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Fall and Rise Duet #1
Falling
Best friends for their whole lives, Cole and Brooke didn’t plan the pregnancy that led to their teenage marriage.
After a year of being miserable and feeling like a failure, Cole leaves, knowing his wife and child will be looked after by his trust fund, and wanting to make more of his life to make his family proud.
Four years later, he tracks them down, and finds that while he’s lived a good life, she’s struggling—balancing two jobs while raising their daughter, Kaia.
It doesn’t take long for Cole to realise that he doesn’t just want to fix things. He wants to get to know Kaia. And he wants Brooke back.
If only life was that simple.
This book does not contain the conclusion of the story. The story ends in Book 2, Rising.
After a year of being miserable and feeling like a failure, Cole leaves, knowing his wife and child will be looked after by his trust fund, and wanting to make more of his life to make his family proud.
Four years later, he tracks them down, and finds that while he’s lived a good life, she’s struggling—balancing two jobs while raising their daughter, Kaia.
It doesn’t take long for Cole to realise that he doesn’t just want to fix things. He wants to get to know Kaia. And he wants Brooke back.
If only life was that simple.
This book does not contain the conclusion of the story. The story ends in Book 2, Rising.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2018
734 people are currently reading
900 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Smith
24 books160 followersWendy Smith published as Ariadne Wayne for three years before deciding she didn’t want to be someone else all the time. She’s an Apple Books and Nook bestselling author, whose book In the End, written as Ariadne Wayne, was named one of Apple’s best books of 2017. All her stories come with a quirky sense of humour, and she cries over everything.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
hell-fucking-no
December 30, 2019Piece of trash husband leaves his wife that just had a baby because they’re not getting along. He fucking leaves his wife that’s still nursing their 3 month old!He FUCKS other women while still married, even after hiring a PI to find her again. All the while, she’s left working two jobs just to support her and her baby.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS GARBAGE?
What kind of self respecting woman calls this romantic?
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS GARBAGE?
What kind of self respecting woman calls this romantic?
nfmaa
August 5, 2018Seriously???? why isn't this shelved as a horror? this in no way brings",romance" to mind, yet another spineless zero who left his wife with a baby to go and do whatever. Of course he wasn't celibate while doing his thing, but I'm expected to believe that on finding her again he wants her back and to know his child? girl take your child and run away from this idiot!!!
March 6, 2024
This. one is hard to believe it's real. The H ditches his wife (so called best friend) and newborn to go to college then four years later goes, "Gee, I haven't heard much about them. Wonder what's going on?" THAT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION!!!!
His PI finds them pretty quickly unlike his father's who has been waffling for four years. Gee, wonder what happened.
She, like the H, is a dumb bunny. Pops hates her but says he will give her the child support money she's owed if she will only get DNA done. Insulting, yes, but plausible. She's too proud so she works two jobs where she's sexually molested by her boss's old coot of a friend. Take the DNA test!!!! She even goes back to the job where she's sexually harassed AFTER she gets thousands in back child support. Manufactured angst for angst sake.
Oh yeah, and it's a duet that you have to pay for part 2. I really, really love that.
His PI finds them pretty quickly unlike his father's who has been waffling for four years. Gee, wonder what happened.
She, like the H, is a dumb bunny. Pops hates her but says he will give her the child support money she's owed if she will only get DNA done. Insulting, yes, but plausible. She's too proud so she works two jobs where she's sexually molested by her boss's old coot of a friend. Take the DNA test!!!! She even goes back to the job where she's sexually harassed AFTER she gets thousands in back child support. Manufactured angst for angst sake.
Oh yeah, and it's a duet that you have to pay for part 2. I really, really love that.
December 30, 2019
What's up with these authors romanticizing this kind of garbage? If they have an excuse for a man like this in their house they should be ashamed or go to therapy and not throw up that trash and call this a "book"! Please stop! It's ridiculous!
stay-away-from-bad-plot-or-cheating
February 20, 2019Would honestly want to run this 'hero' over with a Mac Truck.
Not wasting my time on a shitty fictional male character when there are plenty in the real world to deal with.
Not wasting my time on a shitty fictional male character when there are plenty in the real world to deal with.
February 21, 2019
I am perplexed. Confused. Astonished - but NOT in a good way.
You see, a while ago I read another book by Wendy Smith. It was good, and I liked how the author didn’t take the cliched route with her plot. So I put that series down on my list of books I wanted to watch for. Then I saw this duet by Ms. Smith, and second-chance romances are my jam, so I downloaded the first book and plowed in.
Cole and Brooke were best friends growing up. But on the night of their prom, they took things into boyfriend/girlfriend territory. She got pregnant, and their moms talked them into getting married. After one year, they are apparently miserable, so Cole leaves Brooke behind and goes off to college, leaving his father in charge of making sure Brooke receives child support payments out of his trust fund.
