First, Kerry Lonsdale is an auto-buy author for me. Like few others, if she wrote the dictionary - I would buy it. Falling for You Again, shows exactly why she is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her craft of writing has only gotten better over time and FfYA has it all for readers.
Meet Cute - check!
Family Drama - Double check!!
Characters who are flawed - and recognize it - check!
Incredible leading characters who show growth over time - check!
A beautiful love story - check!

I mean, the way we meet Meli and Aaron - from the get go will have you rooting for them to somehow, someway find their way back to each other. And then when they do - swoon! But it isn’t all roses. They face challenges, and work through them. But all throughout, Kerry will have you cheering them on. And the family drama behind the main characters…. Wow!

I can go on and on about just how much I loved their story, how much I never wanted it to end - but I think you get the point. I LOVED this novel and I would give it 10 stars if able.
Go out, and buy FfYA today - then go back and read every Kerry Lonsdale book you haven’t. You’ll thank me!
Thank you to Kerry and the publishers for this ARC - all opinions are absolutely my own!

Lonsdale is a new to me author, and after loving this one I need to add her backlist to my TBR!

Meli and Aaron met on a plane and got married for a few days on a dare, and now they are back in each other's lives. When Aaron proposes a marriage of convenience that can help both of their careers, we get a second chance romance for the ages.

Meli's family owns a woodworking shop, such a unique career choice that I really enjoyed reading about. Her family dynamics are shaky at best, with parents who don't treat her the way a daughter should be treated and a trio ready to sell the family business out from under Meli's feet. Aaron's supportive personality and actions become the steady ground where Meli can find her balance and discover what she really needs in life, though his own upbringing was far from easy on its own.

Combining a sweet romance with family dysfunction and childhood trauma gave this story so much emotional depth, and I loved the way Meli stayed hopeful throughout it all. She never stops striving for happiness and connection in her life no matter what is thrown at her, a trait I found admirable. The banter and easy connection between Meli and Aaron made this such an enjoyable read and listen.

Amanda Leigh Cobb narrates the audio, and she is very easy to listen to. Her intonation and pacing are wonderful, and I was able to listen to this one in an evening.

Happy pub day, @kerrylonsdale !! Thank you so much for the gifted copy, and the @netgalley ebook! I am such a fan of both you and your work, and Meli and Aaron’s story was no exception!

This story encompassed so much. It begins by Meli running out on her own wedding, hopping on a flight to Vegas, and meeting Aaron. They both work in the furniture business, and their lives continue to collide throughout the story. They both have family issues to sort through, as well as their careers, but the eventual outcome of their joining was perfect. I loved their journeys, and highly reccomend adding this one to your summer list! 🩷

Falling for You Again by Kerry Lonsdale is more than a second-chance romance—it’s a layered, emotionally rich story about family, identity, and the delicate balance between love and self-determination. I went in without expectations and came out pleasantly surprised by how much heart, depth, and nuance this story offered.

At the center of it all is Meli, a fiercely independent furniture designer whose life has been shaped by a chaotic childhood and parents who never prioritized her. Raised by her uncle, Meli’s guardedness around love makes total sense. She’s not your typical romance heroine—she’s passionate, creative, and stubbornly loyal to her craft. Watching her navigate love while holding on to her career dreams was one of the most satisfying parts of the novel.

Aaron, her childhood love and now a complicated man with his own baggage, reenters her life—and their dynamic is what gives the story its pulse. Their chemistry crackles with a genuine mix of nostalgia, conflict, and affection. The flashbacks really helped build their emotional history and made the present-day moments all the more poignant. I found myself really rooting for them.

Lonsdale’s writing, as always, is vivid and heartfelt. The dialogue feels real, the emotional stakes feel earned, and the setting—especially Boston—comes alive on the page. I’ve never been, but her descriptions painted it with clarity and warmth.

However, Meli’s internal back-and-forth did give me some whiplash. One moment she’s sure of what she wants, the next she’s pulling away or changing her mind. It felt inconsistent at times, though understandable considering her background. I also would’ve loved dual POVs. Aaron had so much going on under the surface, and his perspective would’ve added even more emotional complexity.

