There’s off-limits… and then there’s your psychiatrist.
They call this place Oasis, and he’s the doctor in charge. He thinks he can save me. Heal me. Catch me if I fall…
Dr. Leo Chastain is a mouthwatering distraction. For that reason alone, I’m inclined to play his game.He doesn’t know I’m beyond help–Incapable of emotions that come naturally to others.
I might be a sociopath.
I warned him … reason alone, I’m inclined to play his game.
He doesn’t know I’m beyond help–
Incapable of emotions that come naturally to others.
I might be a sociopath.
I warned him my kind of broken can’t be fixed.
That the harder he pushes, the harder I’ll push back
…until he’s broken, too.
I warned him.
more
It took me a bit to get into this one, but once I got past whatever was holding me back, I couldn’t put it down. There is such a deep story between Mia and Leo and LM does an amazing job of pulling you into their deep story. And just when you think you know the background she led you through … you find out that you really don’t know anything. A really great read.
This is my first book by this author. It was amazing! It is about so much more than a taboo relationship between a therapist (Dr. Leo Chastain) and his patient (Amelia). Lauren Halloran does a fantastic job of telling a tale of family, love, loss, tragedy, healing, forgiving, and finding love again. The story is painful at times but there is healing. Leo and Amelia are beautiful together and their chemistry burns hot. I highly recommend reading this book. I look forward to reading more of Lauren’s work!
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review.***
Another fantastic book from L.M. Halloran! This was so much more than your typical therapist-patient taboo romance. Amelia was an interesting heroine and at times I didn’t like her, until I began to understand her more. Leo is her therapist and keeps her at arm’s length, rightfully so as he is her therapist. Soon they can’t fight the tension between them and they ignite in a sexy outdoor scene.
I highly recommend this book!
Absolutely fabulous! Just get this book without reading any reviews! You need to experience it without knowing any details that are revealed in reviews. It’s that good! I have some much love for the beautiful words of this author that takes us on a journey with spectacular characters, tackling emotional subject matter and a love story that will have you swooning. The story deals with the serious subjects of addiction, self destruction and devastating trauma that could have been heavy but the author did a terrific job of adding enough levity and humor to counter the heavy. There are so many characters to love in this story from the beautiful, broken Mia to the brilliant, handsome Dr. Chastain to the famous Oasis “inmates” to the wonderful families. Lots of secrets that are revealed in a series of ups and downs as the scenes build to emotional crescendos that are heart stopping. The sizzling chemistry between the lovers is breathtaking and so, so sexy. The fits and starts of this love story is a killer and the little bit of doubt that they may not get together is an emotional wringer. This author is an automatic buy for me with her wonderfully descriptive story elements and superb character development. This one might be my favorite so far. I do hope Jameson and Callum get their own stories. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC and bought the book. Love to support my favorite authors.
I’ve said it before, and it seems trite to repeat it but for those reading reviews who aren’t familiar with my blog, I am an avid reader and editor. Over the last 7 years, specifically, since I got my first e-reader, I have discovered more authors than I can name that are tremendously talented. Yet, prior to e-readers and the ability to self-publish, authors might spend a lifetime sending manuscripts to publishing houses repeatedly, only to be rejected for one thing or another. And yet, I think in the years since I started reading fewer mainstream authors–sticking almost completely to those that began their careers self-publishing–I have read some of the absolute best fiction of my life. Well, not withstanding the classics, but again, we are speaking of self-publishing authors. And without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite fictional authors is L.M. Halloran.
I have been absolutely hooked on L.M. Halloran’s writing since I read my first book by her, Double Vision. After I crawled out from under that metaphorical rock which concealed her talents, I made it my mission to stalk her on social media and read whatever I could get my hands on that she’d released previously. I find my awe of her grows with each book I’ve read. As most would agree, any author grows by degrees with each book they write and the same holds true for L.M. Halloran. Yet, from that first book to her current release, The Fall Before Flight, what has impressed me the most was the skill inherent in L.M. Halloran’s writing. I personally find her work exceptional in every way. Her writing is extremely fluid, intelligent and beautiful. Her plots captivating, her characters completely swoon-worthy and her romances marvelously hot. Her writing stands out against the masses.
