It's summertime on the North Carolina coast and the livin' is easy. Unless, that is, you've just lost your mother to cancer, your sister to her extremist husband, and your husband to his executive assistant. Meet Gray Howard. Right when Gray could use a serious infusion of good karma in her life, she inadvertently gets a stranger, Diana Harrington, fired from her job at the local pharmacy. Diana Harrington's summer isn't off to the greatest start either: Hours before losing her job, she broke up with her boyfriend and moved out of their shared house with only a worn-out Impala for a bed. Lucky for her, Gray has an empty guest house and a very guilty conscience. With Gray's kindness, Diana's tide begins to turn. But when her first love returns, every secret from her past seems to resurface all at once. And, as Gray begins to blaze a new trail, she discovers, with Diana's help, that what she envisioned as her perfect life may not be what she wants at all
Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of eleven novels including A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and The Peachtree Bluff Series. Many of her books have been optioned or are in development for television and film and have received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and Joanna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Read. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.
A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.
Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.
She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.
A shiny, new summer standalone from one of my favorite authors of summer reads? Yes, please! Set in my home state on none other than the Crystal Coast, a place I once called home? Absolutely, sign me up! I have a feeling I’ll lose you if I keep listing its strengths this way! 😂
I was honored to be asked by Goodreads to pick the book of summer, read or unread, and I chose Feels Like Falling a couple months back, before I picked it up. I’ve been reading Kristy Woodson Harvey’s books since her very first one, Dear Carolina, and each year, I look forward to reading her newest. I have dubbed her stories “book comfort food.” They are exactly what I want to read when I ease into a story and get completely lost. Nothing that overwhelms me emotionally, but with plenty of depth and warm characters. Every time, she delivers.
Feels Like Falling is the story of Gray and Diana, an unlikely pair of friends who have different starts in life. It’s a story of friends as a family and how friendship can help us heal from immeasurable loss.
It’s also a story about starting over, that one can begin again at any age for a chance at happiness. Gray and Diana are characters with hearts of gold I adored, and so much individual growth happened within these pages. They support each other through thick and thin, as do the supporting female friendships present. It was refreshing to see women’s friendships portrayed in this way.
I also have to mention the chapter headings- I love when Kristy does this in her books! I feel like I’m searching for an Easter egg, hunting down the connection to each chapter.
Overall, Feels Like Falling is another warmhearted story from my go-to for summer reads. I hope it’ll be your book of summer 2020, too!
I received a gifted copy (and preordered my own copy). All opinions are my own.
One of the things I liked about this novel was how friendship was such an important element of the story. This was a pretty light and easy read but I'll admit to tearing up a bit at one moment towards the end. This would have been fine if I was in the comfort of my home, but I was reading this book in a waiting room while my car was being serviced. Slightly embarrassing and hopefully the other people didn't notice. But hey, it's always pretty cool when a book can make you feel something!
Gray Howard is the CEO of the company she started awhile back, a mother, and recently split from her cheating husband. She will be spending the summer at her home on the coast of North Carolina and she just knows that people are talking behind her back about why her marriage ended. While picking up her photos at a local drugstore she kinda, sorta gets an employee named Diana Harrington fired. And while Gray might think her life is a bit of a mess right now, it doesn't compare to what Diana is going through at the moment. Diana has no job, broke up with her boyfriend, and now doesn't have a place to live. Gray ends up offering Diana a job and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to help each other figure out what exactly they want in life and how to get it.
The story alternates between Gray and Diana and by far Diana was my favorite. I actually would have been fine if the entire book featured Diana with Gray in much more of a supporting role. Part of the reason I gravitated towards Diana was because she was the underdog, and who doesn't want to root for the underdog? Gray on the other hand was at times challenging to understand. She definitely had the whole poor little rich girl thing going on, and to be fair she at least had some self-awareness that in the grand scheme of things her problems really aren't that bad. Gray's storyline needed a bit more polishing as towards the end it's like I couldn't keep up with her thought process when it came to her love life.
