The first time you meet someone, you make eye contact. You smile, say hello. Should be simple, if you’re anyone but me. The first time I met Dylan Reed, I found myself making eye contact with a different part of his body. You see, I’m very good at being shy, not to mention extremely well-versed in rambling nonsense and, unfortunately, rather highly skilled at making a fool of myself in front of a … of a guy I’m attracted to.
At the time, I knew nothing about him and thought none of what I said would matter since I’d never speak to him again. Turns out, I was very wrong. He was the star wide receiver of the football team, one of the few players expected to make it into the NFL, and I ended up seeing him all over campus.
I might have also propositioned him, run away from him, attacked him with a cooking utensil…and…uh, maybe I shouldn’t tell you all of it. It’s pretty normal stuff, things you’d expect…from me. Eventually, the time came when I couldn’t hide anymore—not that he’d have let me even if I tried.
Before now, he never knew I was secretly watching him. Now that we see each other every day, he knows when I have a hard time looking away. It doesn’t help that I’m not the most subtle person in the world either.
He smiles at me and tells me he finds me fascinating because of my quirks. I can’t even tell him that I think my heart beats differently whenever he’s around.
He thinks we’re going to be best friends. I think I have a big thing for him, and the more I get to know him, the more I don’t care that I’m not allowed to be his friend, let alone fall for him.
The thing is, that’s exactly what I’m doing—what we’re doing, I think.
Falling.
Hard.
more
Sometimes a meet-cute isn’t a meet-cute at all. Sometimes it’s a meet-whole helluva lot of awkward. But the impression has been made so it can only go up from there, right? Well not so in the case of Zoe Clarke. She and Dylan Reed stumble through three before things take hold. Their first two meetings were disasters but something kept bringing them together. The circumstances surrounding the third are the hardest and yet they’re the ones that will keep them together if Zoe can find the courage to share the secrets plaguing her. If they can overcome that, Dylan’s pride and career will be lemon pie.
Lemon pie? You know, “easy peasy, lemon squeezy” and “easy as pie” put together? No? Or maybe I should have jut gone with “piece of cake” instead? Well, whatever, you get the idea. Back to the point…
So many excellent one-liners in this story. I’m sure making the teaser graphics were only difficult because there were too many to choose from. The sentiments, the confessions, the almost poetic way Zoe has with how she rambles and spills everything from her heart and head so it jumbles together into a beautiful mess of feels. Dylan’s heart is much more straightforward and the way he adored every weird quirk, gesture, and obliviously sexy thing about Zoe was all tenderness aimed straight for the cockles of my heart.
Cute, quirky, honest, big heart, earnest Zoe. Devoted, sweet, focused, wonderful Dylan. Really, really liked this story. I actually liked how the story led me on like it did Dylan until we got the real story from Zoe like that’s how we should have read the situation all along. It was a surprise and yet not drawn out for days and days for it all to come to a gigantic explosion of awful in the last three chapters. Yes, there was a bit of extended angst concerning the situation but the way it was written was engaging rather than just being strung along to increase tension artificially.
Having a solid supporting cast also gave the story a boost. Even though there wasn’t a lot of time spent on background for the side characters we get a good general idea of who they are, why they are who they are to Zoe and Dylan, and why they are important to the progress and evolution of the overall story. The drama that came from their friends could probably have been left out but I think it helped the evolution of the Zoe and Dylan story by giving another focus, a way to encourage change, and an opportunity to see them show loyalty and to bond more deeply to one another as well.
The resolution was good, not exactly formula either. We did have Dylan being all butt-hurt and acting out a little, but it was minimal, controlled, and honest. Then when he found out the truth his immediate reaction sealed the deal for me. I wish there had been a little more groveling because he was on the other side of a similar misunderstanding and should have shown more understanding in the beginning but going after her as he did and baring his heart as he did calmed my need for a good grovel a bit.
And that ending, good Lord, the feels!! I loved the ending so hard it’s not even a joke at this point. Being that it was from Dylan’s POV we get to see how deep his heart actually goes. His love for Zoe, his life, and all the pieces that made them special as a partnership came together beautifully. The ending was longer than most in this genre and I can’t tell you how much that made this story better. It gave ample time for us to settle into their happiness, believe in their future. Throughout the entire story I was charmed by the uniqueness of the characters, invested in their outcome, and absorbed by the events. Win, all kinds of win.
“Just…I need you to choose me now. I’m the one that’s supposed to be with you, not anyone else.”
Who doesn’t love a sweet, slow burn, college sports romance?? This book is a perfect touch down; we get the shy quirky beautiful girl and the perfect athlete with a natural charm!!
