This was my first Kerry Lonsdale read. I though Meli & Aaron's story was fine. This is one of those great beach or pool day reads. A quick little romance that you don't have to think about much. It was a cute but predictable second-chance/fake-dating rom-com.

Thank you NetGalley. What a cute read, the characters were well written and the story just pulled you in. I was pulling for the two main characters from the start, I enjoyed how all of the supporting cast stayed involved throughout the story and weren't just introduced and then disappeared. Kerry Lonsdale did an excellent job of keeping the reader interested in her story. I would suggest this book to other readers.

It’s always interesting to hear where fiction writers find inspiration for the stories they create. Bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale says that sometimes “an entire story will just drop into my head.” That happened with Side Trip — the whole tale simply materialized. But usually the story “starts with just a concept and it evolves from there.” She describes herself as a “plotter,” meaning she outlines the entire story so she knows the trajectory before she begins writing, even though she may make changes as the manuscript comes together. “I at least need somewhat of a dirt road to follow, but a lot of times the characters will take over the story.”

In the case of her latest book, Falling for You Again, Lonsdale envisioned a runaway bride ditching her wedding, in a taxi on her way to the airport. She wondered why she was running, where she was going, and what would happen when she boarded a plane. The story evolved from there.

Twenty-nine-year-old Meli Hynes has grown up in the furniture manufacturing business. . Her family is unusual – and highly dysfunctional. Her parents mysteriously went away when she was just ten years old and did not return until she was sixteen. Her Uncle Bear became her legal guardian and, since he operates Artisant Designs in South Boston, a high-end wood furniture studio he inherited from his father, she learned the trade, as well. She and her parents work there – “the studio is the only place where, other than Uncle Bear’s apartment to celebrate holidays and birthdays, my family willingly spends time together.” Meli explains that the business has strained their marriage and she is amazed her parents have stayed together. Her best friend, Emi, lives in an apartment directly across the hall from hers and her parents live in the same building on an upper floor. But outside observers watching them meet in the elevator would believe they are merely tenants in the same building, rather than family. They are not close and Meli still bears the deep wounds of abandonment and feeling unwanted. Years later, she still has no idea why they left her in the care of her uncle or where they spent those six years. All she knows is that when they came back, they were different. “They’re friendly toward me now, but never loving. They’re more reserved than open, more guarded than trusting.”

Meli accidentally finds an email to Uncle Bear from The Savant House, an upscale home-furnishings company, the subject of which is “Potential Acquisition of Artisant Designs.” Meli is shocked and hurt because her uncle has always promised her that she will inherit the business. Worse, she learns that Savant will acquire not just the studio, but all designs, including hers which are copyrighted under Artisant. Without her knowledge or input, arrangements have also been made for Meli to have a job at Savant overseeing a team of artisans and designing a furniture line. But Meli has never had any interest in working for a large corporation. For the past nineteen years, her dream has been to carry on the family business, but her uncle’s mind is made up because of the increasing challenges of operating a small business. He wants to retire.

Also on the desk where she spies the email is an invitation to Savant’s annual fund-raising gala, an event to which her family is always invited, but they never attend. Meli decides she will be there because she needs to reconnect with Aaron Borland, Savant’s Director of Acquisitions. Meli met him five years ago on a flight to Las Vegas. And married him. Six days later, they parted company back at Logan International airport, got a divorce, and haven’t seen each other since.

Lonsdale’s choice to tell Meli’s story via her first-person narrative makes it emotionally powerful because readers accompany Meli on her quest to make her own way in the furniture world and create a personal life that will bring her happiness, and are privy to her thought-processes and emotions. She explains how she unexpectedly became a runaway bride with Uncle Bear’s blessing. It wasn’t until she watched Emi walking up the aisle of the church that she recognized she had been in denial about her relationship with her fiancée. She realized that “finding Paul hadn’t helped me find myself; it had made me feel more lost.” He was charming, but she was naïve. She craved love and he was the first man “who wanted me all to himself.” But that was the problem. While Paul initially admired her devotion to her work, he came to see it as a “competition for my attention” and actually had the audacity to ask Meli to give up woodworking. Mali knew – as she was standing in the vestibule of the church – that she simply could not walk down the aisle and marry Paul.

So, with Uncle Bear’s support and encouragement, she ran. In her wedding dress. She booked herself on the first available flight to Las Vegas. And found herself sitting next to Aaron.