Now it’s four years later and Cole has decided he wants to know what Brooke and his four year old daughter are up to. With the help of a private investigator, he’s shocked to find they live not far away from him in a bad part of town, and that Brooke is working two jobs.
When Cole approaches Brooke, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with him. But Cole promises to make everything right and win her back...
I hate to be disparaging in my reviews. But there’s no gentle way for me say this.
I think this book was awful. The writing was bad. The dialogue was painfully cringe-worthy. The hero was a self-centered ass and the heroine was lame.
How was this written by the same author? Did everyone else read a different book from me???
(WARNING: mildly ranty and potentially spoilerish review ahead)
I’m not one to categorically dislike a book just because a man has other partners after he leaves his girlfriend/wife. Usually it doesn’t bother me if there were relatively good reasons. But right off the bat Cole came off as a jackass. Maybe it’s because we get no backstory about Cole and Brooke - the story starts with him telling her he’s leaving because they aren’t getting along. Then we fast forward four years and Cole is talking with a co-worker who tells him it’s been too long since he got laid. Cole’s all “yeah, it’s been six months so you’re right.” No thoughts whatsoever about the woman - AND HIS CHILD - he left behind, WHO HE PAID A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR TO FIND. Did I mention they didn’t actually divorce?
So, yeah, I think he's a jackass.
And Brooke...she gives him the cold shoulder for all of a couple days, then says things like this:
“I thought you were out of our lives for good. But you’ve done nothing but try and make things up to me. To us.”
No sweetheart, he hasn’t done jack squat at this point. He’s told you he’s going to get you the money you’re owed, but HASN’T actually done it. He’s done NOTHING except paid to have you hunted down and tell you he’s sorry (and being sorry seems to be a recent epiphany of his, not something he agonized over the whole time you were apart). If a “man” announces he’s leaving you while you’re in the middle of nursing your three-month-old infant, he needs to do more than talk before you forgive him.
Maybe this book fell SO short for me because so much was told to us instead of shown. There wasn’t anything plot-wise that I disliked - how they ended up married, how and why they separated, how they became reacquainted. But I did dislike the characters, a whole lot. This story could have been so good, but the execution was so lacking in any kind of development (plot or character) that I’m not even going to read the second part. I’m so irritated with the writing and the characters, that I don’t even care if they find their way back to each other. And for someone who LOVES that happily-ever-after for a couple who lost it the first time, that is saying A LOT.
You see, a while ago I read another book by Wendy Smith. It was good, and I liked how the author didn’t take the cliched route with her plot. So I put that series down on my list of books I wanted to watch for. Then I saw this duet by Ms. Smith, and second-chance romances are my jam, so I downloaded the first book and plowed in.
Cole and Brooke were best friends growing up. But on the night of their prom, they took things into boyfriend/girlfriend territory. She got pregnant, and their moms talked them into getting married. After one year, they are apparently miserable, so Cole leaves Brooke behind and goes off to college, leaving his father in charge of making sure Brooke receives child support payments out of his trust fund.
Now it’s four years later and Cole has decided he wants to know what Brooke and his four year old daughter are up to. With the help of a private investigator, he’s shocked to find they live not far away from him in a bad part of town, and that Brooke is working two jobs.
When Cole approaches Brooke, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with him. But Cole promises to make everything right and win her back...
I hate to be disparaging in my reviews. But there’s no gentle way for me say this.
I think this book was awful. The writing was bad. The dialogue was painfully cringe-worthy. The hero was a self-centered ass and the heroine was lame.
How was this written by the same author? Did everyone else read a different book from me???
(WARNING: mildly ranty and potentially spoilerish review ahead)
I’m not one to categorically dislike a book just because a man has other partners after he leaves his girlfriend/wife. Usually it doesn’t bother me if there were relatively good reasons. But right off the bat Cole came off as a jackass. Maybe it’s because we get no backstory about Cole and Brooke - the story starts with him telling her he’s leaving because they aren’t getting along. Then we fast forward four years and Cole is talking with a co-worker who tells him it’s been too long since he got laid. Cole’s all “yeah, it’s been six months so you’re right.” No thoughts whatsoever about the woman - AND HIS CHILD - he left behind, WHO HE PAID A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR TO FIND. Did I mention they didn’t actually divorce?
So, yeah, I think he's a jackass.
And Brooke...she gives him the cold shoulder for all of a couple days, then says things like this:
“I thought you were out of our lives for good. But you’ve done nothing but try and make things up to me. To us.”
