The stars align and leave you breathless. Free Fall puts everything on the line. Jules and Ben are HOT with a capital H. He's the heartbreaker with nothing to lose. She's the girl stuck in a rut. Can they make it last forever or will their differences spell game over? A sizzler.
What an exciting little read!
It was my first time reading a book from Brad Thor, and I loved the subject matter. Who wouldn't enjoy an espionage thriller with Somali pirates? I know I did, and it also made me want to read more from the author. I even may start this series right, since this novella is #11.5 in the series, but I didn't know that when I sat to read it. I don't think it mattered anyway. I don't feel like I missed out on anything previously so it's all good.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw Nora Fisher. The way my heart sped up in my chest and blood rushed through every part of me. I was drawn to her the moment our eyes met.
She was beautiful.
Guarded.
Damaged.
Just like me.
I never meant to hurt the only woman I’ve ever loved. She was light, and I was dark, casting shadows on everything around me. Letting her go meant spiraling back into the darkness only Nora could pull me from. But I’d sacrifice myself a thousand times for her.
Four years later, she’s back, and the passion she ignites makes the fight for her stronger. But the more I try to make things right, the more I realize how complicated things have become.
And now I'm starting to see that maybe her light was never meant to be mine.
Free Fall is a standalone, contemporary romance.
Still, the thought of getting naked with Jack scares me as much as it exhilarates me. I want to make him feel. I want to make him happy.
“I want to,” I whisper, feeling the spark bust into a wildfire.
“Stop,” he growls and sits up. “Not now. Not here.”
He doesn’t have to explain it for me to understand. Things won’t end with a kiss. I take my hand from his side and interlock our fingers again. I move up and lean against the wall, looking through the cut-out window at the stars.
He tightens the grip on my hand. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Keep going like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Because there has to be. I’m scared of the dark, and the only way to get back to the light is to keep going. Even when the light is fading, and things seem impossible. You just keep going.”
“Don’t you ever want to give up?”
I’m nothing but honest. I don’t need to hold up a front around Jack. “Yes. Especially lately. But what good would that do? My grandma used to tell me ‘you can’t lose if you’re trying’, and I never really got it before. I guess it’s kinda like losing a battle but not the war, and the only person you’re truly at war with is yourself.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“Mimi had a unique way of looking at the world. She was tough. The strongest person I’ve ever known. My grandpa died like a year and a half before my mom. She lost her husband and then her daughter so close together. And then had to take in a six-year-old.”
“You’re tough too.”
“So are you.”
Jack shakes his head. “No. I’m not.”
“What you did was so brave.”
“Being brave and being tough are different. The toughness comes after you did that brave thing. And I…I’ve given up.” He trains his eyes on mine, airing his vulnerabilities. “I didn’t see the point in trying to find the light again.”
“Do you see the point now?”
“I see you.” Jack’s brow furrows, jaw tensing. He’s fighting against his emotions, and I want him to lose. I want him to give in to me, even though I shouldn’t.
I can’t help it.
About the Author:
Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters. She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends. Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
Jamie Tolland has only ever known his small Oregon town. Same job, same friends, same gay bar. He feels obligated to stay, especially as his mother’s illness progresses. But when a situation presents itself in the form of a vintage sports car, he jumps on the chance to not only repair it, but also drive it to its new owner in LA.
Conner Murphy left Oregon years ago to make his life in West Hollywood. Like his unconventional parents, he’s always been a free spirit, never settling on one job or girl for too long. When he inherits his late uncle’s classic Chevelle, he’s more than happy to let his childhood friend Jamie help.
Jamie and Conner are as different as night and day. Even after years of living apart, they still have a blast together—but now it’s mixed with an undeniable spark of attraction. Before they know it, they can’t keep their hands off each other. For Conner it’s all new and exciting, but Jamie isn’t the type of guy who takes this sort of intimacy lightly.
Conner soon realizes that Jamie quenches something deep inside of him that no one has before, but he doesn’t know how to handle a real relationship. As Jamie’s time in LA comes to an end, and the more they struggle to get on the same page about their feelings, the more Jamie realizes that trying to tie Conner down is as futile as capturing the sun.
Review
Watching Conner and Jamie fall in a love is a joy. They were friends as kids and while Conner has never been with a man he has always had an open sexuality.
Jamie leaves his small town and gets to experience LA. This book is a little love note to Los Angles which is always a treat because it is a great unrated city.
Conner is open hearted and kind and sunny but he has layers and complexities. The family lives of our heroes add textures to this love story as do the circle of friends.
Then, we get s pretty sweet romantic gesture to send us on your HEA way.
Ben Emerson has lived by his minister father’s rules most of his life. Born into an ultra-conservative church community, he’s finally brave enough to break free and move to San Francisco. Distancing himself certainly helps create a new mindset, but living as an openly gay man takes some getting used to. When he reaches out to Xavier, a childhood friend who lives in the city, Ben isn’t sure how he’ll respond given their thorny history. Ben hopes the familiar connection will help him right some wrongs as well as provide the solace he’s been craving. Xavier Ramos is who he is, and he doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks. Whether it’s eyeliner, nail polish, tattoos or his love of hooking up, he uses his body as a form of self-expression but doesn’t let anyone get too close. When Ben reenters his life, Xavier helps him experience the city and feel comfortable in his own skin. Seeing the world through Ben’s eyes, he begins to wonder if he’s also not living as freely as he thought. When Xavier challenges Ben’s beliefs about sex, it becomes explosive—for both of them. Xavier breaks apart Ben’s sheltered world and shows him what it’s like to live out loud. The more time they spend together, the more Xavier begins to long for Ben in a different way—one that both surprises and scares him. But real life doesn’t fade into the background, so when Ben’s past comes knocking, old habits are hard to break. Testing the foundation of their deepening connection will take a trust that will either bind them…or tear them apart.
Review
This is a sweet, tender, hot and healing romance featuring Ben from the Free Fall series and Xavier.
They are both complex heroes who need a happily ever after and get one. This book looks at conversion therapy and its horrors while celebrating the joy of love and touch.
Very well written and moving.
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