents' mistakes. When the two collide in Nine Pines for a wedding, Charlie and Mitchell decide to take a break from reality and allow themselves to give in to the spark between them. Neither of them expect how much they enjoy being together. What’s supposed to be a one-week fling turns deeper than either expected. Can Charlotte and Mitchell fight past their differences and learn from each other? Or was this love doomed from the start?
- GenresContemporary
226 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2022
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Ritchie
3 books20 followersA.K. Ritchie is an author living in Ontario, where she writes stories inspired by music, travel, and the magic of everyday moments. She has published two books so far; After the Party and Ready to Fall, novels that blend heartfelt emotion with the soundtracks of her characters’ lives. Wilde Like Us is her newest novel!
When she isn’t writing, you can find her browsing record shops for vinyl, getting lost in the warm colours of autumn leaves, or swaying in the crowd at a live show—always searching for the next story waiting to be told.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her browsing record shops for vinyl, getting lost in the warm colours of autumn leaves, or swaying in the crowd at a live show—always searching for the next story waiting to be told.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 4, 2022
4.5 STARS | READY TO FALL was a COZY and ROMANTIC autumn read that EVERYONE NEEDS to read this FALL! It was an easy read, about 200 pages, and was WORTH IT! Charlotte “Charlie” Whittaker returns to her hometown in Nine Pines in time for her friend’s wedding. She then comes face to face with her high school crush, Mitchell Rizzo, who is now a guitarist in his band Forever July. When they collide, they decide to take a break from reality and allow themselves to give in to the spark between them. Neither of them expect how much they enjoy being together. What’s supposed to be a one-week fling turns deeper than they expected. A romance novel that has fall vibes that you’ve wanted, set in Canada! I’m so glad I’ve read this book!
August 6, 2022
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team ☺️
Rating: 4.5 ⭐'s
A.K. Ritchie comes back with a book set in the same world as After the Party. This time we are following Mitchell, from the band Forever July. And Charlie, his best friend's sister.
They both come back to their small town, Nine Pines, for a wedding. During the week leading up to the wedding, they start feeling strong attractions to each other. Will they? Won't they? How will Charlie's brother react? This book is overflowing with angst and I gobbled it up.
The character writing is superb. Again A.K. Ritchie leaves no details lost when it comes to both her main and side characters. These details really help immerse me into the story.
The small town during the autumn atmosphere was nicely set. It's the perfect cozy romance for this fall. It's quick and easy to read without compromising the quality in writing. For the most part this book was well paced, though I felt it slow down a little near the 3rd quarter. It catches its stride again shortly after and I couldn't put it down near the bed.
This is a solid Romance novel that gave me all the happy, fluffy feels! I can't wait to get my physical copy when it releases at the end of the month.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐'s
A.K. Ritchie comes back with a book set in the same world as After the Party. This time we are following Mitchell, from the band Forever July. And Charlie, his best friend's sister.
They both come back to their small town, Nine Pines, for a wedding. During the week leading up to the wedding, they start feeling strong attractions to each other. Will they? Won't they? How will Charlie's brother react? This book is overflowing with angst and I gobbled it up.
The character writing is superb. Again A.K. Ritchie leaves no details lost when it comes to both her main and side characters. These details really help immerse me into the story.
The small town during the autumn atmosphere was nicely set. It's the perfect cozy romance for this fall. It's quick and easy to read without compromising the quality in writing. For the most part this book was well paced, though I felt it slow down a little near the 3rd quarter. It catches its stride again shortly after and I couldn't put it down near the bed.
This is a solid Romance novel that gave me all the happy, fluffy feels! I can't wait to get my physical copy when it releases at the end of the month.
August 31, 2022
First of all the thank you to the author for the ARC! A small-town romance with a nice fall vibe. It was a fast and easy read. Although it included all my favourite tropes such as brother's bestfriend and secret romance, I don't know why it did not really touch my heart. Some moments were nice to read such as the wedding and their hiking "date" but other than that I felt that the pace of the book started off slow and slowed down again towards the end. I als0 felt that the conflict was a bit weird and could have been avoided (the one with Charlie's family). I did however enjoy it, it is a cute clean romance, with a YA touch to it, for those who avoid spicy reads.
