Committing to the TBR

Oh man, Becka, I asked and you delivered, girl! I love you for this. Jaxon is a swoon-worthy airhead I didn’t know I needed in this installment. I totally get that he might not be everyone’s favorite in the Playing for Keeps series, but for me? He’s tied for first place with Carter.

Jaxon

Jaxon is such a multi-layered, complex character. Sure, he’s flawed, but the way he thinks he’s emotionally unavailable– while actually being incredibly emotionally present— completely baffled me in the best way. It reminded me so much of real-life relationships, where the small, quiet gestures can mean everything. Even when someone doesn’t realize the depth of what they’re doing for the person they love… they’re loving them all the more for it. It’s so cute, I can’t even.

The way he stepped back and let Lennon handle Ryne? I was crying in five different ways. And then that monologue a few chapters later when he thought Lennon was moving out? Honestly, it was more adorable than Adam calling himself “Dad” for the first time. It was emotional, raw, and some of the best romantic writing I’ve read in a long time (without involving an apocalypse, anyway).

What I appreciated most about Jaxon’s story was how naturally it evolved. It felt real. That lingering question- “Am I deserving of love?”– hit me hard. Reading it from a male POV felt fresh, relatable, and universally human. If there are any men reading this book, I hope they can see themselves in Jaxon’s journey in Fall With Me.

Lennon

Lennon is a firecracker. She’s confident, bold, and everything I may aspire to be. She brings out the best in Jaxon, and while she goes through her own self-love and growth arc, this book is absolutely centered around Jaxon– and I loved it.

Their relationship is balanced. Lennon might come across as reserved at first, but underneath she’s adventurous and sure of herself. I was totally giddy when they were looking at their house for the first time together. “Kids and shit. Do you? Like kids and shit?” line? It’s such a huge topic in any relationship, but they way it flowed between them? Romantic. Natural. Adorable.

The Vibe

This book struck the perfect balance between emotional depth and humor. It’s light, not overly high-stakes, and that made it such an easy, comforting read. I flew through it– even when I could only read a few pages at a time. It might not be a twisty page-turner, but I still found myself constantly wanting to see what came next between these two.

Also.. maybe I’m biased toward the forced proximity trope (that’s how my partner and I got together too!), but it was done so well here. It did not feel gimmicky. In terms of tone, characters, and pacing, the story unfolded organically, with plot moments simply flowing from who these people are and what they’re going through in real-time.

Sometimes, you don’t need big, dramatic moments to make a story resonate. Sometimes, the real story is internal. It’s in the emotional growth, the quiet gestures, the conversations over breakfast. It’s the kind of love that sneaks up on you and changes your life. It could be as simple as meeting someone on vacation… and suddenly your world shifts.

Final Thoughts

Technically, this book can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The rest of the Playing for Keeps cast is absolutely swoon-worthy in their own books, and it’s so worth it to see how each of them ends up. Watching it all come together is such a satisfying experience. Becka Mack has this gift for tying everything up in a way that feels complete– no loose ends, no unnecessary drama. Just a heartfelt, bow-tied conclusion that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished the last page.

Maybe the most important part of this book? Sometimes you are good enough for people. You just don’t realize it. You can go years believing you were the worst thing that ever happened to someone, but if you step back– just slightly– and shift out of that negative mindset, you might finally see what’s been right in front of you the whole time.

We can all learn something from Jaxon and his last thoughts. We really are all out here, doing the best we can, with whatever life throws at us. Let’s all try to be kinder– to each other, yes, but especially to ourselves.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars