“K.K. proves, once again, that she is the Queen of Angst…and second chance romance.” ~ The Rest Just Falls AwayNow a TOP 60 Bestseller!Our greatest risk was the one we never took … It was an accidental spring fling three years ago—one week spent in the mountains of Big Sur and no one was the wiser. Ignore the fact that Tobias James was my neighbor and my best friend’s older brother. Or that … older brother. Or that upon our return his hoop dreams were waiting for him, robbing us of any potential future we could have shared.
Now, I’m fulfilling my own dreams in L.A. and my biggest dream of all is about to come true. The last thing I expected was for my past and my present to collide.
Not now. Not here. Not him.
But he struts back into my life like he never even left. Unfortunately, I’ll never forget what happened after he did.
The ball is in my court, but Tobias isn’t below stealing—my power, my resolve, my heart… When he wants a second chance to reignite our connection, my answer is simple. We can’t.
Not unless we defy the rules our dreams were built on and risk everything.
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4.5 stars
“We were just Amelia and Tobia’s. Moon and Earth, living among the stars. We were everything and no matter what the hardships we’d faced along the way, we would always make sense together”.
Defying Gravity is a brother’s best friend/second chance romance and sports romance. Two people with their own hopes and dreams, hopes and dreams that would separate them until one day the stars aligned and they would be back together.
Amelia is a dancer, who aspires to dance at Basketball games, she’s incredibly talented, I often wondered why she hadn’t set her aim higher than just doing routines at the side of a court? but this was her dream which wasn’t to far off Tobia’s dream.
Tobia’s is a talented basketball player who fell in love with the girls next door.
When they first get together during Spring break, their feelings become stronger as time goes on but they also know their time is limited. Both Tobia’s and Amelia are on the crux of fulfilling their dreams, they make the most of every moment together while also trying to keep it a secret from Tobias’s sister who was very protective of her brother, in my opinion also selfish and not a very good friend of Amelia’s at all, I suppose there has to be a baddie in every story right? for me it was Tobias’s sister.
“I’d much rather live with you in secret, than without you in a lie”
This is a story of growth, mistakes, lessons learned, maturity, following your dreams and listening to your heart. A journey full of ups and downs, high’s a low’s, moving heartwarming moments and beautiful words.
An enjoyable love story and an ideal read to lock yourself away with and soak up all the words.
Leads to a hea, told in first person dual pov. Can be read as a standalone. Contains no cheating
Ours was a forbidden love that danced among lightening in equal measures of excitement and fear. That was Tobia’s and me- two connected souls that had once defied the laws of gravity.
4.5 Stars!
Holy Hell! I’ve been sitting here and coming back to this review for a week now. It’s always the books you love most that are the hardest to review.
About Defying Gravity,
Defying Gravity is the newest standalone written by K.K. Allen. And is told from Tobias and Amelia’s point of view.
Two NBA hopefuls, one dreams of a basketball career while the other dreams of joining the dance squad. But both are about to learn sometimes dreams aren’t everything unless you have the one you love standing beside you through the journey.
My Thoughts:
After reading Falling From Gravity I immediately jumped right into Defying Gravity. I knew I needed to read all the words where Tobias and Amelia are concerned. I had high hopes for this book and I’m so happy to report that K.K. Allen didn’t disappoint! I was just as intrigued and addicted to Amelia and Tobias’s story as I was in the beginning.
The forbidden vibe throughout this whole novel was my favorite point in this story. You see, Tobias has a younger sister, Trinity who also happens to be Amelia’s best friend. Her only rule for Amelia was never fall for her older brother. But sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants and repercussions be damned.
I loved the struggles that came with this relationship and I loved not knowing if they were going to work the kinks out or fade to nothing. There were a few moments that had me second guessing my earlier predictions. Defying Gravity was a definite page turner.
I have to say, I loved Tobias just a tad bit more than I did Amelia. Tobias is a man that’s been hurt in the worst way possible from the people that are supposed to love him unconditionally. The fragile spirit he shows is heartbreaking and inspiring. Everyone deals with shit, it’s what you choose to do with it all, that truly matters. Tobias had his moments of petulance, but in all honesty, he deserved those moments. These were the moments I loved Amelia most. She was the shoulder for Tobias and kind of acted as a voice of reason. The chemistry shined bright between these two in these moments.
