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Member Reviews

Who doesn’t love a fake dating/second chance romance?!
I absolutely adore Meli and Aaron, and their story.

The family dynamics in this book hit me right in the feels too. This book has it all!

I will read everything that Kerry writes.

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Kerry Lonsdale is an author I always enjoy reading. Falling for You Again is the latest and it's available soon. It was a good one.

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A Heartfelt Second-Chance Romance

Falling for You Again by Kerry Lonsdale is a heartfelt second-chance romance that beautifully explores the complexities of love. The story centers on Meli and Aaron, former lovers who find themselves reunited through a marriage of convenience. Their authentic chemistry and the gradual restoration of trust between them create a compelling narrative.

Themes of family, sacrifice, and the rediscovery of love are woven throughout, enhanced by a charming setting and well-developed supporting characters. While some plot elements may feel familiar and Meli's tendency to avoid confrontation can be frustrating, the emotional richness of the story compensates for these shortcomings.

Although it leans towards predictability, the characters' depth elevates the overall experience, making it a cozy and uplifting read about love rekindled.

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Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Kerry Lonsdale, and Booked with the Emilys for the gifted copy of this book!

Meli Hynes once got married in Vegas... but it only lasted for 24 hours. Now, her uncle is planning to sell the family business to a competitor, and fate just has it that her competitor's son is also her ex-husband, so she finds herself back in his arms.

FALLING FOR YOU AGAIN takes marriage of convenience to the next level in such a good way! I loved the dynamic betweeen Meli and Aaron, and thought that they were such an easy couple to root for despite some shocking twists and turns. Their relationship grows well amidst the business decisions being made, and both storylines were very engaging. This is just a really cute and fun read, and absolutely perfect for the summer!

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Meli and Aaron met on a plane when their hearts collided, and their story is a love story, that they don't see. At times, it is a roller coaster ride but when they are in sync, they are happy, enjoying life, and I hoped it would continue. Life is life, and they have things to learn to get to where they are meant to be. There are secrets that will make you wonder if they will survive but it is always amazing what life can do.
I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley.

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*second chance romance
*marriage of convenience
*complicated relationships

…and also *miscommunication

This has so much of what I love in the above tropes (*not* ‘miscommunication’), I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

I tried, I really tried, but I kept finding the MFC to be highly unlikeable; she’s extremely *me-me-me* and transactional in her exchanges with others. Add in *predictable* and this one just didn’t work for me.

This was my first time reading the author.



Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

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Meli and Aaron have such a beautiful love story.
From their first meeting their chemistry leaps off the page and it’s clear they have a connection that they wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Both characters have complicated relationships with their families that lead to not want to enter into marriage. This second chance story is told through giving the reader glimpses into the past. Lonsdale’s does a great job of hi-lighting the world of artisans.

Read this one if you love:
💗Second chance romance
💜Artistry
💗On again/off again
💜Complicated family dynamics
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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What a delightful and charming love story with a cast of lovable characters. A definite 1 day beach read and it would make a good Netflix Rom Com. Thanks for the ARC!

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This was a very cute, easy read. A perfect book for summer reading. I love second chance romances, and this did not disappoint. I will say that the main character Meli annoyed me at times because she took her uncle's word on EVERYTHING and couldn't think for herself. But everything came together in the end and I came around on Meli. This was the first book I have ever read by this author, but it won't be the last. I enjoyed this.
I will recommend this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

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I've been a fan of Kerry Lonsdale's writing for almost 10 years and she always finds new ways to impress me. Her latest novel, Falling for You Again is different from anything she's written before, but it's still really good! Also, I like that the main character's full name was Melissa. It's rare to see a main character who shares a first name with me.

I didn't know what to expect from this story when reading the synopsis, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of it. There's more to it than meets the eye. Aside from the romantic aspect, there's also a storyline that involves a lot of family drama. Plus, there's a strong focus on Meli's career. I loved how genuine the dialogue and banter felt. I found myself really invested in the relationship between Meli and Aaron. All the flashback scenes really built that up for me. The descriptions brought the story to life so vividly, without taking away from the narrative. I've never been to Boston, but I could see everything like it was right in front of me.