Lonsdale effortlessly navigates the story between the present day, as Mali arrives at the gala in search of Aaron, desperate to find a way to stop the sale of Artisant, and five years earlier as Meli and Aaron chat easily on the flight. Aaron is obviously intrigued by the beautiful young woman in the wedding dress, and amused and charmed by her chutzpah. Because, after all, boarding a plane in full wedding regalia is not something one does routinely. And before the plane lands, they have agreed to marry for one full day.

Lonsdale considers herself a “domestic drama” author, even though every one of her books incorporates romance. In Falling for Your Again, the romance between Meli and Aaron is front and center, the focus of the story. But Lonsdale remains true to her strengths as a writer. She has again crafted fully developed, multi-layered characters who are intelligent and accomplished, and extremely likable. Both Meli and Aaron are charming, so readers will easily take them into their hearts and want the best for them.

But they also deal with serious issues that make them empathetic and relatable. For Meli, as noted, abandonment by and emotional detachment from her parents, in combination with Uncle Bear urging her to eschew intimate relationships in favor of fully devoting herself to her creative passion, have been overarching themes in her life. Lonsdale credibly details how Meli has functioned fairly well, but as the story opens and she discovers that her future is in jeopardy, she is forced to make critical decisions about her future. Should she attempt to stop Uncle Bear from finalizing the sale of Artisant? And accept the offer of a secure position with Savant, a powerful and influential force in the industry where she can advance in her career?

She also finds herself at a personal crossroads because she believes her only hope of stopping the sale is to procure Aaron’s assistance and, although they divorced and have had no contact for five years, Meli certainly never forgot about him. And has not fallen in love with any other man in the interim. She has been singularly focused on her work and attempting to co-exist with her family. But inside she remains a “lonely little girl” who wants “connection more than anything else.” And it may just be time for her to admit that she wants that more than she wants to retain Artisant Designs. She has missed Aaron, even though she barely got to know him, and wonders if he has missed her. And if he has ever regretted their no-contact vow. She is perplexed by his failure to break it and reach out to her in light of Savant’s pending acquisition of Artisant Designs. What does that signify about how he feels about her?

Aaron is an equally compelling character with his own family issues to work through. At only thirty-two, he has been promoted from Director of Acquisitions to Chief Operations Officer, with his father serving as CEO and his mother is the President of Savant. Aaron has recently broken off his engagement to the woman his mother wants him to marry. He has always lived a privileged life, but that not mean life has always been easy for him. His parents have expected him to work hard, learn what it takes to operate a successful business, and earn his place in the organization. He is bright and savvy. And since he is aware that Savant maintains a no-fraternization policy, Aaron postulates that if he and Meli marry (again), Savant will retract its offer to acquire Artisant Designs due to the conflict of interest their marriage would create. “Maybe ‘our thing’ is to do the outrageous,” Mali thinks as she considers the possibility of a marriage of convenience designed to save the future she has always envisioned for herself. But they would have to pretend to be a happy couple in a completely legitimate, genuine marriage. The idea is not without risks, including potential legal complications and the ire of Aaron’s family. And he has his own complicated relationship with his parents, in part because of his guilt surrounding a family tragedy, as well as their expectations.

Along the way, Lonsdale injects surprising twists that call into question the wisdom both of Meli and Aaron’s scheme and their reunion. As they consider whether they are right for each other and should, perhaps, remain married this time, external developments and a few within their relationship come to light, throwing their anticipated happy ending into doubt.

Falling for You Again is a delightfully entertaining story, full of humor, charm, and hope. But Lonsdale imbues what is essentially a light-hearted romance with depth, emotional resonance, and complications. In this instance, Lonsdale explores the parent-child relationships of her two main characters with compassion, nuance, and revelations that provide context and understanding. She also examines the struggle to balance one’s personal and professional pursuits and priorities, and the ongoing challenge of doing justice to both. There is also a message in her story about being a woman who is passionate about her work and need to express herself creatively, and the difficulties encountered while attempting to establish a true partnership in which both parties are equals who appreciate and value each other.

It is not a spoiler to reveal that Lonsdale delivers the de rigueur happy ending – it is a romance, after all – but she navigates the story in a masterful and often unexpected manner to that logical and very satisfying conclusion.

I loved this book. I did find Meli a tad annoying at times, but I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Aaron. There were moments that I laughed, felt angry (especially with Kaye) and times I could’ve cried. This book gives a look into family drama, finding yourself and finding love. It was a fun and wild ride from the moment Aaron and Meli crashed into one another!