July 7, 2022
ARC review
Book: Ready to Fall
Author: A. K. Ritchie
Rating: 4 stars
Positive thoughts:
I really enjoyed this clean romance, it was a fast and easy read. I loved reading about Mitchell and Charlie grow close. I love those heroes who are misunderstood in their small home town, where every one warned you off him and then comes the heroine, she get to know him and there's nothing but goodness in him. I love reading a book where you go through their love journey. If you don't like slow burn, where you only see them get together in the end, then this book is for you. Here you get to see their feelings grow, you see then heel, you see then give each other the strength they need together.
Negative thoughts:
It might just be me (I know I'm getting old), but it bothered me that getting drunk and high is a normal thing to do when you're a young adult. After reading this book I got the impression that it's very acceptable and normal and I wasn't ok with this. It doesn't give much of a good moral lesson to youngsters.
Overview:
The story was interesting, I really wanted to know more. I love a clean romance with all the emotion and spice without the explicit scenes. This was not bland at all.
Romance: 4/5
Spice: 3/5 (without the sex scene)
Humour: 2/5
Foul language: 3/5
Drama: 3/5
Tropes:
- small town romance
- brothers best friend
- forbidden love
- secret romance
- music background
- family drama
- first love
- family wedding
Book: Ready to Fall
Author: A. K. Ritchie
Rating: 4 stars
Positive thoughts:
I really enjoyed this clean romance, it was a fast and easy read. I loved reading about Mitchell and Charlie grow close. I love those heroes who are misunderstood in their small home town, where every one warned you off him and then comes the heroine, she get to know him and there's nothing but goodness in him. I love reading a book where you go through their love journey. If you don't like slow burn, where you only see them get together in the end, then this book is for you. Here you get to see their feelings grow, you see then heel, you see then give each other the strength they need together.
Negative thoughts:
It might just be me (I know I'm getting old), but it bothered me that getting drunk and high is a normal thing to do when you're a young adult. After reading this book I got the impression that it's very acceptable and normal and I wasn't ok with this. It doesn't give much of a good moral lesson to youngsters.
Overview:
The story was interesting, I really wanted to know more. I love a clean romance with all the emotion and spice without the explicit scenes. This was not bland at all.
Romance: 4/5
Spice: 3/5 (without the sex scene)
Humour: 2/5
Foul language: 3/5
Drama: 3/5
Tropes:
- small town romance
- brothers best friend
- forbidden love
- secret romance
- music background
- family drama
- first love
- family wedding
December 1, 2022
This book gave me all the feelings, a beautiful small town romance, Highschool crush, brothers best friend. The characters are emotionally growing and finding out what they really want and how to live that life. I devoured this book.
August 22, 2022
~ ARC review ~
Ready to Fall is a love story between Charlotte and Mitchel, who are complete opposite. While Charlotte always puts herself in second place and is always there to help the family and friends, Mitchel has a colder relationship with his family and his band colleagues are both his family and friends. Therefore, there is no surprise that Charlotte decides to come back to Nine Pines, her hometown, after she finishes college to help her parents. On the other hand, Mitchel doesn't know how to stay away from Nine Pine more. He doesn't have a good relationship with his family and there are no old friends that can "keep" him in that place.
What brings Charlotte and Mitchel together is a wedding they both had to attend. Getting to know each other as adults changes something and during the week prior to the wedding, they get to enjoy each other's company in a way they didn't expect.
The story is told from a dual POV, and we get to see both Charlotte and Mitchel's perspectives, which is always an interesting thing.