But like I mentioned before the heart of this story is these two women developing a friendship in which they are able to bring out the best in one another. I definitely recommend this one if you love reading books in which women support one another rather than tearing each other down.
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Kristy Woodson Harvey's newest book, Feels Like Falling, is an utterly charming book about second chances, friendships, and the families we choose as well as those we’re born into.
“...even when the chips are down, life can change in an instant.”
Gray has worked hard to have it all—marriage, a strong family, and a multi-million-dollar company. But when it all starts to fall apart—her mother dies, her sister takes up with an extremist preacher, and her husband leaves her for another (younger) woman—she wonders what to do. And then she inadvertently gets Diana, a local woman, fired from her job processing photos at the drug store.
Diana’s life is on the verge of falling apart, too, and losing her job may be the last straw. But buoyed by Gray’s guilt and her generosity, she’s able to get back on her feet while living in Gray’s guesthouse—and she proves equally talented at helping Gray manage her own life as well.
When an old love returns, it opens up a whole world of possibilities for Diana, while also pushing some secrets out into the open. Meanwhile, as Gray wrestles with her own challenges, she is presented with a romantic possibility far different from what she pictured, and she’s unsure of what to do.
This was such a fun, satisfying, totally engaging read. I warmed up to these characters immediately and started rooting for them, and I was so glad that while Harvey introduced some drama into the story, it never went off the rails like I feared it might. (I’ve read too many melodramas!!)
If I had any criticism of this book, it's that there was a gay character who entered one scene, threw out some stereotypical commentary, and then wasn't heard from again, so I don't understand what the point of even introducing him was. Additionally, there was some banter about whether Gray's assistant was gay, and everyone kept commenting that he wasn't, but they thought he was. Again, no point to that dialogue, so I'm not sure what Harvey was aiming for.
On Goodreads, my good friend Jen referred to this book as her pick for “the book of the summer.” Once you read it, you’ll see how accurate she is, as it's definitely a book you'll want to add to your summer reading list!
Feels Like Falling is a fun southern fiction book that felt like a warm afternoon summer breeze for me. The read was charming and sweet, poignant and funny, and touched upon important issues such as family, friendship, forgiveness, and second chance romance
KWH brought us two women from the opposite ends of society whose unlikely friendship helped each other more than they can ever know. Gray Howard, CEO of her own company, was going through major loss. Her mother just passed away from cancer, her husband wants a divorce and her sister is good as lost too because of her extremist husband.
Diana Harrington isn’t much better either. She discovered her boyfriend cheating on her, decided to move out, but just having lost her job and with only a few dollars to her name, was now homeless living in her Impala.
Kristy Woodson Harvey brilliantly weaves these two womens’ lives in believable situations and surround them with an amazing cast of characters you will enjoy reading about.
A comfortable and relaxing read, perfect for fighting off the anxiety of the pandemic.
SUMMARY Gray Howard has just lost her mother to cancer, her sister to a evangelical husband, and her husband to his executive assistant. Then she inadvertently gets a stranger fired from her job at the local pharmacy. Things are just not going her way.
Diana Harrington’s summer isn’t off to the greatest start either: Hours before losing her job at the pharmacy, she broke up with her boyfriend and moved out of their shared house with plans of living in her creaky old Impala. Lucky for her, Gray has an empty guest house and a guilty conscience.
With Gray’s kindness, Diana’s luck begins to change, but when the man that got away comes back, every secret from her past seems to resurface as well. And, as Gray begins to blaze a new trail, she discovers, with Diana’s help, that what she envisioned as her perfect life may not be what she wants at all.
REVIEW Feels Like Falling is a cure for these crazy times! It’s a story of friendship and families during both the worst and best of times. It’s light and breezy, just like the wind off the North Carolina coast. It’s a perfect book for a day at the pool or beach.
