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First to Fall
When I woke up this morning, I became aware of two things:
One, I felt hungover, and I knew I hadn’t had a drop of liquor.
And two, I was pretty sure I had accidentally married someone.
I, Olivia Sutton, have a Ten Year Plan. It’s air-tight and written in permanent ink. You know what’s not on the plan? Getting married to the man I used to love to hate. But when my sister’s pre-wedding trip goes horribly wrong, I find myself legally bound to my old nemesis, tech sensation Lachlan Hayes. Lachlan pitches a plan to temporarily stay married. It is absolutely insane? Yes. But it has the potential to fix so many problems for both of us—and create even bigger ones.
As secrets unravel between us, I discover there's more to my nerd husband than arrogance and a party-boy reputation. Falling for this guy is definitely not on the Ten Year Plan, but living in the same house? Acting like I’ve given my heart to my husband? Public kisses that make me forget my name? When our fake marriage becomes all too real, Lachlan and I find ourselves crossing lines we swore we wouldn’t. It has me wondering if I can walk away from Lachlan when our time is up.
Or if I’ll be the first to fall.
One, I felt hungover, and I knew I hadn’t had a drop of liquor.
And two, I was pretty sure I had accidentally married someone.
I, Olivia Sutton, have a Ten Year Plan. It’s air-tight and written in permanent ink. You know what’s not on the plan? Getting married to the man I used to love to hate. But when my sister’s pre-wedding trip goes horribly wrong, I find myself legally bound to my old nemesis, tech sensation Lachlan Hayes. Lachlan pitches a plan to temporarily stay married. It is absolutely insane? Yes. But it has the potential to fix so many problems for both of us—and create even bigger ones.
As secrets unravel between us, I discover there's more to my nerd husband than arrogance and a party-boy reputation. Falling for this guy is definitely not on the Ten Year Plan, but living in the same house? Acting like I’ve given my heart to my husband? Public kisses that make me forget my name? When our fake marriage becomes all too real, Lachlan and I find ourselves crossing lines we swore we wouldn’t. It has me wondering if I can walk away from Lachlan when our time is up.
Or if I’ll be the first to fall.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2023
284 people are currently reading
1830 people want to read
About the author
Jenny B. Jones
31 books2,200 followersFour-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. www.jennybjones.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
March 15, 2023
THIS is how you write banter. It was quite long for a romcom (427 pages), but the dialogue, text messages, just absolute pestering between Olivia and Lachlan was so addictive. And if you love the marriage of convenience trope, this was extra special with its enemies-to-lovers combination.
Accidentally waking up together in Vegas wearing wedding rings, the two agree to continue the facade for six months to avoid a PR meltdown—Lachlan being a millionaire gaming mogul, and Olivia needing to avoid drama in order to gain a promotion.
The complexity of their arrangement mixed with their true initial dislike for each other created topnotch moments of forced proximity. I loved the slow build of their attachment, constantly acknowledging each other as husband and wife, adoringly dumbfounded they can’t stop thinking about one another ... swoon! Highly recommend this Kindle Unlimited gem!
(heat level: kissing only)
Accidentally waking up together in Vegas wearing wedding rings, the two agree to continue the facade for six months to avoid a PR meltdown—Lachlan being a millionaire gaming mogul, and Olivia needing to avoid drama in order to gain a promotion.
The complexity of their arrangement mixed with their true initial dislike for each other created topnotch moments of forced proximity. I loved the slow build of their attachment, constantly acknowledging each other as husband and wife, adoringly dumbfounded they can’t stop thinking about one another ... swoon! Highly recommend this Kindle Unlimited gem!
(heat level: kissing only)
August 29, 2023
Aah, I am a tough customer when it comes to romcoms and absolutely LOVED this one! On the rare occasions that the mood reader stars align for a contemporary, I make a beeline for my favorite tropes and hope and pray there’s more chuckling and swooning than cringing. Romcoms just require lots of effortlessness, and, not only did this one work for me (at best and at most, they get a snicker or two out, and here there was some full guffawing), but it is a veritable top-5-favorite-tropes-fest.
