We've talked about my love of series, but another thing I enjoy are duets. Especially when they are well written, and there isn't too much time between release dates.
In years past I haven't read a lot of duets (duologies), but in 2021 I managed to read 8. Technically Chase by Kacey Shea could be considered a series, but the author considers it a duet, so I am too. Then there is the Bennett Duet. While Beni and Chantal's story is complete, I am still holding out hope for a novella or spin off featuring Miko. If you know, you know.
Join twelve of your favorite romance authors next year for heartwarming (and spicy!) stories about what it means to come home.
One author a month will deliver a new story that will have you falling in love.
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January – Cora Brent February – Rochelle Paige March – Grahame Claire April – Melanie Moreland May – Suzanne Halliday June – Kaylee Ryan July – Leslie Pike August – Laramie Briscoe September – Adriana Locke October – Ella Fox November – Brynne Asher December – Layla Frost
Fall, the intense and must read conclusion to the Rise and Fall Duet from USA Today bestselling author Grahame Claire, is available now!
Since Fall picks up right where Rise left off, I don't feel right recapping the story. The chances of spoilers happening are way too high. So we're going to jump right into my thoughts on the book.
You may recall that I recently read Rise, and I had mixed feelings about the story. I didn't vibe with Lincoln at the beginning of the book, and I was quite irritated with him. Yet as the story continued on, I was curious. I was drawn in. Lexie and Eric had me sticking around. Then the cliffhanger happened, and I found myself NEEDING to know what happened next. And what happened next, had me loving the story. Seeing how Lincoln and Beau took care of Eric, and wrapped him up in love, friendship, and respect just pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing how Eric was determined to have Lincoln as a part of his life was amazing. Seeing how Lexie was torn up about the situation that was keeping her away from her brother just about broke me. Witnessing Eric and Lexie reunite was everything. Then there was the storyline about Lincoln's financial issues, and how all that played out had my jaw dropping. I couldn't believe that I read what I did. I didn't even mention the storyline about Lexie's situation. But how all that played out, and how it was resolved? SO GOOD.
At the end of the day, I found myself truly enjoying Fall, and in turn appreciating what I read in Rise. Now that I've read the duet, I enjoyed the story as a whole. I still say that they way Lincoln was introduced in Rise was annoying, and I didn't like him. BUT he had major character growth, and we were able to witness compassion, concern, and a desire to protect those he cares about.
Do I recommend the duet? I do. I very much do. As long as you know that you might not like Lincoln very much at the beginning of Rise, and you might find him difficult to connect with. Stick with it though, because once you're past that introductory scene, it gets better.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts, Laura
I have one thing in my life more important than anything else.
Protecting my brother.
Lincoln Hollingsworth is the beautiful distraction who stormed into our lives without so much as a hello.
I thought I hated him.
He’s determined to prove me wrong, earning pieces of my trust and my heart with every step.
But I should’ve paid attention.
While I was distracted, my past made a move that could cost me everything.
I’m not ready to lose Lincoln or my brother.
But I can’t keep them if I’m locked in a prison cell.
Grahame Claire is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.
A writer. A blogger. United by our love of stories and all things romance. There was definitely some insta-love. Hello? Books involved. A little courting. A lot of writing. The result…Grahame Claire.
Soulmates. Unashamed of our multiple book boyfriends. Especially the ones that rooted in our heads and wouldn’t leave us alone. Don’t worry. We’ll share.
Happy book birthday to Grahame Claire! Today is the day that Rise is available, and reader friends, I think you'll enjoy this one. Well that is if you enjoy billionaire romance, opposites attract, and/or the siblings best friend trope. I mean I enjoy all those things, so maybe you do too.
