Book Review: The Weight of Falling by Lara Martin

4.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary fiction
Setting ~ Brown Oaks (not sure where that is)
Publication date ~ October 23, 2025
Est Page Count ~ 304 (52 chapters +e)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ small town, secrets, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, fake relationship, slow burn, no steamage, found family

Content warning from the author:
This book includes mature themes, including violence and kidnapping.

My review:

Kenzie & Joel have an unexpected smooch in a closet at their friend’s wedding. An obvious mistake that never should have happened, but before they know it they’re in a fake relationship.

Kenzie is a people pleaser, the epitome of sunshine, an all around lovely person and the town sweetheart, and the town sure does stand by her. Her parents were awesome, too.

Joel is a mystery man and a grump. He has an obvious secret, and a face scar, that’s so intriguing that you just can’t wait to find out what his past holds. And what a past it was. You just know something bad is coming, and whew boy I was on the edge of my seat waiting.

Full of small town shenanigans, especially when the rumors are flying.

The friendship group is really top notch. I think they are my most favorite group I’ve read with how they’re always there for each other no matter what. Their banter and the fun time they have together is just great.

“If he hurts you again, I will gut him like a trout and spill his insides on the ground.”

Overall, I loved it! The romance and mystery elements are well balanced, which makes it a steady paced, suspensefully gripping read. Gah with that epilogue! My favorite of Lara’s thus far.

Series notes:
Not technically a series, but we have met all the characters that are heavily involved in Lara’s previous books, so I’d say read them, but I suppose you don’t have to, but you really should cuz they’re great.

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/47lhkXU

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

Perfect for fans of Devney Perry and Catherine Cowles, The Weight of Falling is an emotional small-town romance filled with slow-burn tension, mystery, and suspense.

Kenzie Ellis, the shy greeting card illustrator with a smile for everyone, has always been known as the town’s sweetheart. She’s the last person anyone expects to kiss a stranger in a darkened storeroom, break into locked buildings, or end up in the middle of bar fights she definitely didn’t start.

The protective town knows exactly who to blame—Joel Adams, the handsome, enigmatic photographer who keeps to himself and hides a past he refuses to talk about.

Everyone says Joel is trouble. But Kenzie sees past his aloof exterior to the lonely man behind the camera lens.

Joel has spent years keeping people safe by pushing them away. But when Kenzie barrels into his life full of sunny, chaotic energy, he discovers that keeping his distance only makes the pull between them harder to ignore.

Their chemistry is undeniable. But so is the danger. Because the truth about Joel’s past isn’t just dark; it’s deadly.

And when his secrets come back to haunt the town and place Kenzie in danger, neither of them will escape unscathed.

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