I loved this book! There are amazing main characters and the story is so beautifully written. Meli’s career as a furniture artisan was interesting and not something I have read about before. Meli and Aaron have a secret and it’s that they were married in Vegas for 24 hours a few years ago. Now that Aaron’s family is trying to buy Meli’s family’s wood working shop she needs his help. They enter a marriage of convenience and of course emotions get involved. Meli and Aaron’s thoughts and feelings are woven together skilfully along with their great dialogue and amazing chemistry. I was engrossed in this story! Definitely add this one to your TBR!
I have read and loved other books by Kerry Lonsdale and this one and Side Trip are my favourites so far.

Furniture artisan Meli Hynes still abides by her uncle’s truism: the only lasting love story is the one between artists and their creations. Having already given marriage a shot—for all of twenty-four hours during a Las Vegas fling—Meli made her choice. The wood-crafting shop that is her family legacy will always come first.

But when her uncle decides to sell to a competitor, Meli’s promised inheritance goes belly-up. She’ll do anything to muddle the deal. Including a marriage of convenience to an unforgettable and very practical old friend—the competitor’s son, Aaron. With a controlling family of his own, and every bit as impulsive as Meli, Aaron is in. After all, this isn’t the first time he and Meli got hitched on a whim.

The rules of the ruse are simple: public displays of affection and live together as happy newlyweds. The hardest rule of all? Never let real feelings get in the way of what they plan to be a purely professional second time around.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

Really enjoyed this one! Meli is an furniture maker and has worked alongside her uncle for years in hopes to take over his business one day. He decides to sell it to their competitors and Meli is furious. Aaron is the son of the competitor and he and Meli were married previously for a short time on a whim. They decide to give it a go again in hopes she can get her uncles business and he can get his parents off his back. Of course they fall for each other and learn a few things along the way.

Falling For You Again by Kerry Lonsdale was a wonderful book that I was so invested in that I read it in two days, something I rarely have time to do. I loved the relationship between Aaron and Melissa, not just the ups but the downs. Will there be a sequel?

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a strong foundation for an emotionally charged, slow-burn romance with layers of generational trauma, fake dating (or marriage of convenience), and second chances. Here’s a polished version of your story premise that enhances clarity, tone, and narrative tension, while keeping your original themes:
Enter Aaron: her ex-husband... for exactly 24 hours.

Their whirlwind marriage was supposed to be a wild, one-night mistake—an impulsive, perfect escape that ended in mutual agreement to part ways. They were better off as friends, colleagues, business-minded allies. At least, that’s what they told themselves.

Now, years later, their families’ rival businesses are both on the brink of collapse, and the only way to save them is to join forces—starting with a marriage of convenience. Again.

But as Meli and Aaron step back into the roles of husband and wife, old feelings resurface. And the lies their families built their worlds on begin to crack wide open.

🌒 Title: Falling for You Again
🖋 Author: Kerry Lonsdale
⭐ Rating: ★★★★
📚 Genre: Contemporary Romance / Second Chance Romance
📖 Format: eARC (NetGalley)
📅 Finished Read: 8 July 2025

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✦ 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Furniture artisan Meli Hynes lives by her uncle’s belief that the only enduring love is between artists and their craft. Years ago, she put that to the test with an impulsive Vegas marriage to Aaron Borland — one that lasted just twenty-four hours. Since then, her woodworking shop and family legacy have been her first priority. But when her uncle decides to sell to a corporate competitor, Meli’s inheritance — and future — are at risk.

Enter Aaron, now the son of the company buying her family’s business. Desperate to save the shop, Meli proposes they marry again, creating a conflict of interest that might derail the sale. What begins as a calculated, “purely professional” arrangement soon stirs old memories, shared wounds, and the possibility that some love stories deserve a second chance.

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✦ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭:
At its core, Falling for You Again is about the spaces we protect — whether that’s a family business, our sense of self, or our heart — and how we choose to let people back in. Meli’s single-minded dedication to her craft mirrors the way many creatives tether their identity to their work, sometimes at the cost of personal relationships. The book also tackles generational family dynamics, showing both the weight of inherited expectations and the joy of preserving a legacy.

Lonsdale threads in more difficult conversations around mental health, trauma, and resilience. Meli’s anxiety and guardedness are portrayed with nuance, showing the push-and-pull of wanting love but fearing vulnerability. Aaron’s presence underscores the theme of emotional reciprocity — that real partnerships require not just attraction, but patience, care, and understanding. On a broader level, the novel challenges the assumption that second chances are a sign of failure; instead, it reframes them as a courageous choice to rebuild something new on old foundations.

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✦ 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 & 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠:
The structure alternates between present-day events and the echoes of Meli and Aaron’s impulsive first marriage, giving the romance a layered emotional history. The opening chapters quickly establish the stakes — Meli’s fight for her family’s shop and the awkward, unexpected reunion with Aaron — and from there, the pacing alternates between high-tension business manoeuvring and slower, intimate moments that deepen their connection.