I’m also not much for celebrity romance and when characters are romance readers it can take me out of it a bit, but the amount of things to love here was just so overwhelming, a list is required:
The feeling is MUTUAL animosity with a troubled past Enemies to Love
“Oops! We’re married, let’s make the most of it til our deadline” Marriage of convenience (married by 30% is golden)
Lonely little boy turned self-made GINGER hero
So much “my wife”ing and “my husband”ing
Caretakinggg with out-of-it confessions
“Of course” One bed hotel room
Deliciously effortless non-stop banter and zingers for days
Found family with zany, ex-CIA grandma
Written communications
Thoughftul, reciprocated gestures
Competence attraction with heaps of tensiony tension
I was so invested in how that third act would play out and thought it so well done. Zero romcom eyerolls from me on this one, and I’m so happy to add a new favorite MoC E2L!
Content notes: kissing only/borderline make-outs (ok, nothing below the neck). On page toxic parent. Token fashionista gay friend. Some innuendo-ish propositions from hero in jest. Suggestive commentary in jest by secondary characters/crazy old ladies.
I’m also not much for celebrity romance and when characters are romance readers it can take me out of it a bit, but the amount of things to love here was just so overwhelming, a list is required:
The feeling is MUTUAL animosity with a troubled past Enemies to Love
“Oops! We’re married, let’s make the most of it til our deadline” Marriage of convenience (married by 30% is golden)
Lonely little boy turned self-made GINGER hero
So much “my wife”ing and “my husband”ing
Caretakinggg with out-of-it confessions
“Of course” One bed hotel room
Deliciously effortless non-stop banter and zingers for days
Found family with zany, ex-CIA grandma
Written communications
Thoughftul, reciprocated gestures
Competence attraction with heaps of tensiony tension
I was so invested in how that third act would play out and thought it so well done. Zero romcom eyerolls from me on this one, and I’m so happy to add a new favorite MoC E2L!
Content notes: kissing only/borderline make-outs (ok, nothing below the neck). On page toxic parent. Token fashionista gay friend. Some innuendo-ish propositions from hero in jest. Suggestive commentary in jest by secondary characters/crazy old ladies.
February 1, 2023
Cute!
This was a fun enemies-to-lovers story. Olivia and Lachlan have great chemistry and banter, I thought their relationship developed realistically and nicely. Ms. Jones is a great storyteller, I always get sucked into her stories and love her writing style.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, kissing
This was a fun enemies-to-lovers story. Olivia and Lachlan have great chemistry and banter, I thought their relationship developed realistically and nicely. Ms. Jones is a great storyteller, I always get sucked into her stories and love her writing style.
Content Rated PG
Clean romance, kissing
February 18, 2023
Such a sweet, swoony marriage of convenience-sort of romance. Wonderful dialogue. Great characters. I loved it!!
January 18, 2023
After reading a book by this author years ago, I was a forever fan. My opinion has not changed over the years. Jenny B. Jones does romantic comedy so well and I am never disappointed in her work. This one was great and I love this trope, so that made it even better. And we get to see Sylvie and Frannie!
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.
February 27, 2023
Lighthearted and playful
When college rivals reconnect years later and find themselves accidentally married... well, it certainly keeps things interesting. I loved the premise of this sweet, slow burn romance, which played up a lot of my favorite tropes. Playful enemies to lovers, Vegas wedding turned marriage of convenience, fake relationship - all great things. I also really enjoyed trying to figure out the dynamic, and it seemed to be that these two genuinely disliked each other in college, which was honestly kinda refreshing. It's still got some "he falls first" vibes, but it's not like anyone has been harboring secret feelings for years. And the playfulness was a lot of fun, paired with the fact that our hero is a big, sexy nerd who designs video games for a living. I did think there were a few conflicting details and the writing style was a little wordy for me, but this remained a solid 4-star read the whole way through.
The story follows Olivia, a woman who is hoping to get a promotion. She's been going the extra mile for her boss for the last several years, and she's excited to finally take the next step in her life plan. Unfortunately, Olivia's plans are derailed when her old nemesis comes back into her life. Both Olivia and Lachlan believe that they ruined each other's lives back in college, but things have turned out pretty well for Lachlan. After he was forced to drop out of college, he designed a super successful video game that has since become a franchise, and he's in the need of a new PR firm. The last thing either of them needs is to stir up trouble, which is why they are both dismayed when they wake up married. Believing they were roofied, Lachlan and Olivia try to make the best of a bad situation by faking it for the cameras while Lachlan's company is in the spotlight. But faking it soon feels all too real, and these two old rivals quickly realize that they never really knew each other at all.
