there's so much to unpack with the fall risk in around 80 pages that it feels like a copout to say that this should've been a full length novel even though it isn't a copout at all. there were little nuggets of mental health discussion from the traumas charlotte and seth faced, but i just wanted more.

Okay, this?! This was excellent. I really didn’t expect anything less from Abby, because she is such an incredible storyteller, but man EVEN STILL this one caught me off guard. I’m in the middle of a reading slump and I think I needed something exactly like this to pull me through it.

I smiled, I laughed, I giggled, I full-on cried. It’s got a little bit of everything you look for in a great book; action, suspense, romance, and hope. And of course, it absolutely left me wanting more. 10/10!

If ANY of that speaks to you I’d say read it. And if you haven’t read anything from Abby Jimenez yet, this is a great place to start but don’t stop there!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read it!

Abby Jimenez does not disappoint in this short and sweet Valentine’s Day work! So much emotion is jam-packed into an absolutely lovely read that is both extremely romantic and very representative of the female experience. Truly well done, from the expert characterization fit into such a short work to the depth of emotion the book solicits from the audience, The Fall Risk is a must-read.

↠ 5 stars ⭐️

This was such a quick and cute story! Sometimes it can be hard with short stories, because they can often feel somewhat unfinished and leave the reader wanting more. But Abby is so good at creating complex characters and stories in so few pages. The characters were all absolutely delightful, the budding romance was kicking-your-feet adorable, and I loved the little bit of suspense mixed into the plot. And per usual, the banter was chef's kiss.

Oh, and the tree puns and horny elderly women were absolute comedic gold.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Short and Sweet Novella! Thank you NetGalley for the copy to review.
What do you do when the stairs from your second floor apartment are just gone? You get to be stranded for a weekend getting to know your new neighbour. Seth and Charlotte are both going through situations in their personal lives and using each other as an "olive branch" for socialization and connection. Both a little tentative, their chemistry and ease is instant. But Charlottes is always on guard due to a stalker not leaving her alone. But can she let her guard down and let Seth in?
It's so quick that it's hard to get the depth that you would like. Hard to build up the emotion. Well written per usual, but I needed more.

This was a quick, cute read that somehow also manages to touch on deeper, serious topics. The amount of character development and plot that Abby Jimenez pulls off in just 80 pages is insanely impressive. I honestly would read a full length novel about Seth and Charlotte - or the side characters Gabe and Izzy, who really added to the depth. And If you love a good tree pun…this is the story for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Ugh I loved this. The tree talk, the bonsai grannies, ikea, swim-shady 🥹
I am normally not a fan of short stories but this one was so freakin' perfect!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this short story! Abby Jimenez is probably my favorite romance author, and she did not disappoint! It was sweet, it was captivating, and it had me hooked!

5 stars for Abby, once again.

This story was short and sweet and I loved seeing the relationship grow between the characters. It was so refreshing to see Seth taking care of Charlotte and them making their little joint area into their own special space. I also really loved her giving him coffee, because coffee is my love language.

I generally love novellas because, as a mom, I love something I can read in short bursts. The fact that Abby Jimenez wrote one, left me so excited and it was a great one! While I wish there was more of Charlotte and Seth, I feel so complete with their story, But don't get me wrong, I'll happily scoop up a longer novel if Abby so chooses.

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez was an absolute five-star read for me. It had the perfect balance of cozy warmth and just enough suspense to keep me hooked. I loved how the story handled working through trauma with depth and care, never rushing the process or making it feel forced. The characters were beautifully developed, and I especially appreciated the way respectful boundaries were woven into the relationships. Jimenez has a way of making her stories feel both deeply emotional and comforting at the same time. This one will stay with me for a long time!

Charlotte is dealing with a stalker and some serious anxiety, while Seth’s dealing with a divorce and a broken ankle. What happens? They wake up to find their stairs have been demolished and they’re stuck on the same floor for the weekend. 🤦‍♀️

Cue the banter. Seth and Charlotte hang out on their joint patio, get to know each other, and their chemistry is everything. From cute moments to heartwarming conversations, you just can’t stop rooting for them! ❤️

And of course, Charlotte’s stalker shows up, but she doesn’t let that stop her. She kicks some serious butt, and Seth, well… let’s just say he’s ready to protect her at all costs. 💪

Fast forward 6 months, and they’re out on a double date with their best friends, including a hilarious IKEA adventure (if you know, you know!). What Abby Jimenez pulls off in just 80 pages is seriously impressive—backstories, character growth, and perfect relationship development. It’s like a little cozy rom-com in a book! 📚✨

Highly recommend if you want a quick, sweet read with great banter and even better characters!