No sweetheart, he hasn’t done jack squat at this point. He’s told you he’s going to get you the money you’re owed, but HASN’T actually done it. He’s done NOTHING except paid to have you hunted down and tell you he’s sorry (and being sorry seems to be a recent epiphany of his, not something he agonized over the whole time you were apart). If a “man” announces he’s leaving you while you’re in the middle of nursing your three-month-old infant, he needs to do more than talk before you forgive him.
Maybe this book fell SO short for me because so much was told to us instead of shown. There wasn’t anything plot-wise that I disliked - how they ended up married, how and why they separated, how they became reacquainted. But I did dislike the characters, a whole lot. This story could have been so good, but the execution was so lacking in any kind of development (plot or character) that I’m not even going to read the second part. I’m so irritated with the writing and the characters, that I don’t even care if they find their way back to each other. And for someone who LOVES that happily-ever-after for a couple who lost it the first time, that is saying A LOT.
July 16, 2018
I am not sure how to rate this one.
Reconciliation marriage is one of my favorite genres.
The reason for the separation in this story is very selfish. That said he wants to make a career for himself which would affect both their futures but he just seems, on the surface of it, to walk away from his young wife and baby daughter.
Something to bear in mind is he is very young to handle the responsibility and this is reflected in the way he relies on his father. But that said, she is also young and while he goes off to live his life, she is left literally 'holding the baby'. He believes he has provided for her financially but still......
There are quite a few misunderstandings and interference which hinder their relationship and lead to a long-term separation spanning years.
I know they are separated and he has hired a P.I. to find her but he has a conversation quite early on about 'getting laid' as it's been 6 months since he has been with a woman so technically he is cheating. Again while she has been left 'holding the baby'.
Even if he views himself as single, he isn't, there are misunderstandings from the original separation which may lead them both to believe their marriage is over but he refers to her as his 'wife' shortly after this conversation.
So if being with other women/men is a trigger for you, there are no details or intimate scenes but he is not celibate during the separation. But 6 months ago is not manwhore status either. The heroine also tries to move on.
He does seem genuinely remorseful of his abandoning them, even stating it was the wrong thing to do and tries to make up for it and work at rebuilding his wife's trust.
I think maybe book 2 may affect how i ultimately view this book.
As a side note I was irritated that there is no release date mentioned for book 2 when this ends on a cliffhanger and is a Duet. A fellow reviewer said she thought it would be soon.
Reconciliation marriage is one of my favorite genres.
The reason for the separation in this story is very selfish. That said he wants to make a career for himself which would affect both their futures but he just seems, on the surface of it, to walk away from his young wife and baby daughter.
Something to bear in mind is he is very young to handle the responsibility and this is reflected in the way he relies on his father. But that said, she is also young and while he goes off to live his life, she is left literally 'holding the baby'. He believes he has provided for her financially but still......
There are quite a few misunderstandings and interference which hinder their relationship and lead to a long-term separation spanning years.
I know they are separated and he has hired a P.I. to find her but he has a conversation quite early on about 'getting laid' as it's been 6 months since he has been with a woman so technically he is cheating. Again while she has been left 'holding the baby'.
Even if he views himself as single, he isn't, there are misunderstandings from the original separation which may lead them both to believe their marriage is over but he refers to her as his 'wife' shortly after this conversation.
So if being with other women/men is a trigger for you, there are no details or intimate scenes but he is not celibate during the separation. But 6 months ago is not manwhore status either. The heroine also tries to move on.
He does seem genuinely remorseful of his abandoning them, even stating it was the wrong thing to do and tries to make up for it and work at rebuilding his wife's trust.
I think maybe book 2 may affect how i ultimately view this book.
As a side note I was irritated that there is no release date mentioned for book 2 when this ends on a cliffhanger and is a Duet. A fellow reviewer said she thought it would be soon.
August 22, 2018
To say I hated the characters is the biggest understatement in the world. I was so furious that he would leave in such a selfish way made me want to throw my tablet out the window!!! It just gets worse from there.
I'm giving it two stars because while the characters and the plotlines were offensive, the writing is well done.
My Rating: 2 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
I'm giving it two stars because while the characters and the plotlines were offensive, the writing is well done.
My Rating: 2 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
June 14, 2025
What in the missed angst opportunity was this? I went in mostly blind because I don't trust the low reviews ever. But this was kind of unbelievable to be honest. Leaning towards unrealistic. Both characters chemistry was about as fun as watching paint dry. At this point watching paint dry could be more exciting. The H's whiplash switch of all of sudden being in love. The h's real quick switch into forgiveness. This story could have been better, but just wasn't well developed. Zero angst. Neither celibate though married at 19. Unrequited love from the h which wasn't believable. And this has a part 2. 🥴 Amnesia has now been added, and all of a sudden the h hit bitch mode. 🤷 I'll finish it, but I don't recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 7, 2024If Myron Gaines has a baby with Andrew Tate, this is what he's look like.
The MMC is a woman's worst nightmare. Better not come in my sight, I might off him.
The MMC is a woman's worst nightmare. Better not come in my sight, I might off him.
November 30, 2023
Everyone was just mehh.. the MMC is so dumb for trusting his dad, taking his dad's word as law. Not making an effort what a loser. Then he comes back and everything felt rushed he suddenly felt he loved her when clearly their relationship was never a think they went from friends to lovers to married friends expecting a baby together. Hated how he was wine and dine the MFC instead of making an effort to get to know his daughter. Very underwhelming.
July 13, 2018
I am not sure how to rate this one.
Reconciliation marriage is one of my favorite genres.
The reason for the separation in this story is very selfish. That said he wants to make a career for himself which would affect both their futures but he just seems, on the surface of it, to walk away from his young wife and baby daughter.
Something to bear in mind is he is very young to handle the responsibility and this is reflected in the way he relies on his father. But that said, she is also young and while he goes off to live his life, she is left literally 'holding the baby'. He believes he has provided for her financially but still......
There are quite a few misunderstandings and interference which hinder their relationship and lead to a long-term separation spanning years.
I know they are separated and he has hired a P.I. to find her but he has a conversation quite early on about 'getting laid' as it's been 6 months since he has been with a woman so technically he is cheating. Again while she has been left 'holding the baby'. Even if he views himself as single, he isn't, there are misunderstandings from the original separation which may lead them both to believe their marriage is over but he refers to her as his 'wife' shortly after this conversation.
So if being with other women/men is a trigger for you, there are no details or intimate scenes but he is not celibate during the separation.
He does seem genuinely remorseful of his abandoning them, even stating it was the wrong thing to do and tries to make up for it and work at rebuilding his wife's trust.
I think maybe book 2 may affect how i ultimately view this book.
As a side note I was irritated that there is no release date mentioned for book 2 when this ends on a cliffhanger and is a Duet. A fellow reviewer said she thought it would be soon.
Reconciliation marriage is one of my favorite genres.
The reason for the separation in this story is very selfish. That said he wants to make a career for himself which would affect both their futures but he just seems, on the surface of it, to walk away from his young wife and baby daughter.
Something to bear in mind is he is very young to handle the responsibility and this is reflected in the way he relies on his father. But that said, she is also young and while he goes off to live his life, she is left literally 'holding the baby'. He believes he has provided for her financially but still......
There are quite a few misunderstandings and interference which hinder their relationship and lead to a long-term separation spanning years.
I know they are separated and he has hired a P.I. to find her but he has a conversation quite early on about 'getting laid' as it's been 6 months since he has been with a woman so technically he is cheating. Again while she has been left 'holding the baby'. Even if he views himself as single, he isn't, there are misunderstandings from the original separation which may lead them both to believe their marriage is over but he refers to her as his 'wife' shortly after this conversation.
So if being with other women/men is a trigger for you, there are no details or intimate scenes but he is not celibate during the separation.
He does seem genuinely remorseful of his abandoning them, even stating it was the wrong thing to do and tries to make up for it and work at rebuilding his wife's trust.
I think maybe book 2 may affect how i ultimately view this book.
As a side note I was irritated that there is no release date mentioned for book 2 when this ends on a cliffhanger and is a Duet. A fellow reviewer said she thought it would be soon.
March 14, 2019
Piece of shit leaves his wife to go make a life for himself and leave her holding the new born, literally!
After he’s fucked numerous other women, while still married, he gets a P.I. To find his wife and kid.
Then he wants his family back. Dude you don’t deserve a family! And what kind of real woman in her right mind would want him back after she has done everything on her own, no help from his hateful family, works 2 jobs to give her daughter a halfway decent life, while he’s been out there living it up with no responsibilities!!
I don’t see how ANYONE can call this romance!! I call it Garbage 🗑
I’d love to get my money back but I learned a lesson on this one, don’t buy the books, get a sample first!
After he’s fucked numerous other women, while still married, he gets a P.I. To find his wife and kid.
Then he wants his family back. Dude you don’t deserve a family! And what kind of real woman in her right mind would want him back after she has done everything on her own, no help from his hateful family, works 2 jobs to give her daughter a halfway decent life, while he’s been out there living it up with no responsibilities!!
I don’t see how ANYONE can call this romance!! I call it Garbage 🗑
I’d love to get my money back but I learned a lesson on this one, don’t buy the books, get a sample first!
July 1, 2019
Well, this was a very predictable and boring read. None of the characters were especially interesting or poorly written, and the plot felt very formulated.
Basically, the story opens with Cole leaving his wife, Brooke, and young daughter, Kaia. Cole and Brooke were best friends until one night during high school, where they have intercourse and produce Kaia. Cole’s wealthy father provides a house for the best friends-turned-couple despite being very suspicious of Brooke and Kaia (to be honest, I felt that was fair, given how desirable and wealthy Cole seemed).