I felt like there was a lot of whiplash when it came to what Meli wanted for herself. She'd be so certain one moment and then things would change for her abruptly and affect all the choices she made for herself. She was also running hot and cold for Aaron throughout the story, but I understand why she felt that way, given the way she was raised. I actually wish the story had been written from both Meli and Aaron's perspectives, as Aaron had a lot going on in his life too and he was such an interesting character. His mom was such a piece of work! She made me SO angry.

Overall, a very impressive new direction for Kerry, showing what a diverse writer she is. It's perfect for fans of Allie Larkin and Tracey Garvis-Graves. I look forward to checking out the companion novelette, The First Fall next month!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Meli: Sarah Catherine Hook
Aaron: Chase Stokes
Uncle Bear: Jon Favreau
Kaye: Tea Leoni
Emi: Nicole Brydon Bloom

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TW: Parental neglect (due to sustance abuse), parental abandonment, emotional abuse

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Kerry's first full romance book was an absolute knock-out! I loved this second-chance and marriage of convenience romance.

Meli has followed her uncle's advice to not fall in love, and instead devotes her time to their business and the job that she loves, creating and building furniture. She hopes to inherit the business when her uncle decides to retire, but instead of giving her the option to take it over, he sells it to a rival business, one that Meli has secret history with, the owner's son Aaron, is her ex-husband.

Meli is an incredibly strong protagonist and I loved exploring the world of furniture making and that she was a female wood-carver with sought after pieces. Going to Aaron for his help in saving her family's business wasn't a sign of weakness for her, the business meant everything to her and she would do anything in her power to save it and her family's legacy.

There were a lot of secrets being kept from Meli in the book, from her family, which lead to me shedding a lot of tears when they were unveiled, and from Aaron, but he was under the impression Meli's family had everything out in the open, and you could tell he was truly crushed when he learned she wasn't in the loop. Their first marriage may have been entered to on a dare, but Aaron truly loved her, and I loved the way he was trying to show that to Meli when they reconnected. They both had a lot of family things to work through both having been through a lot from their parents since they were children, but they were able to work on building a foundation where they could trust each other and know that they were not their past.

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This summer’s must-read is almost here! Falling for You Again has all the tropes we love—marriage of convenience, second chances, family drama, and heartfelt forgiveness. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy, and let me tell you—I couldn’t put it down!

The chemistry between Meli and Aaron crackles off the page. When they reunite for a fake marriage with a “no real feelings” rule… well, we all know how that goes. 😉 Their second shot at love is emotional, swoony, and unforgettable.

If you’re looking for a romance that delivers all the feels, Falling for You Again is it. Preorder now and get ready for July 8th! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️

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I actually started reading this book while sitting on a plane going to Las Vegas, and funnily enough, that’s exactly how the relationship between the main characters, Meli and Aaron, begins. It felt like fate! From that first chapter, I was hooked, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. This might just be my favorite book by this author—I loved it so much.

I should have picked it up sooner. The humor had me literally laughing out loud, the anger frustrated, of course there were tears and don’t even get me started on Aaron Borland… his character was amazing!

Meli was so relatable and a beautifully complex character. The way her anxieties and personal struggles are portrayed hit so close to home. Both Meli and Aaron have endured an incredible amount of trauma and I found myself tears several times while reading. Their strength, resilience, and the way their shared pain draws them closer felt so genuine and heartfelt—it left a lasting impression on me.

I immediately felt the need to tell the author how much I loved this book when I was done reading because it felt so good reading it when I was done I had to let her know! The author has this incredible ability to make you feel everything her characters go through, and it made the story even more powerful and unforgettable.

If you only read one book this summer, make it this one. Trust me.

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Another fantastic book by Kerry Lonsdale! Meli is a runaway bride, leaving her fiance at the altar because marrying him wasn't the best for her. She hops on a plane where she meets Aaron. They hit it off and spend hours getting to know each other. They decide to get hitched for twenty four hours in Vegas, expressing to each other the importance of wedding vows and what each of them will look for in a spouse. I really rooted for them and was so happy to see them reunite years later. I enjoyed getting to know these two early on in the story. I especially appreciated that their relationship started emotionally, which felt like such a geniune connection between them. This is a unique twist on friendship, romance, complicated family dynamics, forgiveness and true love. I will be recommending this book to all my friends.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the chance! So satisfying when a book pulls you right in and keeps you hooked! Five star read.