For readers who like:
-Slow-burn second chances
-Strong female protagonists
-Family drama and healing from trauma
-Vivid settings and heartfelt dialogue

Final Verdict
A moving and empowering story about a woman learning to trust love without compromising herself. With themes of found family, emotional healing, and ambition, Falling for You Again proves Kerry Lonsdale’s versatility as a writer. This is romance for readers who want more than just happily-ever-afters—they want meaning. And this one delivers.

Grateful to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Kerry Lonsdale for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Lonsdale At Her Absolute Best. Gah. These past couple of weeks. So very much going on. My wife had a widowmaker type heart attack, survived while having 2 stents placed in arteries 90 and 100% blocked, and is having a stent placed in her 80% blocked widowmaker artery later this week. Lonsdale herself suffering an unimaginable personal tragedy that is unfortunately all too common - even one of my own aunts has suffered it, and then we get to the dozens of people - including kids - dead in the Texas flash floods less than a week after Lonsdale's tragedy. Bill Goldberg is facing his retirement match in Atlanta this weekend, and his own father died a week before that match. All the neverending political bullshit. Even I'm facing direct challenges in my own life that in some cases even my wife isn't as fully aware of just how much they're weighing on me as maybe she should be, things that few beyond family would even care about - if even them - and which I doubt I'll ever publicly discuss.

And then we get to this book.

Escapism at its absolute finest, but with so many layers so expertly and intricately crafted that it pulls at the heart just enough for catharsis without delving into pain. That exquisitely powerful balance that the singular best description I've ever found of it (so far?) was the moment in XMen: First Class where Charles is teaching Erik to harness his full power and move the (60s era giant) satellite dish some distance away. Lonsdale, in this second chance romance book with various things that will irk various readers, manages to capture that feeling so well without ever even acknowledging it.

This is a romance for the real person. The flawed person. The one with flawed parents. Even the one without parents any longer. The one who just wants to do their job, do it well, and go home to be with their cat and their friends. (Sorry, dog lovers. This is a cat book. Read it anyway.)

If you need your romance books characters to be some idealized Superman or Wonder Woman, well, this book isn't really for you - but you should still read it anyway, because it will pull at even your hardened heart strings.

If you need ghost pepper level spice in your romance books, again, this book isn't really for you - but read it anyway and discover how there is so much more to love than just the physical.

If you need your books to have some kind of political messaging, again, not the book for you. Read it anyway and discover the power of *real* relationships, where love and community hold sway over the raw desire for domination and subjugation.

Read this book because as excellent as Lonsdale's books have been over the years, whether it be the early "Everything" trilogy of romances or the more recent women's fiction books of the "No More" trilogy and Find Me In California, this really is Lonsdale at her absolute best yet.

And I am 100% honest in saying that of the 90 books I've read this year upon finishing this one, this is absolutely in contention for best of the year, certainly for best of the year so far.

Very much recommended.

A second chance romance where the heroine is very, I mean very against the belief that you can have it all. The family business will always come before love, even when it`s with her ex husband, the man she never got over.
The one mainstay in her life was that she would inherit the family business from her uncle, so when he blindsides her with the news that they are selling and she will be going to work for the buyers, she will do anything to take this deal down. This is where the ex husband comes into the picture. He is the buyer, or rather his family. The deal they make is to fake a real marriage, to create a conflict of interest. But it is pretty hard to fake feelings for the person you never forgot. A little family drama on both sides makes for some tenses moments! It is heartfelt and emotional, funny and real and I would give it a solid 4 stars. Hopefully it is a story most people would enjoy!

I loved this book. Having read all of Kerry Lonsdale’s books, I have several favorites, but this one is now at the top of my favorite KL books. I loved the two main characters, Meli and Aaron, and the chemistry, dialogue and banter between them. I didn’t care for her parents who practically abandoned her as a child leaving her uncle to raise her. And I was disappointed in her uncle, and her parents as well, for deciding to sell the craft furniture business behind Meli’s back. The business she was to inherit and take over after her uncle retired. This furniture business was her life, and she felt betrayed by her family’s lack of communication with her about this big decision knowing how much it meant to her. How could they do that to her and why? Fate would bring Aaron, who had family issues of his own, back into Meli’s life after she comes up with a plan that might help her keep the family business from being sold but she would need Aaron’s help. He agrees to help and their reunion develops into a great friendship. But does her plan work? And what will happen between Meli and Aaron after? Well, reader, you will have to get this book to find out exactly what happens.

