JH Croix has just released Fall for Me. Fall for Me is the latest addition to the Light My Fire series that is set in a small Alaskan town, and features a swoon-worthy romance with a firefighter. Archer & Phoebe’s story is perfect for readers who love: Marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, slow burn, broody secret billionaire, small town gossip, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of steam and swoon, and a hero with a protective streak a mile wide.
I have read all of the books in this series, and have enjoyed them all. So I had high expectations with Fall for Me. This book, while good, hit different than the others. It was almost as though JH Croix was playing it too safe. Fall for Me had the potential to hit a lot harder, and be an emotionally intense story. Especially given the secret that Archer is holding on to.
Before I jump into my thoughts, I do want to add that there is a content warning for this book. It has to do with Archer's childhood, as well as something that happened to his cousin. So while I will not specifically name that action, I do want you to know that information is mentioned within the book.
All in all, I enjoyed the story. From the two friends being reunited, to the marriage of convenience, to it being a small town romance, that was all wonderful. I was here for it. Then there is the secret that Archer has been holding for about 20 years. When that was revealed, my jaw dropped. It wasn't what I was expecting. At least not based on the flashbacks we had witnessed. Then everything else unfolded, and I was all in. I wanted more details about all of it.
The relationship between Archer and Phoebe was so good. I felt the spark, the chemistry, the attraction. So while their relationship may have started as fake, it quickly morphed into reality. These two have a foundation of friendship, and now that they have been reunited, this relationship can blossom. Phoebe did irritate me every time she mentioned the money that Archer (and his family) have. You could tell she was uncomfortable, but it also came off as a bit envious. In a way she was judging Archer for something that is out of his control. He can't help it that his family is well to do, just like Phoebe cannot control her family's financials. I do wish that we would have been able to see Phoebe out in the field, and witness Archer's reaction to that. We know she's a badass female character who loves her job, so it would have been nice to witness that.
I went back in forth in my head about the rating. Part of me was thinking 3.5, the other said 4, so as of right now it's a 4. The main thing that had me wanting to rate this book as a 3.5 was the ending. It just didn't feel finished. It felt rushed. It left me with questions. (The biggest one was what happened with Clint?) But I decided to stay with my original thoughts (4⭐️) because the story is pretty darn good. I just wish the ending wasn't what it was.
I have absolutely enjoyed this series, and I know we for certain have one more book to come in Keep Me Close. I'm excited to see what happens with Chase and Hallie.
Laura
USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs.
Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with sassy women and rugged alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing.
Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!