Rise is the first half of the Rise & Fall Duet, so know going in that this book ends with a cliffhanger! And you'll have to wait until August 24, 2021 for the conclusion. At the start of the book it appears as though Lincoln has gotten himself into a bit of trouble with the feds. So much so that they are trying to arrest him. In public and in front of his family. This cannot be happening. His siblings are trying to stop it, and Lexie and Eric step in to help so that enough time is created for someone else to arrive. Someone powerful enough to stop this. His father. It is at this place though where Lincoln takes notice of Lexie. He enjoys pushing her buttons. He enjoys talking with Eric (her brother). He's enjoying all of this. Lexie on the other hand is annoyed by Lincoln. He has this vibe about him that just screams "stay away". Yet she can't. Or rather Eric can't. Her brother happens to think Lincoln is the best person ever. What happens next is their journey towards their HEA. It's definitely not going to be easy. Both Lincoln and Lexie have major problems that need to be resolved, and it is seeming like both of these problems could be out of their hands.
Two quick things. When I started reading Rise, I wasn't completely sold on the book. I didn't understand what was happening, and honestly Lincoln was annoying me. Second, I am trying my best to overcome this reading slump/block/what-have-you, and so I'm worried that may cloud my judgement a little bit. I actually put Rise aside for a few days so that I could come back to it with fresh eyes, and maybe break through the fog that I am in. It helped a little. Back to the book. When I picked it back up Lincoln still annoyed me. He was still this pompous jerk who thought he was better than everyone. Now I don't mind our main character being a bit of an ass, but Lincoln was almost too much. Still I continued on. I found myself curious about what was happening with Lincoln in the fraud/theft situation, and then when the secondary issue arose, that definitely had me even more intrigued. Then there's Lexie. She and her brother Eric grabbed my attention from the beginning. These two are working hard to make their business work. They're working hard to have successful lives. They're working hard to stay together. Then when their backstory was told, my heart broke a bit. And I understood them a bit more. The relationship between Lexie and Lincoln is slow burn at its finest. The attraction is there. The intrigue is there. These two are complete opposites with the exception of their work ethic. It's really interesting to watch their relationship/friendship/acquaintance situation evolve.
If you know me, you know that the siblings best friend trope is one of my top 3 favorite tropes. I also happen to enjoy billionaire romances, slow burn romances, and when the main characters are from opposite sides of the tracks (so to speak). I say that to say, there was something about Rise that didn't quite meet my expectations. It didn't give me what I wanted. I have a feeling that had to do with the slow burn aspect. I was waiting for the love story to really kick in. I was waiting for the passion. I was waiting for the steam. And yet what I received was a few kisses. There wasn't really anything else in that regard when it came to the romance. Now the bromance between Lincoln and Eric? That was prevalent. I loved every single moment of that. I just wanted more between Lincoln and Lexie. I also wanted more of their stories. I wanted to find out what was happening with Lincoln's situation. Then when the cliffhanger happened, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe the story was ending like that. So now I will wait for August 24 to read the conclusion. I can't not read it, as I have to know what happens next. Not just in their romance, but in the situations that were occurring for each of them.
Let's talk rating real quick. I'm choosing to give this 3.5 stars. Part of me feels that could be a bit low, but then I also know that the book wasn't up to par with what I wanting or with what I'm used to reading. 3.5 isn't a horrible rating. It's a decent book with a potentially interesting storyline.
Now, do I recommend the book? Maybe. If you're not looking for a book heavy on the romance, then yes read it. Or if slow burn is your jam, then absolutely give it a read. If you're like me, you'll be intrigued by Lexie and Eric. I think you'll also be curious about Lincoln's situation. But if you're looking for a "typical" romance novel, then I'd say skip it.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura
I have it all.
As a titan of New York City real estate, there’s nothing out of my reach.
Money. Power. Success.
The rise to the top wasn’t easy, but I’ve overcome every obstacle in my way. Including the biggest one.
My father.
Then I met her.
She isn’t afraid to put me in my place. Doesn’t tip toe around me because of who I am.
And she’s there to witness the most humiliating moment of my life.
The thing about being on top is there’s a lot further to fall.
Someone wants to see me lose everything.
And they just may get their wish.
Because I can’t focus on anything except my sister’s best friend.
Grahame Claire is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.
A writer. A blogger. United by our love of stories and all things romance. There was definitely some insta-love. Hello? Books involved. A little courting. A lot of writing. The result...Grahame Claire.
Soulmates. Unashamed of our multiple book boyfriends. Especially the ones that rooted in our heads and wouldn’t leave us alone. Don’t worry. We’ll share.
