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Tag Archives: Colburn Brothers series

Review – Falling Into You

19 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Colburn Brothers series, Falling Into You, Jill Shalvis

Falling Into You

Colburn Brothers #3

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

Some love stories don’t stay buried, no matter how far you run.

Hazel Pierce has three goals for coming back to Star Falls:
1. Help her estranged dad.
2. Keep things strictly temporary.
3. Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for Tucker Colburn again.

That plan dies a dramatic, soggy death when a rogue wasp sting sends Hazel swerving off the road and into the river—only to be hauled out, half-drowned and furious, by the Star Falls Fire Department’s finest. Unfortunately, “finest” is ex–best friend, ex–one-night mistake, and the man she’s been avoiding for a decade.

Tucker’s always had a way of getting into her head. And now between a family that thrives on gossip and a town that’s way too small for all this chemistry, Hazel’s running out of ways to avoid the truth. As sparks turn into late-night confessions and slow, toe-curling kisses, Hazel has to decide if she’s done running—from her past, from this town, and from the only man who’s ever made her feel like home. And Tucker has to prove that this time, he’s not just her safe place to crash—he’s her always.

Buy Links: https://www.jillshalvis.com/falling-into-you

*****

Review:

Shalvis brings us so much slow burn, angst, and ups & downs with the final Colburn book. When Hazel comes home to help her dad after a health scare, she’s forced to face her past and her feelings for Tucker. And goodness does she have feelings. She struggles so much with feeling like love can’t last, that she’s not worth sticking around for. Especially when she makes things difficult. And like all small towns, Star Falls residents have long memories and don’t make it easy for her to forget her misspent youth.

And that youth always comes back to Tucker Colburn. Before she left town they were always there for each other, because things weren’t easy for either of them. He’s still there, taking care of his family and taking care of the town. He’s steady and calm and patient and he’s going to need to be. To be willing to wait as Hazel figures out if she’s brave enough to risk her heart again.

I adore this family. The way the Colburn siblings pull together and support each other after their abusive childhood. They are messy, chaotic, noisy, and loving. And I love the way they consider Hazel family, even after she’s been gone for years. I’m sad to see this series end but I’m glad I was here for their journey to a HEA.

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Review – Free Falling

05 Thursday Feb 2026

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Book Review, Colburn Brothers series, Free Falling, Jill Shalvis

Free Falling

Colburn Brothers #2

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

College rivals become workplace frenemies-turned-lovers in this warm, sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestseller Jill Shalvis. First, they were rivals… Now they’re stuck with each other…

Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this construction project to prove himself in the family business, but he also needs to recover from the injury that ended his pro career. Too bad Emma Sumner, architect liaison and Caleb’s college nemesis, is back in town and assigned to the project. They’re going to have to see each other almost every day. Which means once again she’ll make his life a living hell.

As for Emma, her job is on the line with this big project, made all the more challenging by the project manager. Caleb was the one who had snagged the scholarship she’d desperately needed to stay in college. She’s been living hand to mouth ever since and has no intention of ever forgiving the man.

But the beautiful historic building they’re renovating is exactly the kind of project that they both love best. Their surprising common ground and a burning mutual attraction start bringing them closer and closer to a potentially explosive mistake. And that’s even before the secrets come out…

*****

Review:

I am loving this series. Especially the close relationship between the Colburns after surviving an abusive childhood, how they became pillars of their community with an amazing support network for themselves and others. And it’s that network that would be there for Emma. If she would only let them.

Emma is sassy and stubborn and sharp, the perfect match for Caleb. Their relationship still has some of the negativity from their college years, plus the secrets and baggage that Emma is carrying, and it definitely takes them some time to let that go. Well, her more so than him. But with patience and charm, he’ll get her to let down her guard. At least a little bit.

Being a second chance romance, with a small town feel, there’s just so much to like with Free Falling. It’s funny, with the way that Caleb & Emma create sparks and with the boisterous family’s complicated dynamic. They might fight and tease big but they also love big and they warmly embrace Emma. It gives all the feels and plenty of steam, and a glimpse at what might be next.

(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. There is a bit of a mystery that is not resolved tho that will probably be in the next book.)

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Review – He Falls First

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Colburn Brothers series, He Falls First, Jill Shalvis

He Falls First

Colburn Brothers #1

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

*****

Review:

These two are absolutely adorable together. I loved Penny’s sass and Ryder’s calm competence and the way they play off each other so well as he romances her within her comfort zone. It’s just the sweetest and made my heart go all squishy. Both of them have issues to deal with stemming from someone abusive and it’s his experiences that help him woo her.

Maybe there could have been more to address Ryder’s relationship with his father and the scars that an abusive childhood can leave, buuuut there are 3 more Colburn siblings so I’m going to hope that we get more as the series continues. And I definitely am looking forward to what comes next with this family of loud, big personalities with hearts just as big.

He Falls First has moments of humor and fun but also vulnerability, hurt, and loss. There is so much charm in these families/friends as they provide support, love, and the occasional push when it’s needed. I gotta say, Shalvis always knows how to reel me in – by giving me entertaining, lovable, real characters. And in this case a cursing parrot … 😆

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).

Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillshalvis
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis

~

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

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