Overall, Defying Gravity was a great story with the perfect amount of lust and love. It was hook, line, sinker from the moment I started this book. Completely consumed with Tobias’s sweet and sexy as sin persona and I found Amelia’s trials to be easily relatable. K.K. Allen sent me on an emotional journey with this one, a journey that I will never regret taking. This story was outstanding.
-Alecia @ The Staircase Reader
I really enjoyed the continuation of Amelia and Tobias’ story in this second book. While the first book was more about young love and insecurity, this one showed what a difference a few years made in both maturity and commitment. Nice, easy read that wasn’t overly sappy. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Tobias and Amelia three years since the prequel. Their lives have gone in different directions. My heart hurt for the things Amelia went through to dance. But their journey is incredible. Beautiful story
OMG, this book really took me in! From the beginning I was such a sucker for Amelia and Tobias. My heart broke for them, longed for them and loved for them.
K.K. Allen did such and amazing job creating this universe for Amelia and Tobias. You can’t help but too love and root for these two. This book has so many great elements.
Angst
Best Friends Brother
Long Distance Love
Neighbors to Lovers
Slow Burn
Second Chance
The only issue I had was the push and pull of the relationship, they would come together to be pulled apart time and again. Each trying to do right be each other and their careers while trying to maintain their own hopes and dreams. The universe was just not coinciding with them.
Each had issues they had to overcome both during their times together and apart.
I really loved these two, they made such an incredible couple. Amelia was a complete sweetheart and also very career driven. Tobias was extremely swoon worthy and was so incredibly sweet and faithful.
I definitely recommend this book. It is just too good to pass up.
Thank you so much to K.K. Allen & Socialbutterfly_pr for the opportunity to read and review this book!
“You’re my moon, you know?” His hands moved through my hair as he held my gaze. “The light in my dark. I’ll never stop reaching for you, Amelia.”
After reading Falling From Gravity I was so excited to continue Tobias and Amelia’s story. I got swept up right away and I knew their love story was going to be epic. And KK delivered as expected. She created an angsty second chance romance, looking for its equals.
“We’re moon and earth, living among the stars and sun. We’re everything.”
Tobias is perfect. Seriously, I want my very own one. He has a heart of gold, is caring and loves whole heartedly. He’s the right amount of bold and conceited. But he has every right to be.
Amelia is adorable. I love how passionate she is about dancing and everything she really loves in life. No wonder she loves Tobias so passionately.
Together Tobias and Amelia create their own universe with its own gravity. It’s simply amazing and a love pure like theirs deserves to be told by no other than this amazing and talented author.
“That was Tobias and me – two connected souls that had once defied the laws of gravity.”
Defying Gravity will amaze you on so many levels that you yourself will get caught up by the gravity of this enchanting book.
“Our love wasn’t just written in the stars. Our love was the stuff stars and planets were made of.”
Defying Gravity is a sweet second-chance, best-friends-brother romance that draws you in with the tale of pain, healing, love, forgiveness, mistakes, maturity. If you haven’t read the prequel then I would advise you do as it sets the scene for Tobias and Amelia.
I loved Tobias and Amelia, their love was so sweet and pure. They loved each other enough to step back and let the other live their dreams, hoping that they will eventually be brought back together.
“We were just Amelia and Tobias. Moon and Earth, living among the stars”
Amelia loves dancing and has the dream to be a dancer for the LA Lions. She has been harbouring a crush on her best friends brother Tobias for years and when they are brought together after they are forgotten by everyone else their love was so sweet and beautiful. Tobias has always had the dream to be a basketball player for the LA Lions until a family secret blows his world apart.
Just as Amelia and Tobias are coming together he is presented with another chance to achieve his dream but it means moving away to Chicago leaving Amelia behind. The aim is to stay together, a long distance relationship until they can be brought back together.
I wasn’t a fan of Tobias’s family, especially his sister. I honestly wanted to scream and shout at them.
This story will take you on an emotional rollarcoaster as you ride the highs and lows of the drama, lies, secrets, betrayal, love, humour and healing. KK Allen had me hooked and intrigued to see how their tale was going to play out.
