Caffeinated Reviewer

Free Falling by Jill Shalvis is the second standalone small-town romance in the Colburn Brothers series, and I devoured it. Former college rivals find themselves working together to restore a historical home in this sexy romance featuring the retired hockey player Caleb Colburn.

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…

Coffee Dates with Free Falling

While the Colburn Brothers series has an overall arc dealing with their father, each book can be read as a standalone and features a brothers’ romance and the falling stars their town is named for.

• First Date: The story is told from the points of view of Emma and Caleb through alternating chapters. In the first we meet Emma who has just arrived in Star Falls, California. Things haven’t been good after her apartment burned down, but she has plans to turn her temporary job at the architect firm Henderson and Hall. Our meet-cute happens at a historic mansion that is being renovated. The contractors need change approved..and it turns out to be her college nemesis, Caleb. I love a good forced proximity, enemies to lovers story and settled in to watch the heated sparks fly.
• Second Date: Oh, the attraction is there and I am hoping these two can open up about past issues and get to know one another. The chemistry is off the charts, but these two are playing a game and I loved the snark, banter and slow-build as we got updates on familiar characters, dealt with some theft, and began to really get to know both Emma and Caleb.
• Third Date: Did I mention I love series/stories involving brothers? I adore these men and their sassy sister. Emma opens up, as does Caleb, which has me rooting for a happy ever after. I am just hoping miscommunication and stubbornness don’t get in the way. The romance feels genuine, and the passion is electric. Emma has been keeping some secrets, and once revealed, the romance really picks up.

Free Falling checked all the boxes and left me smiling. I cannot wait for Tucker’s story releasing in July. If you love brothers, small-town sexy romance and healing, this story is for you.

Amazon | Audible

About Jill Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras with her family and far too many assorted quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's latest, ONE IN A MILLION, on shelves and e-readers now, and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold.

Website | Facebook

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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