Another extremely noteworthy fact about L.M. Halloran is her ability to write successfully across multiple modern-day romances genres is unique. All too often, authors pigeonhole themselves and then cannot find their way clear to truly explore their range of talents. Conversely, L.M. Halloran has written a different trope with each book across numerous sub-genres of romance. My favorite book by Halloran happens to be Perfect Vision, a dark romance that is both an erotic BDSM romance and very suspenseful. However, she followed up PV with her current release, The Fall Before Flight, which has allowed me to again be impressed by how truly talented and diverse her abilities are. You see, The Fall Before Flight is a taboo doctor/patient romance that is angsty and a complete slow burn. While her writing style remains consistent, the variety she offers readers means her books are unique, creative and insightful.
The Fall Before Flight is a truly stunning romance. It displays brilliantly L.M. Halloran’s signature storytelling—it’s exceptionally well written; encompasses a plot that twists in entirely unpredictable ways; and includes characters who grow beautifully as the story progresses. I will not attempt to spin a new version of the synopsis for The Fall Before Flight and will instead leave that to the expert, L.M. Halloran. I also refuse to post spoilers, so you won’t stumble on those in this review. The Fall Before Flight is an outstanding example a well-crafted plot and how to write a fantastic, slow-burn romance; you will feel the tensions rise between the hero and heroine until the pressure simply ignites your kindle! It’s spectacularly hot! Dr. Leo Chastain and Amelia “Mia” Sloan’s dynamics will draw you in and have you hooked within moments. Leo is a complete enigma, a puzzle that Mia is determined to put together and break apart for her own means. Mia is a skilled chameleon, the ‘bad girl’, a heroine who is broken from a devastating childhood and I couldn’t have been more fascinated with her! Since the story is primarily from Mia’s perspective, her thoughts pointed to a very complex character and only reading The Fall Before Flight can make you truly appreciate her growth. I found myself impressed by the skill with which L.M. Halloran embedded idiosyncrasies into Mia’s character that directly affected the progression of both the plot and the growth of her character. These idiosyncrasies ranged from the overt to those seemingly veiled; yet, upon further reflection of Mia’s character, I realized that I only had to piece together clues to see what had actually been staring me in the face all along. It really was genius. Also, as the plot evolved, and Mia and Leo’s relationship progressed, I found myself quite taken by Leo’s character. He was very well adjusted, although his intentions went deeper than the reader will appreciate until many of the plot twists are laid bare. He was just as multi-faceted, and appearances were deliciously deceiving.
I could go on with my desire to convince you just out phenomenal The Fall Before Flight is. The sooner you stop reading reviews, the sooner you can get completely wrapped up into this contemporary and taboo romance that will leave you every bit as addicted to L.M. Halloran as I am. I was unable to put aside this book and read it in one sitting. It’s extremely entertaining and you should one-click this one without delay!!!
She did it again.. Threw me into an emotional hole and left me there to the last page. I know I repeat myself but I love Laura’s writing. From the chapter one I knew I wouldn’t put down this book until I finished it. This is another amazing story written by the one of a kind author
4.5 stars
Amelia is a damaged, wounded woman, living her life on the edge, using people, manipulating them, breaking them. There is more than one trauma in her past, and those events have shaped her into someone desperately needing some professional help, even if she doesn’t realize it, refuses to realize it. When her twin brother, Jameson, begs her, pleads with her, to allow him to take her to an ultra exclusive, ultra professional place of treatment, she only says yes because Jameson is the one person she can’t refuse. When she meets her new therapist, Leo Chastain, she wants to wreck him, she wants to so many dirty things to him, but he won’t give into her obvious deflections. As their time in therapy slowly winds down, she is starting to realize that he’s actually helping her to feel alive, to feel safe. But will they give into their mutual attraction? Will Leo EVER allow her into his heart the way she’s already allowed him into hers?
