Name: Lover of Romance 's review of Fall by Kristen Callihan
Item: Fall
Rating: 5
Author: Lover of Romance

Kristen Callihan

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor. An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room. Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. All we have to do is trust enough to fall

Fall

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. In my defense, I didn't know he was Jax Blackwood-who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he'd be my new neighbor. An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked-spectacularly naked-in his living room. Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore-not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we're quickly becoming each other's addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. All we have to do is trust enough to fall.

Mary Carmona

"If my eyes could show my soul, everyone would cry when they saw me smile." Kurt Cobain

alexis rae 

Lover of Romance 

lexie

I LOVED THE PLOT SO MUCH. THEY BUILD A DEEP CONNECTION, WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS SERIES IS IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT SEX AND LUST. BUT IT’S ABOUT CONNECTION, FRIENDSHIP AND BONDING. killian and john with make a great couple in a alternate universe🫶🫶🫶

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. In my defense, I didn't know he was Jax Blackwood--who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he'd be my new neighbor. An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked-spectacularly naked-in his living room. Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore--not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we're quickly becoming each other's addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. All we have to do is trust enough to fall.

celene

3.5 jaxstella diaries my fave so far compared w the other books omg,,,, anyway excited for ryebrenna diaries aaah <3

THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN FOR ME <3 and stella grey understands me in a way no one can

Delicate by Taylor Swift - My reputation's never been worse, so you must like me for me
“Is being with you worth living with the fear of eventually losing you?”

Kristen Callihan sure knows how to write and I can tell she put her heart into writing this book. I loved this so much omg! Not only was this book so fun but there were also some emotional parts surrounding depression that I also related with. Also, the footnotes/ author notes were cute!

This book is friends-to-lovers at its finest!! Stella and John’s relationship progression felt so real and genuine. so well-written. Usually slower build relationships sometimes bore me especially by the internal monologues but I was not bored at all. 

Stella and Jax are made for each other <333 AHHHHHHH they melt my heart SO PRECIOUS

Idk what trope this is but this is now my favorite trope where the couple are each other's light/happiness/comfort after going through so much darkness. I realized this thanks to this author's note: "It was really important for them to laugh together. There’s so much darkness in John’s life, Stella is the bright spot of happiness and comfort that balances him. And she’s been so lonely. John gets her in a way no one ever has."

"My life was perfectly good before I met him. A little lonely, sure. Not as exciting, okay. But fine."

Stella to Jax - “I’m so freaking glad you’re here.” - well i cried

Even though everyone’s depression/ mental illnesses are different, the author portrayed it in a way where I felt seen, especially by Stella’s form of depression. Maybe that’s why I love this book so much bc the book gave me comfort that I'm not alone

(view spoiler)[“Because it hurts, okay?” When he frowns, I advance on him. “You think because I’m good old Stella, everyone’s friend, that I don’t feel that …” I wave a helpless hand. “Blackhole of pain? That utter fucking emptiness? People pay me to be their friend. I make people smile and laugh so they can say, ‘There’s Stella, isn’t she good fun’?”
“Do you know how many actual friends I have? None. Not a fucking one. Nobody knows the real me. Nobody calls on my birthday, or to see how I’m doing when they haven’t heard from me in a while. No one turns to me for anything other than a fleeting laugh or paid companionship.”
“I have zero true friends. Just people who know the surface of me. Sometimes the loneliness of it hurts crushes my chest like a vise. And I sit here, alone, wondering what the fuck is so wrong with me that no one has bothered to try. That no one sticks.” (obvi my fav chapter was ch 12)

“I think at some point, we all start feeling that water closing in. We all want that air.”

I kinda saw myself in Stella 

"I’ve spent years pretending that my life is filled with people and joy, when really I’ve walled myself off in this self-protected tower."

"I didn’t need anyone to talk to about men and personal worries because I’ve never let myself get attached to anyone or anything." (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[On a lighter note, here are some quotes of John-Jax being absolutely smitten!
' "I was standing there, looking at her, and she became … more. I couldn’t … I couldn’t think, man. Everything simply …” I wave a hand in annoyance at myself. “Tilted. The world tilted, and there she was. You know?" ' — AHHHH THE MOMENT HES FALLEN IN LOVE (and doesn't even realizes it)

"Stella smiles, and it hits me that she’s always smiling. Not because she’s forcing it but it’s simply her natural inclination to be sunny. For someone who slips into the dark far too often, her glowing warmth is a beacon."

"There isn’t anyone I want to be around more than you. You occupy my thoughts, haunt my dreams. I can no more stay away from you than I can try to keep my heart from beating.”

When Stella made John love the smell of lavender -“I’m pretty sure you heard me earlier when I said you smell nice. So it can’t be lavender. I hate lavender. Had this assistant once—June. She loved that crap. Thought it was calming and put all these lavender oil sticks everywhere. Gave me the worst headaches.”

"Goddamn, I like this girl. I like my life when she’s in it." (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Notable quotes that will live rent-free in head
“Stella Button, the moment you ripped that ice cream out of my hand, you knocked me off-balance. All I could do was fall.”

“You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’d happily spend the rest of my life trying to be the best thing that has ever happened to you too.”

"You are the strongest person I’ve ever known. You are a survivor. Every day you fight for a better life. I am in awe of you. I adore you. I have since the beginning. Fear isn’t an easy thing to shake. But for you? I will be right there fighting by your side and never regret a day.” (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ OMG THE EPILOGUE!!! He got her a house because she's always wanted a home and overall stability TEARSSSSS FALLINGGG - 
"You're safe now, Stells. Always." "
“But it’s not a home if you aren’t with me.” DEAR GOD OMG  (hide spoiler)]

"Welcome to New York" by Taylor Swift - “The gentle tinkling of water soothes and a soft breeze rustles the treetops on John’s terrace. In the distance is the ever-present melody of New York: horns and sirens and random rattles.”