Loving someone who has so much potential can be somewhat hard. Life was easy when their dreams hadn’t come true but now the possibilities are here. Tobias James was and is Amelia’s everything even her dream of dancing for the basketball team the Lions. I loved that here is her dream coming true but willing to sacrifice her heart with Tobias. These two have so much passion towards their careers and together. Tobias, now seemed a little off to me and for good reason. He knows what he wants that is Amelia and his true parentage but both come with obstacles. K.K. Allen brought these two in a way that is unique yet shows us their struggles to be true to each other. Loved seeing Theo and Lexi from the first book in this series seeing how they are right now. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
“You’re my moon, you know?”
His hands moved through my hair as he held my gaze.
“The light in my dark. I’ll never stop reaching for you, Amelia.”
Defying Gravity is my first read by K.K. Allen but definitely not be my last. I knew this book would be an anticipated read from the prequel that came out earlier in the Spring Fling Anthology. Anyone who read that knew this would a book that you didn’t want to miss. I do recommend reading Falling From Gravity first for a more in depth look at their relationship before this book.
Let me start at the beginning, I loved the interactive media that K.K. put into the book, the playlist for the book is great! I am big believer in listening to music while writing. It amps up my creative juices, and I know for a fact it did for K.K. as well.
At the beginning of the book we are treated to seeing the couple before, when they are on the cusp of graduating and heading off to do their dream jobs. Many decisions need to be made for the couple. And many were not made. Things they both needed to overcome.
I loved how we get a view of them before and after, and that the chapters are short and to the point, but that weren’t drawn out. The story really begins three years into the future and we see how the pair has fared apart.
Tobias has always known where his heart laid but Amelia never dared dream that they were each other’s ONE. But there are obstacles that life throws in the way. I loved how K.K. weaved everything together. Their personal struggles as well as their struggles together. This made them so much more relatable. Their connection more palatable.
They both have achieved most of their dreams, but both are feeling that something is missing. Each have a chance to complete everything they ever wanted for themselves. When they are basically thrown together, navigating in each other’s presence becomes something more. And the questions and decisions that they never truly answered come calling and fighting their way back together.
I felt this book was so effortless to read. And will capture your attention from beginning to end. While it isn’t exactly a dark read, it isn’t a light load either. There are some truly great quotes in this book. And I really enjoyed the couple. K.K. has a true talent and I can’t wait to read the other book in the series.
The dance world depicted in this series sounds so exciting and adventurous!! Defying Gravity is a little young love, second chance, and forbidden with dance and sports themes and finding yourself.
Tobias and Amie (Amelia) have danced around each other for years and when they finally take the chance on each other their careers demand more of them than they can each handle. Coupled with a secret that attempts to make Tobias lose sight of his identity, we get a fulfilling story.
I just live the links to the dance studios videos because it helps the reader feel the vibe and emotions in the story. That bit of interactive storyline just makes the story. Another winner in the dance world of Gravity Dance Center!!
This is the first time that I read a K. K. Allen book and I must say that I am hooked. Defying Gravity took me on one hell of a ride. It’s one of the most heartwarming books that I’ve read in 2019.
Amelia and Tobias are one of those book couples that you know are just totally meant to be. Its raw and emotional scenes were so enjoyable to read that I found myself too engrossed to the whole plot and I just couldn’t put it down.
I loved how the author portrayed Amelia’s struggles on fulfilling her dream. Her frustrations and disappointments echo every sentiment of anyone who aspire to make it in their chosen field. It was inspiring how she turned her life around and put herself back together little by little.
Meanwhile Tobias was just around the corner waiting for their second chance to happen. I loved his unwavering loyalty to Amelia even after all these years. Eventually, they managed to finally found their way back to each other. Their love story captivated my hopeless romantic heart. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. Looking forward to her next release!
Wow! Defying Gravity is a big story with simple themes of true love, second chances, families are complicated and more. This sports romance is told over several years, from both pov of Tobias James pro basketball player and Amelia Clark pro dancer. I love getting to be in both their heads! I have been looking forward to this couple since they first appeared in the Spring Fling Anthology. Reading that short story isn’t a necessity to understand this story but will enhance your enjoyment of these characters. It has been republished as Falling from Gravity and it’s free!
This couple has so many obstacles in their way, some external and some they create themselves. I could understand most of them, and some were frustrating. Tobias is reeling from a family secret and he has dropped out of college and off his basketball team. He’s just trying to get by with his anger and disappointment by spending time alone camping when he is talked into letting his sister’s best friend come along on his camping trip over Spring Break and sparks flying in every direction! There is nothing that compares to young couples falling in love even if they don’t realize it.