This book is not only about romance but also about family, betrayal, forgiveness, and about trusting in love. Lots of emotion in this book and a few laughs as well. Kerry Lonsdale has written and beautiful story with a surprising and satisfying ending.

I received an early copy of the e-book as well as the audiobook version from the publisher via NetGalley. It was actually nice to be able to go back and forth between the e-book and audio version. The narrator did an exceptional job! If you’re a romantic, you’ll love this book. If you’re not, perhaps this book will make you one!

This one hooked me in from the beginning. I love the banter between Meli and Aaron. The cute list that they wrote together was adorable and how it was kept through all these years! *swoon*
This one is character driven, and it really delves into some hard topics, and I appreciated how the author handled each one. Both Meli and Aaron had issues and it really made them feel real and relatable.
There is a bit of will they or won’t they that happens and it’s not my favorite, but the author did a good job keeping me engaged with the family drama that I honestly didn’t mind it too much. This is a must read for fans who enjoy emotional baggage, family dynamics, and second chances.

A very special thanks to the author + Lake Union Publishing + Netgalley for the gifted copy.

I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this one. The FMC was the rough around the edges, steel toe boot wearing, calloused hand, blue collar worker. While the MMC was a white collar, suit and tie, making business arrangements type. I enjoyed watching both characters navigate the difficulties of working with their families. One loving it, the other hating every aspect of it.

There are a variety of heavy topics covered throughout the book that I think are accurately written and handled with such rawness you can’t help but feel the emotions of the characters. It also helped you to better understand where some of the insecurities and knee jerk reactions they (specifically the FMC) were coming from.

On the other hand, I struggled with the FMC a lot and felt that her mental maturity/mindset stayed at the age she was when she moved in with her Uncle Bear. While she’s an amazing, skilled woman with her craft and business mindset, her emotional maturity and conversation skills for anything outside of business left much to be desired, especially with how she was always lashing out at others. Throughout the book all I could think about is how she was the main problem.

Despite that, I enjoyed the story and liked the balance of difficult topics with witty banter / humor, the fast pace and the supporting characters. I thought the story was unique and feel like I haven’t read something like it in quiet some time.

Falling For You Again by Kerry Lonsdale follows Meli (short for Melissa) Hynes as she navigates tough situations with her family, her job, and her love life. Meli has worked in her Uncle Bear's wood shop (that was passed down from her grandfather) since she was 10 years old. Her uncle has promised her for years that when he retires, the job of managing the shop will be handed down to her - except now, Meli finds out that Uncle Bear is selling the shop to the Savant House, a home-furnishing company that has previously been their competitor.

Lucky for Meli, she has connections with Aaron, the Savant House's CEO's son, who is set to inherit the entire company. And by connections, Aaron is Meli's ex-husband. Even though they promised that after their Las Vegas spontaneous week-long marriage they would go back to their own separate lives, Meli finds herself reaching out in an attempt to sabotage the pending deal between Savant House and Uncle Bear.

To her surprise, Aaron offers Meli a fake dating/marriage scheme. Meli is hesitant to accept, because Uncle Bear has always taught her that balance between romance and work is impossible, something will always have to give. However, she decides to go along with it because it's only for her career, right?

I absolutely loved the idea behind this book, especially the way that the author interweaved the stories of the present and the past in the beginning. I also felt really strong emotions towards the characters, and was able to get very attached to them. I loved Meli, and by the end of the story I was rooting for her (although I feel like the ending did not do her justice).

My biggest critique of this story is the pacing. The first 50% of the book was either way too fast OR the book should've been shortened. Aka I felt like the ending conflicts of the story took up too much of the time on the page and were stretched out too thin.

The first half of the story was EXACTLY what I was expecting from the description, and I thought that it was perfectly executed. However, in the second half I felt like Meli just got hit after hit after hit, and while everything was resolved, I don't think the apologies were "big enough" for what everyone put her through.

