Free Fall: A High School Bully Romance (Spring Hill Blues) Paperback – August 27, 2019

Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster with Free Fall. This book took me completely by surprise—not in the way I expected, but in the best way possible. What I thought would be a typical RH (Reverse Harem) bully romance quickly revealed itself to be so much more—and infinitely more heart-wrenching.At its core, Free Fall is a raw and beautifully emotional exploration of grief, love, and healing. Briar is struggling with the overwhelming loss of her brother Brady, and her spiral into darkness is both painful and real. Enter Brady's best friends—Cade, Reid, and Lex—three alpha personalities who, in their own way, are determined to pull Briar back from the edge. Each one brings something different to the table: Cade, the charming jokester; Lex, the sweet, sensitive soul; and Reid, the ultimate “alpha” with a bite to his personality that sometimes makes him hard to love. Reid’s intense, in-your-face approach is definitely a standout, but there were moments when I wasn’t sure if he was helping or pushing Briar further away.As Briar battles her inner demons, the tension between her and these three men shifts and evolves, creating a dynamic that’s intense and multifaceted. Though the romance isn’t what I initially expected (and be warned, it’s not RH), the journey to Briar finding herself—and finding love—is a journey worth taking.The emotional stakes are high, but the book doesn’t stop there. Alongside the turmoil of Briar’s grief, there’s a toxic ex-girlfriend who’ll have you shaking your head and an online boyfriend who adds a layer of suspense that keeps you guessing. While I had a hunch about the boyfriend’s true nature from the start (and my suspicions were spot-on), I would’ve loved a little more of a twist to keep things even more unpredictable.All in all, Free Fall is a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. While it’s not the typical RH story many might expect, it’s a beautifully crafted F/M romance with deep emotional resonance and a story that lingers long after the last page. If you're ready for a story that tugs at your heartstrings and delivers more than just a romance, this one’s for you. Just go in with an open mind and a box of tissues—you’re going to need them.

Half way through I had to look at the book description again to make sure this wasn’t an RH. I actually wanted it to be because it’s clear she likes all three of the guys. It also felt like her feelings for Cade and Lex just switched off when she got with Reid. I like Reid, but I think she needed all three. I think the Ezra thing was predictable, but I thought it was one of the guys for a while until he turned and then it was obvious who he was and what he wanted. The feelings of loss are realistic, but I think it makes it seem like the parents moved on a little too easily. It shouldn’t be only Jules and Briar grieving the way they are. I know it states the guys are too, but you don’t really see that physically, but are rather told that. It’s still really good and kept my attention. Looking forward to the next book.

3.5 starsE.M. Moore became another new to me author this year, because I get the chance to meet her at a signing this July and I decided to start with her Spring Hill Blues series.Free Fall is a young adult story that deals mainly with loosing a person you love. How a young person deals with grief and about finding first love. Even though there are three guys with Cade, Lex and Reid who's lives revolve not only around football but help the sister of their best friend, after he died, this is not a RH story. It might have vibes of a love triangle, but IM it's far away from being actually one.The beginning was full of repeating things and phrases and I wasn't sold until about 40% into the book. I can't consider it a full bully story either. Might because the reason why Cade, Lex and Reid pushed Briar.I actually missed some parent interaction in this book. Because Brady's best friends and his sister weren't the only ones losing him. As well as Briar's behavior should have brought her parents more into the story, not leaving three teenagers dealing with it.I also had trouble believing Reid that he loves Briar, quite the contrary to Lex.Nevertheless, the story itself and how everyone was dealing with their grief was what kept me reading. I found myself invested in the characters and wanted to know how Briar develops. Luckily I didn't have to wait for the second book and could continue right away.

Very interesting and catching book on turmoil after the death of a very dear loved one. I loved it, for the emotions it made me feel.