Title: Falling
Series: Fall or Break, Book 1
Author: Barbara Elsborg
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: March 24, 2015 by Samhain Publishing
Harper is no longer behind bars, but it doesn’t feel like it. Ten years serving time for a crime he didn’t commit have left him shut down, numb, and a frozen wreck over the simplest of choices.
He’s acutely aware of the dark-haired young man checking him out in the supermarket, but he’s too deep in panic mode to even meet the guy’s gaze. Afraid the slightest move will trigger a fall that will never stop.
Fresh off a long-term relationship with a controlling man, Malachi is stuck living with relatives who think he’s a waste of oxygen. The tall guy in the long, gray coat is the first bright spot he’s glimpsed in a long time…though the man’s unblinking stare at a bottle of shower gel is a touch alarming.
Hard experience tells both of them to turn away before lust turns to hopeless attraction, and inevitably to disaster. But once their sparks connect, the arc of electricity is too strong to deny. Even if the cost is too much to bear.
Warning: Contains an ex-con with disaster written all over him, a boy toy who’s trouble with a capital T, a damp old British house, compulsive meddling, and enough hot sex to cure the severe case of nervous babbling.
Reviewed by: J9
In a Nutshell: Excellent, nuanced romance with outstanding leads and the perfect HEA for this two troubled men.
Why I Read This Book: The synopsis hooked me.
What I Liked: I adored these characters and their relationship. Unlike a lot of romance where readers are told a character is charming, Malachi is TOTALLY charming here. He’s witty, sassy and so heartfelt. Malachi could have been toughened by his troubled life but instead he looks for the fun in life and more still, he opens the door for Harper. A perfect example is when Malachi takes Harper go-carting: the joy, hope and love Malachi feels permeates this adventure as much as it does the men’s overall relationship. I could see why Harper would fall ass over heels in love with Malachi’s warmth, humor and sensuality. I may have a bit too!
Harper’s less of dynamic character than Malachi but it’s a case of still waters running deep here! He’s starved for human connection after ten years of wrongful conviction and the way he consumes Malachi, both emotionally and sexually, is powerful in its intensity.
But the lovely surprise of these two stellar characters’ relationship is how they communicate. I was worried going in that the tension would be Harper keeping his wrongful conviction secret from Malachi but it wasn’t. The scene early on in the book where Harper shares his story is a brutally honest, frank and unflinching exploration of his emotional wounds. This lays the groundwork of how Harper and Malachi communicate with each other. Yes, they hurt each other and ignore a few phone calls but in the end they openly and honestly talk. This relationship is emotionally and sexually intense and I think gay romance fans will adore it!
What I Also Liked: The plot isn’t going to shock anyone but I enjoyed getting to the end very much. I don’t want to spoil it but I will say that a character I thought I was going to hate turned out to be way more complicated than I expected. I daresay if this character is a hero in another book I would read it just to see how this talented author pulls off his story.
I also have to mention the lovely epilogue. It was the perfect cherry on top of this delicious story.
What I Disliked: The only thing keeping Falling from being a book I’ll re-read was the dark subject matter.
IMO: Anyone who loves damaged leads getting their well-deserved HEA in an erotic and emotional romance will love this book. I’m off to see if this author has more books I can read.
J9’s Rating:
This just went on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteLoved this story <3
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