Dylan Reed, the star wide receiver with a promising future on NFL; he’s not your typical stereotype of popular guy, he has one goal in mind and that’s being drafted. Until Zoe Clarke; there’s something different about her, not that she is shy or can’t stop rambling when nervous, but there’s so much more than meets the eye. They keep crossing paths but never the right circumstances, but third time is a charm, and something is going to happen, it is meant to be.
Friends to lovers, but I love the fact that this was no friendship from the beginning so the angsty of it all was just, slowly cooking for a perfect blow out!!
4 STARS
I loved the banter and interactions between Zoe and Dylan. Their conversations were hilarious and it was so cute how quirky Zoe was around Dylan. The narration added that something extra to the story. This was a perfect slow burn friends to lovers romance!!!
The Hardest Fall by Ella Maise is a MUST read/listen, and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ELITE!!!
Friends to lovers romance- Zoe is a shy freshman who is dared to kiss Dylan a wide receiver on the football team. Two years later they end up roommates and friends until they face their feelings for each other. Fun read
4.5 Dylan is swoon worthy Stars! I absolutely loved this third chance, buddy to lovers sport romance. Throw in a twist and you’re hooked from Chapter 1. Devoured this read. I highly recommend this book.
This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased, honest opinion.
Wow!! This was such a great story!!! I’m not usually a fan of slow burn romances but this one really did it for me. This was my first book by this author and I cannot wait to read more by her. She did such an amazing job with this one.
You guys, Dylan was THE book boyfriend. Man, I wish I could take Zoe’s place in this one haha!!! He was so swoon worthy. I loved how strong and hard working he was. Dylan had a heart of gold and it was amazing to read about the man he was. Dylan was a star athlete at this college but you wouldn’t know it by talking to him. He never let his status go to his head. He was just your everyday, average good guy. I swooned SO HARD for him. It’s rare to find this all around amazing guy so he definitely made it to the top of my book boyfriends list.
Zoe was this shy, quirky girl. I loved how she was embarrassed so easily and super shy. Usually shy characters break out of this within the first few chapters but Zoe was truly shy to her core. I loved that about her though. She was another great character in this story, although her love for pizza and m&m’s scared me at times, lol jk.
I love how throughout this book I thought I could predict what was going on or about to happen…..but that wasn’t the case. There was plenty of plot twists and turns to keep me completely engrossed into the story. I’ll admit, the slow burn romance really got to me at times. I just kept yelling to “just kiss already!!!!!!” several times while reading. But when the romance did finally happen, it was THE BEST.
Without giving anything away, the ending of this book was what really made it over the top for me. I truly enjoyed it and wish I had 5 more books with this couple. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
It took me awhile to get into this story I’m not really a fan of slow burn reads and lots of (in my opinion) unnecessary dialogue. I felt Zoe’s excessive rambling slowed the pace for me.
However as you discover more about her I found her to be adorable, thankfully the pace picked up and I ended up enjoying the story.
I love opposites attracts and you don’t get more opposite than Zoe’s a very shy girl and jock Dylan. It’s the conflict I love and seeing how the characters will get together with their difference.
This ended up being a great read and I enjoy so many things about the two of them, they were a great couple to read.
Loved it! Dylan and Flash 4-ever!
This book kept coming up in the KU fb group and I couldn’t wait to check it out. It’s so good, I enjoyed it soooo much. It grabbed me right from the start and I didn’t want to put it down. Those two are just so cute together. I love their love for each other! This one is definitely worth a reread.
Ok. So this book was pretty perfect. It was a spots romance (which I love), it was friends to lovers (which I also love)…and it was amazing.
I loved Zoe. Swear to god, I got a little scared while reading it that the author has been stalking me because she was like my spirit character. Her love for pizza…I’ve never seen it put into words exactly how I feel about pizza, but this author did that. I totally got where Zoe was coming from. Pizza is heaven. And sharing never happens. I also loved Zoe’s shyness and quirks. That just made her seem so real, and I’ll be honest, it was like reading a book about myself. I loved how uncomfortable she was in her interactions with Dylan…BEEN THERE.
Speaking of Dylan…I LOVED HIM. Every moment with him was heaven. I loved that while Dylan was a star on campus, he wasn’t into playing the field with girls. He wasn’t a jerk that used people. He worked hard, cared about his school work and worked when he could, not just to support himself, but also send money home to his parents.
There was definitely a little mystery/twist here. I DID figure it out, but I kept questioning myself as little hints were dropped.
This may have been my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last!
I have to say this has the most memorable and epic meet cute I have ever read. I couldn’t stop laughing and gasping. It is beyond ridiculous and I still sputter when I think about it.