The premise is pretty much tailor-made for my reading preferences, and I loved that part the most. It was also an interesting twist that Lachlan and Olivia were roofied, because they genuinely didn't harbor any secret feelings that would've lead to them getting married. Maybe that's why it took awhile for me to find my bearings with the story; I thought that there must be some feelings there, and the twist made it all come together for me. That could be why this started off as a 4-star read for me and remained that way, but I think the writing itself was a little long-winded. It's not just the page count that was a bit high, it was also that some of the descriptions were overly long. I found myself zoning out over the details sometimes, because it wasn't as character-driven as I'd like. I loved the moments when Lachlan and Olivia were together, and that's what I wanted the focus to be on. They had great chemistry, and this simply felt like a super slow burn romance, rather than a closed door one. There's no spice, but definite attraction and a spark of tension. Lachlan was such a sweetheart, and it's rare to find such an appealing, nerdy hero. The opposites attract vibes worked - uptight, career-focused woman paired with a former party boy and nerd (not 100% sure how he was both, based on the descriptions, but whatever). There was a lot to love about this overall, and it was an enjoyable (though not amazing) read.
When college rivals reconnect years later and find themselves accidentally married... well, it certainly keeps things interesting. I loved the premise of this sweet, slow burn romance, which played up a lot of my favorite tropes. Playful enemies to lovers, Vegas wedding turned marriage of convenience, fake relationship - all great things. I also really enjoyed trying to figure out the dynamic, and it seemed to be that these two genuinely disliked each other in college, which was honestly kinda refreshing. It's still got some "he falls first" vibes, but it's not like anyone has been harboring secret feelings for years. And the playfulness was a lot of fun, paired with the fact that our hero is a big, sexy nerd who designs video games for a living. I did think there were a few conflicting details and the writing style was a little wordy for me, but this remained a solid 4-star read the whole way through.
The story follows Olivia, a woman who is hoping to get a promotion. She's been going the extra mile for her boss for the last several years, and she's excited to finally take the next step in her life plan. Unfortunately, Olivia's plans are derailed when her old nemesis comes back into her life. Both Olivia and Lachlan believe that they ruined each other's lives back in college, but things have turned out pretty well for Lachlan. After he was forced to drop out of college, he designed a super successful video game that has since become a franchise, and he's in the need of a new PR firm. The last thing either of them needs is to stir up trouble, which is why they are both dismayed when they wake up married. Believing they were roofied, Lachlan and Olivia try to make the best of a bad situation by faking it for the cameras while Lachlan's company is in the spotlight. But faking it soon feels all too real, and these two old rivals quickly realize that they never really knew each other at all.
The premise is pretty much tailor-made for my reading preferences, and I loved that part the most. It was also an interesting twist that Lachlan and Olivia were roofied, because they genuinely didn't harbor any secret feelings that would've lead to them getting married. Maybe that's why it took awhile for me to find my bearings with the story; I thought that there must be some feelings there, and the twist made it all come together for me. That could be why this started off as a 4-star read for me and remained that way, but I think the writing itself was a little long-winded. It's not just the page count that was a bit high, it was also that some of the descriptions were overly long. I found myself zoning out over the details sometimes, because it wasn't as character-driven as I'd like. I loved the moments when Lachlan and Olivia were together, and that's what I wanted the focus to be on. They had great chemistry, and this simply felt like a super slow burn romance, rather than a closed door one. There's no spice, but definite attraction and a spark of tension. Lachlan was such a sweetheart, and it's rare to find such an appealing, nerdy hero. The opposites attract vibes worked - uptight, career-focused woman paired with a former party boy and nerd (not 100% sure how he was both, based on the descriptions, but whatever). There was a lot to love about this overall, and it was an enjoyable (though not amazing) read.
February 5, 2023
Olivia is weak.. the fact she let her boss use her and let her go without a care in the world… I’m sorry but I can’t stand behind this heroine. I have never been so annoyed and disappointed by a character in my life. I couldn’t even root for her, I wanted Lachlan to find someone who is not 100% self absorbed.
On the other hand, Lachlan is an amazing hero who is OPEN to change and vulnerability and sharing.
I love the writer, but Lachlan is the only way I was able to give it 5 stars… if it were told solely from Olivia’s POV it would be one star.
I expected better, but this book was not worth the wait.