On another note, I think that Emi was a sub-par friend to her (on the relationship side NOT the family problems side), and as the story progressed I found myself rolling my eyes any time I had to read advice from her.

All in all, I enjoyed the experience of reading this book, and I thought that the storytelling was very descriptive and the characters were well developed. I just was hoping for a better ending for Meli :(

I gave this book 4 stars!

"Every moment in life is a chance to create something beautiful, with someone or for someone. Even for yourself. Embrace the impermanence of life, like falling leaves. What you're going through right now is bit one of many seasons for you."

Last night after my kids were tucked into bed, I started reading Falling for You Again by @kerrylonsdale. Before I knew it, it was 1 AM and I was finishing the last page of this book. I was caught off guard by how emotionally invested I was in Meli and Aaron. I loved them both so much and was rooting for them the entire time. They really were perfect for each other! There was plenty of "swoon" and romance as well as profound moments about family, friends, and relationships. Aaron and Meli were each carrying their own burdens that allowed them to truly understand and see each other. The supporting cast of characters from Meli's best friend to Aaron's insufferable mother added many layers to this already rich story. My husband kept saying, "Wow, you're still awake. That book must be good." I'm at a time in my life where sleep is a precious commodity, so the fact that I willingly gave it up to keep reading should tell you everything you need to know! Falling for You Again is out in the world on Tuesday. If you are a fan of romance, you don't want to miss this one! Thank you so much to the author, Kerry Lonsdale, for gifting me a copy of this book!

A big fan of Lonsalde, I have read all of her books. This one was a little different than her previous books, but great nonetheless. I really enjoyed her as more of a rom-com writer. I am looking forward to what her next book brings.

This book was such a sweet and fun second-chance romance. I loved the unique premise, two people who were married once before (for just one day) end up tying the knot again for convenience… only to realize the feelings never really went away. Meli is a passionate artist who cares deeply about her family’s woodcraft shop, and Aaron is charming, thoughtful, and clearly still in love with her. Their chemistry was so natural and full of heart.
The dual timeline helped show how they fell for each other the first time, which made their second chance feel even more special. The emotional moments hit hard, but there was a lot of humor and lightness as well.
The author did a great job with this heartfelt, romantic, and emotional story.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Meli leaves her groom on their wedding day, flies to Las Vegas where she meets Aaron on the airplane. They instantly hit it off and, on a dare, they get married. After they go on her originally planned honeymoon they quickly and quietly get divorced.

Five years later, with no contact with Aaron, Meli needs his help in saving her family business. Aaron steps up without any hesitation. He proposes that they get married again.

Meli has an emotional backstory with parental issues. It still affects her to this day. Though Aaron is a wonderful book boyfriend, he, too, has some emotional family issues.

Aaron makes this book for me. He is just a wonderful man. Meli was so lucky to have met him on the airplane. They call each other “husband” and “wife” and it is so cute—especially when they first see each other after five years.

Read this if you like:

Second chance
Marriage of convenience
First person POV
Single POV (Meli) - would have loved Aaron’s POV

Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy and #gifted final copy. I really enjoyed this book! All thoughts and opinion are my own.

Meli’s dream has always been to own her uncle’s wood crafting shop that she’ll inherit, until she finds out he’s selling to the competition. She will do anything to stop this ; even a marriage of convenience.

This was a very well done romance. I loved the plot line as it’s very unique. The romance was believable and heart warming. I loved how both parties had family issues to work through that brought discord but also unite them. I also loved the cat character, Blueberry!

“It isn’t every day that a girl has the opportunity to marry a practical stranger, not once in her life, but twice.”

Falling for You Again comes out 7/8.

I was really hoping I’d love this book but there were too many plot points that I struggled with for it to really be a favorite. I did like the woodworking aspect since it was a unique profession, especially for the FMC. I wish that some of the tropes had been different, but they might be favorites for other readers. Read when you want a second chance romance.

This was my first book by Kerry Lonsdale and I would definitely like to read more! The romance itself had me invested from the beginning, while her characters are rich and compelling, and I appreciated that they have their own stories beyond just the romance between the main characters.