The Hardest Fall is one of those stories that will give you an all day smile. It’s sweet and wonderful with an edge of whaaaaaat. Topped with a whole lot of that’s complicated and choking in the tension between a certain pair of buddies!
Sigh, I need a Dylan Reed.
After what Feels like a lifetime ago Ella Maise has given us yet another Master Piece.
TEN BEAUTIFUL STARS PEOPLE
The way this book started had me spitting out my coffee and I knew instantly that this book was gonna be awesome. Zoe and Dylan relationship starts of in the most Unique way ever.
Zoe being so damn shy that there are times you blush for her and Dylan being the most amazing guy you could ever find.
Dylan was perfectly thought of when Zoe was born. They are that perfect together. They have this beautiful relationship, this Mature and soulfull Friendship.
Dylan protects her Shyness and loves her with all her quirky ways.
It’s a slow build kinda love story and Let me tell you that If I FLOVED this slow bulid so will you. Reason well the story is captivating, and has you so enthralled that you keep flipping pages trying to find out what is the big secret and waiting for it to go Boom.
Also even though it’s yeah a Slow Burn but when they get down to sexy time boy is it Amazing and Hot. It’s well timed and fits perfectly into the story.
I also have to say I love Dylan’s Friends and hope they get books to.
Grab this one ladies. It’s gonna Wow your Pants off….
Enjoy!!!!!
I was hooked, first line, first page, “the first time Zoe Clarke saw me, my hand was wrapped around my ***k.” You couldn’t help but fall in love with awkward Zoe, “****! Oh… that’s a… ****s— your ****s. ****.” I mean the girl just knows how to make situations go from bad to worse, “I didn’t…” She started then closed her mouth as she met my gaze. “Your ****s… I didn’t mean to… your ****s? I just saw your ****s. I’m still seeing your ****s. I’m looking straight at it, and it’s right the—” Zoe gets more reactions out of her man than any of Dylan’s friends do, “…No, I’m not being dramatic at all, so come on— lose the pants, get naked.” The last thing I was expecting to do at that moment was laugh, but I did just that.” Dylan has to teach his woman that good things take time, “I gently bit her earlobe and absorbed the way her body shivered. “You’re adorable. Does that feel like something you can take care of in just five minutes?” I liked this book, I fell in live with Dylan and Zoe.
Despite never having read an Ella Maise book before, I’d had my eye on The Hardest Fall since it started popping up on social media. I love me some football books, so I was immediately drawn to the cover. But once I read the blurb, I realized I absolutely had to read it. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Early reviews talked about the slow burn in this one and I love a well-done slow burn. I put this on my priority TBR and snagged it from Kindle Unlimited as soon as it was available. Surprisingly enough I didn’t binge it all in a couple sittings, but spread it out some because I was enjoying the writing so much I wanted to make it last as long as possible.
The Hardest Fall was a great character-driven book. I absolutely adored Zoe and Dylan. Zoe was a great heroine. I mean, she was a lot to take in the beginning, but as someone who has her fair share of awkward social interactions, I found her kind of endearing. And the more I learned about her, the more I liked her. She’d dealt with a lot in the past and, honestly, was still dealing with some serious crap, but she did it with a smile on her face. I love a strong heroine. And Dylan? Hello, swoony goodness. Who doesn’t love a non-manwhore, down to earth and sweet athlete hero? He was damn near perfect. Plus, he was such a great match for Zoe. I loved reading as these two characters became friends and then more and I relished in the delicious slow burn that came with it.
I don’t want to say anything that’ll spoil the other main storyline in the book — the one with Zoe and the football coach — but I’m the first to admit I was a little nervous about what was happening there. I’m SO GLAD it didn’t turn out to be what I feared it might be. I also felt like that storyline, while it did upset me a few times because of how strongly I felt about Zoe, was done really well. It all added to Zoe’s personal growth and I can’t be all that upset about that.
This was an absolutely delightful book. I’m so glad it fell on my radar. I’m looking forward to reading Ella’s backlist in the near future, too.
FAVORITE QUOTES
When life throws you a wide receiver out of nowhere, what are you supposed to do with him? Try your best not to look at him for too long, maybe? That’d be a good rule of thumb, I thought.
“This is the strangest thing, but I think you’re going to be my best friend, Zoe Clarke.”
“My heart beats differently for you. It feels different somehow. I know this probably doesn’t make sense, but… it beats louder, wilder when I see you.”
It’s hard to explain what draws you to a person, what it is about them that makes them so special that you give them your heart. I believe it’s all about who you are together, how you are together.
Love the college romances. This is an amazing book. It hands suspense, happiness, sadness and banter. Some parts are super funny. This my first read by this Author but will definitely not be the last.
This has got to be one of my favourite book in 2018…the slow burn was killing me but It was worth every single minute.