My favorite part was the structure of the story, alternating between Diana and Gray. Both women are experiencing a breakup, the loss of a mother, and the challenges of beginning again. I really appreciate the fact that Diana and Gray backgrounds could not be any more different and yet they become the best of friends. Both women are pleasingly strong but vulnerable and come alive on the pages of Feels Like Falling.
Author Kristy Woodsen Harvey’s writing is clear and captivating. She is the bestselling author of six Southern fiction novels including the delightful and delicious Peachtree Bluff series: Slightly South of Simple, The Secret to Southern Charm, and The Southern Side of Paradise. I guarantee, no one can read just one!
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so happy to end the month with this book and I loved it so much! Feels Like Falling really is the perfect summer read. I loved the strong female characters and the overall uplifting vibe, guaranteed to transport you to the Carolina coast.
This makes the third book I’ve read by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and her writing and southern fiction stories keep me coming back for more!
*Thank you to the author and Gallery Books for this gifted copy for review
I'm mostly in the minority here--I liked this one, but didn't love it. I found it a little cheesy and trite, though the characters did grow on me. Full review to come.
Can I just tell you that if you’re a fan of Southern fiction full of charm, heartfelt stories about family and friends and a gorgeous setting that you need to read this and that’s all there is for my review? Haha but seriously I cannot say enough good things about KWH or her books, not only is she one of the most genuinely sweet authors I’ve ever talked to, she’s an amazingly talented writer and hands down one of my favorites.
I was a teeny tiny bit nervous about this book going im but it’s only because the Peachtree Bluff series is so beloved by me I was anxious that I wouldn’t love this one as much. What a dumb thing for me to think because I adored this one just as much. In a time where we’re all longing to be swept away by the books we read this one is the ideal choice. KWH paints the prettiest picture of an idyllic coastal town, I swear there were scenes where I could feel a sea breeze, smell the saltwater and listen to the waves crashing on the shore. Besides an amazing setting you also have fantastic characters who are endearing, messy and utterly relatable. I fell in love with both Gray and Diana and was sad to say goodbye to them when I finished. Another hit from the author, highly recommended by me!
**Feels Like Falling generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
4 "Life had other plans." Stars
The quote above was stated in the first 5% of this book and nothing could more true for the tone and progression of this engaging story. "Life had other plans" than what you thought and how do you move on from those life alterations?
When life is turned upside down and inside out for two women who couldn't be more different, readers get an intimate look at how we can overcome those drastic changes with a little help from unexpected yet strong friends in Feels Like Falling. Kristy Woodson Harvey, a new-to-me author, writes in a very appealing and satisfying way that left me unable to stop turning the pages of this women's fiction novel.
It had great emotions running throughout including both humor and sadness, curiosity and upheaval. Overcoming one's preconceived notions of what their life should look like was a thread that wove itself throughout the story and into my heart. It's a message of rising that really resonated with me. And of course the delightful, heart warming, eye-opening friendship of the protagonists. I related to one of the women much more than the other but the beauty of Woodson Harvey's story crafting was that despite that fact I empathized with them both which made reading their development that much more secure and entertaining. Their feelings, struggles, and triumphs felt real and honest which is so important to me. The setting also made me want to get to the coast immediately.
Strong female characters who build a friendship based on the curve balls life has thrown at them coupled with great storytelling makes this a good read in women's fiction.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift
I am in love!! Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey was just the feel-good, heartfelt read I needed right now. This was my first time reading a book by this author and I'm kicking myself for not picking up any of her books sooner.
I loved the friendship theme that dominates the novel, and I was a huge fan of both Gray and Diana. Each of them is going through their own problems, but I loved how they came together and ended up as friends and helped each other out. If you want a book that has lots of characters to love, this is the one for you. I also enjoyed the dual point of views between Gray and Diana and how they broke up each chapter. Some of the chapters are on the longer side but it didn't feel like it since they were broken up between the two women.
