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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