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I received this ARC months ago and immediately cleared my schedule to read it because Kerry is one of my one-click, must-read-everything-immediately authors. It was a lot. And at first, I thought I was just exhausted and overworked and struggled because of my schedule and inability to focus, so I didn’t feel like I gave it a fair shot. I set it down and came back to it this weekend. It’s still a lot.
The overall plot I enjoyed, but there were a few too many subplots for me. There was just to much going on outside of the main story. I am not a fan of miscommunication at all. It’s 100% a me thing.
I know this. Some readers and authors love the trope.

The way I ranted to my husband about the twist thrown at the FMC in the first chapter regarding the family business was comical looking back on it. I hadn’t even finished the chapter and already had a ton of thoughts that needed to be expressed immediately. So that is definitely a sign that the book pulls you in from the start, which is pretty common with Kerry’s books and one of the reasons I keep coming back for more.

I am also a sucker for a good marriage of convenience/marriage prank/marriage on a whim storyline and that is the couple's background from their first chance, so I did enjoy that part of their character development.

It’s a book I will struggle to rate because it’s my personal preference that made it a struggle, not because of how it was written, plot development, or character development. It is a 3.5 for me because of miscommunication trope and not really liking the FMC but I know for readers who don’t mind miscommunication, it would be higher.

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
Tropes: Second Chance, Miscommunication, Opposites Attract
Spice level: steamy, minimal detail, only a few scenes

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💍 ARC Review: Falling for You Again by Kerry Lonsdale 💫📚

What happens in Vegas… doesn’t always stay in Vegas 😏—especially when it’s a marriage that refuses to stay buried. Kerry Lonsdale delivers another hit with Falling for You Again, a warm, witty, and emotionally resonant romance about second chances, family legacy, and the love that refuses to fade. 💖✨

Meli Hynes is a fiercely independent furniture artisan 🪵 with sawdust in her veins and a stubborn heart. Her uncle’s shop is her everything—until he announces plans to sell it. Cue the panic… and the plan: marry her ex-husband (yes, again) to block the sale. Enter Aaron, the charming son of the competitor and her ex-flame turned fake fiancé 🔥👀.

From fake kisses to real sparks, Meli and Aaron are absolutely chemistry goals 💞. Their banter? Sharp. Their dynamic? Electric. Their past? Complicated. But it’s the genuine emotional depth—the hurt they’ve buried, the dreams they’ve quietly carried—that turns this “marriage of convenience” trope into something deeply satisfying. 💬💔

💫 Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ Second-chance romance with a twist
✔️ Slow-burn steam meets emotional vulnerability
✔️ Strong-willed, relatable heroine
✔️ A creative, woodsy setting that feels like home
✔️ Found-family warmth and just enough drama

This novel is a celebration of messy love, stubborn hearts, and taking risks for the right reasons. Whether you’ve been married for 20 years or just love a good fake-dating trope, Falling for You Again is a must-read with all the swoon and heart Kerry Lonsdale fans have come to adore. 💕📖

🥂 Pair it with: a cozy blanket, a glass of red, and someone to cuddle with (real or fictional 😉).


#ARCReview #FallingForYouAgain #KerryLonsdale #SecondChanceRomance #FakeMarriageFeels #RomanceReaders #BookLoversUnite #netgalley 💍📚💫

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When Meli decides to be brave and follow her heart, her journey truly begins! Along this journey, she runs into Aaron… well… actually, he runs into her! Meli and Aaron don’t have the typical start to their relationship, but I absolutely love the chemistry between them! This is a sweet story about self-discovery, quirky family members, finding balance in life, and most importantly, love!

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I love Kerry's books! Not even one has let me down! Hard to put down, super easy to read. After 23 years of marriage, this book makes you reflect upon the reasons why you chose your partner...at least it did for me.

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Put this down for a must read summer book! It is full of twists and turns. It is light and fun. I love the main character sticks to her dreams and does not want to change do fit into anyone else’s plan. There is just the right amount of conflict and drama to keep the book interesting and a major page turner. Are they or are they not? You will just have to read all the way to the end.

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