Title: Fall
Author: Kristen Callihan
Series: VIP #3
Publisher: Plane Jane Books
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Recieved an electronic copy from the author/InkSlinger PR for the purpose of this blog tour in exchange for an honest review

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Rating: 4 stars

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. 

In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. 

Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. 

Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor. 

An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room. 

Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. 

Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. 

All we have to do is trust enough to fall. 

Review:

“I am so aware of this woman, it isn’t funny. And smitten. Ridiculously smitten. It’s worse, now that I know her taste, how she feels against my mouth, under my hands. She’s my new favourite song; I want to play her over and over.”

Stella and Jax were such an adorable pairing. From the moment the laid eyes on each other that fateful night in the grocery store, it was obvious those two were going to have a large impact in each others’ lives. Both of them had serious trust issues, with Stella being abandoned by her scumbag father over and over again, and Jax being in such a dark place. But despite that, these two were made for each other.

The other members of the band were perfect. Sophie and Scottie were my absolute favourite and I can’t wait to dive into the first two books of the VIP series when I have a spare moment. I’m sure they’re just as wonderful as this book was.

“But it didn’t happen. You’re here. The sun is shining on your shoulders. The air is filling your lungs. You are here.”

I loved the way Kristen Callihan tackled the topic of depression throughout this novel. It felt so real and poignant, and every time Jax would slip back into that dark place, my heart broke for him. A lot of novels treat depression as something that is suddenly solved when one of the main characters falls in love, which is grossly inaccurate. Callihan did not do this. Of course, Jax was a little happier being in love with Stella, but love did not solve his problems. He still slipped into the crippling mindset that comes with depression. He still had panic attacks. He still suffered. I appreciate Callihan so much for bringing up an important topic, such as mental health, and treating it in such a realistic way. It made me appreciate the story that much more.

Kristen Callahan has such a talent for writing in general. The story was well written, and the chemistry between Stella and Jax was so lovely to read about. I loved watching their relationship develop to the point of their happily ever after.

The pacing of the novel was pretty good as well. It never felt like it was moving the fast or too slow. The story felt natural and it made the experience of reading it that much more enjoyable.

Overall, I’d say Fall was a great romance that also managed to handle the important topic of mental health and depression with such realism and grace. I would highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the other books of the VIP series.

About Kristen Callihan:

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

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