This book had so many heartwarming moments. Penelope’s journey underscores the power of vulnerability, the beauty of friendships, and the strength in community. I really enjoyed this read.

I decided to read this book after a friend recommended it to me. They know I'm not a romance reader, but I was told it was worthy reading for all the rest of the story, apart from the romance part.
And I kind of liked it.
Not gonna lie: the whole romance didn't appeal to me; I didn't care for it. I got happy for Penelope, sure. She deserved some happiness, but I wasn't in it for the romance.
I did enjoy the relationships among all the characters, the dramatic side of it.
I particularly love a friendship story (when it isn't a toxic one...).
The sense of humour here was very hit-or-miss to me.
I believe this book might have worked better with me if I had it on the audio format.
Maybe, one day in the near future, I'll try to re-read this by listening to the audio and see if it improves my experience with this book.
I'd recommend this book to readers more prone to enjoying romance.

Fantabulous story!
Great characters and some I really enjoyed in getting to know.
I didnt like Penelope's mother because she reminded me too much of my own mother in law.
This new to me author has done a fantabulous job in bringing these characters to life and making this story realistic.
I was lost from the moment I opened the book. It was so good.
In .any ways I felt that I could relate to Pen ( who is an awesome character by the way). I loved how she just threw caution to the wind. I wish I could do that. It's one of tue many reasons I liked about her and this book.
5 stars for an amazing story. I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a book about Penelope, who decides she needs a change and heads off to Tennessee. But, you know, life's never that simple. She's got to deal with all her baggage while trying to start fresh. Along the way, she meets some quirky characters who help her out.

The author's writing style is easy to understand, so you'll find yourself flying through the pages. Seriously, it's one of those books that sticks with you...

I LOVED this book! I read it in less than 24 hours. It had me laughing and also tearing up. Beautifully written. I look forward to more from this author!

To me, this book was truly cathartic. I've never felt more seen or acknowledged as I felt reading Penelope's story.
A lot of books feature characters with trauma and/or anxiety, but this is the first time where I felt the author truly understands how both shape a person's character.
For Penelope, her life didn't end with her brother's death in the technical sense; she went on to become a successful financial advisor, had a boyfriend, a cheating one but one nonetheless, and she had a sort of functional relationship with her mother.
From outside, she was okay and living well, which showed when one of her past coworkers admitted how much she looked up to her.
On the inside though, she was just existing. The constant feeling of inadequacy and detachment was expressed so unapologetically and in such a poignant way I couldn't help but relate to.
When Penelope told Grant that she didn't think she was capable of loving someone, it hit hard.
When it came to the writing, it was super beautiful and flowed effortlessly. Just an author who knows what she is doing. No flowery prose or unnecessary fillings.
The book absolutely made it to my list of favorites and I would definitely keep an eye out for the author's future books.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Oh this one stunned and moved me more than I was expecting.

Penelope is starting over at a new job in a new city after a series of events sends her running from her ex and her job.

Immediately at the start of this book, I felt a kinship with Pen. The way she (doesn't) deal with emotions and her lack of self worth hit close to home and I absolutely loved seeing her growth throughout the book. I loved Grant. Wonderful delightful Grant. I loved his humor and his views on the world. I loved having a seat to their love story.

I also throughly enjoyed the side characters and the way Deanna and Pen got closer and built the foundation they needed by the end of the book.

I will be thinking about this one for a while!

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Montlake for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The False Flat in exchange for an honest review. approx 380 pages. Publication date is June 11, 2024.

I loved the biracial narrator and her attempt to tell her story honestly. For where I am in my life, the grief aspects and anxiety aspects were very triggering but they contributed dramatically to this book. There is also a fair deal of cheating in the book. That aside, the story here was provoking and unique. I don’t quite think anyone else could have written this book. Even the way that Pen speaks to her boss in the first chapter and how she explains her “numbering” system for people are unique to her. Grant’s evolution with Pen was so heartwarming as well.

Recommended read for anyone wanting something deeper from their lit fic!

enjoyed this book over all. The title was perfect for this book. Pen has gone through a lot of hardships in her life and while things currently seem like they are smooth sailing, they’re still difficult because of that past. Pen is scared to form attachments and bonds with people because of the losses in her past.

I enjoyed the mental health representation in this book. Pen’s experience with anxiety and panic attacks and how she would flee when things got hard. I also liked how she used biking to help get through it.