On the other hand, Lachlan is an amazing hero who is OPEN to change and vulnerability and sharing.
I love the writer, but Lachlan is the only way I was able to give it 5 stars… if it were told solely from Olivia’s POV it would be one star.
I expected better, but this book was not worth the wait.
March 5, 2023
First to Fall is a hilarious, witty romcom that self-aware of its many romance tropes, including enemies to lovers and, my fav, marriage of convenience. The leads have snarky banter and grudging hostility which leads to believable off-the-charts chemistry (and some great romantic kissy moments). At its heart is a tender story of risking spontaneity and rejection to find hope and acceptance. The Arkansas setting is transportive and wonderfully shown, in the mentions of the Ozark seasons and in the fictional "Sugar Creek" which nods to the idyllic northwest region I happen to call home.
March 28, 2023
This book had all my favorite tropes! Marriage of convenience, fake relationship and enemies to lovers, what’s not to like? Then you add in all the great dialogue and it’s a win! Witty banter is the best part of any book.
I loved:
The slow burn romance
Witty banter
Tropes as above
Great text messages
Caring family
This took a little bit to get into, but was worth it. The story is great with a very heartwarming ending. I really enjoyed it. If you like clean romance with great banter I think you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did.
I loved:
The slow burn romance
Witty banter
Tropes as above
Great text messages
Caring family
This took a little bit to get into, but was worth it. The story is great with a very heartwarming ending. I really enjoyed it. If you like clean romance with great banter I think you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did.
March 25, 2023
I enjoyed the snarky banter between Olivia and Lachlan and their chemistry was undeniable. The backstory with their college animosity set the story up really well and made it a fun read. Jenny always writes great stories that are right up my laugh out loud alley.
October 28, 2024
THIS BOOK IS HOW YOU WRITE BANTER
ALL THE FEELS
If you want a closed door version of the rule book by Sarah Adam’s , this one is for you!
ALL THE FEELS
If you want a closed door version of the rule book by Sarah Adam’s , this one is for you!
July 17, 2025
DNF @19%
I’m sad bc I gave 4.5 stars to her YA (non-comedy) romance I’ll Be Yours.
But when I did some research on how I’ve rated her other rom-coms, I consistently have the same 3 gripes:
1. Writing that was trying too hard to be funny. This was the fatal flaw. I could have lived with reasons 2 and 3, but not this one. I love writing that has witty banter and genuine humor. (See: Double or Nothing and Rebel Summer by Cindy Steel; Blood and Buttercups by Shari Tapscott; Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter.)
Unfortunately, the comedy in this “rom-com” felt forced and corny, and landed very flat for me. This isn’t my kind of humor.
People don’t actually talk like this except in cheesy romcoms, which this was.
“We finish out tonight’s event,” Olivia said, “then tomorrow, we’re—”
“Back to being mortal enemies.”
She nodded. “Spewing disdain and disregard.”
“I like it.” As the song changed to one I almost knew, I extended a hand. “Let’s go dance and forget we can’t stand one another.”
2. The dreaded pervy granny trope.
From the MMC’s POV:
“Well, hello, big fella. Aren’t you adorable?” She extended her hand with a sly smile. “I’m Sylvie, grandmother of the Sutton girls. The woman reeking of maturity and sexiness to my right is my best friend, Frannie.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I took Frannie’s proffered hand.
“Aren’t you just a slice of sweet potato pie with a scoop of ice cream on top?” Frannie touched her lengthy nails to her black hair. “I’m newly unsingle, but if anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
I grinned, liking these two already.
Really? Bc any guy I know would be weirded out by this interaction. This is not normal and I find it cringy, not funny.🤷♀️
Combine that with “CIA granny” trope. Big yikes.
“She practices fire drills at two a.m. and eats cold SpaghettiOs for breakfast. She booby-traps her backyard and conducts nuclear attack simulations. She yodels and makes me pledge allegiance to the United States of Sylvie. I cannot live there.”
3. An FMC that’s not very likable. In this book, she’s extremely career driven (which isn’t my favorite character motivation in a romance) and also lets her boss walk all over her. For years. I also don’t like how rude she is to the MMC, with biting, cutting remarks. I guess hardcore enemies to lovers isn’t for me. I don’t like meanness, which this kinda bordered on.
I’m bailing.
If these are tropes that you enjoy, then you may love it!