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel - “For Stella, ‘The resolution of all my fruitless searches.’”- I will never listen to this song the same again TEARS

Catarina Vieira

Quando comecei esta série tinha receio de chegar ao livro do Jax por ser demasiado inenso (sabemos desde o livro 1 que ele tentou cometer suicídio). Portanto, quando comecei a ler o livro e me deparei com uma cena em que ele entra numa discussão com uma mulher num supermercado sobre um gelado, o que é apenas hilariante. 
Claramente, no desenvolvimento da história, a intensidade que eu esperava chega e o facto do Jax se querer disvincular do artista que é em palco é de partir o coração - pois ele quer ser outra coisa do que na realidade é. 
A história é muito fluída e não acho que seja demasiado gráfica, é apenas sobre nos encontrarmos e tentar, depois de uma grande queda, reerguer-nos - algo que por muita ajuda externa que tenhamos, tem de partir de nós. 
Os alívios cómicos são brutais e a Stella é, tal como o Jax, uma protagonista forte para caraças, segura de si e que sabe o que quer e o que vale.

Inês Filipa

~ 4,3. 

!!!! tw: anxiety, depression, suicide attempt !!!!

i’d just start off by saying this about all of the songs mentioned: chef’s kiss. i even found a playlist on Spotify with all of them and had it on repeat while reading. 

i loved john. and i loved stella. 

this book is heavier. it hit a spot close home - john’s battle with depression and anxiety. there were times where i’d really find myself in his words and feelings, and i just wished i could’ve hugged him myself. 

not going to lie, this book made me cry. there was this scene with killian… oh my god. did I cry.. 

4,3 stars

sharyn

jax and stella earned a big piece of my heart

catia

i don't love them as much as i love sophiegabriel but god this book was a rollercoaster and i never thought it was possible to fall in love even deeper for these characters!! this series has become a comfort read for me and loving every second of it!! jaxstella got me they were everything even tho i think sophiegabriel are my faves who knows i already started ryebrenna <3

Madalena Oliveira Maia

Stella and Jonh were so wholesome!!! I fell in love with them!! Their little banter and how they were there to support each other even when they were mad with one another was so cuteee. The only thing I would change is that I would've like to have seen more of the other in this book like we've seen in the other books!!!
Really excited for Rye and Brenna's book

Sav Kay

LORD OF MERCY I FREAKIN CANT! JOHN IS SO REAL! STELLA IS SO REAL! THEY WERE EVERYTHING 😭😭

Aayusma Aryal

Cried bc of that Kill and John's scene omg.

Amanda J 

Loved the two leads together. I thought it was a great depiction of depression without the book being depressing. Not as much boy gang interaction but still good. reason for the rift was plausible.

b.andherbooks

At the suggestion of some amazing and trusted leaders in the romance community I finally jumped in to Kristen Callihan's VIP series.

Every book in this series is just so good!
I'm about 1/2 way through FALL and John and Stella are about to cuddle and watch LOTR. *swoon*

I adore how many quiet moments are in this series. John may be a rock star but he's also so very human, fragile, and lonely like us all. And Stella, oh Stella, I want to wrap her up with a blanket and cuddle too.

I've been feeling really lonely lately and also am struggling with anxiety, and this story makes me feel seen.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

“Be with me. Let’s fall together, Button.”

We’ve all had fantasies of falling in love with a rock star who loves you back, right? At least I have, and let me tell you, those fantasies come to life in Kristen Callihan’s latest rock star romance, Fall. This is the third book in the VIP series, and though it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous two books to get a better sense of the band (Kill John) and its dynamics to have a better experience while reading Fall!

Managed was one of my top favorite books of 2016, so to say I was excited for Fall would be an understatement. John “Jax” Blackwood intrigued me since he first appeared in the VIP series, and his story gutted me and wrecked me, just like I knew it would. Even though it might seem like he’s a man on top of the world as one of the most famous rock stars ever, he has his demons and his downfalls. He battles depression, anxiety, and suicide just like any other person, and Kristen Callihan handles his struggles in a way that is honest, raw, and respectful.

Stella Grey is your average girl who is just trying to get through life after her father abandoned her at eighteen, leaving her to barely make ends meet and continue paying for their apartment. She works as a professional friend, constantly caring for and giving to others, but not receiving much back. All that changes when she meets John, though she has no idea who he is at first and steals the last mint chocolate ice cream out from under him. She becomes his new neighbor when she pet-sits for one of the members of Kill John. Through moments of friendship, laughter, and deep conversation, the two start to fall in love in the most heartfelt, adorable way possible.

“It’s nothing special,” I whisper. I’m just me, a girl like any other.
Under lowered lids, he looks at me, his expression solemn. “You’re extraordinary.”

I highly recommend giving Fall a try if you’re looking for something a little deeper and more raw in your romances. I loved John and Stella together – they felt like real people with real struggles, and I couldn’t get enough of their story. Kristen Callihan continues to amaze me with her writing, and I can only hope we’ll get more books about the rest of the Kill John band!

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: https://amzn.to/2q4otb2
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2NUrZxY

Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Lover of Romance &
Fall by Kristen Callihan

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Lover of Romance &Fall by Kristen Callihan

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Lover of Romance &
Fall by Kristen Callihan