There was a lot of cheating in this book which I did not enjoy but I don’t think that’s at fault by the author. That is because of my personal history

There were a lot of elements in The False Flat that I appreciated because I hadn't read a novel with a bi-racial female protagonist. I felt that i could really empathize with her struggle to fit in and some of her anxiety, additionally complicated by the loss of her brother at a young age.

Story locations included Minnesota and Tennessee. Loved the aspect of biking and ties to the local farmers market (in Franklin, TN). I was not familiar with the term False Flat, but it is the perfect title for this book! I loved the support of her friend Deanna and the creativeness of the food she created and that Penelope was starting her own business as a financial planner and some of the challenges she faced.

I found the ending of The False Flat to be especially satisfying.

This is author Melissa Collings debut novel! Nicely done!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Montlake for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The False Flat in exchange for an honest review. approx 380 pages. Publication date is June 11, 2024.

In Melissa Collings' captivating novel, "The False Flat," Penelope Auberge embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Plagued by an overbearing mother, unfulfilling relationships, and professional setbacks, Pen yearns for a life free from the constraints imposed upon her. Pen's decision to relocate to Tennessee and establish her own financial business marks a pivotal moment for her. The move symbolizes her determination to forge her own path and create a future where her accomplishments are truly her own. However, the process of shedding the baggage of her past proves to be more complex than she initially anticipated. As she navigates the unfamiliar territory of Nashville, Pen encounters Deanna and Grant, two siblings who challenge her solitary existence. Deanna's warmth and Grant's charm slowly coax Pen out of her shell, but she remains cautious, her heart scarred by previous disappointments. Amidst the blossoming friendships and the undeniable chemistry with Grant, Pen grapples with the complexities of her past. She realizes that true freedom lies not only in physical distance but also in confronting the emotional wounds that have shaped her. Collings skillfully weaves together themes of self-love, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness. Through Pen's journey, she explores the challenges women face in defining their own paths and the courage required to break free from societal expectations. "The False Flat" is a relatable and inspiring tale that resonates with readers seeking self-discovery and empowerment. It is a testament to the transformative power of human connection and the importance of embracing one's true self, even when it means pedaling away from the familiar.

First and foremost this is a book about DEATH.

Like, this book centers around death and grief and trauma.

And then there's like, a splash of romance mixed in.

Penelope "Pen" lives in the world of finance. She loves it and she's good at it. Her life is very particularly set to cause the least amount of chaos. She assigns people numbers instead of getting to know them. 10s aren't TENS because of their looks of personality, it's more like they feel like a 10, and others feel like a 4. Kind of the same way we look at folders from school and we all immediately say red was for math. It's a feeling she gets from people that assigns them their number. Those numbers can also change as she gets to know someone. Occasionally they creep into the double digits, but it's rare.

Why did she start doing this? When she was a teenager, her best friend and brother died of cancer and she fell into a depression and the rest of her family fell apart. Her dad starting cheating and drinking, and her mom became an ice queen determined to put on a good face, and Pen had no one on her side anymore. Her aunt tried to take her to a therapist and while in the waiting room, she saw a little girl making faces on numbers on a piece of paper and making them argue with each other....basically personifying these digits and she thought, huh, what a great way to look at people. And she's done it ever since.

But when she lands a big client and it's taken from her and given to a white man with far less experience....she finds out her boyfriend is actually married....and she's about to have a major panic attack at work, she decides she needs to get OUT.

So she moves to Nashville on a whim.

Oh yeah - she also has panic attacks and her way of coping is with bike riding.

In Nashville, she meets her "people." But she's constantly being torn between her old life and the expectations those around her and she has always had for her life, and what she has started to figure out she actually wants from life.

I really liked the plot of this. I liked the fact that it really focused HEAVILY on the trauma and the panic attacks. Pen FLEES a lot when put in a situation that makes her sweaty. She is the poster child for fight or flight, see: flight.

The thing I didn't love about this book...

The cheating. There's....kind of a lot of it. And literally the day I picked this book up I was having a conversation with friends about how we do not our main characters/love interests to be cheating and then have to have some sort of redemption arc. Leave that to the terrible exes.

Penelope's dad cheated and was a mess and she never wanted to be like him. Then she inadvertently is because she finds out she's been dating a married man. She takes a lot of the blame for this and says a lot of "well I could have seen it if I really tried" but like bb girl this man didn't tell you and lied to you, and HE'S in the wrong. Not to spoil it too much but that relationship doesn't end there.

But then there are feelings toward someone else while shes in a relationship and so is that man. And there is a kiss.

And I'm like, okay you keep saying you didn't want to be like your dad but dang do you keep finding unavailable dudes to fall for.

