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I am a fan of Lonsdale books and excited about her latest romance with marriage of convenience mixed with dysfunctional family dynamics.

The story was entertaining but I had a hard time buying Meli and Aaron's meeting on the plane and the first fake marriage.

I didn't get how they didn't keep in touch despite having such a great connection. I really enjoyed Aaron and his quiet and attentive ways. Meli for we was a bit hard to like. She was wavering so much with Aaron. I didn't feel bad for how her family treated her and wished she spoke up more.

Amanda Leigh Cobb did a good job with the narration. I do wished we had Aaron's POV in the story.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.

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Oh my heart 🩷
Meli has been raised to believe that in order to have a great work ethic love should not play apart in your life. The first time she was to marry she ran away, got on a plane and literally flew to Vegas and spent the night with her seat mate, Aaron. They made a pact, made a list, got married, got divorced, met again, made a plan, got married.. again
Meli was running hot and cold throughout the whole book; for Aaron, for the business, for her family. Truly a character that is faced with a lot of growth from start to finish. When you really get deep and find out who Meli is you really understand why she is this way.
There was a lot of miscommunication for how much communication there was, but it REALLY worked because the bond between husband and wife.

I cannot wait for the novella and to find out what happened in Maui!

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Meli is a skilled furniture maker whose relationship with her parents have left an impact on her. You can’t be in a personal and business relationship at the same time. When she finds out her uncle plans to sell the family business (a business she was promised), she vowed to do anything to stop the sale.

I think this might be Kerry Lonsdale’s best book ever. Diving deep into how the people around you can shape your views, Lonsdale creates a woman who is strong but is damaged by her family history and her parents rejection of her. I was so invested in Meli and her relationship struggles I had a hard time putting the book down. This is an excellent read!

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This was more than just a second chance romance. There are such complex emotions and characters throughout this novel.

Melissa aka Meli has been raised since she was 10 by her Uncle Bear. Bear has a lot of “Bearism’s” that he shares with Meli. The biggest being that you can’t do what you love and have someone you love. Something will suffer and the person you are with will ask you to choose.

Meli is getting married to Paul. On their wedding day as she is getting ready to walk down the aisle, she decides she just can’t marry him. She flees and winds up on a plane to Vegas. She meets Aaron on the plane and they dare each other to marry one another.

They spend six days together and then agree to divorce and have a no contact agreement. Fast forward five years and Meli’s uncle is selling the shop he always told her would be hers. He’s selling to Savant House, Aaron’s family’s company. She decides it’s time to see Aaron again. Thus begins their second chance with one another.

I enjoyed Meli even though there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her. A lot of it stems from her childhood trauma and is understandable. Aaron has his own demons that he has to face to get to the life that he wants. They both agree to a marriage of convenience even though they already had feelings for one another. The side characters were great! All except Kaye and I would’ve loved to see her get hers. Maybe she did after all.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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This second chance romance was the perfect palette cleanser I needed between all the thrillers I have been devouring. It was sweet and heartfelt with Meli fighting for her family's shop. When she meets the competitor's son, Aaron, she is shocked to find he is her very brief ex-husband.

I'm not telling you anymore except that if you enjoy romances that make you go aww in a big way. then you need to pick this one up. I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook which was done so sensationally, that I found myself speeding through the book - I didn't want to stop!

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Kerry Lonsdale is known for blending genres with emotional depth and sharp storytelling, and in Falling for You Again, she shifts gears into a more classic romance—with her signature emotional complexity still fully intact. This story centers on Meli and Aaron, two characters with painful pasts and emotional baggage, who find themselves entangled in a marriage of convenience that quickly turns into something more. With tropes like fake dating and second chances layered in, it’s an irresistible setup, but what sets this book apart is how authentic and layered the characters feel, especially Meli.

The family dynamics bring an added layer of tension and depth. Meli’s relationship with her parents is nothing short of disastrous, and the messiness of those ties adds realism and emotional weight to her romantic journey. Lonsdale doesn’t shy away from hard truths about grief, expectations, and trying to rewrite your story when the past keeps holding you back. Still, for all the heaviness, the tone never gets too bleak, there’s a hopeful thread running through it all.

The audiobook narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb is a perfect match. Her voice has that comforting, familiar quality that feels like a friend recounting a deeply personal story. She brings Meli to life with warmth and emotional nuance, enhancing both the lighthearted and heavier moments in the story. Listening felt intimate, like I was being let in on something private and real.