Feels Like Falling is a lighter read, but at the same time touches on some deeper themes. I could barely see through my tears near the end of the book (happy not sad, don't worry!), but I also laughed out loud countless times. The author's humor and sass that she infused into the novel made it a dream to read and I loved every minute of it. I could definitely see this coming to life as a movie on the Hallmark Channel, and it would also make the perfect summer read. It made me wish I was reading it on a beach by the ocean and I loved the setting of the North Carolina coast.
If you are looking for a heartfelt, southern fiction novel perfect for the summer and/or the beach I highly recommend picking up Feels Like Falling. I loved the characters, romance, and the plot! It was also a really quick read and I didn't want to put it down. Feels Like Falling will make you believe in second chances, love, and female friendship all over again.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
TLDR: smoking hot female millionaire turning 35 (cue existential crisis) is divorced by husband trading her in for a younger model, and yet all the boys want to screw her and all the girls want to be her. (Parallel plot of a slightly older, working class screw up who also turns out to be a bit of a Mary Sue thrown in as a bonus.)
Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of those few authors that you just know - even before you read the first page -that you are going to meet wonderful believable characters in a beautiful location. You want to read her books fast because they are so good but you also want to read them slowly because you don't want to leave these new friends. I am one of her major fans and have read every book that she's written and I can tell you that all of her books are fantastic but this is my new favorite.
I really don't have anything in common with the two main characters -- I'm not uber-rich like Gray and I've never had to live in my car like Diana - but they are both so well written that I feel like I know them and could have a great time with them if we met.
This is a story of love and heartbreak, family and friends and the search for happiness and fulfillment in life. It shows that family isn't just the people that you are related to but also includes the friends that you learn to love throughout your life. It reminds us that even when life gets tough, there will be a second chance waiting - maybe not what you planned but definitely what you need.
Thanks to Kristy for another wonderful book that made me laugh and cry with two characters that I feel like I know and then I won't soon forget. See is one of the best authors of Southern fiction writing today. My prediction is that Feels Like Falling will be one of the MUST READ books for the summer of 2020.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Over the last few years, Southern Fiction has become a quiet favorite of mine - it began when I was introduced to Diane Chamberlain, I knew I had to explore more in this genre. Enter Karen White, again, my thirst for more continued, when I was recommended Kristy's books by my friend Amy (@novelgossip), I immediately fell in love with the girls in the Peachtree Bluff series. As sad as I was when that series came to an end, I was thrilled when I received an offer from Gallery to check out Feels Like Falling early. This book was AMAZING.
Gray & Diana couldn't be more different but in a crazy summer where Gray's husband has left her for 28 year old Brooke and Diana is homeless, these two women will lean on each other and create a family in ways neither of them could have expected. Told in Kristy Woodson Harvey's signature style, this book will make you laugh, cry and love - these women will truly feel like friends by the last page and they were friends I hated to bid farewell to. I'm grateful that there a few of Harvey's backlist books that I have not yet read to keep me company until her next book is available!
Thank you to Gallery Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Feels like Falling was my first book by Kristy Woodson Harvey. I read it while traveling home from vacation and it was the perfect balance of being easy and engaging without being too fluffy. It was the kind of book that I had a hard time putting down but I also didn't want it to end because I wanted to follow along with these main characters even more.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the idea that sometimes "family" is the one we create ourselves. Harvey's writing is emotional, engaging and has a perfect touch of humor. I loved the topic of friendship and supporting one another through tough situations and choices. Feels Like Falling perfectly captured how sometimes the right people come into our lives when we least expect it and the amazing power of connection. The romance element was light and easy and helped round out this powerful story of friendship. I hope this becomes a series too like her Peachtree Bluff trilogy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy.
Kristy Woodson Harvey is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Southern Fiction and she is now an auto buy author for me! FEELS LIKE FALLING is my very first time reading her but I surely know it won’t be the last!. She is the voice in that genre and she totally knocked it out of the park with her story telling! The peek into these characters lives shows you how people deal differently with their problems. Sometimes it’s funny and other times it left a lump in my throat. I mean seriously, how can you not fall in love with these people and get all up in their business?
