Tabs’ review of When We Fall (Take The Fall, Book 2) by Marquita Valentine
Contemporary Romance published by Loveswept 8 Dec 2015
We have a best friend’s brother romance in the house! I know this is a really popular trope, but it doesn’t usually turn my head one way or the other. It does work really well in this romance, though, as it gives the characters an established history and sets up a middleman who can help them cross their divide.
Piper Ross has been crazy about her best friend’s brother, Jase, since she was a teenager, but she can’t seem to put two words together or keep from falling on her face around him. Jase, for his part, thinks Piper is hotness on a stick, but he’s convinced his just-released-from-prison bad-boy self is no good for her.
Jase has standard bad-boy insecurity syndrome, but it’s relatively understandable. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks and just served a seven-year sentence for a crime he was wrongly convicted of. He’s crazy about Piper, but he puts her on a pedestal. He agrees to let her room in his house and work at his tattoo shop pretty much before he can stop himself. But he also acts like a buttface and tries to push her away. Luckily, his bad-ass sister totally has his number (and his back) and encourages Piper to not put up with his crap.
Piper may have grown up amid wealth and privilege, but those aren’t what is important in life for her at all. She’s a really kind and sensitive woman who is trying to break free from her emotionally abusive parents and live her own life. She’s also passionate and dedicated to the career as a counselor that she’s trying to build.
Jase and Piper are totally cute. They’re cute before they even get together with their constant misinterpretations of the other’s signals. They’re even cuter once they finally make things official. Their unwavering support for each other makes them a good pair. Unfortunately, this is one of those books where, once the initial hurtles are climbed, there’s nothing really keeping the couple apart. So, of course, that means there’s external drama. Piper’s parents are such poorly outlined cartoon villains. They pretty much only show up to move the plot along, and if you think too hard about details concerning them, your head will hurt.
Overall, I enjoyed When We Fall, even if it did have its flaws. I’d like to go back and read Jase’s sister’s story and I’ll likely read the next book as well. (This darn reviewing gig is definitely not helping my TBR situation.)
Grade: B
Summary:
The last time Piper Ross saw her best friend’s sexy older brother, Jase Simmons, he was being taken away in handcuffs. Seven years later, two things haven’t changed: Piper is still head-over-heels in love with him . . . and Forrestville’s chief of police—Piper’s dad—still hates his guts. So when Piper sees a chance to get close to Jase, she makes her move—literally. As his new roommate, and as the office manager of his tattoo shop, Piper won’t be satisfied until Jase knows that she wants to be his.
The quintessential good girl, Piper is pure temptation for Jase. The only reason he’s always kept his distance is because she’s the last person he’d ever want to hurt. But once he realizes that Piper is ready to take the leap, everything just makes sense. Suddenly Jase feels like a new man—until nasty rumors start swirling and Piper’s heartless father stirs up even more trouble. Now Jase must convince Piper that she wasn’t wrong about him . . . because falling in love never felt so right.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