Content: clean
How I’ve rated Jenny B. Jones books:
Sweet Right Here = 2 stars
The Holiday Husband = 2.5 stars
First To Fall = 1.5 stars DNF
I’ll Be Yours = 4.5 stars (not a rom-com)
I’m sad bc I gave 4.5 stars to her YA (non-comedy) romance I’ll Be Yours.
But when I did some research on how I’ve rated her other rom-coms, I consistently have the same 3 gripes:
1. Writing that was trying too hard to be funny. This was the fatal flaw. I could have lived with reasons 2 and 3, but not this one. I love writing that has witty banter and genuine humor. (See: Double or Nothing and Rebel Summer by Cindy Steel; Blood and Buttercups by Shari Tapscott; Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter.)
Unfortunately, the comedy in this “rom-com” felt forced and corny, and landed very flat for me. This isn’t my kind of humor.
People don’t actually talk like this except in cheesy romcoms, which this was.
“We finish out tonight’s event,” Olivia said, “then tomorrow, we’re—”
“Back to being mortal enemies.”
She nodded. “Spewing disdain and disregard.”
“I like it.” As the song changed to one I almost knew, I extended a hand. “Let’s go dance and forget we can’t stand one another.”
2. The dreaded pervy granny trope.
From the MMC’s POV:
“Well, hello, big fella. Aren’t you adorable?” She extended her hand with a sly smile. “I’m Sylvie, grandmother of the Sutton girls. The woman reeking of maturity and sexiness to my right is my best friend, Frannie.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I took Frannie’s proffered hand.
“Aren’t you just a slice of sweet potato pie with a scoop of ice cream on top?” Frannie touched her lengthy nails to her black hair. “I’m newly unsingle, but if anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
I grinned, liking these two already.
Really? Bc any guy I know would be weirded out by this interaction. This is not normal and I find it cringy, not funny.🤷♀️
Combine that with “CIA granny” trope. Big yikes.
“She practices fire drills at two a.m. and eats cold SpaghettiOs for breakfast. She booby-traps her backyard and conducts nuclear attack simulations. She yodels and makes me pledge allegiance to the United States of Sylvie. I cannot live there.”
3. An FMC that’s not very likable. In this book, she’s extremely career driven (which isn’t my favorite character motivation in a romance) and also lets her boss walk all over her. For years. I also don’t like how rude she is to the MMC, with biting, cutting remarks. I guess hardcore enemies to lovers isn’t for me. I don’t like meanness, which this kinda bordered on.
I’m bailing.
If these are tropes that you enjoy, then you may love it!
Content: clean
How I’ve rated Jenny B. Jones books:
Sweet Right Here = 2 stars
The Holiday Husband = 2.5 stars
First To Fall = 1.5 stars DNF
I’ll Be Yours = 4.5 stars (not a rom-com)
January 18, 2023
I loved this book so much! Such a hilarious, endearing story. Marriages of convenience are a favorite storyline for me, and even if this book was overly focused on the mushy head-over-heels falling-in-love piece, it was still so sweet and adorable. It was somewhat typical in addressing the concept of "relationships are more important than careers" but still makes you think about what matters.
I love love love the witty banter and sarcasm. Jenny B. Jones pulls it off like no other currently living author with whom I'm familiar. The snappy comebacks and overly dramatic conversations make for some honest to goodness LOLs. I reread so many sections just to maximize and prolong my enjoyment of the fast-paced funny lines.
Grandma Sylvie and Frannie are some of my favorite characters of all time. They leave much mildly inappropriate hilarity reverberating in their wake.
This book topped the first in the series, for sure. I gave the first one five stars but the kissing scenes in this one were much classier. 😜
Ever grateful to the author for entrusting me with an ARC to review!
I love love love the witty banter and sarcasm. Jenny B. Jones pulls it off like no other currently living author with whom I'm familiar. The snappy comebacks and overly dramatic conversations make for some honest to goodness LOLs. I reread so many sections just to maximize and prolong my enjoyment of the fast-paced funny lines.
Grandma Sylvie and Frannie are some of my favorite characters of all time. They leave much mildly inappropriate hilarity reverberating in their wake.
This book topped the first in the series, for sure. I gave the first one five stars but the kissing scenes in this one were much classier. 😜
Ever grateful to the author for entrusting me with an ARC to review!
