“I’m not just falling in love with you, Nell. I’m falling into you.”
Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder broke me, then put me back together again. I can not move on, and I can say with absolute certainty, that this will be on my Best of 2013 list. No doubt about it. Jasinda sent me an advance copy for review, and I never read the blurb. I knew there was some major emotions…but I knew nothing else. (Oh, and btw, I must apologize for my middle of the night nasty messages to you Jasinda…well, OK, not really.)
***DO NOT LET THIS SCARE YOU. READ THIS BOOK!***
As I read, I fell in love with the young couple. Kyle and Nell grew up together, BFFs throughout grade school and middle school. But at 16 years old, when Nell considered dating another guy, everything changed, and Kyle and Nell were ‘together’ as everyone knew they would eventually be.
“Kyle was my first one true love, my first in every way.”
Watching this young couple fall in love was beautiful. Despite the age, which would normally make me cringe, you can see this couple was meant to be each other’s firsts. Kyle was such a sweetheart, he called her lovely instead of hot, he NEVER pressured her, and always made sure she was ready for anything. I dare you to read this and not fall for him. Jasinda did such a great job of capturing that first time, (a good first time) with your first love.
As I fell deeper and deeper for Kyle over the years, I knew something would happen (it’s in the blurb, but I didn’t read it, so I’m not spoiling anything). I kept wanting to put it down…I found myself nervous every time they got in a car. But when it happened, I wasn’t prepared!
“I wanted nothing more than to climb into the box with him and quit breathing, find him in whatever came after life.”
I cried…I cried the ugly, tears. The wracking sobs…and I started to text Jasinda nasty messages.
This was me:
But not Nell…her misplaced guilt never allowed her to let go and mourn.
“It wasn’t a tear. I wouldn’t cry. Couldn’t. To let it go would be to open my soul. It would never stop. I would break…just shatter. The liquid on my cheek was blood, surging out from my ripped and tattered heart.”
When she finally is about to fall to pieces at the cemetery, Kyle’s older brother, Colton, is there. Colton has been away for a long time, and Nell barely remembers him. He is so different from Kyle’s golden boy personality. He’s big, rough, tattooed…and yet somehow familiar and comforting. There is an immediate spark between them…but it’s too soon, way too soon. Still, he provides comfort and understanding that nobody else does.
“I hold her. I don’t tell her it’s okay.
“Be mad,” I say. “Be hurt. Be broken. Cry.”
Both of their parents are very prominent figures in the community. Any sense of anything inappropriate would NOT be good, and they both know it. But neither ever quite forgot the connection. Cut to two years later, Colton is playing guitar and singing for cash in New York, and he sees her again.
“Now here she is. Why? I tried so hard to forget her, but still see her face, her body, glimpsed between a wet black dress….she haunts me.”
“I could write a song, and her name would be the music. I could sing, strum a guitar, and her body would be the melody.”
She joins him, taking out her own guitar.
“I know I have to choose my song carefully. We’re establishing a dialogue, here. We’re having a conversation in music.”
I must interject here and say how strongly music was integrated into this book. I will share the playlist at the end, and I think it would be great if you had the songs ready to go while you read. As they each came up, I listened to them and read the lyrics. Not only did I learn to appreciate new music that I never heard of, it totally made the book an interactive experience.
The next time Colton sees Nell, she is with another guy…a BIG guy.
“This is bad. I’m gonna end up in jail.”
He knows she is broken, utterly and totally. But after he rescues her from the jerk, he also knows it’s just the beginning.
“I can’t fix her. I know this too. I’m not going to try. I’ve had too many goody-goody girls hook up with me, thinking they can fix me. I also know I’m not going to stay away.”
She felt it too.
I can’t accurately say there’s a spark, with Colton, No, it’s way , way beyond a spark. Just looking at him lights a fire. Touching him, being touched, even innocent touches, even his hand in mine creates an inferno.
And when it happened:
“Take off your thong and spread your legs.”
“Say please.” I find strength in the game. My terror, my vulnerability abates, and I’m thankful. He just stares at me. I don’t move to comply. He just shakes his head and half-blinks in disbelief. And then he tugs my thong and it comes apart. He didn’t jerk it, he didn’t expend any effort. He just put two fingers around the string at my hip, two fingers of the other hand inside the triangle over my core and tugged. Rip. Gone. I’m naked. That easy.“Now spread your legs and feel free to scream. No one can hear.”
Holy fuck. This book may have people of New Adult age, but the sex scenes were some of the hottest I’ve read. But there was so much more going on. So much.
