Sometimes bad decisions… are made for the right reasons. I lost everything with the death of my bandmate—my privacy, my reputation, my career, and the love of my life.I’m nothing but the living ghost of Madelaine Dobransky. Still, I’ve managed to make a new life for myself and build a successful business from the ashes. And even though my world is filled with guilt, secrets, and suspicion… it … my world is filled with guilt, secrets, and suspicion… it lies buried beneath the surface.
All I wanted was a tattoo. I didn’t know that it would bring him—the one who watches—back into my life. Nor did I expect the tempting tattoo artist, Dexter McClellan, to lay claim on a place in my world. Dex wants to know me, to know the truth.
But I can’t let that happen. Because the truth is buried for a reason.
The truth will destroy me.
**This book contains adult language use and graphic sexual situations.**
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I loved the first two books that start this series. I will say I was bummed that it still left a cliffhanger of sorts. I want to read the whole series entirely. I could put these books down and I know when I get the others it will be the same page turners till the very end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This isn’t an easy read. It is a soul wrenching, heartbreaking, discovery, dig down deep type of read. Reading this story and becoming invested in the characters and the lies and deceit I love it all. This had a few twist here then some knocks there then the way it ended?!?! Man I was about ready to throw my kindle. The author builds this up so perfectly going from Then (the past) to Now (current day) all the while “he who watches” is back and the warning?? What’s up with that?!?!? So throw on top of all that is going on now she has to worry about who to trust?!?! Oh be still my heart. Yeah. It is a great read that just has you all up in everything trying to breathe and not throw your kindle or wish sudden death on peoples.
I am so glad to be apart of this author’s world. She is new to me and I love her style even as I curse her brilliance while reading. Great stuff I can’t wait to read the next book in the duet.
A new author with a great future. Rebel Farris writes amazing romantic suspense. False start is a fast-paced emotional roller coaster that will have you wanting more. The kind of book where you will put it down and the pick it up again and say I can give it just 5 more minutes. The storyline is weaved together beautifully characters are in-depth and full and with the writing style that I haven’t read before I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to follow but man does it make the book worth it. Maddie small town girl too smart for her own good starts off life in a really rough way. Along Comes her knight in shining armor Jared, but fairy tales don’t always have happy endings. This book has twists turns and things you never thought you’d see coming tender moments that will bring tears to your eyes times where you get so angry that you just want to throw the book across the room moments that make you laugh and moments that take your breath away this book has been an absolute pleasure to read and I know I will reread it again. Read ARC for Review but purchased both books as well it’s that good!!
Books like this are why I am so happy to have the coolest friends in this community.
I never would’ve known about this author if it weren’t for the amazing recommendation of my amazing friend, S.
Wow, Rebel Farris. My first book from you and I have been completely blown away.
So much mystery, so many secrets, WHAT AN ENDING!
I loved that the entire story left us guessing.
I wanted to know who the killer was so badly, I needed to know who died!
The back and forth in timelines worked so well, and so infuriating in the best way possible.
The second we got to the past, I was dying to get back to the present, but the moment we travelled back to the present, I was begging for the author to finish the thoughts on the past.
To say I was hooked on this mystery is an understatement.
I can’t wait to start the second installment from this Falling Small duet.
Definitely worth the five stars!
Wow. Rebel has blown me out of the water with her words. I am so glad to have found her and her books. Everyone should read and have a copy. She certainly knows how to start books to hook you and end them with you wanting more. Thoroughly recommend!!!
My mind is reeling. How do I tell you that this book is a must read without giving anything away, so you can experience it just the way I did? How do I explain that my heart is racing even now as I write this review? How do I make you realize that this book is so well written that you will lose yourself in it forgetting that it is not real? What can I do to make you as another potential reader understand that this is a must read duet?
I will try to do these things by saying that Rebel Farris is a masterful writer. The way she uses flashbacks to peel back another layer of the mystery is so well done. I have never read a book where the author has used flashbacks this well. The plot is so intricate, yet so well executed. The imagery created is so vivid you can see it. Well done! I am reading the next book right now. I can’t wait to read more.
