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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I adored this book and couple, it was an incredible story, you will root for them to find their happiness since page 1! I had to read it in one sitting because it was simply incredible!
When the Walls Come Down was such a fun book to read. I have read books by both authors and I was happy to see that they co-wrote a book together. Shane’s sister and brother in law drop a bomb on him and he doesn’t like what they have to say. But taking what they said to heart he decides to try to get out of his routine. All he does and has done for years is work. So when he sees a beautiful blonde sitting at the bar at his usual hangout he decides to approach her. Maggie is new to San Francisco. She has moved there from Georgia for a new job opportunity. This is her first “adult” job and she’s really excited. Shane and was kind of a dorky guy when he talks to Maggie. But she found him silly and refreshing. He took her on the best first date ever. Shane was super sweet and thoughtful and I loved him. Maggie was cute and honest and very attracted to Shane. I really enjoyed their witty banter. They had me laughing out loud often. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what’s next for both authors!
5 stars!
OMG, I love this book! A rom/com with epic chemistry, swoon and banter that had me laughing out loud, but also a heartfelt, emotional story about finding unexpected love and fighting to make it work. Beautifully written, with a fantastic love story, I couldn’t put this book down and I absolutely adored it!
This is the first co-write between Aly Martinez and M. Mabie. I’m a massive Martinez fangirl, but this was my first experience reading M. Mabie, and they totally nailed it! The transitions are flawless, and Maggie and Shane’s voices come through fabulously to get us right to the heart of these amazing characters. This book is an absolute standalone, but it does have some fun little ties to the authors’ previous work. Maggie is the younger sister of Heath from the Retrieval Duet by Martinez, and Shane is the older brother of Blake from the Wake series (book #1 – Bait) by Mabie. There is some character crossover, but it’s not key to understanding the story, just a great little extra for fans.
Maggie has packed up her life and moved from her home in Atlanta, to San Francisco. She’s determined to live her life to the fullest and take every opportunity, so she’s left her close and loving family behind to take on a new job on the other side of the country, and wants to experience all that the big city can offer her.
Shane has just been dealt a massive hit. Four years ago his life fell apart when he found his wife in bed with his best friend. He hit rock bottom but has climbed back and now has a great apartment, a job he’s passionate about, and he’s in the greatest shape of his life. But the rug has been pulled out from him once again when his brother-in-law/boss tells him it’s time to move on from his job with the family business so that he can stop being a workaholic and find a better work/life balance. He is not impressed.
Shane and Maggie meet in bar one night when she is exploring her new neighbourhood, and he is drowning his sorrows. It’s awkward, but man, it’s funny, and Shane’s shitty small talk and not-so-smooth-moves somehow lead to them having a date the next day, which leads them to them discover that they are, in fact, neighbours, and they go on to share a life-changingly-steamy weekend together. Things are looking great, with the potential for a relationship that neither of them were looking for, and both are sorta unprepared for, but they know they can’t walk away from each other. Until they both show up to work on Monday and learn that Maggie is the person who has been hired to replace Shane… even though he doesn’t plan to leave.
AWKWARD!
It’s a horrible situation, with room for only one of them in the company. They are both entitled to it, they both deserve it, and while they both want the job, are they prepared to leave the other high and dry?
“It was an impossible situation. Trying to hold on to the life you want, all the while hoping the world crumbles for the person you care about most. Who knew serendipity was such a masochist?”
I went into this expecting a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers sort of situation, but I was thrilled to discover that it’s so much more. There are real feelings at play here, and those feelings impact every decision they make. My heart actually ached for the situation they were in, but they handle it with humour and so much heart, and I loved how functional they are!
I love this relationship! It’s so much fun, with fantastic banter, flirting and dialogue, and chemistry that sizzles off the page. They tease and joke, and they laugh a lot, there are inside jokes and entertaining small talk and heartfelt confessions. It’s so easy between them, but their situation is complicated, but the whole time they are bickering and commiserating their bad luck, they are there for each other, and they continue falling for each other in a way that neither of them ever expected. It’s funny, beautiful and so, so passionate, and I fell right along with them, loving every moment of it.
““I will never let you be alone. I know neither of us want what’s going on at work like it is, but you have got to believe me. I will always be here for you when you need me. No matter what.””
But there’s the job situation to sort out, and in addition to that, they’ve got some hurdles to overcome – both of them have built ups walls to protect themselves, and their 9-year age gaps puts them at slightly different stages of their lives. They have things to deal with, but watching it all play out was sweet, swoony, sexy and emotional, and so entertaining.