But then Cole leaves, unable to handle being with Brooke and a young child, especially since he has to single-handedly support his family based on wages from a store. So he goes to college and leaves them behind, gets a degree and becomes a successful stockbroker. Meanwhile, Brooke gets kicked out by Cole’s stingy father who doesn’t believe Kaia’s Cole’s daughter. She has to work two terrible jobs to support Kaia and never receives money from Cole. Cole’s father never tells Cole where his family is, so Cole has to hire a PI to find them (predictably, this becomes a problem between the couple later on).
And then Cole reconciles with his family, is very regretful for his mistakes, and all that. The story ends on what I suppose the author thought was a suspenseful cliffhanger of sorts (Brooke has amnesia! She was assaulted and chased onto the road, but doesn’t know that, and doesn’t know Cole, and is mad at Cole’s father. What an interesting plot twist, right?).
Of course, within the story, there’s the annoying, horrid bosses (Marcus the restaurant/bar owner who is mostly absent during the book, and the other one who, really, actually, doesn’t seem to be bad at all, just strict). And, of course, there’s the supportive friends that pop up a few times in the book- Katie and Craig at the restaurant, Rosalyn the friendly neighbor- and the horrid pervert John who Cole shouts at for daring to touch his beloved wife.
All in all, this was a very formulated plot that is literally everywhere. It read a little like a grammatically correct Wattpad story- and there’s nothing wrong with those, but this is a novel, not a Wattpad story. And after reading this, I don’t see much of a difference between the two.
Basically, the story opens with Cole leaving his wife, Brooke, and young daughter, Kaia. Cole and Brooke were best friends until one night during high school, where they have intercourse and produce Kaia. Cole’s wealthy father provides a house for the best friends-turned-couple despite being very suspicious of Brooke and Kaia (to be honest, I felt that was fair, given how desirable and wealthy Cole seemed).
But then Cole leaves, unable to handle being with Brooke and a young child, especially since he has to single-handedly support his family based on wages from a store. So he goes to college and leaves them behind, gets a degree and becomes a successful stockbroker. Meanwhile, Brooke gets kicked out by Cole’s stingy father who doesn’t believe Kaia’s Cole’s daughter. She has to work two terrible jobs to support Kaia and never receives money from Cole. Cole’s father never tells Cole where his family is, so Cole has to hire a PI to find them (predictably, this becomes a problem between the couple later on).
And then Cole reconciles with his family, is very regretful for his mistakes, and all that. The story ends on what I suppose the author thought was a suspenseful cliffhanger of sorts (Brooke has amnesia! She was assaulted and chased onto the road, but doesn’t know that, and doesn’t know Cole, and is mad at Cole’s father. What an interesting plot twist, right?).
Of course, within the story, there’s the annoying, horrid bosses (Marcus the restaurant/bar owner who is mostly absent during the book, and the other one who, really, actually, doesn’t seem to be bad at all, just strict). And, of course, there’s the supportive friends that pop up a few times in the book- Katie and Craig at the restaurant, Rosalyn the friendly neighbor- and the horrid pervert John who Cole shouts at for daring to touch his beloved wife.
All in all, this was a very formulated plot that is literally everywhere. It read a little like a grammatically correct Wattpad story- and there’s nothing wrong with those, but this is a novel, not a Wattpad story. And after reading this, I don’t see much of a difference between the two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
Well this was and then really wasn't what I was expecting!
I'm a sucker for second-chance romances, so this book was well and truly right up my street. From the off Cole had a BIG job of convincing not only Brooke, but also ME, that he totally deserved another chance with her. I actually felt that Brooke let him off a little lightly, though given the truth of what should have happened I cut them both some slack.
Cole was such a selfish p***k both for leaving her AND his daughter behind, and also for not keeping in touch with Brooke. Yes other factors came into play (aka his Dad) BUT just how long did he ignore that he had a wife and child for? It must have been quite a while to lose track of them like he did. So yes the author dreamed up one amazing plot that totally sucked me in and had all the feels.
However given all he did to make amends, the fact that he took full responsibility, apologized repeatedly AND was very, very young when he made his poor choice, I also forgave him.
Brooke at times seemed to change her mind on decisions (or at least the time she felt she needed to take them). Whilst this might annoy some readers it was very resonant with how I make choices. I need some time to think things through and mull them over, but once I've made my mind up then I want to act on it immediately. I would have liked to have experienced more of Brooke's thought processes, we tended to get some of her biggest decisions when it was Cole's POV. This left me a little disassociated from the emotional intensity a couple of times.