***Just a note. This book does end in a cliffhanger but the second book is also out so you can immediately continue the story. No waiting necessary.***
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love suspense. I love romantic suspense to be exact. I love the anticipation of it all. The fitting together of the pieces. The fact that you never have the FULL story until the author decides you do. I love that you make these theories in your head that constantly evolve and change as you keep reading. That is EXACTLY what this book does. It consumes you. It makes you ask SO many questions.
Rebel Farris was a new author for me, and I found out just how talented she is. Every move she makes is calculated. The plot is layered and complex. She peels away layers in an organized yet disorganized fashion that keeps the mystery alive and interesting.
I honestly LOVE cliffhangers and this one was so epic, I smiled. (Yes, I realize I’m weird, but that just makes me special right?) Anyways, I definitely recommend this book!
Incredible debut!
False Start is book 1 of the Falling Small Duet by author Rebel Farris. I can’t believe this is her first book. The writing is just so far beyond what I’d expect to see from a new author. It is so poignant and worded so beautifully I would actually go back and read some sections twice to get the full effect of her words. I was hooked from the very first page. I was drawn to Maddie from the beginning and I had to know more! The book takes us back and forth between past and present so we get the full story of what lead up to the tragic events that take place. We are introduced to more than one love interest but it’s not a love triangle in the way you’d expect. You will fall hard for each of these men as I did but I am 100% rooting for Dex! There are so many other supporting characters that at first I thought I’d have trouble keeping everything straight. But once I started to get to know everyone and how they fit in to Maddie’s life I was able to keep up with the flow of the story line. These characters are of vital importance in both books of the duet and upcoming books. Maddie may be the strongest female character I’ve ever read. I wish I could tell you more without giving anything away but I won’t risk it. She had more than her fair share of heartbreak and I am desperate for her to get a happy ending! This book is a roller coaster of emotions and so full of twists and turns that I never knew what was going to happen next. Anytime I tried to guess I was way off base which made me love it even more! I won’t go into specific story line detail because I don’t want to spoil anything for new readers. But if you love hot & sultry romance, edge of your seat mystery & suspense, sassy females, sexy rock stars & tattoo artists and over the top Alphas then I urge you to give this author a try!
False Start: Book One in the Falling Small Duet by Rebel Farris is phenomenal!
Farris takes her readers on a suspense filled journey that leaves you wanting to stay up way past your bedtime to see what happens next.
I absolutely loved the complexity of her characters and was ready to immediately dive into the second book, Pivot Line, when she hits us with the bombshell cliffhanger.
So glad I stumbled across this new to me author!
4.5 Stars
I was intrigued from the beginning with Maddie and her story then we’re introduced to Dex and I couldn’t get enough. Throughout the story we transition between the past and present so I had to make sure I was completely focused on the events taking place but this is a story that will have you on the edge more often then not and turning those pages. The mysteriousness held strong and had me second guessing everyone and that cliffhanger has me still so curious and ready to jump into book two. This is a first I’m reading from this author but definitely won’t be my last. Grab your copy now. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
False Start is a part of a Duet. You will want to read both books back to back. There is a slight cliff-hanger at the end, which is more like a “…to be continued…”
This story, overall was incredible. There are many characters and background information constantly flowing throughout the book. Whereas I liked the storyline, (and I couldn’t put it down once I became invested) it was extremely complicated. I stayed with it because I had to know who was died why is Mads/Laine so broken, and who was she going to end up with, Jared, Law or Dex? She sucked me in!
It is a well laid out story beginning to end. Great job for being the first book that Rebel has written. She did an excellent job of capturing me for the long-haul. I will read the spin-off series slated for 2019, because I got suckered into this story, hook, line & sinker. I love the characters. They are broken, dark, risqué, quirky, loving, loyal and all around awesome. I wish I had friends like Mads has in this series. I love that it is based in Austin and I recognized the streets and places described. That is pretty neat. I did get annoyed at first with the slang, and then I realized, ‘Holy crap, this’s’xactly how we talk!” I guess I’ve never seen it captured in black & white. 🙂 This’ll be a awesome read for you. The story’s incredible.