“How had this woman blown into my world and made it a life?”
These are such well-written characters. I could relate to both of them, and their inner monologues were just as entertaining as their shared conversations. Of course, Shane completely stole my heart as the slightly vulnerable guy figuring out a relationship years after having his heart shattered. He is sweet, funny, and kinda clueless, but he’s such a good guy who bravely embraces his attraction and holds nothing back. And Maggie is wonderful as the smart, witty, but still a little scared, younger woman just starting out and determined to prove herself. At so many times throughout this book, the story could have easily descended into an unnecessary angst-fest, but instead these two are open and honest, and though they have some things to work through, I love how upfront they are with each other, putting themselves out there and following their hearts.
It’s a gorgeous story that made me laugh so many times, but that also completely captured my heart! I loved Shane and Maggie, and their love story is absolutely beautiful, with an ending that left me grinning like a fool.
I loved it! 5 stars!
I love a good Enemies to Lovers romance book. I especially love it when it a collaboration between two of my favorite authors. When the Walls Come Down is witty, smart and a whole lot sexy!!
* I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. *
Maggie was ready for a change in her life and that included moving across the country for a new job. Her first night out and she meets Shane who just so happens to be her neighbor. After an amazing weekend together, she is ready to start her new job. What she was not ready for was finding out Shane was the person she was hired to replace.
It was an impossible situation. Trying to hold on to the life
you want, all the while hoping the world crumbles for the
person you care about most.
Shane is on top of the world. Four years ago, he had to start over after he caught his wife cheating on him with his best friend and quit his job. His life is finally back on track and he has his dream job. That was until his sister and brother-in-law blindsided him by hiring his replacement. What started as a bad day turned around when he sees Maggie at the bar, and they spend the weekend together. All that happiness comes crashing down when he finds out that she was the one stealing his job.
How had this woman blown into my world and made it a life?
I have mixed feelings about this book. Shane is not the type of Hero I usually enjoy. I prefer them to be more alpha bad boy. He was very sweet and nice. I mean let’s be real he was so upset they were going to replace him but because he likes Maggie, he wants to figure out a way they can both stay. Most men would not want to share a position because you liked someone for five minutes. It was a bit of a turnoff because he seemed like he could not even talk to a woman. Plus, he even needed help planning a date! All that aside I have to say the witty banter between Maggie and Shane had to be my favorite part of the story. So, while I had a hard time connecting to Shane, the banter with him and Maggie really made the book worth reading.
When Maggie moves in next door to Shane, they end up spending a steamy weekend together until they find out that they are vying for the same job. Can they stay at just friends though, or will their intense and undeniable attraction become too much? This is a well written flawless story which is filled with witty and humorous banter and is an all-round entertaining read. This gifted collaboration of authors has done an amazing job in penning this tale. I highly recommend for all readers.
When the Walls Come Down is heartwarming, flirty and full of laugh out loud moments!! I truly enjoyed getting swept up in Shane and Maggie’s sexy, sweet, and swoon worthy story. Excellent collaboration between M. Mabie and Aly Martinez that leaves me hoping for more co-writes ahead!
I absolutely loved this book!! From the very beginning it had me hooked. The banter and relationship between Maggie and Shane was witty, sarcastic and so real life. I think Mo and Aly need to collaborate again as this book was awesome!!
4.5 stars
Maggie Light has started a new adventure on her own. She left all of her family in Georgia to start a new job and life in San Francisco. However, despite wanting to be adventurous, she is also kind of a cautious homebody. But she is also sassy, sarcastic, confident, and smart.
Shane Warren’s life imploded years ago and it took moving near his family in San Francisco and getting immersed in a job at their company to finally get his life back. He is a more mature, work-a-holic, overthinker, and creature of habit. He is totally stuck in a rut. But now his family wants to kick him out of his comfort zone to find new work opportunities and a social life.
When their paths unexpectedly crossed in a bar, Shane was surprisingly emboldened to meet her. They are both a little rusty, awkward, and unsure. But something about her sparks something in Shane he thought was lost. And Maggie cannot help to be charmed by his persistence, quirky personality, and good looks. They bring out the smarta** in each other and have quick-witted banter. And when they realize they are neighbors, perhaps it is serendipity. Their chemistry is amazing. And they share a great weekend of snappy rapport and bedroom antics. They might just be that spark of change they both needed.
