FURTHER TO FALL
by CATHERINE COWLES
An up-and-coming MMA fighter trying to take on the world. An innocent teacher trying to make the world a better place.
He never expected her to become his best friend. But she fought her way into his life, one tongue-lashing at a time. Until one night, one mistake tore them apart.
Losing her… that gutted him. But now, as one of the top fighters in the world, he’s back and determined to battle for his girl.
But, from the sidelines, someone watches. Someone who’ll do just about anything to keep them apart.
Their second chance might be over before it even begins…
REVIEW: 3+ STARS
An up-and-coming MMA fighter trying to take on the world. An innocent teacher trying to make the world a better place.
He never expected her to become his best friend. But she fought her way into his life, one tongue-lashing at a time. Until one night, one mistake tore them apart.
Losing her… that gutted him. But now, as one of the top fighters in the world, he’s back and determined to battle for his girl.
But, from the sidelines, someone watches. Someone who’ll do just about anything to keep them apart.
Their second chance might be over before it even begins…
REVIEW: 3+ STARS
"'Hey, Firecracker.'
With just two little words, he stole all the breath from my lungs."
A NEW VOICE: Catherine Cowles is a brand new author, with Further to Fall being her first release. This was a FUN read! I smiled throughout Carter and Austin's story, knowing the love that came from it was super sweet. But her secondary characters were some of my favorite ones I have read in a long while. I always smiled at how they all treated her, and there was a cohesive bond between all four of them that was unshakeable. At some points this story was almost too perfect, but I would put this in a category as a light read for in between the heavier ones - not too deep, but more of a surface-scratching read. It wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't a heavy or deep read either. Some areas needed a little more fleshing out of the scenarios or actions - maybe even the characters, but overall, I really enjoyed this one. I will walk away knowing that I have a new voice to listen to and a new author to follow.
With just two little words, he stole all the breath from my lungs."
A NEW VOICE: Catherine Cowles is a brand new author, with Further to Fall being her first release. This was a FUN read! I smiled throughout Carter and Austin's story, knowing the love that came from it was super sweet. But her secondary characters were some of my favorite ones I have read in a long while. I always smiled at how they all treated her, and there was a cohesive bond between all four of them that was unshakeable. At some points this story was almost too perfect, but I would put this in a category as a light read for in between the heavier ones - not too deep, but more of a surface-scratching read. It wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't a heavy or deep read either. Some areas needed a little more fleshing out of the scenarios or actions - maybe even the characters, but overall, I really enjoyed this one. I will walk away knowing that I have a new voice to listen to and a new author to follow.
First impressions are important...and that's when the fun started with this one. I loved the fact that Austin and Carter's first meeting was a harsh one, because seeing them work through it was great entertainment. I laughed at quite a few parts while I scowled at others, but knowing where this was going made me smile. Cowles did a great job on Carter's innocence and the way she handled her kids at school, which made some of Austin's interactions with her quite hilarious. Along with her innocence, there was quite a bit of naiveté within her actions and thought processes as well. While I am not sure I completely understood how all that fit in with the storyline or her being a young teacher moving to LA - I feel like it may have been a missed opportunity to embellish a little more on Carter and her background to help marry the innocence and the naiveté with the fullness of the story.
The falling in love aspect? She did a really good job with these characters and building their story up. As their friendship grew into new territory, the lines blurred rather seamlessly between friends and lovers. I really liked seeing that part progress and it felt organic, which is what I love! Their times together read comfortably and it afforded a level of ease between the two characters that allowed me to fall in love with them as a couple. Austin cared for Carter so much and his protective nature made me smile...because who doesn't love a man that takes care of his woman?
However, yes....I know, that's hard to hear - but the drama in this one was quite obvious and over the top at times, and came across as a little forced. I found myself getting really irritated with Carter because of the actions she took when common sense would have dictated otherwise, so that was a little rough for me to get through. But like I said, even though some of the drama felt a little formulaic or predictable, I still liked it.
I don't want this to come across as a review that only picks out the parts I didn't like, because that's not what I wanted to convey. This story was a good read, but I also wanted to share that even though it wasn't 5 star amazing, it was still very much a book that I want to share with others because I think Miss Cowles has some stories in her we need to hear. For a first book, I see her potential. I really do and I am excited to get more stories from her, more specifically Ford and Liam's story....so consider this my official request, Miss Cowles!! Further To Fall was an easy read and I look forward to more by her. She can ONLY go up from here and as she grows in her writing, her stories will reflect that. I think my favorite part of reading a new to me author is that while the story may not have meshed completely for me, the voice I heard from her was actually easy to follow and really entertaining. She's new and I like what I've heard so far. I feel she is an author I am going to need to follow, for sure.
"The core of you will always be the same, Firecracker."
~BEE
PURCHASE
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
~FOLLOW CATHERINE~
Great review Bee! I want to try her too. We could follow her together.
ReplyDelete