📖 Falling at the Barre
✍️ Elise Kennedy
📚 Love in Fairwick Falls, Book 5
🎙️ Aileen Bishop & Ryan Stone
🎁 Provided by NetGalley
📅 10/01/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A lovely storyline and strong supporting cast, but unfortunately, the main characters just didn’t work for me.
After how much I loved “Unexpectedly Bookish,” I went into “Falling at the Barre” expecting that same connection. While I enjoyed the overall story and was happy with the HEA, Olivia and Luca weren’t nearly as relatable or likable to me as Reed and Pearl.
Olivia returns to her hometown after being cut from her ballet company and plans to audition again next season. I understood where her insecurities came from, especially in an industry that puts enormous pressure on dancers’ bodies and careers, but her constant self-deprecation became exhausting. She seemed almost surprised that years spent as a backup or ensemble dancer hadn’t translated into lead roles, without really examining why. I was SO happy when Luca finally challenged her on it. And the “we’re the hot girls!” moment in the bar? CRINGE. 😂
Then there’s Luca, who has sworn off dating after Annabelle’s mom’s death but is immediately obsessed with Olivia. THAT part? Loved. Give me a man completely gone for his woman. Unfortunately, some of his behavior crossed into controlling territory for me. My least favorite moment was him “grimacing” at Olivia after she’d been drinking. A grimace reads as disgust, and that’s not a reaction I want from the romantic lead toward the woman he loves.
Aileen Bishop and Ryan Stone delivered an enjoyable narration that kept the story moving, and I especially enjoyed the larger Fairwick Falls cast. Their performances helped bring warmth to a romance where I struggled to connect with the leads.
Ultimately, I loved the premise, the supporting characters, and the story’s direction. I just wish I’d loved Olivia and Luca as much as I loved the world around them.
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