![The Hardest Fall by [Maise, Ella]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ctgt1ChKL._SY346_.jpg)
Sometimes a meet-cute isn't a meet-cute at all. Sometimes it's a meet-whole helluva lot of awkward. But the impression has been made so it can only go up from there, right? Well not so in the case of Zoe Clarke. She and Dylan Reed stumble through three before things take hold. Their first two meetings were disasters but something kept bringing them together. The circumstances surrounding the third are the hardest and yet they're the ones that will keep them together if Zoe can find the courage to share the secrets plaguing her. If they can overcome that, Dylan's pride and career will be lemon pie.
So many excellent one-liners in this story. I'm sure making the teaser graphics were only difficult because there were too many to choose from. The sentiments, the confessions, the almost poetic way Zoe has with how she rambles and spills everything from her heart and head so it jumbles together into a beautiful mess of feels. Dylan's heart is much more straightforward and the way he adored every weird quirk, gesture, and obliviously sexy thing about Zoe was all tenderness aimed straight for the cockles of my heart.
Cute, quirky, honest, big heart, earnest Zoe. Devoted, sweet, focused, wonderful Dylan. Really, really liked this story. I actually liked how the story led me on like it did Dylan until we got the real story from Zoe like that's how we should have read the situation all along. It was a surprise and yet not drawn out for days and days for it all to come to a gigantic explosion of awful in the last three chapters. Yes, there was a bit of extended angst concerning the situation but the way it was written was engaging rather than just being strung along to increase tension artificially.
Having a solid supporting cast also gave the story a boost. Even though there wasn't a lot of time spent on background for the side characters we get a good general idea of who they are, why they are who they are to Zoe and Dylan, and why they are important to the progress and evolution of the overall story. The drama that came from their friends could probably have been left out but I think it helped the evolution of the Zoe and Dylan story by giving another focus, a way to encourage change, and an opportunity to see them show loyalty and to bond more deeply to one another as well.
The resolution was good, not exactly formula either. We did have Dylan being all butt-hurt and acting out a little, but it was minimal, controlled, and honest. Then when he found out the truth his immediate reaction sealed the deal for me. I wish there had been a little more groveling because he was on the other side of a similar misunderstanding and should have shown more understanding in the beginning but going after her as he did and baring his heart as he did calmed my need for a good grovel a bit.
And that ending, good Lord, the feels!! I loved the ending so hard it's not even a joke at this point. Being that it was from Dylan's POV we get to see how deep his heart actually goes. His love for Zoe, his life, and all the pieces that made them special as a partnership came together beautifully. The ending was longer than most in this genre and I can't tell you how much that made this story better. It gave ample time for us to settle into their happiness, believe in their future. Throughout the entire story I was charmed by the uniqueness of the characters, invested in their outcome, and absorbed by the events. Win, all kinds of win.
Lemon pie? You know, "easy peasy, lemon squeezy" and "easy as pie" put together? No? Or maybe I should have jut gone with "piece of cake" instead? Well, whatever, you get the idea. Back to the point...
Cute, quirky, honest, big heart, earnest Zoe. Devoted, sweet, focused, wonderful Dylan. Really, really liked this story. I actually liked how the story led me on like it did Dylan until we got the real story from Zoe like that's how we should have read the situation all along. It was a surprise and yet not drawn out for days and days for it all to come to a gigantic explosion of awful in the last three chapters. Yes, there was a bit of extended angst concerning the situation but the way it was written was engaging rather than just being strung along to increase tension artificially.
Having a solid supporting cast also gave the story a boost. Even though there wasn't a lot of time spent on background for the side characters we get a good general idea of who they are, why they are who they are to Zoe and Dylan, and why they are important to the progress and evolution of the overall story. The drama that came from their friends could probably have been left out but I think it helped the evolution of the Zoe and Dylan story by giving another focus, a way to encourage change, and an opportunity to see them show loyalty and to bond more deeply to one another as well.
The resolution was good, not exactly formula either. We did have Dylan being all butt-hurt and acting out a little, but it was minimal, controlled, and honest. Then when he found out the truth his immediate reaction sealed the deal for me. I wish there had been a little more groveling because he was on the other side of a similar misunderstanding and should have shown more understanding in the beginning but going after her as he did and baring his heart as he did calmed my need for a good grovel a bit.
And that ending, good Lord, the feels!! I loved the ending so hard it's not even a joke at this point. Being that it was from Dylan's POV we get to see how deep his heart actually goes. His love for Zoe, his life, and all the pieces that made them special as a partnership came together beautifully. The ending was longer than most in this genre and I can't tell you how much that made this story better. It gave ample time for us to settle into their happiness, believe in their future. Throughout the entire story I was charmed by the uniqueness of the characters, invested in their outcome, and absorbed by the events. Win, all kinds of win.
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Author Bio
Writing has become my world and I can’t imagine myself doing
anything other than giving life to new characters and new stories. You know how
some things simply makes your heart burst with happiness? A really good book, a
puppy, hugging someone you’ve been missing like crazy? That’s what writing does
to me. And all the hard work, all the sleepless nights, all the
anxiety…everything is worth it at the end. And I'm hoping that reading my books
will leave you with that same happy feeling.
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