“But moments like this, with Colton? They make it all bearable. He doesn’t fix me, doesn’t heal me. He just makes life worthwhile. he helps me remember to breathe, shows me how to smile again. He kisses me and I can forget pain.”
“I’m not just falling in love with you, Nell. I’m falling into you. You’re an ocean, and I’m falling in, drowning in the depths of who you are”
The two were meant for each other. They help each other heal. But they could never fully heal.
“But we have to learn to be be free. We have to, Nell. Doesn’t mean happy all the time, or okay all the time. It’s okay not to be okay. I told you that, but I’m relearning it myself. But not being okay doesn’t mean you stop living.”
There is so much more to this book. There is heartache, loss, forgiveness, passion, guilt…and so much love. And the sex was off-the-charts hot.
Likes:
- Happy ending-no cliffhanger! Yay!
- Watching young love develop in a not-icky way.
- The heart wrenching emotion was replaced by happy tears.
- You FELT while reading this book. Really felt.
- Colton. Big, scary, tattooed, sexy, dominant Colton.
- Holy crap the sex was fuckhot!
- The perfect length. Not too long (but I wouldn’t have minded more), not too short.
- The book will stick with me. It is not forgettable.
- We changed POV throughout the book (I lOVED that!)
- The music aspect was great, I listened to music I never would have before, and it really added to the book.
- The original song lyrics were incredible, I’d love to hear them put to music!
Dislikes:
- I wish there were an epilogue.
- There are a few sex terms Jasinda uses that aren’t my favorite, but she uses them way less in this book than her others.
Rating 5++++ Stars, 5 for heat
It has been a day and a half since I finished Falling Into You. I’m not ready to move on. I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect blend of searing emotions, healing, love, loss, friendship, heartbreak, hot sex and so much more. Jasinda hit this one so far out of the park, that ball isn’t coming back.
“When we come together, when we kiss, when we drowse into sleep side by side, we’re falling into each other, and that’s when I’m okay When I’m falling into him.”
Purchase Falling Into You
Amazon | BN.com | iBooks
SEE MY INTERVIEW WITH NELL AND COLT HERE
Playlist: (titles link to iTunes)
Danny’s Song by Kenny Loggins ( iTunes | Amazon )
Reminder by Mumford and Sons ( iTunes | Amazon )
Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars ( iTunes | Amazon )
Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel ( iTunes | Amazon )
I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers ( iTunes | Amazon )
Make You Feel My Love by Adele ( iTunes | Amazon )
Can’t Break her Fall by Matt Kearney ( iTunes | Amazon )
Stillborn by Black Label Society ( iTunes | Amazon )
Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson ( iTunes | Amazon )
I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz ( iTunes | Amazon )
The Girl by City & Colour ( iTunes | Amazon )
My Funny Valentine by Ella Fitzgerald ( iTunes | Amazon )
Dream a little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong ( iTunes | Amazon )
Stormy Blues by Billie Holiday ( iTunes | Amazon )
I Would Be Sad by The Avett Brothers ( iTunes | Amazon )
Hello, I’m in Delaware by City & Colour ( iTunes | Amazon )
99 Problems by Hugo (originally written and performed by Jay-Z) ( iTunes | Amazon )
It’s Time by Imagine Dragons ( iTunes | Amazon )
Let it be Me by Ray LaMontagne ( iTunes | Amazon )
Rocketship by Guster ( iTunes | Amazon )
Don’t Drink the Water by Dave Matthews Band ( iTunes | Amazon )
Emily E says
Wow this is a great review Ana!! You inspire me to be a better blogger 🙂
Ana's Attic says
Wow, thank you so much!
Ricki says
You know already how much this book blew me away! 18 hours later and I’m still dehydrated from all the tears I shared. This one is staying with me forever.
Ana's Attic says
She keeps getting better.
Karen G. says
Wow, you really know how to recommend a book! this sounds amazing oops I’m amazeballs! lol I am looking forward to reading it, thanks!
Ana's Attic says
Come back and let me know what you thought!
Kelly Tannacore says
Wow, that was a great review. I can’t wait to read this book! It really sounds so, so good. Thank you so much!
Ana's Attic says
Enjoy!
Leslie T. says
I love your review, this one looks really great. Thanks!
Ana's Attic says
Thank you. It was!
Tracie says
This book sounds crazy good, can’t wait to read it!!
Jessica says
Another for my TBR List
Heather says
Great review. Sounds like its going to be a good and emotional read.
Bethany says
I cannot wait to read this! I read Jasinda’s Big Girl & Rock Star series and I loved them!!! I have heard Wounded is good too!
Ana's Attic says
Wounded was amazing!
Tina V. says
Really can’t wait for this one! I see an ugly cry in the future…LOL!
