Did you ever hear the joke about the guy whose wife cheated on him with his best friend? So he quit his job, moved into his parents’ basement, and gained fifty pounds? No? Because that wasn’t a joke. It was my life. Four years later, I’m back with a dream job, a killer apartment, and a set of abs that are better than ever.So, when Maggie Light, a stunning, snarky blonde moves in next door, and … blonde moves in next door, and we spend the hottest weekend of our lives together, I think this could be the greatest comeback story ever.
That is until I realize Maggie has moved to town to do one thing—steal my job.
Maybe this isn’t a comeback story after all. Maybe this is war—one I intend to win.
What I never anticipated was that maybe I’d rather win her.
Perhaps, if I’m lucky, the universe has finally run out of jokes and I can somehow win both.
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So many emotions in this absolutely fantastic romance. Swoon-worthy sexiness as the “old man” and his Peach embarked on a ride to love that was awkward and funny and sweet and just wonderful. This writing duo hit a winner with this story. I loved these characters with their real life quirks and issues. Shane was a crazy, fun mess that was instantly memorized by the blonde southern transplant. Maggie is the smart and sexy beauty trying to live a life she thinks her mother would be proud of. This pair hit it off in an uniquely awkward first meet and their chemistry didn’t stop as these two couldn’t stay away from each other. Especially being neighbors and co-workers. Those two things created some of the best and funniest moments in the story. There were heart wrenching moments too that tore my heart to pieces and uplifting ones that made my heart soar. There is a romantic masterpiece with a spectacular couple that pops and sizzles as they trade barbs and quips while being utterly sexy in such a sweet way. Really one of my favorite romances. Terrific secondary characters with both families. And a complete story with a heart-melting epilogue. Lovely, lovely love story! Must read! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
If feels like forever and a day that I have been waiting for these 2 to get together and write a story! I am a HUGE Mo fan and was lucky enough to have her turn me on to Aly. Having gotten to know these 2 ladies as the wonderful people they are as well as being able to read their brilliant words has been my privilege. Now, FINALLY, we get this book! Totally worth the wait. This book is everything worth reading a book for. EVERYTHING! Go get it and read it and then you will understand. EVERYTHING!
This was a lighthearted, fun, fast read. The demure hero was a very enjoyable main character and the perfect fit for the funny, determined heroine.The chemistry between Shane and Maggie jumps off of the page and the reader can feel its intensity through the interactions that they have with each other. The way they taunted each other yet also cared about each other was nice. Although they were both smart and driven, they both also had underlying vulnerabilities and fears that influenced their lives.
Shane is funny and awkward at times, but he has a deep side, one that has been deeply hurt by his divorce. He is struggling to figure out what he wants out of life and what will make him happy. He is a creature of habit. There was something about Shane and his calm and collected demeanor that always pulled me to him.
Maggie’s bright, sunny personality is what Shane needs to bring some sunshine into his life. Maggie has taken a leap of faith, thrown caution to the wind to forge her own new path. She has left her family behind and moved to Francisco. She wants to see herself as a bit of an adventurer and to live the life her mother never got.
My one complaint would be that the idea that Maggie and Shane were competing for the position of creative director fell a little flat for me. I didn’t really believe in their hating game. Of course, their situation was uncomfortable. But they were always honest and thoughtful with one another.
So, overall, I enjoyed this story. I would recommend it to people who like cute, fluffy office romances.
When the Walls Come Down was SO FUN! There’s always a special place in my heart for awkward characters, and getting an awkward H was perfection. Shane was endearing and adorable and so swoony. I even found his fear of heights to be cute (knee pads!). I loved his nickname for Maggie- “Peach” and how he lengthened it to Maggie Peach Light Gray Italian. They had such fantastic chemistry and banter- it was so fun to read! Authors Martinez and Mabie were great together and hopefully they will team up again soon!
This was a really fun and enjoyable easy read. It ticked al the right boxes and was one of those books you could just curl up with a devour from start to finish.
Maggie and Shane are brilliant characters. After Maggie move to make a fresh start in a new city, she ends up having a weekend of fun before she starts her new job. Shane is immediately smitten with Maggie and cannot believe how well they connect. I absolutely loved their banter and how they played each other off but in a fun, quirky way.
When Shane and Maggie suddenly find themselves in an impossible situation, they have to start questioning their potential relationship developing even further, before it’s even really started.
With loads of humour and witty moments, this story left me with a huge smile on my face.