Then real life happens Monday morning. Bring on the conflict, drama, and angst when they figure out maybe the joke is on them.
I have not read M. Mabie’s books before but figured out Shane is related to the characters from her Wake series and Knot duet, and Maggie is the sister of Heath from Aly Martinez’s Retrieval/Transfer duet. Shane’s sister, Blake, and brother-in-law, Casey, are an integral part of this one as they are the ones pushing Shane out of his comfort zone. But this can be read as a stand-alone without any issues. I imagine that fans of the previous series might have liked Casey more than I did if they enjoyed his books. The authors’ writing styles flow effortlessly and it is well-paced and engaging.
It is a sweet, witty, sexy story about life, friendship, love, and wanting to have it all. They both have walls to break down, fears to face, and to deal with change and figure out priorities. Their banter is flirty, sarcastic, and so much fun. They love to tease and taunt each other and have inside jokes. I loved that they were a bit quirky, awkward, and silly. Shane is a different kind of hero with an unsure, vulnerable, dorky side tempered by his sweet, funny, sexy side. I just adored him. And Maggie is younger, but smart, stubborn, and determined to live a full life. Together they are easy, but their situation was more complicated. This book made me laugh, but it touched my heart too.
When the Walls Come Down is a standalone fun, flirty romance that will have you laughing but also has some serious moments as well. I am a huge fan of Aly Martinez and love all of her books, so I was really excited to see her team up with M. Mabie on this one, who is a newer author for me.
Maggie is 24 and looking for a fresh start, so she uproots her life from Georgia to California for a new job in the hopes of having some more life experience and out of fear that she doesn’t want to settle. Shane is a 33 year old divorcee, who has had a rough go of things and has recently been let go from his job, which is with his family, as they are wanting to help push him out of his comfort zone and challenge him to live a little more.
The chemistry and banter is off the charts immediately with Shane and Maggie when they meet. They just have a connection and easinessness about them that you can sense and feel in all of their interactions. I really enjoyed their back and forth comebacks and jokes and how the challenged each other, but also fully accepted each other. It was really like they were perfectly made for each other, and destined to find each other.
I am usually not a huge fan of insta-lust, and although there was a little feel of that in this book just because Maggie and Shane’s relationship did progress quickly, it didn’t really bother me, and I saw it more as fate and a deeper connection than just insta love/lust. I think Aly Martinex and M. Mabie did a fantastic job with this book and I would definitely love to read more by them. The epilogue was by the far the best part. One of my the best epilogues I have read in a while…
Although Aly is not new to me M Mabie is and this is a great collab.
I could not love this couple more. They are so cute together, their clap backs, the banter. I mean matching outfits, very cute.
Things become a tad awkward with their work situation. They have a hard decision to make. You could feel the hard ache they were experiencing. I absolutely adored this couple and love this romantic sweet story.
Side note: pineapple is totally an acceptable topping for pizza.
Reviewer: Phyl
I immediately sign up whenever I see Aly Martinez’s name. This was my first introduction to anything written by M.Mabie. This was a sweet fast read. It was a tad predictable and cheesy but I still found myself smiling with their back and forth banter. I enjoyed both of their back stories and appreciated the journey that Maggie was undergoing. I envied her tenacity and courage. Shane was sweet as could be and sounded as sexy as could be.
#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #bookblogger #arc #review #bookaddict #booklover #bookaddict #sexy
Call me stupidly nostalgic or hopelessly romantic. Regardless of which, When the Walls Come Down…
I can say it was absolutely 110% of awesome, stupid high pitched squealing to recognize characters from both authors books. To know exactly what they had been through gave me a knowing smirk and wicked gleam. However, they (the previous stories) are not required reading to dive into When the Walls Come Down. Think of them as a bonus or a behind the scenes look. If you are like me though, you will binge read the Wake series like your @ss is on fire and then dive into The Retrieval Duet.
So now that I’ve teased you with all you don’t know about the past, let me tease you more. When the Walls Come Down is filled with laughs, awkward conversation, and the best deliveries ever. If only I could find some one to gift war with…(I’m taking volunteers!)
M. Mabie and Aly Martinez have got this thing on lock. Well, first it was sticky but Shane had it fixed. (Okay, that was lame and yet you are wondering!) My hokey comments and weird sense of humor should not detract from the swoony romance and laugh out loud randomness of When the Walls Come Down.