Overall, Falling for You Again is an emotional and flirty read that strikes a great balance between fun and heartfelt. Whether you’re drawn to complicated family stories, emotional romance, or second chances that make your heart ache just a little before it soars, this one delivers. The audiobook especially makes for an engaging, binge worthy listen.

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Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This was such a fun read and I just couldn't put it down. A runaway bride to getting married after just meeting someone on a plane to divorce and second chances. I just love Kerry Lonsdale's books and can't wait to read more. So very enjoyable and a quick read. Thank you! Thank you!

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good book and romance lovers will swoon! a cute relationship that unexpectedly reunites and has a warm ending

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Another great read from Kerry! It drew me in immediately. I loved the characters right away, and I wanted to know how it was going to turn out…a couple twists left me happily surprised! This was such a sweet book.

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“Did you just smell my hair?!” #swoon

“You were my choice.”

Thanks to Kerry for my #gifted copy of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so invested in the story from start to finish. You’ll root for Meli & Aaron to get the HEA they so deserve.

What you can except…

✅Subpar parental units
✅Found family
✅Marriage of convenience
✅Swoonworthy moments
✅Second chance romance
✅Addiction
✅Dysfunctional family dynamics
✅HEA
✅Personal growth

Kerry does such a great job with incorporating the huge spectrum of types of humans into the pages of this book, from good to bad and everything in between. In life there is a huge gray area, that’s where most of us fall and she does it so well.

Moments that I loved or stuck with me…

❤️Omg when Aaron’s mother has the meeting with her in the car it has my jaw on the floor and I was so pleased with how it went.

❤️When 💩 hits the fan and Aaron shows Meli what he’s been up to and tries to fix their relationship I thought it was the most kind and thoughtful thing.

I just adored these characters so much. Meli and Aaron were so good about communication despite the communication issues they had. I know that sounds weird but their bond was just so solid even in the hard times.

I loved how they called each other wife & husband. It worked so well with this storyline and wasn’t cheesy at all, it was endearing.

It was a trope overload in the best possible way. A story that really shows how very important it is to been 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 by those you love the most.

#fallingforyouagain #kerrylonsdale
#lovedit #lakeunion #lakeunionpublishing #brillianceaudio #topbook #romance #romancenovel #secondchanceromance #booksilove #summerreads #beachread #endlesstbr #WhatAreYouReading

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Tis is a heartfelt and engaging second-chance romance that explores the complexities of love, family dynamics, and the courage to begin again. Meli and Aaron’s impulsive Vegas marriage and subsequent separation form a compelling foundation for a story about emotional growth and reconciliation.

Meli’s fiery independence contrasts nicely with Aaron’s gentle loyalty, creating a believable and charming chemistry. Their banter adds warmth and levity, though Aaron’s character could have used more depth beyond his devotion to Meli. The portrayal of family miscommunication — especially Meli being shut out of major decisions — felt frustratingly realistic but occasionally overdone, making the conflict feel repetitive rather than nuanced.

With strong characters, emotional beats, and a focus on healing, This book earns a solid four stars — a warm, romantic tale about finding your way back to love (and maybe booking a therapy session or two).

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This book gave both second chance romance and friends-to-lovers vibes, and I really enjoyed it! This is not the first Kerry Lonsdale book I’ve read, and she is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me. Her ability to write chemistry and tension between her characters is superb. I loved the relationship she created between Aaron and Meli in this. They were funny, supportive, and spicy while also kind of being relatable messes. I thought their original meet-cute was quirky and adventurous, and I also thought both of their family dynamics added a lot of dimension and depth to each character.

I do wish the story had revealed some of the deeper family plot points earlier on in the story to hook me a little more quickly. I also felt there was a little repetition to the conflict, but overall, I thought this was a very fun read. I will be highly recommending it to all my friends!

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Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed some aspects of Meli as an MC— you don’t see woodworking and entrepreneurship for FMC in romance often so I appreciated that. Loved her working through a business plan and all her ideas to try and bring success and revenue to the family business.

First 50% of this was riding 4 star territory but then it got way too heavy handed with the childhood trauma and self-sabotage plot device. It also has a major trope that I dislike at 70% so it ruined the book for me. Last half is severely rushed and I was perturbed by Meli allegedly going to therapy as an adult to help get through some trauma inflicted by her parents, only to have some major breakthrough after talking with a rich client…. Meli is also just not a good friend either so it made me care less about her problems and venting scenes.

This book does help me realize that I think I prefer second chance romances!

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This is one romance and Kerry fans won't want to miss. Meli (who's running) and Aaron find each other on a plane to Vegas and decide to marry for 24 hours. They make a list of the perfect person for each of them even though they never intend to marry (after this!).