This was my first book written by M. Mabie and I will definitely be checking out more from this author!
I absolutely adored this book! The banter is off the charts good! I can honestly say that this book came at a great time. I needed the lightness of this story! Maggie has been hired to take Shane’s job, but neither one knows when they meet the weekend before. Get ready for the fairytale with a few bumps in the road and of course laughter! Well done, Aly Martinez and M. Mabie! 5 amazing stars
I just loved the blurb of When the Walls Come Down by M. Mabie and Aly Martinez and could not wait to read it. Let me tell you, for me it was such a fun and sweet read to get lost in. Shane finally has his life on the right path, or so he thinks. He meets his new neighbor and they hit it off and have a great weekend together. Imagine their surprise when they realize Maggie is the person who may take over his job. Talk about awkward. And yet the story that follows was fun, light and just charming. Shane and Maggie shared witty banter and steamy chemistry and I just loved their journey.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
I love both of these authors and was giddy that they were writing a book together!! I mean we got to see Casey and Blake again so that was an instant yes! I loved everything about Shane and Maggie. They are everything great about M. Mabie and Alt Martinez. I don’t want to give anything away but this is a must read!
It’s a rom-com with a feel-good, happy-tears HEA.
WHEN THE WALLS COME DOWN is a STANDALONE Workplace/Neighbors/Frienemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy.
4.5 Stars
We get to see a different side of Aly Martinez in this book. She gives us something light and fun. I love her more heavy emotional reads and really enjoyed seeing a different style of story from her. These two authors did such a great job collaborating together, I really enjoyed When the Walls Come Down.
This is one of those books that once you start you can’t but the book down. I could not wait to get my hands on this book once I read the blurb and saw the cover. Maggie and Shane have instant chemistry you feel coming off the pages. They have such a sweet relationship and things get interesting when they’re at work.
This is such a fun feel good read that you don’t want to miss.
This is the book I didn’t know I needed. Because, really, who knew that when M. Mabie and Aly Martinez teamed up that I was going to laugh so hard no sound came out? Anybody? Certainly not me but that is exactly what happened while reading When the Walls Come Down.
I was sucked into Maggie and Shane’s saga from the very beginning. A chance encounter was all it took for the sparks to fly between them. These two adorably awkward people who were both a bit lost and a lot lonely. One trying to get unstuck. One trying to find their footing in their new life. Little did they know just how much they would end up having in common and how much trouble it would cause them.
I loved that for as much as they tried to be just friends for the sake of both of their jobs, they couldn’t do it. The pull was too strong. The connection too deep. Even after only a few weeks they knew something was going to have to give for them to be able to move forward together. One of them would have to make a move. It was a losing situation all around. But maybe it didn’t have to be…
Talk about a whirlwind! I laughed and melted and hurt right along with Shane and Maggie as everything unfolded and fell apart and got pieced back together again. But my absolute favorite thing about When the Walls Come Down wasn’t the big gesture or sacrifice (that wasn’t really one at all), it the stolen quiet moments between them. The mood playlist. The flowers. The freaking Tic Tacs. Also! BIG bonus points to Aly Martinez and M. Mabie for letting me play catch up with Casey and Blake (from the Wake series) and Heath (from the Retrieval duet)! It was the cherry on top of this sexy and swoony romance.
Shane’s been unceremoniously let go from his comfy job. Not because he isn’t good at it, but because his family thinks he needs to get off his butt and get on with his life, and his job is keeping him from moving on. He’ll be kept on as creative director until his replacement arrives. Shane’s understandably upset and drinking at his local watering hole when he spies a stunning blonde. What comes next is a seriously cute, serious awkward first meeting and Shane is forever ingrained in my mind as an adorably hot goober.
Maggie does not want to end up like her mother. She’s the baby of her family, all siblings raised by their eldest brother, the most overprotective of all overprotective brothers, and she remembers her mother the least. But the one thing she remembers is that her mother was stuck raising a bunch of kids and never got to live out her dreams. So she takes off to the west coast, determined to make it in the big city. Too bad she didn’t know the job she accepted was as a replacement for the gorgeous but awkward guy she ends up spending the weekend with is the guy whom she’s replacing. Talk about awkward…especially when the two engage in a little rivalry for said position. Uh oh!