The romcom energy is delivered through witty banter, clever callbacks to their “marriage material list,” and moments of genuine levity, all of which keep the story buoyant despite its heavier undercurrents. The tension is sustained not just through romantic uncertainty, but through the ticking clock of the business sale. That said, some conflicts, particularly around family miscommunication, are prolonged a bit too much, and the resolution — while heartwarming — ties up loose ends in a way that feels more idealised than realistic. Still, the steady forward motion and emotional beats make it an addictive read that’s hard to put down.

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✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
- Meli Hynes – Determined, fiercely independent, and deeply tied to her craft. Her portrayal of anxiety and self-protection is relatable, and her growth arc shows a gradual willingness to let love back in.
- Aaron Borland – Charming, quietly steadfast, and supportive. While some readers might wish for more depth beyond his role as Meli’s anchor, his patience and humour make him incredibly endearing.
- Supporting Cast – The found family elements add warmth, though the miscommunication within Meli’s family can be frustrating at times.


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✦ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Falling for You Again delivers a winning combination of humour, heartfelt emotion, and second-chance romance. It’s a story about rediscovering love in unexpected ways, but it’s equally about self-worth and the courage to fight for what matters most. Kerry Lonsdale’s balance of lighthearted romcom beats with sincere explorations of pain and healing makes this a read that’s both comforting and emotionally resonant.

While some plot turns rely on convenient resolutions and certain conflicts might have benefited from more layered complexity, the chemistry between Meli and Aaron — bolstered by their shared history — carries the novel. This is a romance that will leave readers smiling, maybe misty-eyed, and definitely thinking about the ways life sometimes loops back to give us the ending we didn’t know we still wanted.

(Cross-posted to Goodreads and Fable and StoryGraph.)

This was my first book by @kerrylonsdale and I was blown away!! Second chances for the win. 👏

The MMC and FMC in this book are each uniquely tied to their respective families and their family businesses. Neither has felt like they can fully live for themselves. Until they meet each other on a flight to Vegas and get married on a whim. Insta connection! But the marriage was only ever to last 24 hours.

Years later, both are still tied to their families. When the ex couple meets again and realizes a fake marriage would benefit them both, they tie the knot. Again. But this time, maybe they are ready to admit they are actually meant to be married forever…

“Fate reunites a young woman with her ex-husband in a delightful and inspiring novel about family, old loves, and marriage on a dare by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale.”

Meli, a fiercely independent furniture artisan, is devoted to keeping her family’s woodworking shop alive—she’d sooner marry her craft than a person. But when her uncle decides to sell the business, she finds herself in a whirlwind reunion with Aaron, her impulsive, one-week Vegas husband from years past. In classic marriage-of-convenience fashion, they agree to remarry—strictly as a business move—to derail the sale. Yet, beneath their practical pact, unresolved feelings burn quietly, and their logic-driven scheme teeters on the edge of something much more intimate.

What I loved was how real these characters feel—their flaws, their histories, their longing. Meli isn’t a picture-perfect heroine; she’s messy, guarded, and as stubborn as her uncle’s sawdust-filled legacy, and Aaron is the kind of thoughtful, steady partner who makes you root for their slow burn. Lonsdale balances heat with heart, weaving in themes of family dysfunction, creative ambition, and the hard truths about trusting love again. It’s romance with emotional stakes and enough warmth to leave you smiling long after you’ve closed the book.

Falling For You Again is an easy, light read. I love when there are relatable characters, and Melissa definitely is! This book has a good mix of romance, family, and friendship. I'm always a bit hesitant to read these kinds of books because they tend to be the same love story, but this story had more to it than the relationship. I would love to read a prequel about the family's shop!

A delightful romance story, that blends nostalgic moments, heartbreak and fall in love again ..
a story that will make you feel all the emotions.. once you start you can’t put it down
What to expect
Second chance
Found family
Romance
Dysfunctional family
Heartbreak
Proximity

Thanks to publisher author and NetGalley for this arc

5/5 STELLAR STARS!

Falling For You Again was absolutely mesmerizing! I could NOT put this book down! These pages brought me so much JOY.

Every once in awhile you come across a book that just hits you right in the heart, a book that makes you feel SO much. This book did that for me. While reading this story, I wanted to give my whole life up and become Meli. I was SO into this story. I stayed up way past my bedtime, I skipped cooking dinner and ordered a pizza instead. I literally could not let this story go. It was SO damn good.