It felt unnecessary. And that's where my rating for this book is torn. Because while a lot of it gets "justified" away, not all of it does nor can it. And that leaves me a bit irked by this plot.

Also this book is just about death and grief and how you move on and still live LIFE. So it's pretty heavy. This is definitely not a light rom-com.

However, there's also a character that wants to enjoy every single piece of life and teaches Pen how to do that as well. Is it raining? Go dance in it. Bury some kimchi in the Chattanooga mountains and unearth it during a picnic. Fall in love. Enjoy EVERYTHING. So it has a wonderful message if not a little manic pixie dream girl in flavor.

Anyway, now I'm just stalling because the next part of this review process is rating it with stars and I genuinely don't know where this one falls. In some ways it's a 3, in some ways it's a 4. I guess I"ll pull a Pen and give this book what it FEELS like.

"I was wrong when I'd said life was like a cake with all the right ingredients. Life isn't about having the right ingredients; it's about figuring out what to make when you're missing some."

Penelope is well into her career in finance when circumstances at work push her to quit and pursue her own work in Nashville. As she works through personal obstacles, she finds new friends, new work, and new love while also working through her traumatic past.

There were so many things to like about this book, but I could not get into it until I was well past the halfway point. To start off with what I enjoyed, I loved seeing Penelope let go of her troubles and ease into her friend group. Her relationship with Deanna was refreshing and I think that she was the ultimate friend to Penelope when she needed it. Grant's understanding nature when it came to Penelope was also very heartwarming. From the time they met to the very end of the book, I was so excited to see where their story went! The way that Penelope's character was able to evolve was amazing. I loved seeing her step out of her comfort zone and not only find friendship, but also find love!

The False Flat by Melissa Collings is a novel with depth. I loved that this book is set in my hometown of Nashville and seeing a strong woman build a business! There is found family and a beautiful love story. If you’ve experienced loss due to cancer this one might be hard for you.

good romance and loved that they are taking their time with the romance and that she is figuring out her life.

The False Flat is a vulnerable exploration of growth and relationships (romantic, familial, and between friends). While the narrative portrays the highs and lows of self-discovery, a challenge I faced was connecting with the main character. Also, I was caught off guard by multiple heavy topics that surfaced, suggesting a need for clearer indication in the summary. I laughed and grieved throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review. The False Flat releases on June 11, 2024.

4.5 stars!

Wow! What an unexpected surprise this book was! I went into this book thinking it was going to be a light, happy romance…it was not. It was full of so much depth and character development. The friend group and "side characters" were all wonderful and I found myself wanting to hang out with this group more. They had "real" interactions but provided each other so much love and support.

I will say this title is misleading. The main character, Penelope, is not dealing with a “false flat”. She’s dealing with an uphill battle, but she handles everything thrown at her with grace and growth. I loved watching her grow from an anxious, unsure woman to one who could handle all the tough things life threw at her.

This book gave me all the emotions. I cried quite a bit because there are a lot of sad parts…however, the book leaves you feeling hopeful and even content. Due to some plot points, I do not believe this book can be classified as a traditional romance, but it is an amazing read and one that I highly recommend!

I think I should start this review with a disclaimer that me rating this book three starts doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Because I surely did - it was a fun time, had an interesting plot that made me wanna read more and more and I found myself staying up late couple nights because I couldn't put it down. That being said, it wasn't groundbreaking by any means and as I oftentimes feel when reading romance books after I've read some many others in this genre - it was very predictable. However, I would still recommend reading this book to everyone who wants a book with an interesting story and relatable characters.

A big thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I just finished the false flat by Melissa R. Collings and it was one of the most bittersweet reads I've had in a while.

Going into this, I thought it would be a cute romance book and while it definitely fulfilled those expectations, boy was there depth to these characters. I love how every character was given their own personality and backstory, and specifically Penelope was given space to grow (we love to see it!!).

The only thing I personally and subjectively didn't enjoy was there were some tropes and some topics I was wholly unprepared for and did not want to read about due to personal history. To keep this spoiler free, I will not mention them explicitly, but I went into this thinking it'd be lighthearted when it's really not, and I want people to know that.

nonetheless, a very good read and I would recommend this to everyone who loves a good bittersweet romance!

thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Melissa Collings masterfully crafted a story that is more than entertaining words on pages. It holds life lessons some of us need to learn or be reminded of. Reminders of how to love and be loved. When to hold on and when to let go. Reminders to dance in the rain and watch the sun set. This story made me giggle, cry, sob, smile, and warmed my heart. In my opinion, this is a book to treasure.