I love a good girl and bad boy romance. Not usually a fan of new adult, but I really enjoyed this one. It had great sexual tension...and shocker I actually enjoyed the sex scenes. can't wait to read more by this author.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review ( )

Piper Ross wants her independence away from her controlling family and she wants her best friend's older brother, Jase. Just released from seven years in prison, has always had his eyes on Piper, but he's busy filling his time with booze, loose women, and work. When Piper reaches out to Jase about moving in with him, he doesn't know how to say no even if he should. Living together and working together opens up their eyes that they need to give each other a shot and when they do, it's like it is meant to be, even if Piper's family is completely against it and willing to do whatever it takes to separate them. As Piper and Jase face everything against them head on, they find that they only need love.

Piper isn't your average NA main character, she wasn't the most popular, the sportiest, or in her eyes, the prettiest, but she was smart, determined, and had the biggest heart. I really enjoyed that about her, that she was so normal. I enjoyed her drive to better herself and better life for others, I could have easily read about just about Piper and her career of helping others. I also liked that she stood up for herself, something we know she didn't do in her past. Jase, the handsome, tattooed ex-con, is our male MC and boy is he a good one. There's no major conflict in these two getting together, they push their worries aside fairly quickly, but Jase is definitely the most attentive. I expected a lot of alpha-male, but didn't get that feel so much. I did, however, get some great smut, something that Marquita Valentine writes so well. While the relationship didn't suck me in, it was fun to read about their successes instead of their failures.

My opinion is not the popular one for this book, unfortunately this one just didn't work for me in the end. When We Fall is a NA novel that has all the cliche requirements and what started as a promising story line fell short for me. While I liked the characters and their romance, I could have done with only one or two major events happening. On top of their slightly unconventional relationship, our MC, Piper, has terrible asthma, the kind of parents you wouldn't wish on anyone, no money, a sort of stalker, oh and did I mention, she's still a virgin and a huge deal is made of it. That's just a lot to take in for one book and one character. Yes, she has an awesome man and great friends, but jeez I would've given up if it was me. On top of that, the role of the parents just doesn't...make any sense. I normally love the story line of the parents who suck and the MC finds her wings or the parents find some sense, but the parental roles in this weren't constant. Dad isn't wealthy, doesn't have a white collar job, but is a pretentious jerk. Mom's got the money, is a total socialite, has a weird one-second moment of having feelings, then back to normal. Who are these parents?! I had a glimmer of hope for the mom, just a glimmer, but I just ended up disappointing. The conflicts all seemed to wrap up too easily, and even the most entertaining one was solved without much drama involving the MCs. I just wish we'd had less cliches, more focus on one or two events and their long term effect on the relationship.

This is the second novel in the Take the Fall series, however it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Marquita Valentine is a great writer and always very descriptive. As a reader, you'll be able to picture every character and scene perfectly. While this one wasn't for me, I suggest you take a look at it for yourself. ( )

When We Fall is book two in Marquita Valentine's Take the Fall series. I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Jase and Piper's story is one of self torture and unrequited love. Piper has a sweet nature and a pure heart. When she loves, she does so deeply and is not swayed by bias or the good intentions of others. Jase is a troubled young man. A product of his surroundings he let his hot temper lead him down a dead end road. Presented with a new lease on life, he wants to make the people he cares about proud and prove there is more then his past. Piper was a character that had more strength than she was given credit for. She believed in Jase and would not turn her back on him despite his past. With the Take the Fall series Ms. Valentine shows that everyone deserves a second chance. No one is perfect, so who are we to judge. Only GOD has that right. Something we all should remember. ( )

4.5
When We Fall was an unexpected delight. I have not read a book by Marquita Valentine so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect going in. First, I loved the characters. Piper was, by all outward appearances your poor little rich girl. Jase was your hardened ex con. But, as we all know, appearances are rarely that simple and defining. The book sucked me in right away and I stayed up way too late to finish! My full review: The Book Disciple
POV: Dual
Tears: No
Trope: Poor little rich girl; Ex Con, virgin
Triggers: None
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes ( )

Excellent writing! I loved this book. When We Fall is the 2nd book in the Take the Fall series. Piper is the daughter of a absentee father and wealthy mother. They don't care what she does as long as she doesn't do anything to ruin their social standing. Piper is left without a job and without a place to live. Jase was the object of her teenage crush. Jase has been attracted to Piper for years but didn't do anything since he felt no one would approve of their relationship. Then Piper asks for a job in his tattoo parlor & a room to stay in.

Although this book is part of the Take the Fall series, it could easily be read as a stand alone. There are familiar characters between the two books but the reader would not be lost. This is a sweet romantic story with a happily ever after but the plot takes several twists & turns as Piper & Jase find their way to each other. Outside forces continue to interfere with them and cause trouble. The plot line is very believable and easy to follow. Marquita manages to get you emotionally involved in the story and its characters. The characters are complex and well described. Jase comes across as a jerk in the beginning but you begin to fall in love with him as Marquita peels back the layers so that we can see his heart. I count this book as one of my favorites and one I'll read again & again. ( )