February 6, 2023
This was so worth the wait! I was disappointed when the publication date got pushed out but I loved this story so much and am glad the author took the time she needed. Marriage of convenience is my favorite trope and it is hard to do it right in a contemporary story but this delivered. Olivia was relatable personally for me with her Type-A/always has a plan personality and I loved Lachlan’s techie nerd character as well. This story had it all as far as tropes go with marriage of convenience, only one bed (while still keeping it sweet) and enemies to lovers. The tension and chemistry between Olivia and Lachlan was on fire with fantastic banter and some awesome kisses.
Romantic Content: Kisses
Romantic Content: Kisses
April 11, 2024
one of my top favorite part of the book is amazing hilarious banter that I LAUGHED SO MANY TIMES. i love how they always bickering but in a cute, cozy, and comforable way (bickering is basically their love language too) it is so fun reading this book. im having such a great time!!
loveable and great characters, not just the main characters but olivia's family members too! i adore them so much.
🎮 marriage of convenience
🎮 hate to love
🎮 forced proximity
🎮 only one bed
🎮 hot nerd millionaire mmc
🎮 smart, independet fmc
loveable and great characters, not just the main characters but olivia's family members too! i adore them so much.
🎮 marriage of convenience
🎮 hate to love
🎮 forced proximity
🎮 only one bed
🎮 hot nerd millionaire mmc
🎮 smart, independet fmc
January 18, 2023
Thank you so much @jennybjonesauthor for letting me read your new book! I adored it.
Here’s what I loved about First to Fall:
• true enemies to lovers
• all the banter
• marriage of convenience
• the swooniest kisses
• hilarious grannies
This book was such a fun one to binge read. This is my fifth book to read of Jenny’s and I have loved them all. I highly recommend picking up this series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kissing
TW: Mc gets a mild case of c*v*d
Out January 30
Here’s what I loved about First to Fall:
• true enemies to lovers
• all the banter
• marriage of convenience
• the swooniest kisses
• hilarious grannies
This book was such a fun one to binge read. This is my fifth book to read of Jenny’s and I have loved them all. I highly recommend picking up this series.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kissing
TW: Mc gets a mild case of c*v*d
Out January 30
March 14, 2023
I gotta say, marriage of convenience isn’t usually my favorite trope but I just loved the characters so much that I loved the whole plot. The banter and sass are top tier as usual!
And dang if Olivia putting her boss in her place wasn’t satisfying 👌🏻
And dang if Olivia putting her boss in her place wasn’t satisfying 👌🏻
June 27, 2023
So good, as always 😍
March 2, 2023
THE FEELS.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time and it flat out DELIVERED. I loved it so much.
The main characters, Olivia and Lachlan had the best chemistry. I could feel the heat from miles away. Some fantastic banter intermixed with a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe AND THEN you throw in marriage of convenience?? SOLD. Perfect blend.
I love the slow build between them. The burn is long and low and really allowed both characters to come to turn with the past grievances and where they are now. I LOVED all of the tiny little moments. I was going to combust from the heat of the kissing scenes. Good heavens, closed door romances can still bring it the steam y’all.
It took Olivia a little longer than I hoped for to come around to her work issues BUT I liked how that ended up playing into the third act. Yes, there’s a third act conflict, and you might be surprised but it didn’t phase me much. I was here for the emotions, the need for growth and the separation that had to occur.
Loved this book. Read it.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: poor workplace situations (abuse of power), parental neglect
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time and it flat out DELIVERED. I loved it so much.
The main characters, Olivia and Lachlan had the best chemistry. I could feel the heat from miles away. Some fantastic banter intermixed with a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe AND THEN you throw in marriage of convenience?? SOLD. Perfect blend.
I love the slow build between them. The burn is long and low and really allowed both characters to come to turn with the past grievances and where they are now. I LOVED all of the tiny little moments. I was going to combust from the heat of the kissing scenes. Good heavens, closed door romances can still bring it the steam y’all.
It took Olivia a little longer than I hoped for to come around to her work issues BUT I liked how that ended up playing into the third act. Yes, there’s a third act conflict, and you might be surprised but it didn’t phase me much. I was here for the emotions, the need for growth and the separation that had to occur.
Loved this book. Read it.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: poor workplace situations (abuse of power), parental neglect
Read
January 20, 2023I have read several Jenny B. Jones' books and LOVE her writing style. They are fun and flirty and a great escape. There is no mistaking that this author has an insane amount of talent. I love her plot lines, she writes great dialogue and the romance is the swooniest.