I feel that the title, FEELS LIKE FALLING, is perfect, as is the heart tugging story. Kristy Woodson Harvey captures the charm of, essence of, and the depth in characters that make for page turning and emotional reads. FEELS LIKE FALLING will cause you to look within your heart and to think about yourself as one of the characters…you think about what you would do, how you would react and how to proceed given the information.
FEELS LIKE FALLING is an emotional story where I laughed, cried and know that I will be thinking about it long after I finished. The story is well crafted and emotionally engaging. All the characters in FEELS LIKE FALLING are very relatable and not perfect at all. You can’t help but feel each emotion that these caring people are dealing with. When one of them was happy, I was happy. When Diana was crying, I was crying too. I love when an author does that to their readers. Kristy Woodson Harvey grabs her readers by the heart and never lets them go. I truly was an emotional mess after reading this heart tugging story of love and finding a way to get through the situation these people were thrown into.
Now that I have read FEELS LIKE FALLING and discovered Kristy Woodson Harvey I’m excited to read more of this new to me, auto buy from now on author. If you are looking for a contemporary read that is filled with heavy subject matter, but still fills you with hope, please take a chance and read FEELS LIKE FALLING.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Welp. I wanted to love this one, but it didn’t sizzle liked I’d hoped, it fizzled.
In a nutshell, it follows wealthy, recently divorced Gray Howard, who is turning 35 soon. She begins seeing her son’s tennis instructor, but she can’t get past the fact that she’s *so* much older than him (I don’t even remember now, but I think they were only about 7 years apart - cue Jessica and Mark from Love is Blind vibes). The other main character, Diana, is recently jobless and homeless, so she moves into Gray’s house as her housekeeper. The story alternates between the two women, and I definitely enjoyed Diana’s character and sections more.
My main issues with this book are the lack of character development and relationship development. Somehow after just meeting, Gray and Diana are instant best friends but we’re never shown their friendship developing. Same thing goes with Gray and her tennis coach boyfriend: they meet and then the next minute they’re madly in love. There was just no development or basis for these relationships. I get this is a light, fun beach read, but I need some background to at least care about characters.
I appreciate the themes tackled in this book (friendship, navigating a divorce), but I had to suspend belief several times and force myself to keep reading.
As I’ve said before, I do not like posting critical reviews but try to post reviews of most books I read on here. Even though this wasn’t for me, I’m curious about other books by this author. I’ve seen so many positive reviews for this book (seems like I’m the outlier), so if you’re interested in it, read it and form your own opinion - don’t let my negative review keep you from reading!
I loved this heart-endearing story! ♥️ One failed marriage with mounting lawyer fees trying to keep her company out of his hands, a job firing, living homeless in a car.. what more could go wrong? Two strong and independent women Gray and Diana each face insurmountable obstacles, both different as night and day, meet and form an unbreakable bond. Their heartaches and successes were a roller-coaster ride of laughing, crying and cheering right along with them, and I loved Kristy’s portrayal of Diana’s autistic youngest brother Phillip. As a mother of a child on the spectrum it pulled on my heartstrings reading about Diana’s loving relationship with Phillip and the protectiveness she held for him. Friendship, second chances, forgiveness, and finding that family is one we sometimes create ourselves makes this the perfect summertime (or anytime) read. I simply adored all the remarkable headstrong female characters throughout the book. Highly recommend! Releasing April 28, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
After losing three of the most important people in her life (her mom to cancer, her sister to a controlling husband, and her husband to a younger woman), 35 year old Gray is now entering a "summer of change." How will she deal with this new season of life, and how will her new friendship with Diana (who is dealing with her own life changes) influence her decisions?
As always, the latest from this author provided a great escape from everyday life. Her characters are always so real and authentic and in no time flat, they felt like old friends. This novel explored so many topics, such as grief over the loss of a parent, divorce, dating after divorce, autism, friendship, and kindness. If you're looking for a break from pandemic news, then I would highly recommend anything by this author, especially the Peachtree Bluff series!