I liked the little twist on how they felt for each other as teenagers, in a way it supported their actions in the past. I totally believed in their connection in the present, and boy their chemistry is off the charts. The story really held my attention, and I read well past my usual lights out time in order to finish it.
The twist at the end, is SO out of left field. Thank goodness book #2 will be out soon as I don't think I could stand the tension of waiting to find out what happens now. I'm fairly certain that the author will give us a HEA or at least a HFN, for Brooke, Cole and Kaia. However I also know that the journey there will not be smooth and will probably take a lot of courage. I can't wait for it.
I'm a sucker for second-chance romances, so this book was well and truly right up my street. From the off Cole had a BIG job of convincing not only Brooke, but also ME, that he totally deserved another chance with her. I actually felt that Brooke let him off a little lightly, though given the truth of what should have happened I cut them both some slack.
Cole was such a selfish p***k both for leaving her AND his daughter behind, and also for not keeping in touch with Brooke. Yes other factors came into play (aka his Dad) BUT just how long did he ignore that he had a wife and child for? It must have been quite a while to lose track of them like he did. So yes the author dreamed up one amazing plot that totally sucked me in and had all the feels.
However given all he did to make amends, the fact that he took full responsibility, apologized repeatedly AND was very, very young when he made his poor choice, I also forgave him.
Brooke at times seemed to change her mind on decisions (or at least the time she felt she needed to take them). Whilst this might annoy some readers it was very resonant with how I make choices. I need some time to think things through and mull them over, but once I've made my mind up then I want to act on it immediately. I would have liked to have experienced more of Brooke's thought processes, we tended to get some of her biggest decisions when it was Cole's POV. This left me a little disassociated from the emotional intensity a couple of times.
I liked the little twist on how they felt for each other as teenagers, in a way it supported their actions in the past. I totally believed in their connection in the present, and boy their chemistry is off the charts. The story really held my attention, and I read well past my usual lights out time in order to finish it.
The twist at the end, is SO out of left field. Thank goodness book #2 will be out soon as I don't think I could stand the tension of waiting to find out what happens now. I'm fairly certain that the author will give us a HEA or at least a HFN, for Brooke, Cole and Kaia. However I also know that the journey there will not be smooth and will probably take a lot of courage. I can't wait for it.
July 30, 2018
3 intriguing stars
so it ends with Brooke losing her memory for the last few weeks of her life. i dont know how the brain works so i cant say for sure that one can lose only a few weeks so i'll give the author the benefit of the doubt but it seen too specific of a time frame. why not a year or 5??
Brooke also took back Cole pretty damn fast too for what he did to her 4 years prior. He left her to go follow his dreams. Not only did he leave her he left his daughter. He's not a man. He's a coward!
From the get go Cole knew his father didnt like Brooke yet thought he would follow Cole's directions for child support and the house they were living in. Not only does his daddy dearest kick Brooke and Kaia out but wants a paternity test to give her the child support money.
Dont care if you were 19 or 45 man the fuck up! The only reason i gave it 3 stars is I'd like to see how Brooke gets her memory back. I hope she doesnt LOL
so it ends with Brooke losing her memory for the last few weeks of her life. i dont know how the brain works so i cant say for sure that one can lose only a few weeks so i'll give the author the benefit of the doubt but it seen too specific of a time frame. why not a year or 5??
Brooke also took back Cole pretty damn fast too for what he did to her 4 years prior. He left her to go follow his dreams. Not only did he leave her he left his daughter. He's not a man. He's a coward!
From the get go Cole knew his father didnt like Brooke yet thought he would follow Cole's directions for child support and the house they were living in. Not only does his daddy dearest kick Brooke and Kaia out but wants a paternity test to give her the child support money.
Dont care if you were 19 or 45 man the fuck up! The only reason i gave it 3 stars is I'd like to see how Brooke gets her memory back. I hope she doesnt LOL
February 20, 2019
The hero was trash + the heroine was a doormat = the book is trash
June 18, 2019
I'm a bit surprised that I liked this one as much as I did. Going into this one I knew that Cole left Brooke and Kaia, which made me think he was a giant douche. And sure he was. However after reading things I see where he was coming from, doesn't mean I excuse his behavior, but I get it. He didn't leave because he wanted other women and to party, but in his mind he was going to go to school, so he could get a good job to provide for his family. In the meantime he left his father in charge of his wife and child, to give them money out of his trust for them to live in. He was at least being responsible in one way. It's just too bad that his dad was an ass and did the exact opposite of what Cole asked, driving Brooke away.
I liked that Cole sought out Brooke, that he took things slow with getting to know her and Kaia. Sure there were stumbles along the way, but I think they were on their way to being a real family til the accident at the end. I hate that Brooke can't remember the good she found and is scared she will loose Kaia, but hopefully this will give them a chance to start over again.