Meli has loved her life woodworking with her Uncle even though hey parties see her now as an associate rather than a daughter. Aaron has had expectations put on him that is not what he wanted out of life but feels he needs to do out of obligation. These two, while they keep a lot to themselves, also find they can open up to each other as they can't to others.
Their relationship has a lot thrown at them and they try to ride the waves as best as they can.

Aaron was just the perfect guy and he was the one for Meli, I could feel that from the very start. If you get a chance to read the novelette, The First Fall, after this one ... do it! I felt it enhanced the feeling of love I had for these characters.

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I have been a fan of Kerry Lonsdale's for some time and was excited to receive an ARC of her newest release from NetGalley.

Falling for You is a story of an accidental meeting that changes two lives forever. Meli is a runaway bride and has a chance encounter with Aaron on a plane to Las Vegas. Their connection is immediate.

I loved the connection and relationship between Aaron and Meli. They were human and had flaws and learned from them.

There are two main issues I had with this book. 1)Repetitive phrases: "my craft" and "cracked her knuckles" occurred so often that it was distracting.

Possible spoilers:

2) It felt like Londsale had too many different issues in this story. Just a few examples: Meli's parents abandoning her at a young age, her parents addiction issues, Bear's instructions to never fall in love, Aaron's guilt over his brother's death, Aaron's mom (enough said), Fallon, Bear selling the business behind Melissa's back to just name some. A few of these would have been fine but there were too many in my opinion.

Despite these two things, I still enjoyed the book and the love story.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I really enjoyed this story. Melissa works with wood building furniture with her family Her family has a very strange dynamic and she doesn't feel loved by them. She freaks out when she finds out her uncle has sold the business that she has always thought she would inherit. She goes to the man whose company is purchasing it and it her ex-husband that no one knows about. They have great chemistry but he wasn't planning on marrying and she doesn't believe in it either. The story has lots of twists and turns, romance, betrayal and a new start with her family. I really liked this story and highly recommend.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
.

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fell for this novel again and again many times over throughout my read. what a special book this is with a special character base. i was rooting for our pair from the start and felt joy every time i got to re-open the book. i swept through this book as i just wanted to know more of their story and see more of their interactions. i wasn't sure quite where Kerry would take us in the end. what would a happy ending look like? i know what i wanted though, from the very start i know what i wanted.
the writing of this book felt so skilled and just allowed me to flow right into its pages so i felt as one with it whilst i was reading. i escaped into the world she built and often didn't want to leave. i love that this had some real humour sprinkled all over it. its not often done or done this naturally in romance and i did those big smiles more than once for both the love and wit.
Meli and Aaron dont have it easy. this is a cushy cushy world or romance. no, they each have and have had things to contend with. and thats when you know a good writer and book. when even if there is much to contend with or some harder themes, somehow you still feel uplifted or want to be in this world, or love the love story. skill oozes from how Kerry has done that in this book.
i wanted to scoop Meli up and make sure she was ok. i could feel her fear and anxiousness often. how her and Aaron are with each other is gorgeous. their patience, love and care for each other doesn't have any one upman ship or forced healing. its just there, a anchor for each to hold on to.
i also have great thanks for the way Kerry portrayed some of the deeper themes. they didn't feel cliche or judgy or with some of the usual stigmatic splash some people have added to them. it was tender and done with knowledge or at the least the effort of it.
a wonderful book that shows love in all its wonderful forms. when its true, its love.
id give this more stars if i could.

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This was a fun read. Woodworking was a fun storyline. I enjoyed the characters, even the supporting ones. Quick, fun read.

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Meli, a furniture artisan, finds her future of owning the family business jeopardized when her uncle put their family woodworking shop up for sale. To try to offer her uncle an offer to keep the place herself, Meli calls on her ex=husband, a man she married for a few days in Vegas for fun, after running away from her own wedding, to help her earn the family business back. It turns out his family has already put an offer on it. Their fake romance starts to turn real, and they both need to navigate family, trust, issues to see if they can work in the long run. Full of twists and turns this book will captivate you from the very first page. Perfect for those that love second chance romance and fake-marriage tropes. Aaron and Meli's chemistry is something that cannot be denied.

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This was a truly enjoyable read and kept my attention from the time I started reading. Kerry Lonsdale in typical has created characters that you will feel like you know them personally and the way they interact and the situations they get into.
I loved it and cannot say enough about this and to tell you that you should definitely read this book.

I received a copy of this from the author / publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.

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