The pacing was a bit slow for me in the first 3-4 chapters and it was a bit difficult to get into the story, but it was okay afterwards. Despite being a romantic book, it focuses more on the emotions or the lead characters and how their past trauma influences their present. I am a sucker for romantic books and I really like grand gestures and "awww" moments, which I feel they kindda missed from this book. This doesn't mean the book is not okay. It just means that it didn't tick my personal boxes. Anyway, getting back to it, there is a bit of character development and it's nice to see each other's personal thoughts and insecurities.
Overall, it was a nice book to read, with good vibes, that is great for the autumn.
Ready to Fall is a love story between Charlotte and Mitchel, who are complete opposite. While Charlotte always puts herself in second place and is always there to help the family and friends, Mitchel has a colder relationship with his family and his band colleagues are both his family and friends. Therefore, there is no surprise that Charlotte decides to come back to Nine Pines, her hometown, after she finishes college to help her parents. On the other hand, Mitchel doesn't know how to stay away from Nine Pine more. He doesn't have a good relationship with his family and there are no old friends that can "keep" him in that place.
What brings Charlotte and Mitchel together is a wedding they both had to attend. Getting to know each other as adults changes something and during the week prior to the wedding, they get to enjoy each other's company in a way they didn't expect.
The story is told from a dual POV, and we get to see both Charlotte and Mitchel's perspectives, which is always an interesting thing.
The pacing was a bit slow for me in the first 3-4 chapters and it was a bit difficult to get into the story, but it was okay afterwards. Despite being a romantic book, it focuses more on the emotions or the lead characters and how their past trauma influences their present. I am a sucker for romantic books and I really like grand gestures and "awww" moments, which I feel they kindda missed from this book. This doesn't mean the book is not okay. It just means that it didn't tick my personal boxes. Anyway, getting back to it, there is a bit of character development and it's nice to see each other's personal thoughts and insecurities.
Overall, it was a nice book to read, with good vibes, that is great for the autumn.
July 8, 2022
AK Ritchie is a must read author for me. I loved her debut novel After the Party and when I was offered the chance to be on her ARC team, I jumped at it. This is an honest review of a book that I was given to read.
I thought Chase and Peyton (After the Party) would always be my favourite Forever July couple, but Mitchell and Charlie were just meant to be. What I loved about these characters is that they were so unapologetically themselves and they are both selfless for the ones they love (friends, family, each other).
I loved the organic way their relationship began and how they were open and honest with each other about what it meant for both of them.
This is a small town romance with a secret relationship, brother’s best friend, family drama and strong friendships. The characters are really well developed and it was a real page turner. Spice level is fade to black, but I wasn’t left disappointed because all the feels were there.
As usual with AK Ritchie’s work, the side characters were just as well developed and, even though he is a little troubled, I loved Charlie’s brother, Lucas. I feel like there’s a whole other story there with him. I loved that we got to see a bit of Chase, Mo and Camilla.
I look forward to reading more by this author!
I thought Chase and Peyton (After the Party) would always be my favourite Forever July couple, but Mitchell and Charlie were just meant to be. What I loved about these characters is that they were so unapologetically themselves and they are both selfless for the ones they love (friends, family, each other).
I loved the organic way their relationship began and how they were open and honest with each other about what it meant for both of them.
This is a small town romance with a secret relationship, brother’s best friend, family drama and strong friendships. The characters are really well developed and it was a real page turner. Spice level is fade to black, but I wasn’t left disappointed because all the feels were there.
As usual with AK Ritchie’s work, the side characters were just as well developed and, even though he is a little troubled, I loved Charlie’s brother, Lucas. I feel like there’s a whole other story there with him. I loved that we got to see a bit of Chase, Mo and Camilla.
I look forward to reading more by this author!
July 2, 2022
AK does it again.
I thought After The Party was phenomenal and it was. Ready to fall is even better. The plot is gripping, the characters nuanced, the word choices on point.
Ms. Ritchie writes with an economy of verbiage that is rare in this day and age. She tells a compelling story that, while gritty and harsh, isn't salacious or prone to overkill.