My God, this story was a roller coaster! The first half was a little painful as Leo took Amelia through all the necessary treatment steps, and her past was revealed. I felt for her, so much. And I fell in love with her character. She was, beneath her impulsive, manipulative image, a beautiful soul. Thank God for Leo finally getting her to see some worth in herself because at the start, I had my doubts if she’d ever come around. So why did I take off half a star? Well because the twist was kinda unnecessary I think, and made my high opinion of the otherwise absolute sweetheart of a hero, Leo, dim a tad. It didn’t make me hate him or not love him anymore but it did make me a little mad at him. Aside from the twist, as unnecessary and anticlimactic as it was, I loved everything else about The Fall Before Flight. Amelia and Leo have that unforgettable kind of chemistry, that unforgettable kind of story, that really isn’t very common. This story was just so well-plotted, the character development was some of the best, most well-drawn, that I’ve read in maybe forever. And even though this was a very slow burn kind of romance, once Leo and Amelia got together, talk about FIRE!! He’s one dirty-talking, downright filthy therapist! Amelia was a lucky, lucky woman. But really, Leo turned out to be the luckiest, because once Amelia healed from her past, she turned out to be the shining star of this story. Kudos to L.M. Halloran for this beautifully emotional, sexy story.
There are authors that can write and there are authors who make you feel, everything. This book makes you feel and feel hard! Mia is perfectly damaged, the way her mind works is stunning. Leo is EVERYTHING! This book is funny, sad, thought provoking and all the feels! Love, love love this book!
This book is a masterpiece!! It’s got all the angst, lust and hot sexy moments. It’s going to have your emotions running haywire. This is a book that’s going to stay with you long after you’ve read it. The author has such a way with words and you are going to feel like you are right there with Mia and Leo. I love a good Forbidden romance. You know it’s wrong, but wrong can be oh so right!
Amelia (Mia) has a past that has left her broken. She can’t feel emotions and that makes her fearless and reckless. Her latest daredevil stunt lands her in therapy with Dr. Chastain (Leo). He is determined to fix her. It’s not an easy task when your patient is smoking hot and sassy as hell. Add to that the fact that everything isn’t what it seems and certain truths are going to come to light.
Lines were meant to be crossed and rules were meant to be broken…..right?! Will Mia succeed in breaking Leo? Is Leo strong enough to fight the temptation? Is Mia capable of feeling love, whether it’s giving or receiving? “Love is the firmest ground in the world and a never ending fall”.
Perfect Wave…Perfect Story.
I knew I was going to be in for a wild ride on this one, and I’m glad I secured the safety harness lol I felt all the emotions Amelia went through, the ups and downs. The highs and lows. Twists and turns…the whole 9 yards and I’ve never been in any type of counseling before. And now, I may reconsider if I can find a doc as appealing as Leo though 😉 The things we do for love and family baffles the mind sometimes. I loved this story. At first I was a bit wary of where it would lead but I opened my mind up and let myself fall. Sigh…oh what a fall it was.
L.M Halloran has again weaved her magic on me whilst reading The Fall Before Flight, as again I have become absolutely enamoured with her stories.
It is never going to be the easiest read when it comes to one of her stories. She always delves into the darker side of lives, and I am always amazed. She takes us down the rabbit hole with Leo and Amelia’s story, and I didn’t want to come back.
“Everyone’s broken. Some of us are just better are gluing the pieces back together.”
So many secrets and lies are revealed as Amelia finds her way back to herself. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, Ms Halloran threw another curve ball at me that had me rethinking everything I had read.
My heart hurts for Amelia as the story progresses. I am sure we have all had some of the thoughts that she has had at times.
