Resisting the Fall

The divorce never finalized. Neither did their feelings.

The discovery that I was still legally married—years after I thought my divorce was final—was supposed to be the worst thing to happen to me this fall.

It wasn’t.

Because apparently the state of Vermont believes in closure. And no regrets. And court-ordered thirty-day reconciliation efforts. So now, in order to fast-track my divorce from Bennett Walker—my high school sweetheart and the man who walked out on our marriage seven years ago—I’m being forced back to the small town we grew up in to spend an entire month proving our relationship isn’t worth saving.

A situation Ben annoyingly finds amusing.

Which is why I plan to make this the most memorable, insufferable, torturous thirty days of his life. As a prank-loving aficionado, I have countless ideas about how to drive Ben crazy while keeping myself focused on the goal: finalizing our divorce.

With my life in New York and a career I absolutely love, not even deeply embedded habits and old feelings can threaten my resolve.

I’m resolved.

So resolved.

Absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent resolved. And if I keep saying it, maybe this time around, I’ll be capable of resisting the fall.

My Review:

What a fun and sometimes angsty (but not too angsty) Second Chance Romance. And it is sooooo romantical! I was a little bit worried about the divorced but not divorced angle, fearful that it would start out with a more combative feel – like an enemies to more trope with a vicious bite – BUT it totally wasn’t that at all. Yay!

‘Resisting the Fall’ is funny and tender and there are insightful flashbacks into Ben and Maven’s youth that were so entertaining. And all the way through the story I could feel the push/pull of their attraction which made for a delightfully edgy read. We know they are divorced…well almost divorced due to an unfortunate (or fortunate) oversight, but we don’t know for the longest time what exactly broke them apart. It about drove me crazy because I could see how good they were together.

Love the strong sense of community and friendship in this novel (the whole series, actually.) As well as all the fall festivities which enhanced my appreciation of the season. Plus, catching glimpses of the other couples in the series at various stages of their own romances added even more glee to my bibliophile giddy! My first Jess Heileman novel, but it won’t be my last!

20 thoughts on “Resisting the Fall”

  1. Jess Heileman is a new to me author as well. RESISTING THE FALL sounds like a fun read and you know I love second chances. 😊

    Thank you for bringing both author and book to my attention.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  2. This book looks so interesting and was the one I was most looking forward to in the Falling For Autumn Series. Unfortunately I found out that the author is Mormon which led to my skipping that one. I assume there is not any religious references in the book but still my conscience wouldn’t allow me to read it.

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    1. The whole series are in the Closed Door Romance category – not Christian Fiction. Also, I believe that most if not all the authors of this series are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As are many of the Closed Door authors I read. Sarah M. Eden (her husband sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I believe), Sian Ann Bessey, Rebecca Connolly, Deborah M. Hathaway, Joanna Barker, Arlem Hawks, Joanna Barker, Krista Jensen, Amy Harmon…so many more. Honestly I think LDS authors are the backbone of the Closed Door / Clean Romance industry.

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      1. Oh that’s good to know. I was wondering because I saw in some of the bios that many of the authors for this specific series are from Utah. I also understand that it’s a personal conviction and I understand if a Christian reader doesn’t have a problem reading them because they are clean/closed door fiction. Happy reading Kav!

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    1. It’s funny because I actually skipped over it because I was worried about the divorced couple being snarky to each other and this couldn’t have been more different. So well done. I’m only halfway through the series. Next up is Becky Monson’s — the innkeeper heroine who is always helping everyone else. Looking forward to it.

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  4. Thank you for the interesting review and education in your comments. I appreciate Sarah Eden’s well written and totally safe reads, even for a teenage girl. I think probably you introduced me to Joanna Barker’s books. I own a novella and found my library has several of her full length books. I try to enjoy a variety of good authors.

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    1. I’ve been enjoying catching up with Sarah M. Eden, though I have a long way to go! And I’ve just come away from the Cornish coast via a Deborah M. Hathaway novel which is rich in Cornish culture and seafaring lore. And yes, a variety of good authors is a joy…especially when they write Regencies. 🙂

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  5. This has been my favorite of the series so far. I read the first 4, then skipped to Falling for Keeps by Martha Keyes. I was thinking of stopping the series because I have read so many books in a row where one of them thinks they aren’t good enough for the other (or worthy of them) and I am tired of it. Have a good weekend!

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    1. Sandy said it was her favourite too. Interesting take on that worthiness theme among the books. I wonder if it’s more noticable because the books are released so close together and we’re trying to read them as they come out? I was also wondering if 8 books is a bit long for a series like this — six might have been easier to keep up with – especially for readers like me who don’t read ebooks. Pretty pricey to be buying each book in such a short time span. Hooray for KU for you ebook readers! Have a great weekend, Cindy. Carve in some reading time!

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      1. I have been listening to them on Hoopla. I think I did read the ebook for the first one though. Maybe it is more noticeable because I have been listening to them back to back, but even several other books that I have been reading have had it in it too! I am reading In the Shelter Of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd and it has the same theme! It’s crazy, but it’s what I keep picking up :/

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      2. Huh, I didn’t realize it was such a common theme! It would be interesting to note how each author handles the topic though. My hoopla doesn’t have the Falling for Autumn series! Boo hoo! Maybe I should pause and see if they pick them up in November.

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  6. Oh my, what a situation to find yourself in. And small towns are always great for a love story, this sort of place where pretty much everybody knows you.

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    1. The authors have done a great job of keeping it visible on social media. It helps to have the combined following of all eight authors too. Great marketing strategy there. Happy Reading, Jo Ruth!

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