Five days ago, I had my whole "Favorite Reads of 2017" all mapped out. I didn't think I could possibly read another book that was as good as the ones I'd already read.
And then something happened.
A handful of days ago, CD Reiss posted a book recommendation here on Facebook that could not be ignored. Immediately, I downloaded the sample of HOW NOT TO FALL by Emily Foster, and jumped into the story of Annie and Charles. I have spent the last eight waking hours of my life reading both HNTF, and its continuation, HOW NOT TO LET GO, and all I can tell you is these two books are easily my two favorite reads of 2017. (Just under the wire!)
I am not even exaggerating when I tell you I have been laughing and crying for hours, and that I feel wrung out and emotionally depleted, and like I want nothing more than to find my husband and hold him tight and tell him how much I love him. But it's so much more than that too. I feel hopeful, and energized, and after having a really crappy Christmas, I feel like I can put all that behind me and just appreciate everything I have in this life.
And because I'm me and I write what I write, I would be remiss if I didn't also say the sex scenes in these books are HOT. There's one in particular that I'm pretty sure I'll never forget.
The only negative thing I can think to say about this duet is that it filled me with envy and rage, because I don't know that I'll ever be able to write something as emotionally fulfilling as this story. So now I both adore Emily, and I kind of hate her too -- in the best way possible.
Do yourself a favor, and buy these books now. https://emilyfosterwrites.wordpress.com
How Not to Fall
Data, research, scientific formulae--Annabelle Coffey is completely at ease with all of them. Men, not so much. But that's all going to change after she asks Dr. Charles Douglas, the postdoctoral fellow in her lab, to have sex with her. Charles is not only beautiful, he is also adorably awkward, British, brilliant, and nice. What are the odds he'd turn her down?
Very high, as it happens. Something to do with that whole student/teacher/ethics thing. But in a few weeks, Annie will graduate. As soon as she does, the unlikely friendship that's developing between them can turn physical--just until Annie leaves for graduate school. Yet nothing could have prepared either Annie or Charles for chemistry like this, or for what happens when a simple exercise in mutual pleasure turns into something as exhilarating and infernally complicated as love.
How Not to Let Go
Once upon a time, med student Annie Coffey set out to have a purely physical fling with Charles Douglas, a gorgeous British doctor in her lab. It didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, secrets—and desires—were bared, hearts were broken, and Annie knew she had to leave this complicated, compelling man who remains convinced he can never give her what she needs.
Walking away is one thing. Staying away is another. Annie and Charles reunite at a London conference, rekindling a friendship they struggle to protect from their intense physical connection. Little by little, Annie gets a glimpse into Charles’s dark past and his wealthy, dysfunctional family. Soon, she’s discovering what it means to have someone claim her, body and soul. And she’s learning that once in a lifetime you find a love that can make you do anything…except let go.