Professional goals create a long distance. It was great to see Amelia working on her dance and perfecting her craft at Gravity Dance Complex. Being back in that world and seeing familiar characters makes this story more rich. The video links provided throughout the book are wonderful to understand the dance routines Amelia is performing. Watching them both getting a shot at their dream jobs and realizing that there are problems and rotten people everywhere is one of the things that makes this story so real for me.
I really liked both of these characters. Amelia is so positive and eventually stands up for herself and loves so unconditionally. Tobias has a lot of hurt feelings to work through and he loves completely. I highlighted a quote that made me swoon a bit.
“You’re my moon, you know?” His hands moved through my hair as he held my gaze. “The light in my dark. I’ll never stop reaching for you, Amelia.”
I really enjoyed this story. Allen really packs in the feels and gives me the HEA that I crave.
Full of sacrificed chances, the insecurity of love and finding their identities K.K. Allen’s Defying Gravity was a heartbreaking and heart building story all in one.
Toby and Amie were a couple that no matter what pulled them apart they always ended up gravitating back to each other in dramatic and difficult ways. Toby was a strong supportive hero that while dealing with lots of personal angst was able to be loyal and focused in his devotion to Amie. His determination flowed well in the story and proved to be what guided this romance. Amie put her heart into her dreams and when reality took a bite out of them she pulled herself together and come back even stronger. Surrounded by superficial family bonds the depth and meaning of this pairs own connection was nicely emphasized by this author. This couple complimented each other even when one’s faith in their relationship wavered the other’s faith balanced them out until they finally were both on the same page and committed to the inevitable.
KK Allen’s sensitivity shows even as she portrays the unkind side of fate. Her skill at bringing out what was needed in her characters, so they could be at the right place for themselves and each other, was done well. With likeable characters, an unbreakable love and lots of hurdles to overcome Defying gravity was a story that was an insightful stirring read!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
This is my first book by the author. It was a nice slow-burn second-chance story about Amelia and Tobias. They first got together in secret since Tobias’ little sister was Ameila’s best friend and did not approve of them being a couple. They were then separated for three years before coming together again when they were both working for the same NBA team–he as a player and she as a dancer. There was a lot of angst in this one–sometimes a bit much for me. I enjoyed watching them navigate their feelings while they figured out exactly what they meant to each other and how that would fit in with their world. The writing was good and I liked how the author incorporated videos into the story. Overall, it was a good read and I would read this author again.
*4,5 stars*
I am really loving and enjoying this author her books! Before reading this one, I really suggest to read Falling from Gravity first so you can get a good picture of how Tobias and Amie met and a better feel of their relationship. I also gotta say that I really love sports romance so if you enjoy that genre, this one’s a definite must read!
Amie and Tobias’s bond seems to grow stronger the more time they spend together but with both their paths and dreams leading them apart, it’ll get harder for them to maintain that connection. When it feels like Tobias’ career is taking off, Amie feels like the pressure is getting the best of her and she ends up making a decision that will change both their future forever… Now three years later, they meet again and even though time has made them move on, it seems their bond is still strong but will it be enough for them to have a second chance?…
Darling, this book will make your heart beat faster while you dream of a love story like this.
And that is truly what it was, an epic romance. Defying Gravity is a second chance romance with strong characters and an even stronger storyline.
K.K. Allen had me in her grip from the beginning on with her stellar writing, resulting in a five star read.
One I can’t seem to forget for a second.
Dive into the story of Tobias and Amelia and fall head over heels.
This is the first book I’ve read by K.K. Allen and it won’t be my last. I’m a bit ashamed that I haven’t read anything of her yet. I missed out that’s for sure because I think she’s one of the best authors when it comes to the writing part. It was beautifully written. A story filled with metaphors and poetic sentences. And when an author gives you strong writing then you can bet she’ll give you a great story as well.
And it’s the truth. Defying Gravity is a story that held my heart from the beginning. A love story that I wish could be mine even when it dealt with heartbreak as well as other painful feelings the main characters suffered from.
K.K. Allen offers us the past, the present and the future of these characters and I wanted more. And the story started with their past which sucked me in right away. How they fell in love for the first time and how they knew that they belonged, matched, found a home until the clock struck midnight and everything fell apart.
