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Format: Kindle
Publishers: Howard Books
Published: 11th October 2016
Pages: 384
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance,
Main Characters: Emelia, Peter
Date Read: 1st July - 9th July 2016
Date Read: 1st July - 9th July 2016
Rating Given:
Synopsis:A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque Oxford, England.
Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.
Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.
When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with curious a wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in Kara Isaac’s inspiring and romantic story about second chances.
I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the cover for this book as I love the use autumn/winter colours and weather which I feel is in keeping with the story. It also gives off a romantic feel and was probably the reason why I wanted to read this book as I do like a romance novel.
I felt really bad for giving this book such a low rating as every review I've seen seems to love this book but I just never felt it. Can't Help Falling was very hard to get into, there was only a few moments when I thought I was going to start to love it but it never lasted long enough. I never believed in the romance between Emelia and Peter as it never felt genuine and very cheesy which I don't usually mind but with this book it felt too much. They also never felt like they went well together as a couple as there was too many obstacles. I felt that this book was far too predictable for my liking as I always knew what was going to happen and when it was going to unfold. What I did like was the Narnia involvement as it made this book a bit different from other contemporary romance novels. The ending would've been cute but in the end it all wrapped up a bit too quickly so for me not realistic enough.
I think that maybe it was the characters that made me disinterested in this book as I never warmed too any of them as they where all hypocrites and very annoying. I think if any of the characters that had the most potential to be a likeable character was Emelia as she was quirky and she was trying to redeem her past mistakes which is always commendable. Peter was nice enough in the beginning and I did feel sorry for him but the character just fell flat.
Overall, this just wasn't my cup of tea and for me it just never picked up enough for me to fall in love with it.