I liked that Cole sought out Brooke, that he took things slow with getting to know her and Kaia. Sure there were stumbles along the way, but I think they were on their way to being a real family til the accident at the end. I hate that Brooke can't remember the good she found and is scared she will loose Kaia, but hopefully this will give them a chance to start over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2021
This book was everything I love in baby tropes. Dads who fall in love with being dads and seeing them be dads.
I do want to say that I had a tough time with the hero in the beginning. I felt like his reason for leaving wasn’t valid. He could have found more ways to go to college and still be the man that his wife and daughter needed him to be. But he was a teenager and wasn’t mature to handle the whole situation. He did have faith that his dad would look after them. He could have never predicted what did happened.
I personally believe he redeemed himself. Trying hard to show Brooke that he was staying. The moments they share together with Kaia melted my heart.
I do want to say that I had a tough time with the hero in the beginning. I felt like his reason for leaving wasn’t valid. He could have found more ways to go to college and still be the man that his wife and daughter needed him to be. But he was a teenager and wasn’t mature to handle the whole situation. He did have faith that his dad would look after them. He could have never predicted what did happened.
I personally believe he redeemed himself. Trying hard to show Brooke that he was staying. The moments they share together with Kaia melted my heart.
dnf
March 12, 2024DNF @ 35%. This is cringy and poorly written and I can't be bothered to struggle on. There's zero angst and given the blurb this should have been angst overload.
To add insult to injury I have to buy and struggle through another book to complete this pair of total wets story, and that's a hell no!
I'm bored to tears so I'm out
To add insult to injury I have to buy and struggle through another book to complete this pair of total wets story, and that's a hell no!
I'm bored to tears so I'm out
February 8, 2019
Ugh
I can’t believe someone recommended this book.
The writing is so immature it feels like a high school creative writing piece and not a professionally written/edited/published book.
I mean seriously this has to be the most immature dense “hero” ever. He thinks an awful lot in his head about how he “took care of things” but yeah, nope, he didn’t.
And why the he££ did the heroine stay married to him for 4 years? Pay the $500 and file for divorce and child support. She’s a bit dense in that sense.
Then the author... I can’t even. Over exaggeration. It actually reminds me of when I see/read boys/men writing/talking about women with unrealistic descriptors.
Only reason it’s 2 stars instead of 1 Star is because there were complete sentences even if there were grammatical issues.
Don’t bother. Read something else.
I can’t believe someone recommended this book.
The writing is so immature it feels like a high school creative writing piece and not a professionally written/edited/published book.
I mean seriously this has to be the most immature dense “hero” ever. He thinks an awful lot in his head about how he “took care of things” but yeah, nope, he didn’t.
And why the he££ did the heroine stay married to him for 4 years? Pay the $500 and file for divorce and child support. She’s a bit dense in that sense.
Then the author... I can’t even. Over exaggeration. It actually reminds me of when I see/read boys/men writing/talking about women with unrealistic descriptors.
Only reason it’s 2 stars instead of 1 Star is because there were complete sentences even if there were grammatical issues.
Don’t bother. Read something else.
July 31, 2018
This book consumed my thoughts, even when I wasn’t reading it.
I started Falling during a 10 minute break, and had to grab it every spare minute that I could. When I had to be doing something else like adulting stuff, I did it in a resentful way, all the while thinking about Cole and Brooke’s story until I could get back to it.
They’d been best friends since they were 5. Cole’s mum loved her, his father didn’t, and when they changed from friends to lovers, resulting in a pregnancy, the mothers strongly encouraged a marriage upon them. Unfortunately for Brooke, Cole didn’t cope, and bailed, fully expecting his trust fund to care for them in a level of some reasonable comfort.
Four years later, he’s hired a PI to find them, and things are no-where near what Cole imagined for his family. They look poor, and Brooke is working two jobs, so he’s on a mission to not only find out what happened, but to ensure their future is complete with him in it!
I loved the way the story was put together, and the dialogue of our two young parents and estranged partners is honest and heart-rending Cole left. He stuffed up big time. The end. He’s trying hard to more than make up for what he did, and lucky for him, and to my admiration, Brooke is just a gorgeous hearted person and a loving mother, putting the needs of 4 year old Kaia first. She’s not a vindictive game player, but is maybe a little too forgiving in my book! I’d loved to have made him squirm just a little (lot) harder.
Just when I’m thinking that it’s all too perfect, and that there’s another book to read, their potential future all turns to poos in a shock/horror moment.
I must say that I’m pretty damn angry at Wendy Smith for the ending, even going in knowing it’s a duet. Lucky for me though, it’s already available, and as I’m writing this review, I’ve already started it! 4.5 Stars for an all encompassing first half of the Fall and Rise Duet, and one that I highly recommend.