Both main characters had huge dreams and both were doing everything to reach it. Tobias wants to play in the NBA. Which just for your information grabbed my attention even more because I’m in love with sports romances and basketball players are always so tall. And they make me drool, and swoon and fall in love over and over again. So, of course, I wished Tobias could be mine, but his heart belonged to Amelia from the very start.
“A happily ever after wasn’t in the cards for us anytime soon, but for now, he was mine, and I was his. And every stolen moment was one I would attempt to stretch for as long as possible.”
Gorgeous, strong Amelia with her heart of gold and her love for dance. Her dreams were just as huge as a certain basketball player named Tobias. Amelia wants to be an NBA dancer and she too will do everything to reach that dream of hers, but fate had taken another path and that ended up being the downfall of the relationship of these. Which devastated me completely. I was already so in love with the idea of these two. K.K. Allen’s writing will do that to you.
But this wouldn’t be a second chance romance if they didn’t get their second chance and they do get it. Three years later when dreams are being reached and life is going smoothly until their paths cross again. And once again the odds are against them, but this time they’ll fight for each other. I screamed!
“I’d much rather live with you in secret, than without you in a lie.”
I loved the characters in this book. Both were so easy to like and to imagine in real life. They were in-depth, flawed and realistic to a T. I want to befriend them and possibly move in with them, if not become sister wives.
Amelia was just this sweet woman with insecurities that broke her down once in a while, but at the same time, she had so much fire in her. And her heart belonged to Tobias since forever and so did Tobias’ which resulted in two people who understood each other so well.
A chemistry that made me long and wish for it to happen to me. And when they got all cute, I couldn’t possibly handle it. And when they got all hot and bothered, I felt like fainting (I’m not exaggerating). They were truly a match made in heaven and you can’t help, but root for them every step of the way.
“We’re just Amelia and Tobias. We’re moon and earth, living among the stars and sun. We’re everything. And no matter the distance, we still make sense.”
K.K. Allen gave me a dream come true which came in the shape of Defying Gravity. She gave me stellar writing which made me shiver from time to time. How spot on some of her sentences were, it still leaves my mouth agape. She gave me a killer storyline with loveable characters. Characters that belonged to each other. She gave me a book to love forever and reread to fall in love over again.
A second chance romance between a best friend’s older brother and a younger girl with dreams and aspirations paralleled by his own dreams and talent but with a secret that hurled him into uncertainty.
Amelia and Tobias were amazing characters that dealt with the situations each in their own way and lead them to make mistakes that made them relatable. Realizations came to light for Amelia about just how much she was willing to lose her self and self worth for her dream. All the while Tobias moving on from the blow of the secret his family had held from him.
They overcame obstacles to find their way back to each other. I love that was so deep within Tobias he refused to give up on Amelia. Their friendship, love and realizations led them to defy the odds.
“This isn’t you. This isn’t us. We make our own rules, remember? We define gravity. “
I really love their story and playlist K.K. Allen did not disappoint with this beautifully written roller coaster of emotions story!!
I really loved these 2 in the prequel, and that hasn’t changed in their main book.
Amelia and Tobias meet again after 3 years.
Have they fulfilled their dreams? Are they still chasing after them?
A lot of ups and downs, high chemistry flying around, truths getting uncovered. This story gripped me, and I wanted to know what happens next!
Great story line, lovely characters, side characters, I can totally recommend this book!
I kindly received an ARC for an honest review
The story is about chasing your dreams, it was emotional, and it drew me in from beginning to end, I couldn’t put it down. Tobias and Amelia love story wasn’t without obstacles and hurdles to overcome, as well as some heartbreak to deal with before the stars aligned for them to have a chance at happily ever after. I thought they were so good for eachother. Defying Gravity is a good second chance, sports romance read.
I have been sitting on this review for a few days. Marinating in Toby and Amie feelings. I needed the rest of their story like I needed air, and Toby was the ultimate book boyfriend. Can I have him? He can be mine. I love him.
These two were meant to be, you could see it in Falling From Gravity, the timing was just off. These two. OMG. “I’ll find my way back to you, Amelia. I’m about to make sure you don’t forget.”
The angst was mostly with Amelia and her loving herself and coming to terms with who she is so that she can feel good about herself and open up to Tobias and his love. There were many obstacles in their way but they are soulmates. Did I mention Tobias is amazing? Cause he is.