Location: North Carolina
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was my first book by Kristy Woodson Harvey! I have been wanting to read her Peachtree Bluff Series but have never gotten around to it. When I was offered this book to read, I was so excited. I'm now a FAN! I loved this book!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end! 5⭐!!
This story has a dual POV, alternating between Gray and Diana. Gray just lost her mother to cancer! She is the CEO of her company and recently split from her husband who cheated on her. She goes to spend the summer at the North Carolina shore. Diana who loses her job at the pharmacy has just broke up with her boyfriend, moved out of their shared apartment and planning to just live in her car! Just so happens, Gray has a spare guest house and offers Diana to stay there. These 2 , very different women truly Bond and help eachother through the hard times in their life. They learn so much about themselves, and what really matters in life! I loved both characters!! This story was sweet, dealing with love, loss, romance, motherhood, and life!! This truly was a perfect beach read. A very endearing, positive read. I can't wait to read more by Kristy, and will definitely be sure to get to the Peachtree Bluff series sooner rather than later!
Thank you @gallerybooks @Kristywharvey for the gifted copy to review!
What a fun read. It was not only because it was set here in North Carolina. But it the book unites so many, the romances were great. I call this a great beach read. Looking for a fun southern read, this is it.
Meet Gray and Diana, two strangers down on their luck who find themselves connected by circumstance. Their situations are vastly different but they quickly learn problems and their magnitude are in the eye of the beholder. The story alternates between Gray and Diana's perspectives, which is a feature I always enjoy in books. I feel it allows the reader to get to know the characters better.
This is a story about friendships, starting over and finding the joy in life. It's also a book about families, made by blood or by love. It was a great reminder that families and connections come in any forms and we should embrace and appreciate all those we hold dear. What perfect timing as many of us are living confined to our homes due to the global pandemic worried about the health and economic future of ourselves and those we love.
Diana has to be one of my favorite characters. She is middle aged, lived a rough life since a very young age, but has a huge heart. She understands people, is so observant and calls them out on their nonsense. She delivered so many witty one liners, I laughed out loud countless times.
Gray was also a great character. She was very logical in her decision making and some of those decisions made me cringe, even though I would have made the same decisions. Sometimes logic and love do not work in tandem and this book will serve as a great reminder as I raise my children. I'll question their choices for certain, but I hope I remember love matters most. Any book that challenges me to think differently and see the world through a different lens is 5 stars to me.
I look forward to reading more books by Kristy Woodson Harvey.
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Southern master storyteller, Kristy Woodson Harvey returns following (2019 The Southern Side of Paradise—check out my Q&A with Kristy) with her latest FEELS LIKE FALLING. A heartwarming tale of two women who form an unlikely friendship and both of their lives are changed for the better.
Set on the idyllic coast of N.C, Gray Howard started a marketing company, ClickMarket back in college which has grown into an empire. However, now, her husband decides to leave her for his younger assistant.
Of course, with the divorce, he wants a little of everything including her business. Plus her mom died of cancer, and her sister, Quinn is married to a crazy cult-like preacher. Now Diana is unraveling. Her work has been her life and now it is being jerked away.
As she is going through this process, she happens to be at the drug store getting some photos, and the gal, Diana (a clerk photo developer) wants her to get a release form signed. Thereafter Diana gets fired and has no place to go. She also has experienced a bad breakup and now must live in her car.
However, Diana winds up living in Gray’s guest cottage and working for her. This unlikely pair discovers they have more in common than they may know.
Kristy weaves a beautiful story of two women who find themselves at a crossroad. Infused with emotion and humor with distinct voices (including a cast of secondary female characters), plus Trey (loved), her assistant, and a hunky younger love interest (Andrew) for Gray (yum). Plus, an old flame comes back into Diana’s life and they both get a second chance at life and love. I enjoyed Diana’s wit and humor.