Elizabeth Di Benedetto says
Great Review! Can’t wait to read this book.
Kerry G says
Ok, so not going to try winning this one…I had to get it NOW! Great review….getting a box of tissues ready!
Jenny V. says
I loved Wounded, so I really want to read another book by Jacinda. But I’m scared of all the crying!
Ana's Attic says
Don’t be scared!!!! It was amazing. So worth the tears.
lorraine masterson says
Thumbs up for the review, I will def try this one!
Joanne-112 says
I must get this book, and maybe a new box of kleenex ! So many books, so little time.
Momo (@BooksOverBoys) says
Oh my gosh, I am dying for this book! I read the chapter four excerpt that Wilder posted and just reading that alone broke my freakin’ heart so I know this one is a special keeper. <333
I'm thrillled that you loved it so much, makes me that much more excited!
Laura Mendez says
I can’t wait to read this book. 😉
Susan says
This was an amazing story!
Jasinda says
Thank you so much Ana for that amazeballs review and thank you all for reading.
You rock my sock. Xoxo
Ana's Attic says
Just one sock? Where is the other? Do I want to know?
Mia Ellames says
Lol!
Beverly says
I love your review!!!! We have the same dislikes w/ this book but still falling into you is one ofthe best books for me
Abbie D. says
This book is all I have been hearing about! MUST READ SOOOON
Shanean R says
Ana I love reading your reviews and couldn’t wait to read this one as I have just purchased Falling Into You and plan to read it tonight. Your review of books just blows my mind. You have a true talent and a gift with words. This has got to be one of your best reviews. Usually you make me laugh but this one made me teary eyed when reading the quotes. I know this is going to be a long night, but I’ve got my class of wine *okay it’s a bottle* and boxes of tissues. So I am ready to jump in and have my heart broken and put back together.
“broke me, then put me back together again” the Fabulous words of Ana
Thanks for the wonderful job you do!!!
Ana's Attic says
You made me tear up! Thank you so much! What a compliment!
Brittany says
Can’t wait to read this!
Sandy Borrero says
I love all her books and can’t wait to read this one! Loved the review.
Megan says
5+ stars and 5 for heat?!?! Double threat!!!! Just downloaded it… next up on my TBR list! You have yet to steer me wrong Ana!! 🙂
Ana's Attic says
Awesome. Let me know what you think.
Megan says
Holy hell…I just finished this book. Started tonight at 8:00pm…it’s now 4:00am! This book made me bawl like a baby! So intense …so gut-wrenchingly good! Wow. Just wow.
Jessie L says
Loved the review! Thank you & it’s going on my TBRs right now.
Christina says
I read the book right after I read your great review. Enjoyed the book and thanks SO much for posting the playlist. I loved listening to the songs as they came up in the story!
Ana's Attic says
Oh I’m so glad someone used it!
Lariza says
Great review!! Can’t wait to read the book!!!
Tracy P says
Love the Review! on my TBR list 🙂
Dione Sage says
Can’t wait to read this book! Also, I am loving the playlist, great mix of songs!
tina says
love this review, so sold on this book!!!!
Jan says
OMG! OMG! I’m a tough bird and it takes a lot to make me cry over a book. However, I’m having a very hard time swallowing tears from this one. I probably wouldn’t of picked this book if you hadn’t of written such a compelling review. I’m at a part where I might have to hide in the closet to keep my husband from seeing me crying over a book. Thanks Ana, keep up the great picks.
Ana's Attic says
It’s worth the tears, I promise.
tina says
didnt even wait to see if i would win and bought it anywayz, What do you recommend on using playlist?
Kim Box Person says
AWESOME review I totally loved it 🙂 Just brilliant 🙂
Jessica R says
This book sounds AMAZING!!!
jrryba@gmail.com
Rebecca Drake says
I can’t wait to read this book!!
Lorie says
OMG! I really really really really need to get my hands on this one! Great review. 🙂
Pam says
Great review! Can’t wait to read this!
Rosarita Reader says
Awesome reviews! It’s on my Goodreads TBR, I can’t wait!
Joni Payne says
I cannot wait to read this book!
Kim says
I can’t wait to read this book!!
Marsha says
This book had me crying from the copywrite page where she wtote “that its ok, to not be ok”. Ive lost my mother, husband and father all in the last 5 years and I still feel that way. I cried through the whole book, it was a loving and healing story that I could relate to. Nell will stay with me for a long time. Ana thank you for your reviews of these great books
Mrs. K says
I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH YOU ANA!!!! this book was AMAZING!!!!!
Carole says
Ana, thanks for adding this to the “library”. I hope to see you again soon. Cheers