I started Falling during a 10 minute break, and had to grab it every spare minute that I could. When I had to be doing something else like adulting stuff, I did it in a resentful way, all the while thinking about Cole and Brooke’s story until I could get back to it.
They’d been best friends since they were 5. Cole’s mum loved her, his father didn’t, and when they changed from friends to lovers, resulting in a pregnancy, the mothers strongly encouraged a marriage upon them. Unfortunately for Brooke, Cole didn’t cope, and bailed, fully expecting his trust fund to care for them in a level of some reasonable comfort.
Four years later, he’s hired a PI to find them, and things are no-where near what Cole imagined for his family. They look poor, and Brooke is working two jobs, so he’s on a mission to not only find out what happened, but to ensure their future is complete with him in it!
I loved the way the story was put together, and the dialogue of our two young parents and estranged partners is honest and heart-rending Cole left. He stuffed up big time. The end. He’s trying hard to more than make up for what he did, and lucky for him, and to my admiration, Brooke is just a gorgeous hearted person and a loving mother, putting the needs of 4 year old Kaia first. She’s not a vindictive game player, but is maybe a little too forgiving in my book! I’d loved to have made him squirm just a little (lot) harder.
Just when I’m thinking that it’s all too perfect, and that there’s another book to read, their potential future all turns to poos in a shock/horror moment.
I must say that I’m pretty damn angry at Wendy Smith for the ending, even going in knowing it’s a duet. Lucky for me though, it’s already available, and as I’m writing this review, I’ve already started it! 4.5 Stars for an all encompassing first half of the Fall and Rise Duet, and one that I highly recommend.
July 13, 2018
“Falling” by Wendy Smith is a brilliantly written, emotionally driven 2nd chance at love romance story. What is there is a story filled with deep raw emotions, and characters that came off as very realistic and believable. Cole and Brooke’s romance is deep and broken- they went from best friends to lovers then they got married. Despite having a child, they quickly end up separated and all contact has ceased. Fast forward 4 years and Cole finds Brooke and his young child again after that huge amount of time without contact. Cole realizes the mistakes he made and wants back into his estranged wife’s life as well as his young child’s but Brooke is terrified to let him back in. Cole know he has his work cut out for him in order to fix the mistake he made. Just as they find their way back to each other, a horrific accident involving Brooke takes place and leaves Cole wondering if everything he has done has been for naught. This book ends on a huge cliffhanger and sets the stage for book 2 Rising. Oh wow, the writing is so sharp and emotional. The emotions will leave you needing tissues , and will leave you being able to understand both sides to the story. What a truly heartfelt and brilliant read. I cannot wait to read more with Cole and Brooke.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."
April 4, 2024
Well I skimmed. Brooke is weak and an idiot. Idiot because she refused to have a DNA test demanded by the Cole’s father in order to get the money. But two jobs and li ING in a dangerous area is far better.
Cole enjoyed his college years despite being married to his best friend and the woman he loves. Don’t get your knickers in a twist, the man was searching for her. So she wasn’t out of his mind.
At the end of book one, even his father made amends. So cool ! But she has amnesia… I guess that’s the reason for a second book.
Brooke had a boyfriend who cheated, indeed. She never asked for a divorce 🤷🏽♀️ !
This author isn’t for me.
Cole enjoyed his college years despite being married to his best friend and the woman he loves. Don’t get your knickers in a twist, the man was searching for her. So she wasn’t out of his mind.
At the end of book one, even his father made amends. So cool ! But she has amnesia… I guess that’s the reason for a second book.
Brooke had a boyfriend who cheated, indeed. She never asked for a divorce 🤷🏽♀️ !
This author isn’t for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2018
So good!
Oh my goodness! Talk about cliffhanger? Brooke and Cole story had it all. Heartache, love, laughs and more. I can't wait to see how this story will unfold. I'm really looking forward to it.
Oh my goodness! Talk about cliffhanger? Brooke and Cole story had it all. Heartache, love, laughs and more. I can't wait to see how this story will unfold. I'm really looking forward to it.
September 17, 2023
Second Chance Romance
This was an ok read, I was interested to see what happens when Cole & Brooke reunited but I felt like the book was too short and there wasn't a lot of depth to it.
This was an ok read, I was interested to see what happens when Cole & Brooke reunited but I felt like the book was too short and there wasn't a lot of depth to it.
August 6, 2018
Entertaining book with cliff hanger ending. Luckily the second book is out.
July 4, 2023
Very "tropey",mildly entertaining
March 5, 2019
A lot of reviews I read really put this book down, but I enjoyed it.
January 28, 2019
It was an Ok read ..quick , but just Meh
Thou jumping int I'll rising to see how it all comes together
Thou jumping int I'll rising to see how it all comes together
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