“Sometimes we get right where we need to be by ending up exactly where we started.”
Each of the characters question their relationships and who they really are while searching for the courage to live a life of true meaning, not just what people expect.
"An I realized that sometimes when you're speeding through thin air, the brakes worn out and the engine shot, maybe it feels like you're falling. But, in reality, that's when you're learning to fly." —Feels Like Falling
A perfect beach read with relatable characters that showcase that life is always full of surprises, and life does not always have to “look perfect to be perfect for you.”
Emotionally honest, and utterly captivating, FEELS LIKE FALLING is a story of family, friendship, love, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead.
An ideal book to read during this time of isolation to think of others and what they may be experiencing. Once again, the charming author knows her way around NC and Southern storytelling. Loved the characters.
For fans of Mary Kay Andrews, Emily Giffin, Patti Callahan Henry, and Mary Alice Monroe. Just give me a front porch and a swing on a breezy evening and this book.
Highly recommend all of Kristy’s books! PS. Be sure and listen to Kristy’s video about the inspiration behind the book. Fascinating!
A special thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy.
On a side note: As always, being an NC native I always enjoy discovering a memorable place in one of Kristy’s stories. I was delighted when she featured The Mast Farm Inn! 🌺 It is a beautiful boutique historic Select Registry B&B Inn in Banner Elk, NC. I have stayed there many times when my oldest son attended college in Banner Elk and Boone. Many fond memories.
Being in the media business and a consultant for inns and the hospitality business, I have had the opportunity of seeing every room in the charming boutique inn, the historic cottages as well as the new cabins. The food is divine, the accommodations superb, the owners and management are charming. (I do wish Gray could have gone there with Andrew) but it all worked out in the end.💕
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
The second I saw that a new book by this author was available for request on Netgalley, I asked for it. Having read a few books by her already, I knew it was a given that I would like it. At least, I hoped it was. And I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. With each one of her books, including this one, I was immediately connected to the characters as I met them and I was automatically drawn to where the book takes place. I have no idea if her characters are based on people she knows in real life but, to me, they FEEL like people that should exist in the world...so I kind of hope so. The other books I read were very much about family and,in a way, this one is too. Yes, she does have a family but they are not your typical family...she lost her Mom recently, her sister is a drug addict turned religious fanatic and her husband left her for his secretary. All she really has at the moment is her son and her friends...In walks Diana, who brings a whole lot of drama, sass, and insecurities of her own. As Gray is coping with her divorce, she has the love of her old friends but she is also bringing new people into her life...new friends, new love, new HER. What this book teaches you is that friends are the family you choose to have around you. Sometimes that is good enough...and sometimes it is even better. Life is what you make of it and the grass is green where you water it. :) Loved the book.
This is a light, easy, satisfying read with emotional depth. The narrative alternates between two women whose lives have reached a turning point. The portrayal of friendship and the power of women banding together was beautifully done. The characters feel authentic and are thoughtfully drawn. This is a story about life leading us down different paths than those we intended for ourselves and finding the courage and strength to start over and make a different trail. Warm and charming, this is a gem of a comfort read.
It is a story of two women, coming from two completely different background. The deep, soulfoul and beautiful friendship that will develop between the two is comforting. I learned to understand Gray and Diana and liked them both.
This books is a balm during this pandemic period.
I loved the end, which is satisfying and optimistic.
I discovered the author, Kristy Woodson Harvey, through the Friends and Fiction Facebook group. The Peach Tree Bluff series is next on my to-read list.
The perfect summer read -- full of characters who spring to life from the page as they begin on the brink of anguish and loss, and find their way to new beginnings through unlikely friendship, imperfect love, compassion and good humor -- all against the backdrop of an irresistibly charming beach town.
I just felt really happy reading this book. It was told from two very different women that cross paths, which leads to true friendship. I also love that each woman got their own happy ending. ♥
Would have definitely taken this book to the beaches of North Carolina!