Gah, there is so much I want to say about this book, but I don’t want to give anything away. This is story that you need to dive in blind and let envelop you, body and soul.
Buy this book. That is all
Leo and Amelia’s story by LM Halloran completely grabbed me by the feels and did NOT let go!
I adored The Fall Before Flight in so many ways. It was emotional and just full of so many different feelings that I wasn’t able to put it down. Amelia and Leo are definitely perfect for one another, even though the story starts out as them not being able to act on those feelings.
I binged the book in one sitting and cannot wait to see what LM has in store for us next.
Talk about compelling and addictive!
As always, L.M. leaves me in pieces after I finish. I always know it will be a roller coaster of emotions from the first page. Amelia (Mia) feels she is cruel and uncaring. After yet another of her accidents, her father & twin brother get her to seek treatment. While in treatment, she meets and is drawn to her therapist, Leo (Dr. Chastain). Little does she realize he’s just as drawn to her. She thinks she’s a sociopath. That she uses and manipulates people to her own ends. While there she meets & makes new friends, discovers things about herself and others and realizes she may not be as evil as she thinks she is. She’s jumping with parachute and unexpectedly discovers her safety net. She’s smart, sassy, snarky, unexpectedly sweet, and strong. Leo is hot, smart, conflicted, tender, and heart melting. I love the journey. Along the way she rediscovers her relationship with her family and makes a new one of friends and loved ones. L.M. never disappoints! Love, love, loved it! I received an advance copy. I am voluntarily providing an honest review.
It’s not my first rodeo and if there’s one thing I can expect from an L.M Halloran book, it’s complex characters and a riveting story. And boy, does she deliver!
This book touches on the intricacies of the human brain where Amelia is concerned, and I truly enjoyed the slow unravel of it all. She’s the type of person who considers herself to be “broken” as she doesn’t act (or react) the way others do, and every chapter peeled back another one of her layers. Her story broke my heart and her journey toward finding herself helped stitch it back together.
Leo was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed watching his interactions with Amelia. Every time I thought I had him figured out I was proven wrong. Their chemistry was undeniable and their coming together was hotter than hell. I appreciated that it was a slow burn type of romance because it made their situation even more real.
There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I don’t want to give anything away. Let’s just say The Fall Before Flight is the kind of story I covet the most. The characters are flawed, the situations are real, the chemistry is off the charts, and the drama is most definitely there.
If you’re looking for a book that you can devour in one sitting, then I highly recommend picking up a copy today.
This book was amazing!! It captured me from page 1! Amelia and Leo are everything. The bond they share is incredible. I couldn’t put this book down. You will not be disappointed!!
This book! These characters! Amelia (Mia) is one of my favorite female characters. She is unapologetically herself. She is very self aware (or at least thinks she is) and she makes no apologies for herself or her lifestyle.Iin her own words, “I am a horrible person. I use people. I eat them up and spit them out. I don’t care about anyone. I love my brother, but that’s it. Everyone else can burn.” Her personality is not for the faint of heart. But as the book goes on, we find that everything is not as it seems. We slowly peel away the layers of Mia’s personality like the layers of an onion, until we find something unexpected underneath. Dr Leo Chastain is charged with helping this broken woman get better, and it’s not an easy road. He pushes, she pushes back harder. The interaction between the two was amazing. The cast of supporting characters was so well detailed that they added a lot to the story. You grow to care about all of them. As a romance, this is a slow burn. Mia knows she is attracted to Leo almost from the first. Leo, however, is so self possessed and contained, until he isn’t . The twists and turns will captivate you and keep you wondering, and break your heart a little. But don’t worry, it will be put back together again!
Fearless or suicidal? Mia’s mind is such an intricate web that those who have really taken the effort or time to understand her still end up perplexed or frustrated. She is a in-your-face type of person. You will either love or hate her right off the bat. Through her interactions with different people, Mia shows facets of her personality.