Zoe and Dylan made me laugh so hard I got tears in my eyes. The dialogue between them and the little encounters were so funny and sweet. It’s a book you’ll read it in one-seating – you’ll not be able to put it down once you start.
And talk about hot, sexy and swoon worthy guy – Dylan was such a great MC. I loved his dedication to his grades and football. I loved how he made the bet with her and when he said “Keep me, Flash. I’m such a good catch.” ..I was done for. Be still my heart.
Everything about this story was right. I loved it so fricking much I’ll definitely be re-reading it soon.
*** Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I’m just gonna say, this book is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Not only is it the first I read from Ella, but most certainly not my last. I absolutely love Zoe. That girl made me laugh so much. Her and Dylan gave me all the feels reading this. I love them together. I loved all the characters in this book. But Zoe and Dylan are two of my favorites. This book is amazing and will have you believing in true love. Amazing.
I fell for this book. HARD. Like really hard.
Zoe and Dylan are pretty much great characters. Their first meeting was off the charts. Our shy girl Zoe met Dylan Reed, and she didn’t expect to see the rest of him. It was memorable, funny at best, embarrassing at its worst – but things didn’t go as expected and it wasn’t the right time. She didn’t expect who he was, what he was in campus. It was okay when she knew, because there was no way their paths are going to cross again. Until they met the second time. Second time was bad timing again.
“Third time is the charm, so maybe next time we’ll make it happen.”
The third time they met, she hit him with a cooking utensil. But then good things starts to happen. She couldn’t run away or hide from him anymore. Before she knew it, she was discretely watching him. And he knows it.
“I like having your eyes on me, Zoe.”
I managed to force a nervous smile. His thumb moved on my cheek, rendering me… basically completely helpless.
Forgetting myself, forgetting where we were, I whispered, “I like watching you.”
If only Zoe’s life isn’t laced with secrets and lies. It would have been easy. But things are just complicated, and Zoe can’t do anything about it. Or maybe she could. She deserves the best anyway. Question is, is she brave enough?
I am totally head over heels over these two characters. Zoe and Dylan are the best! Dylan is ever charming, not your typical jock, he helps his family when he could and he doesn’t fool around. He can be a little alpha, but not too much that will make you roll your eyes.
Zoe gives a new meaning to word-vomit. I like her. Maybe some of us (like me) can relate to her. When she’s nervous, she tends to ramble, and its adorable. But sometimes, it tires the heck out of you to listen to her, and you just want to shut her up. So its a love-hate relationship. Nevertheless, Zoe will win you over when you get to know her and what she had been through. She’s a brave girl who was willing to do anything for the sake of family. Did I tell you she’d die for pizza?
The first part of the book, I was laughing out loud – it was already hilarious and I was expecting the rest to be great as well. Ella Maise delivered marvelously. The Hardest Fall is a slow burn romance. It will make you wait. Make you anticipate. Make you crave. Then gives you the best in the end. There are surprises that you can guess along the way, and there are those that will still make your jaws drop.
It was a whole lot of feels – you’ll laugh, you’ll smile, you’ll get irritated, you’ll hate you’ll feel embarrassed, you’ll cry, you’ll feel sad, you’ll feel jealous, you’ll feel suspicious, you’ll break your heart and you’ll fall in love.
Ella’s writing is always entertaining and this is no exception. The characters are well developed and there’s even a nice twist.
When I first heard of The Hardest Fall I was really intrigued by the blurb and all the amazing teasers, so of course I had to buy it immediately when it released.
Going in I was actually surprised, I didn’t suspect the story to be like this, but in a good way. I loved the characters and their story. Zoe is just so funny with her quirks and nonstop talking. And Dylan is some sexy football player too! He’s a great guy and an even better friend. And both together were just so funny and cute.
I went through a lot of emotions while I was reading The Hardest Fall. It was all ups and downs. Reading I thought at the beginning of the book that the story would be like this. And then the story went in a different direction and I was like “what?!” (I wasn’t expecting that and wasn’t sure if I would like this direction). But then the story went in a totally different direction than I expected and again I was like “what?! Really?! I need more!”
So to say this book is a roller-coaster of emotions and expectations is an understatement. I loved it! The book is different than hat I was expecting but still so great. I loved the dynamic, the secual tension and the secrets in this book. It kept me on edge wanting to know more about them.
So I can definitely say Ella Maise surprised me with this amazing story. I went in expecting a sweet friends to lovers romance and in the end I got so much more! Zoe and Dylan were so much more. The perfect story about friendship, family, love, lies and heartbreak. I immediately fell in love with Zoe and Dylan and their turbulent, funny and sexy story.
This will definitely not be my last book by Ella Maise!