Falling Forward

Kate moved clear across the country to Southern California just to start a new life and forget her ex-boyfriend-turned-good friend. However, it isn’t working because she can’t let go—she won’t even date. She excels at her job as an advertising executive, but her routine is so rigid, nothing is allowed in. Jamison owns a surf shop and is in the ocean first thing every morning. The exact opposite of each other, no one sees the instant attraction and budding relationship between them - especially Kate and Jamison! 

A post bends more than Kate does. Her boss, co-workers, best friends, both in California and from back home, have got to be the most hysterical—yet supportive—secondary characters ever. From saying it like it is, to betting on every aspect of her life, the collective group she is surrounded with makes the whole book fun. Told in Kate’s first person voice, it’s hard to get much from Jamison, aside from the fact that he is probably the best book boyfriend ever: modern, with a backbone, kind but not a pushover, and willing to go at Kate’s pace. Kate’s ex is less than one-dimensional. No reason why he is the love of her life is ever given, no memories of his amazingness, no behaviors that set him up as the paragon he is—nothing. Her constant pining over her ex, throughout the whole story, is borderline medicationable and irritating to read, especially as Kate is held out to be a strong, modern woman. Jamison, however, is amazing. He and the supporting characters make the story worth reading.

Julie York