Kerry Lonsdale delivers a RIVETING, beautiful, heartfelt read. It was super engaging, emotional and enjoyable.

I want to read this story all over again so I can fall for these characters all over again! I LOVE THEM. This was, without a doubt, one of my favorite romances of the WHOLE year.

Y'all... Don't miss this one!

Falling for You Again is a beautifully layered story that blends heartache, humor, and hope in all the right ways. If you've ever had to let go of someone you loved - or found yourself unexpectedly pulled back into their orbit - this one will land hard in the best way.

The emotional depth here is undeniable, exploring how healing rarely moves in a straight line and how love, even when fractured, can still hold incredible beauty. Meli and Aaron’s whirlwind Vegas marriage and the years that follow make for a compelling setup, and their chemistry is undeniable - equal parts flirty banter and lingering ache.

What really stands out is the story’s ability to balance heavier themes like family expectations and emotional scars with moments of levity and charm. It’s not just about romance, but about growth, forgiveness, and finding your way back to both yourself and the people who matter most.

This was one of those reads that tugged at my heart and left me smiling at the end. Thoughtful, fun, and deeply felt - this is second-chance romance done right.

Tropes:
- Second chance romance
- Fake dating
- Found family
- forced proximity
- Dysfunctional families
- friends-to-lovers

Thank you to Booked with the Emilys and Kerry Lonsdale for the gifted copy of Falling for You Again, and the chance to share this delicious romance story of Meli and Aaron, two people who belong together no matter what obstacles are thrown in their path.

Quick Take: Emotional personal journey romance, full of family drama, and furniture.

Blurb: Meli has always dreamed of taking over her uncle Bear's furniture shop - until he announces he will be selling it to a rival furniture company, Savant House. In an attempt to muddy the sale, Meli reconnects with the son of Savant House owners, Aaron... who she just happened to marry in Vegas several years ago. Meli and Aaron each have reason to convince their families of their relationship, but the second chance marriage of convenience becomes more real than either expected.

Quotable: "I promise to stand behind you, stand up for you, and stand up to you."

Mood Reader Guide: complex parental relationship / furniture / career focused / time jumps / single POV / second chance romance / marriage of convenience / forced proximity / ambition / family legacy / manipulative relatives / addiction / Boston

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this and want to try other books by the author! Aaron is sturdy, steady, and stellar as a mature, evolved book boyfriend. Meli goes through a rollercoaster of emotional growth throughout the book. I about lost my mind at her parents and uncle multiple times, but everyone redeemed themselves in some way (the same cannot be said about Aaron's piece of work mother, but we will just hope she had a large piece of furniture fall on her and knock some sense in to her eventually). It took a little bit to sort out the timeline of events in the first half as we flashed back, but readers definitely needed the backstory.

Falling for You Again is available through Kindle Unlimited, and would be a great read for romance lovers.

Thanks to @bookedwiththeemilys @kerrylonsdale @amazonpublishing for the #gifted copy of this book.

What to Expect:
Second chance romance
Fake dating
Marriage of convenience (x2!)
Forced proximity
Family legacy vs personal ambition
Found family
Woodworking

Y’all, I could not put this book down. I loved the premise - runaway bride meets a stranger on the plane and after a perfect conversation, they dare to marry for 24 hours… which turns into a magical week together followed by an amicable quickie divorce. Only to reunite 5 years later and, once again, circumstances call for a marriage of convenience with much higher stakes.

My heart went through the wringer - overflowing with joy and love, aching for how Meli and Aaron were treated by their closest family, and the rollercoaster ride of twists and turns along the way. I loved the brief flashbacks to their first time together and how their unlikely friendship set a foundation for so much more. I alternated between the audiobook and text because I had to know what happened next - I could easily see this being made into a movie. Add this one to your TBR because it is seriously so good.

What a delightful second chance romance! As the wife of a woodworker I LOVED the central setting of the work shop and thoroughly enjoyed envisioning the beautiful pieces they created. The whirlwind romance between Meli and Aaron was sweet and I just loved how even with a dysfunctional family Meli has such wonderful friends in her life. Aaron was a classic good guy, just wonderful all around.

I have been loving second chance romance so I was excited to pick this one up. This was such a bingeable read and listen! Not only do we get a second chance romance, we get a marriage of convenience. I loved every single time they called each other wife or husband! The main characters felt flawed and real with a lot of complicated emotions. I loved watching them find their way to each other not just once but twice. Meli and Aaron were easy to root for despite their complicated family and professional relationships. This was my first book by Kerry, but it won’t be my last.