You will swoon. You will smile. You will grin. There might be some well earned glares, dagger eyes, and finger poking as well. Just remember, “When the Walls Come Down, there’s just love.”
Oh and maybe prepare yourself for unwanted tears, they tend to sneak up on the emotional readers. (As I wipe my face)
Some of the best moments in this book feature walls.
If you are looking for a feel good, completely adorable, quirky romantic read this is the book!! This is the book I needed in my life right at this moment! When the Walls Come Down will fill you with all the warm fuzzies and make you believe in destiny. This is your Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks “You’ve Got Mail” (steamier version) kind of romance.
Shane Warren is the absolute best – quirky, awkward, vulnerable and uniquely weird which is absolutely everything I LOVE about a really good memorable hero. He is currently working for his sister, a job he loves, but he’s gotten comfortable. Something he’s done in every aspect of his life after his divorce. He hasn’t dated or really ventured out of the few blocks around his apartment, until his new neighbor moves in next door.
Maggie Light has moved across the country to jump start her life. She didn’t want to end up stuck like her mother and never achieve anything beyond marriage and motherhood. Beginning a new job away from her family is what she needs and meeting her new, sexy neighbor is the cherry on top.
They hit it off just like peas and carrots and Maggie and Shane have a lot in common, so much in fact that they are fighting for the same job. Unfortunately, they both can’t keep it. While they might both be fighting to jump start their new beginnings, they are at different points in their lives so those reasons for a new beginning are very different. It all comes down to, what is more important…a new job or a new relationship?
Aly Martinez and M. Mabie need to team up more and give us this kind of feel good read because this is the warm blankets, fuzzy socks, and cute kittens all rolled into one kind of book.
A great romcom storyline. Shane and Maggie have sizzling chemistry from the start and witty banter. Sexy, swoony and full of laugh out loud moments. Definitely worth the read.
Wonderful collaboration! These two authors made this story one of the best I’ve read this year so far! 5 stars for this one!
Maggie has traveled across the US for a fresh start in her life, leaving behind her brother and sisters, it’s scary, but she’s determined to live a life she thought her mother had never gotten the chance to live. When she meets Shane, she’s instantly attracted to him, as he is to her as well. They have so much chemistry, they are adorable, and spend a weekend of bliss together. When Monday comes, they have no idea their paths will cross again at the job she moved here for. Read along and enjoy their story! I couldn’t put this down! Grab your copy asap!
Unequivocally a lighthearted, swoon-worthy, laugh out loud MUST read romcom that will have you smiling page after page! This book was EVERYTHING….. from the witty banter, sense of humor and quirkiness you can’t help but be enamored with these characters. I fell in love chapter after chapter with Shane and Maggie, from their growing friendship to their unexpected love story that unfolds you will be begging for more! I hated to see this story come to an end, so much so that I continued to swipe on my tablet only to discover it was the end! If you’re looking for a book that will absolutely captivate you that you won’t realize you’ve read the entire book in one sitting…. then this is one you MUST READ!! This book will absolutely be listed on my TOP READS for 2020!
What a fantastic read! So full of romance and comedy The story was so well written and flowed perfectly. The authors really know how to make you feel like you are there in the middle of the story. I always love M Mabie books as he is one of my go too authors. I have not ready any of Aly Martinez books, but I will be now!
I loved these characters, they were so full of life and perfect for each other. I cannot wait to read more!
LOVED this book! Great characters…I wish I could come up the one liners like they do!
5 Learning to Live Stars!!
I absolutely adored this book co-written by two of my favorite authors!! It’s the perfect blend of romance, sassy and smart conversation and finding love when they least expect it!
Maggie is a young woman that’s moving across the country to start a life she feels like she needs to live and when she ventures out one evening in her new city she meets Shane a man that’s just kind of had his life turned upside down so he’s out for an evening of somewhat trying to forget….and Maggie catches his attention.
I loved these two together. They brought out the best in each other and when they find out that they’re more than neighbors but also working for the same company the friendship they’ve started to build could never get off the ground.
I fell in love with both Maggie and Shane. How they believed in each other and that their relationship is based on friendship with a wicked crazy chemistry. I laughed a lot while reading this book and I loved that we’re kind of back in the Wake world created by Ms. Mabie. I found myself unable to put this book down because I was so involved with Maggie and Shane’s romance. I loved how both authors brought this story alive for me and I’m sincerely hoping they co-write again sometime in the very near future!