by K.A. Tucker
Summary: Purple-haired, sharp-tongued Reese MacKay knows all about making the wrong choice; she’s made plenty of them in her twenty-odd-years. So when her impulsive, short-lived marriage ends in heartbreak, she decides it’s time for a change. She moves to Miami with the intention of hitting reset on her irresponsible life, and she does quite well…aside from an epically humiliating one-night stand in Cancun with a hot blond bouncer named Ben. Thank God she can get on a plane and leave that mistake behind her.
Football scholarship and frat parties with hot chicks? Part of charmer Ben Morris’s plan. Blown knee that kills any hope of a professional football career? So not part of the plan. Luckily Ben has brains to go with his knockout looks and magnetism. After three long years of balancing law school with his job as a bouncer at Penny’s Palace, he’s ready to lead a more mature life—until his first day of work, when he finds himself in the office of that crazy, hot chick he met in Cancun. The one he hasn’t stopped thinking about.
If Ben truly were a smart guy, he’d stay clear of Reese. She’s the boss’s stepdaughter and it’s been made very clear that office romances are grounds for dismissal. Plus, rumor has it she’s trouble. The only problem is, he likes trouble, especially when it’s so good-looking…
Source: I purchased a paperback
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Review:
I picked up Five Ways to Fall on a whim at Barnes and Nobles, remembering how much I enjoyed Ten Tiny Breaths. I’m glad I picked it up because it was a really good contemporary romance. I am a fan of K.A. Tucker. I love the way she writes, how complex her characters are, and how there can be dark and light moments.
Five Ways to Fall pulled me right in. My other favorite thing about K.A. Tucker is how well she creates a story and builds up the secondary characters. It’s not just another boy meets girl who gives a F about their friends and family kind of story. Her books really explore the entire story, from the setting to the rest of the characters and it makes for an enjoyable read.
I loved Reese MacKay SO MUCH. I didn’t think I would because I’m usually not into rocker book chicks because they are so flawed and emo about life. But Reese was amazing. She was funny, she wasn’t afraid to be herself and make those comments to ease awkward situations. She had her issues, but I loved how it all made sense and how well the author created her character. I hate guys like Ben, but I really enjoyed Ben’s character. Like Reese, I began to realize how refreshing his honestly was and how, while he may be a dirt bag party boy, at least he wasn’t whispering sweet nothings in the ears of all of his conquests only to hurt them later. I’m a huge fan of honest guys. And I loved how he picked on Reese and was charming when he could be.
What I didn’t expect when I began reading was to care so much about the people in the story. I loved Ben’s mom and loved all of the scenes involving her grove. I loved seeing Reese work around the office and refuse to order key lime pie at the restaurant she frequented. I cared about Jack, was curious about Reese’s father, and wanted Reese to punch Jared in the face. It was all so captivating. Even though I knew Ben and Reese would fall for each other, it wasn’t predictable or boring. It was enjoyable to watch it all unfold and I loved every second. I know I’ve just read a good book when I’m still thinking about it the next day and laughing at something one of the characters said.
I remember loving Ten Tiny Breaths and deciding to stop the series because the second book featured the sister I didn’t like. The third book seemed like it wasn’t really my kind of thing either, but maybe I only feel that way after meeting some of the characters from Ben’s previous job in Five Ways to Fall. Either way, I’m actually glad I went from book 1 to book 4. I like a series I don’t necessarily have to read every book to enjoy and I like the way the characters are different in each book. I’m so picky about contemporary and new adult romance, but K.A. Tucker is definitely an author I’ll read more of. In fact, I’m starting Burying Water next. =)