Ahhh but this story is sweet! And cute. And hot. And the perfect read for a world that’s exploding with sadness and anger because of years and years of something so completely wrong that has pervaded the fabric of our society. OK, rant done. Now onto this adorable story. I loved it. It brought laughter into my day when I needed it. It’s funny and witty and snarky and sexy. A great rom-com, a wonderful office romance, and makes me think of my own overprotective brother with fondness, as he has always been both my dad and my brother in one package just like Maggie’s brother is. The only reason it’s 4 instead of 5 stars is because Maggie disappointed me a little near the end when she waffled on Shane and hurt him completely unnecessarily. But generally speaking, this is a top notch story and it appeared just when I needed it most.
WHEN THE WALLS COME DOWN is the first co-write by team M Mabie and Aly Martinez and a feel-good rom-com complete with happy tears! Grab this standalone workplace romance now in KU.
When the walls come down
M. Mabie. Aly Martinez
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I freaking could not put this one down !!
I have always been a Aly Martinez fan. But now I’m going to go binge read some M.mabie books !!!
This story is wonderful !! It so real !! I love the characters!!
The murder candles, knee pads, shower heads. And omg I think I need some orange tic tacs!
From beginning to end this book held me captive !!!
What a fun read! I was thrilled when I heard that these two amazing authors were collaborating to write a rom-com. Boy, was this just what I needed! An easy, light read full of wit and creative, smart banter. I loved the way Maggie and Shane met. Their quirky, awkward meeting was adorable. The perfect meet cute! Throughout their story, they had me laughing out loud and rooting for them along the way. CoVID19 had me a bit in the dumps, but When The Walls Come Down lifted me up and gave me something to smile about. I highly recommend!
Review by Lys
4.5 stars
Shane finally has his life in order. Four years ago, he found his wife cheating with his best friend, so he picked up and moved to San Francisco to work with his brother-in-law. It took him 4 years, but he finally feels like he has put the past behind him and is comfortable with where he’s at. What he really is is a work-aholic putting all his focus into the company, but not working on moving his own self forward.
Maggie moved across the country for her first adult job. As the youngest sibling, she has been sheltered and feels like she needs to have experiences to make up for the life her mother missed out on.
I loved their meeting and the subsequent weekend they spent together. Neither is smooth, and the awkward moments were exactly what they each needed to step out of their comfort zone for a bit. The bonds that formed, their witty rapport, their teasing natures, really came out as they let down the walls between them. But what happens when Monday rolls around and it turns out that the new neighbors are also competing for the same job: Maggie has been hired to replace Shane as his family pushes him to move his life forward.
Both of these characters have a lot to figure out what it is they truly want out of life. Shane has been so focused on work, he has forgotten all his other goals. Maggie is so focused on living life for her mom, that she has lost sight of what her mom *did* have. She’s just figuring out the direction of her life, while he is rewriting the direction.
This was a relatively easy read, with a lot of fun, heart, and wit. I haven’t read the series that Shane’s family is from, though I have read the books that centers on Maggie’s brother. This was a lot lighter than I typically expect from Aly’s books, and I enjoyed the humor they built as Shane and Maggie navigated their new situation. Despite only being familiar with the backstory of half of the side characters, I didn’t miss a beat in this book — it is a complete standalone.
What a fun, enjoyable read! I really enjoyed these characters! And the story line was fun and exciting!
When the Walls Come Down is a light and airy, fun, steamy read with just a little angst. The story flowed well, it was engaging, and I enjoyed every minute of it. From the moment Shane and Maggie met they had such intense chemistry, and their banter made me laugh out loud. They were so enduring. I liked the secondary characters too. I have read numerous books from Aly Marinez, but this is the first one of M. Mabie’s, and I think I’ve been missing out on her stories. Looking forward to reading more stories, from this incredible writing duo.
Sweet, Sexy and Witty
I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading Shane and Maggie’s story. The banter between these two characters is witty and is like a catalyst that just builds the energy of this novel along with the sexual tension and angst. I have been a fan of M. Mabie’s since Bait and am a new fan to Aly, but they are a dynamic duo and I can’t wait to read more from them. With everything going on in the world at this time, this novel will bring you laughter, giddiness and has all the right feels, which is what we need at the moment. I highly recommend this book, if you are new to Mo or Aly, you won’t regret it.
If you’re in the market for a sweet, sexy and witty feel good read then do yourself a favor and snap up When the Walls Come Down. Shane and Maggie snagged my attention from their first awkward yet adorable meeting. These two were quite the match and the connection between them was undeniable. Between the loveable characters, witty banter and all the feel goods this story gave me When the Walls Come Down was a delightfully entertaining love story that kept me hooked until the last page.