Falling Under by Sydney Muse: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Contemporary romance
• Series: Ponderosa Falls Wilderness Resort (Book #2)
• Length: 310 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: April 21, 2023

Tropes

• Forced proximity
• Enemies to lovers
• Grumpy + sunshine
• Small-town romance
• Second chance at love

My Rating

Book Description

“Two enemies stranded at a small cabin? Let the games begin.

Jeremy Ward never meant to make a winning bid at the Under the Stars charity auction. Now he’s stuck with a prize he can’t get rid of: three art therapy sessions with a pint-sized woman who won’t take no for an answer.

But Jeremy can be stubborn, too. If there’s anything this widower has no intention of sharing with a complete stranger, it’s his feelings—or his heart.

Astrid Bergström’s life has never felt more out of control. When her camper van—home sweet home—breaks down after a torturous art session with the town grump (and brawny mountain giant), things go from bad to worse.

Stranded at his cabin during an epic blizzard, Astrid restores balance the only way she knows how—by waging a prank war on the most uptight guy in Ponderosa Falls.

Though as their pranks take an unexpected turn, Astrid wonders if she got it wrong. Maybe there’s more to Jeremy than everyone thinks, but Astrid has secrets of her own. And once Jeremy finds out the truth, it’s going to be game over, no matter how much she wishes it didn’t have to end.

Falling Under is a closed-door sweet romantic comedy with plenty of chemistry but no explicit content. It can be read as a standalone, or as part of the Ponderosa Falls Wilderness Resort series.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

Equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, Falling Under by Sydney Muse promised some of my favorite romance tropes, and it did not disappoint! 

I loved Astrid and Jeremy’s dynamic. Their antics (especially when Astrid is stuck at Jeremy’s cabin) kept me turning pages. One minute they’re pulling pranks on each other, and the next minute they’re having a tender moment. 

If you love grumpy/sunshine romance and forced proximity situations, then you don’t want to miss this cozy romcom story!

Favorite Moments

❄️ the charity auction 
❄️ Astrid’s fake injury
❄️ “Welcome home, Casper”
❄️ F.T.R.
❄️ french toast (with strawberries, not bananas)

Favorite Quotes

“That woman had tried to Mission Impossible her way down the paint aisle, a decision so bad she’d almost gotten hurt. And now she was scowling at him?“

Sydney Muse

“Then Jeremy left the hardware store for good. Fervently hoping he’d never have to see either of those people ever again. — He made it four hours. Four measly hours.“

Sydney Muse

“When he caught a glimpse of white-blonde hair and combat boots that made his stomach pinch. A combination so specific, it could only mean one thing. Disaster.“

Sydney Muse

“Astrid’s life was eighty-seven percent backup plan these days. Plan C was her happy place.“

Sydney Muse

“…and there was a note waiting for him on top. A five-word masterpiece that proved he’d been playing checkers today but Astrid Bergström had been playing chess. ‘Thanks for the head start.‘“

Sydney Muse

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