★★★★ Never Fall Again by Lynn Blackburn, Gossamer Falls Series Book One. A Romantic Suspense About Taking a Risk on Love
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up.
Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family's construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He's loved--and lost--someone like her before.
When Landry's pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger--but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them.
MY REVIEW: ★★★★ 4/5
Author Lynn H. Blackburn brings the mountains of North Carolina alive in a brand new release and the first book in her Gossamer Falls series, Never Fall Again. Readers are transported to a small town where family is both friend and enemy, friends are family and new beginnings are happening.
Highlights:
Single Mom, Pottery Artist Heroine with a Dark Past
Former Marine, Construction Business Owner Hero
A Darling Five Year Old Girl
A Sweet Golden Retriever
A Small Town and Mountainside Retreat Setting
Taking a Risk on Love Again
While reading this story my personal affinity for the mountains of N. Carolina grew. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and strong elements of family, roots and heritage woven into this novel.
It took me until about two-thirds of the way through the novel to become truly invested in this story, but the growing relationship between Callum “Cal” Shaw and single-mom, Landry Hutton, was what kept me coming back for more. Cal is a worthy hero with heartache holding him from risking his heart to love again, so the redemption, love and second chance for him was rewarding. He won me over and I enjoyed the way he cared for Landry and her young daughter, Eliza. The secondary characters were all fantastic, as well with their own backstories that sparked my interest.
There’s a beautiful element of found family in this story that was perhaps the most important factor for me. With subtle threads of faith and sweet family members who go out of their way to welcome Landry into their fold, I felt the book spoke volumes of southern hospitality and mountain families.
I found the suspense in this story to be mild compared to others by this author and for the genre, making this read more like a romance. Nonetheless, there was a subtle hint of apprehension, or expectation, that I liked.
Overall, a great, standalone read for readers who enjoy mountain settings, sweet romance, a hint of suspense and wonderful stories of hope, new beginnings and family.
Content and Trigger Warnings: Past-trauma from abusive relationship (light). Stalking.
About the Author:
Photo Credit: Lynette Eason | Image courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy Southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she sits at home in her pajamas. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.LynnHBlackburn.com.