This was absolutely adorable!! The perfect Valentines day book! Even though it is a short story it felt like it was a full on book it was so good!

Abby Jimenez can really do no wrong! When a pair of neighbors who both have complicated histories get stuck in their apartment floor together, they're forced to interact and rely on each other. This was such a fun but deep novella! Seth and Charlotte both have a lot in their past but as they slowly got to know each other and form a friendship, they opened up to each other. Seth was so sweet and would do anything to help Charlotte and put her at ease. Charlotte was more apprehensive, having dealt with some pretty complex issues in her past, but as she began to trust Seth, she let herself fall for him. As always, Abby Jimenez's work is filled with heart, laughs, swoons, and emotional growth.

I will read anything Abby Jimenez writes including cereal boxes and phone books. Leave it to the queen of rom-coms to pack one helluva a punch in one short story.

Two neighbors Charlotte and Seth, get stuck upstairs in their respective apartments after their stairs literally get removed. Naturally they become drawn to each other, and fall in love.

We need more of this pair please!!

Abby Jimenez absolutely delivered! As expected, it was SO good and incredibly sweet. The closed proximity trope? Everything! The way the story brought out themes of women’s empowerment and awareness was just beautiful. Even though it’s only around 60 pages, Jimenez managed to create such depth in each character, and I was hooked from the very first page😍🩷

The pacing was spot-on, and the plot moved along perfectly without feeling rushed. I loved how everything came together—the message was powerful, and it resonated with me long after I finished reading. It’s honestly the perfect blend of heart, depth, and fun, and I couldn't have asked for a better read🥹

And now, I’m completely invested in Gabe and Izzy’s story! I need more! I’m already recommending this novella to everyone I know. It was everything I was hoping for and more, and I just can’t get enough of Abby Jimenez’s writing!💘

Seth, a recent divorcee with a love of trees, and Charlotte, in hiding because of a stalker, find themselves stranded together on Valentine's Day weekend.

This may be a short story, but GOOD GRIEF it is deep. The way the author uses so few pages to tell this story and give such depth to the main and even supporting characters is incredible. I won't ever skip an Abby Jimenez novel!

Thank you Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an enjoyable short story. Abby Jimenez has a way of creating fleshed out characters and an engaging plot that you wish you had a full-length novel to keep the story going. The banter between Charlotte and Seth was great, and you really feel connected to the characters as they deal with Charlotte’s stalker. Would recommend if you want another taste of Abby’s writing and are looking for a quick but still emotional read.

<b><i>“Sometimes the start of something good begins during something bad.
We don’t get to pick when these things happen.” </b></i>

If you're looking for a quick and heart-warming romance, The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez is a perfect choice!
In just 82 pages, the author crafts a charming and sweet story of two neighbors who discover love and friendship in the most unexpected way!

Despite the short length, the chemistry between Charlotte and Seth is unmistakable and their playful tree puns add a delightful touch to the story.
Seth's unwavering support and encouragement for Charlotte as she faces her stalker problem make him a very endearing character, he’s a total sweetheart!

The secondary characters, Gabe and Izzy, with their grumpy x sunshine dynamic, are equally captivating and add depth to this short story.

Overall, this is a delightful read that kept me smiling and laughing throughout.
It’s my first book by Abby Jimenez, and it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to explore her other full-length novels in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: stalking, violence, brief mention of infidelity, mental lillness. Mentions of suicide, kissing cousins, discussion of firearms for the purpose of self-defense

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Abby always gives great stories. Her shorts are no exception. It takes a good story teller to capture you and make you fall in love with the characters in just a few pages of a novella.
First I love that she centered it around Valentine's Day weekend, with two characters who had zero reason to celebrate. Of course you knew the outcome of this story would be some kind of attraction between the main characters but it's not about that knowing. It was about how Abby got us there. Insert an event where the main characters are forced to be in the same space and you have the kindling for some love to grow!
Seth is recovering from an injury and a recent divorce. I fell in love with his character right away. I connected with his trust issues and his grieving process.
Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation. Her past has caused her to keep to herself in order to feel safe. She doesn't trust men and she certainly can't trust her new next door neighbor. I could feel her fear and it gave me great empathy for her.
Abby has a way of treating heavy situations with such care. You can see the research she puts into her stories. I knew the ending would have conflict resolution and it was done with kindness and grace. And she inserts a the perfect amount of humor and swoon to keep you connected with the characters and story.
As a side note, the friends, Izzy and Gabe, really need their story! I hope we get that one.
Overall, I wish this story was longer! In just a few short pages, Abby has these characters opening up to each other and becoming friends. If you're looking for a meet cute, forced proximity read with witty banter and great side characters, check this one out!