Dr. Leo Chastain feels up to the challenge as Mia intrigues and fascinates him. He’s an enigma himself for almost half of the story, always hiding behind his professionalism but Mia slowly cracks through his shield.
Laura Halloran layers tension and mystique in this story. As Mia grapples with what really happened to her, she finds her views of others, and herself, constantly changing as she begins her journey of self-discovery.
I read a lot. There’s not a whole lot I can read that even surprises me anymore, honestly. Generally, most romances have that same feel and often, the plot is also generally the same. Now, I’m not saying this in a negative way. On the contrary. I love the semi-predictability of a romance, the inevitability of it. It’s an oasis. However. L.M. Halloran completely flips that script – her writing is the ultimate balm for real life drama, while totally knocking me sideways. Unpredictable, yet comforting; her writing is on point, always. It’s addicting and well-paced. Lyrical but not stilting. And she writes real characters. Flawed characters. Characters that make mistakes, sometimes liberally.
It’s the characters that truly make this story. Amelia seems like someone you could know, or be. She recognizes the faults within her and she wants to be better. She wants to be healthy. She admits when she needs help. And damned if that’s not one of the hardest things in this life to do. And despite her kicking and screaming (not literally) to accentuate the fact that she doesn’t care for others beside her brother, her interactions with everyone once she reaches Oasis is evidence to the contrary. The others flock to her. She’s the compass, the sounding board to a lot of other people, whether she accepts the responsibility or not. But it’s her inherent goodness, her heart, her ability to listen without judgement that highlights this strength, even if she disagrees.
And Leo is a revelation. A literary hero revelation. I’m not even kidding. He’s a man that also has flaws (there’s a theme here), but he recognizes them. He struggles against them for the entirety of the novel. But he still falls at the feet of Amelia over, and over, and over again. For better, for worse (it’s for the better, reader, don’t worry).
The relationship between Leo and Amelia is a challenge. It’s taboo (there’s an age difference here too, which I LOVE). There’s a power struggle between them which is entertaining, not uncomfortable. Actually, I think that’s a testament to the writing. I’ve read books in the past with the psychiatrist/patient relationship crossing romantic boundaries, and it’s something that I’ve always felt a little uncomfortable with. Probably because of that aforementioned power struggle, but it just works here. Inexplicably. Leo isn’t sanctimonious, nor does he say that he is – he’s a man. A human. And he sees the problems with falling for Amelia, he sees the conflicts of interest, but his attraction supersedes common sense, and rules. And as a reader, it’s a privilege to see them come together despite their circumstance.
L.M. Halloran’s a writer that I’ve absolutely become addicted to. Each of her stories seems a little more solid than the last. The Fall Before Flight might be the most difficult and the most fluid of anything she’s written before. She doesn’t pull any punches here, and I absolutely adore her for it.
With each story LM Halloran writes even more brilliantly than the last. Just when I thought the last book was her best she goes and tops it. Words cannot describe how much I truly enjoyed Amelia’s journey through handling her insecurities and relatable life issues. Her complex character and relationship with Leo was so well written that I was sucked in right from the get go and could not put the story down. This is a must read!!!!
This is the first book I have read by this author. I cannot wait to go through and read every book she’s ever written after reading this one. The writing was fantastic! I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put this down. I told my husband I would read one more chapter before bed and instead I had to read to the end because I couldn’t stop. I was so wrapped up in these characters and this story. This book was everything. Complex, well-developed characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. Amazing supporting characters with complex personalities as well. I loved the heroine of this book – strong, intelligent, funny, a bit hard but loving and kind. She was the kind of heroine I wish more authors would write. There were so many layers to Amelia and I loved how they peeled away as the book progressed. Leo was a wonderful hero. I loved his professional side but even more I loved that Amelia was his weakness. This book is so good that I didn’t want it to end. It’s a book I look forward to rereading and it’s a top pick of 2018 for me. I highly recommend this one!