This book in particular had great main characters. I loved their snarky banter back and forth. It really perfectly captured these two. I loved the enemies to more vibe it had going on mixed with an accidental marriage. The side characters were fun and so many wonderful things happening.
For my own personal preference it had too many religious exclamations that detracted from the storyline (no OMG's, but lots of Lords being thrown in there which comes across basically as an OMG) and some content thrown in that just wasn't for me. But as I said that's my personal preference and shouldn't hold anyone back who doesn't mind that.
This book in particular had great main characters. I loved their snarky banter back and forth. It really perfectly captured these two. I loved the enemies to more vibe it had going on mixed with an accidental marriage. The side characters were fun and so many wonderful things happening.
For my own personal preference it had too many religious exclamations that detracted from the storyline (no OMG's, but lots of Lords being thrown in there which comes across basically as an OMG) and some content thrown in that just wasn't for me. But as I said that's my personal preference and shouldn't hold anyone back who doesn't mind that.
February 9, 2023
This was a fun one! Some really good swoony moments. Lachlan was one of the best leading men I think I have ever read. I Loved his honesty and vulnerability. I loved that he didn't hold back his affection, and he allowed her so much. He let her in and made himself available and waited. Seriously loved him. She grew on me at first I wasn't sure but she softened. The love story was a good one. I normally love the silly grandma side characters but these too bothered me they were too over the top. Who wants a grandma that hits on your boy friend All the time, yuck. The sisters were great and I do want to read there stories too. This one just appealed to me most for trying out this author for the first time. Fun romance with some great kisses and fun banter.
April 2, 2023
First to Fall is an enemies-to-lovers story with a marriage of convenience that begins with the couple being drugged in Vegas. Roofies aside, this is a Hallmark-esque story given new life by Jones’s smart, wry wit; some of the best-written banter you’ll find; zany minor characters, and beaucoup chemistry. I’m not quite sure if I like the zany minor characters, but they do make me grin, and Jenny B. Jones is at the top of her game here.
Lachlan Hayes, a successful tech entrepreneur, is lovable as a nerdy gamer at heart. Too bad Olivia Sutton, still smarting from a bad breakup, has totally and persistently misjudged him. Until their fake marriage allows her to see his softer side and gives her a window into his wounded past while he gets a glimpse of her softer side.
Their ending isn't unexpected, but the journey is delicious fun!
Lachlan Hayes, a successful tech entrepreneur, is lovable as a nerdy gamer at heart. Too bad Olivia Sutton, still smarting from a bad breakup, has totally and persistently misjudged him. Until their fake marriage allows her to see his softer side and gives her a window into his wounded past while he gets a glimpse of her softer side.
Their ending isn't unexpected, but the journey is delicious fun!
June 23, 2023
Nerdy hero and Sarcastic FMC done correctlyyyyyyyyyyy. The banter in this book was so hilarious. I was actually blushing around 80% of the book. Such a comfort read. Not only were the main characters funny but also the side characters were hilarious. I was actually sad it ended i could have easily read 500 pages more of their story and the family's shehnaginas
March 23, 2023
NOW THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE ROMANCE!
The banter was off the charts, the chemistry was so good, this has to be the most perfectly nailed enemies to lovers HANDS DOWN!
I loved it so much, I would read it again like I wish I could give it 6 stars 😭
Anyway, GO READ THIS BOOK it is absolutely amazing 👏
The banter was off the charts, the chemistry was so good, this has to be the most perfectly nailed enemies to lovers HANDS DOWN!
I loved it so much, I would read it again like I wish I could give it 6 stars 😭
Anyway, GO READ THIS BOOK it is absolutely amazing 👏
February 11, 2023
Super funny & entertaining story!
March 27, 2023
A fake marriage, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, witty banter, slow burn romance and I ate it up. No smut, lots of sweetness.
June 14, 2023
High entertainment value, low literary value.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars. This was a very sweet and enjoyable rom com. Though it was pretty long and a bit cringey at times. I still loved the writing. This is a clean novel, and it portrays many relationships and emotions. The enemies to lovers were done so well, and I loved the banter!
August 2, 2023
Very good. Sadly no sexy times and a moment where the mc did something stupid and I almost stopped reading. But overall a great fantastic read.
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