Unfortunately I had a couple of minor issues with the book showing instead of telling at times, and with some of my least favourite tropes being introduced towards the end which made me feel quite frustrated while reading (though this is personal preference rather than an issue with the book itself). I also had somewhat of an issue with the amount of miscommunication throughout, which didn’t always feel believable to me. Some is understandable and furthers the plot, however there were times it felt jarring that these characters would not just discuss the issues they were facing. At other times, though, it felt perfectly natural that they had their reasons for feeling the way they did and not communicating as effectively as someone with less of a traumatic past may have. I must point out, though, that a lot of my issues with the book only cropped up toward the end of the novel, when the miscommunication seemed to amp up a fair amount. Up until around the 80% mark, the only sticking point I had throughout was Meli’s insistence on not mixing business with pleasure, and how sure she was that she could not have both a fulfilling personal life and excel in her woodworking. Of course, she has her reasons, and has grown up in an environment which fuelled this view, I just found it hard to believe that she wouldn’t think critically about her uncle’s position on the matter and believed him almost without question.

More positively, I appreciated that the author gave us a practical and capable MC in Meli, a skilled woodworker who showcases her talent and understands her accomplishments in relation to her vocation. This was a breath of fresh air to me, as I don’t think I have often came across a female main character who works in a practical, often male-dominated field such as this. I enjoyed reading about Meli’s craft through her eyes, and her passion for what she does is evident. Her small, close-knit group of friends is equally capable in their own areas, and I appreciated the time spent on seeing them thrive in their own fields, as well as their bond with one another. Aaron, for his part, is a walking green flag, the kind of book boyfriend - or husband - who will give readers a solid view of how partners can and should respect, love and stand up for one another that everyone should know they are deserving of. I think the characters are where Kerry Lonsdale’s work really shines. In both the main and side characters, individually and in their interactions with one another, I found myself about to fully visualise and feel for them, and to experience their emotions and relationships in a way which pulled together and drew me into a story which could have otherwise seemed farfetched if not grounded by these characters.

FALLING FOR YOU AGAIN is the latest outstanding novel by one of my favorite authors, Kerry Lonsdale. It is an emotional and romantic story of family, love and second (or third) chances that captured my heart and never let go. Meli Hines is an artisan furniture maker that has learned one thing from her distant parents and the uncle that raised her – the only lasting love is between an artist and their creations. She has learned to put the family wood-working business before everything else. Meli meets Aaron on a flight to Las Vegas when she is a runaway bride. On a whim, the two strangers marry in Vegas then spend a week together in Hawaii. But when they part, they agree not to contact one another again. Years pass, but the pair meet again unexpectedly when Meli’s uncle decides to sell the business to a competitor. How is it possible that the competitor business is owned by Aaron’s family? To thwart the deal, Meli and Aaron decide to marry again, just for show, of course. Can they maintain a professional relationship when they discover they have real feelings for each other? The story is told from Meli’s point of view going back and forth between the present and her memories of the past with Aaron. I loved this whirlwind story of family commitment, rediscovered love and shared dreams and most highly recommend it. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale and Booked With the Emily’s for an ARC copy of this book!

This was such a fun summer read. This book is really heavy on the marriage of convenience trope, and I really enjoy that. There is some unsolved family drama/trauma that had me wanting to throat-punch some characters, but as you learn more about the gaming history you begin to understand why things are the way they are for Meli and her family. Aaron is absolutely amazing. He’s about as golden retriever as it gets and it made my heart smile. I loved the chemistry between him and Meli. Kerry has a wonderful writing style that captured my attention and held onto it to the very end. I likely would have read this in a single sitting if it weren’t for having to work for a living!

I had mixed feelings about Falling For You Again. I enjoyed that Meli was a skilled artisan working in a family business. I was quite disappointed that her uncle gave her such negative feelings on marriage and relationships. Meli was basically ignored by her parents, so it was good that she had a strong relationship with her uncle. Until he wanted to sell the family business to a competitor. Then the story went downhill for me. I usually enjoy Kerry Lonsdale writing, and will continue to read her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this e-ARC. The opinion expressed is all my own.