Worth the read, just a fore-warning, there are a lot of characters to keep track of, so I recommend reading both books straight through.
I voluntarily gave an honest review after being given an Advance Reader Copy by the Rebel Farris.
Rebel was recommended to me by a friend and I am absolutely hooked. This book is an action packed, emotional ride that will leave you wanting more. I lost sleep with this one because I could not put. It. Down!
It’s an amazing story with a lot of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Rebel is brilliant in her character development. So much so, that I am in love with maddie/laine. She is beautifully broken but had a strength that the best of us will envy. And the men in this book?! Holy hotness i need a smoke!
I devoured every page like it was my last meal and it was absolutely fantastic and freakin’ delicious!!!
Times like these when I wish I was a blogger or a writer or sorts so I could give justice to the absolute complexity and magnificence of this debut novel.
The entire thing is brilliantly crafted. So much, and I mean SO MUCH happened in less than 400 pages of a book and I was immensely satisfied. Suspenseful from start to finish, I was sure to have felt all the possible emotions while reading it. And that mind blowing cliffhanger left me 100% shook.
I love love the diversity of the characters – I just could not express it enough, the back and forth of the events because they were flawlessly told, the unexpected twists and turns, the chaos of it all, everything, just everything. I’m sure to be counting the days for Pivot Line. So glad it’s coming soon!!!
WOW… what an awesome ride this first book took me on and I so can’t wait for the next one. Rebel seamlessly writes a story that flips from current to flashback propelling the story forward with every word with great characters that engage you from the very start. Yes it does end in a cliff hanger but the second book it available. So my best advice buy both books now so you can just go from one to the next. I received a ARC for an honest review.
This book had me from the start and the challenges was quite creative with spectacular and stupifying scenes that couldn’t put down.
The author has followed her short introductory story of Maddie’s parents with this unbelievable story full of teenage angst, heartbreak, drama, love, betrayal and friendship. We are introduced to Maddie who deals with more than anyone person should ever have to deal with beginning at a very young age. I loved the drama and I cried for her and Jared. Why? She was so lucky and yet unlucky at the same time. I cannot wait for the next book.
The book is an intriguing suspenseful full of twists story that is captivating. Characters are strong engaging. I appreciate reading this book.
There is a reason that this book has received a unanimous 5 stars. This book will just blow your mind. I’m just a reader I devour books but rarely write a review, to be truthful I go in raw and don’t read them until after I have finished a book to see if I agree with their opinions. It’s usually a cover and a blurb or a recommendation that gets me in. This book has introduced me to a debut author that the world needs to hear about.
I don’t have a word I can think of strong enough for a description. It was so good on so many levels. It was perfection; it had so many twists and turns. This is Maddie’s/Laine’s story. It was a “now and then” adventure; each chapter in the past sets you up for a new discovery into the present. The introduction of new characters and situations and what they contribute to the end story. You can’t help but get attached to the characters and the scenes seem so visual. The men are HAF and the bond between the friends I just adored. This is a fantastic mystery that will have you guessing all the way through.
If you like reviews with lots of detail go ahead and read the others. I agreed with everyone else who has been captivated by this wordsmith. Or go in raw like I did and become bewitched. I’m counting down the days for Pivot Line.
Look out book world here comes Rebel Farris!
It was really thrilling to go through the pages and get to know Maddie! She is a troubled person you can relate to and laugh and suffer together with her.
The style and the now/then point of retelling are incredible and you are for the whole ride – there is no way you can leave the book aside!
I loved all the turns and the twists and was sad and angry and happy together with Maddie in all the important moments in her life!
A read I totally enjoyed!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
FanFlippingTastic!
An absolute head turning grab hold of you keeping you hypnotized throughout the engrossing suspense filled twists you never see coming feeding off every word as the storyline dominates every aspect of you making it impossible to put down! A very well executed read that is an absolute must have one click and get it read you will not be disappointed! Thrilling hot chemistry! Intense, enjoyable, exciting, suspense, emotionally gripping and head turning twists! A fantastic must read!