If any of this story is biographical she is also a warrior that the world needs more of.
If any movie producers read this, her books are perfect to be turned into screenplays.
I thought After The Party was phenomenal and it was. Ready to fall is even better. The plot is gripping, the characters nuanced, the word choices on point.
Ms. Ritchie writes with an economy of verbiage that is rare in this day and age. She tells a compelling story that, while gritty and harsh, isn't salacious or prone to overkill.
If any of this story is biographical she is also a warrior that the world needs more of.
If any movie producers read this, her books are perfect to be turned into screenplays.
October 19, 2023
This book checked so many of my boxes for a great story. The main characters were likeable and I enjoyed watching the relationship unfold. There were no cringy situations that made the story hard to get through. There was character growth. There were ~sparks~ but no potentially off-putting scenes to get through since it’s a fade-to-black romance.
Overall I just really liked it and have already read it twice.
Overall I just really liked it and have already read it twice.
August 11, 2024
3.5 stars
Small town romance
Stand alone
Fade to black
Purchased this book from a local book faire knowing absolutely nothing about it. Didn’t realize until I got home that it was second in the series but luckily it’s a stand alone.
Story itself was really sweet; enjoyed both MCs and their stories. I did enjoy that it wasn’t a 3 days till I say I love you style of romance, and they did set up their casual fling well together.
I enjoyed the ending, the wrap up was great, it felt real and fit the characters well.
Overall, adorable, easy read.
Small town romance
Stand alone
Fade to black
Purchased this book from a local book faire knowing absolutely nothing about it. Didn’t realize until I got home that it was second in the series but luckily it’s a stand alone.
Story itself was really sweet; enjoyed both MCs and their stories. I did enjoy that it wasn’t a 3 days till I say I love you style of romance, and they did set up their casual fling well together.
I enjoyed the ending, the wrap up was great, it felt real and fit the characters well.
Overall, adorable, easy read.
July 12, 2022
🌶 2
I love this romance! It has small town romance, forbidden love, first love, secret romance and brothers best friend all in one. If you enjoy those then this is for you! It’s a fast and easy read, flows well, didn’t loose my interest. Mitchell and Charlie are the main characters and they are so perfect! I recommend!
I love this romance! It has small town romance, forbidden love, first love, secret romance and brothers best friend all in one. If you enjoy those then this is for you! It’s a fast and easy read, flows well, didn’t loose my interest. Mitchell and Charlie are the main characters and they are so perfect! I recommend!
September 6, 2022
I picked Ready To Fall from my TBR list, as I realised I'd loved the first book in the series from A. K. Ritchie, After The Party, earlier in the year. The sweet, slow burn, week-long romance between Mitchell and Charlotte had a great pace, with honesty and sass. Gorgeous ending. Would love to see if anything developed between Hazel and Lucas.
March 5, 2023
The follow up to After The Party, this is likewise a sweet little novel. If one was ever into the Punk, metal, emo, screamo scene, this will strike a chord as did the first.
The romance is there but in a subtle way. It almost builds up but isn't blatant or smutty. Just like in her first novel.
That A.K. Ritchie hasn't become a number one best seller is a literary crime.
The romance is there but in a subtle way. It almost builds up but isn't blatant or smutty. Just like in her first novel.
That A.K. Ritchie hasn't become a number one best seller is a literary crime.
September 19, 2022
I loved this book it is fantastic.
It pulled me in from the get go, I just wanted to give Mitchell a hug.
I loved the way the story played out and the ending was great.
I look forward to your next book.
This book has made me realise that I've missed reading romance lately.
It pulled me in from the get go, I just wanted to give Mitchell a hug.
I loved the way the story played out and the ending was great.
I look forward to your next book.
This book has made me realise that I've missed reading romance lately.
November 16, 2024
Absolutely loved this book and devoured it in 24 hours. Didn’t want it to end! Beautiful forbidden romance love story with all the feels. Blew me away! Hoping Hazel will have a story…
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews