This post contains affiliate links. In addition, I was provided with a free copy of the book in exchange for my review. Also, Denise and I are writer friends, and she was kind enough to blurb my book. None of these factors have influenced my review!
Title: The Fastest Way to Fall
Author: Denise Williams
Sub-genre: Contemporary
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Content Warnings: talk of disordered eating; alcoholism and addiction (side character); talk of body image/fat shaming
When I first read the pitch for Denise Williams’s second book, I had one of those moments when I knew I was going to love it. I am such a huge fan of Denise’s first book, How to Fail at Flirting, and I couldn’t wait to see what she did with this concept and I’m happy to report, she absolutely nailed it.
Britta is an editorial assistant just waiting for her big break so she can finally move up to the job she really wants, being a writer. When she and one of her workplace rivals come up with an idea that will allow them to both tackle a health and fitness topic in an ongoing series, she jumps at the chance. Britta is assigned to the FitMi app, which provides its users with an unique experience of individual coaching. She’s drawn to this particular app because the focus isn’t on weigh loss or measurements, it’s about feeling good about yourself. Britta is matched with a coach and the two hit it off instantly, bantering back and forth first in the app, then in a chat, and finally in texts. Wes is the CEO of FitMi, and while he loves his company, he misses working with people, instead of just numbers. He created the app because he loved coaching and training, but most of the fun parts of his job have disappeared beneath piles of paperwork. So Wes decides to take on one or two clients, just to help him find some joy in his job again. Of course, he didn’t expect to be matched with a client he has an immediate connection with. After an accident leads to Britta and Wes meeting in person, it becomes harder and harder for them to deny their chemistry. But she’s writing about his company, and he’s supposed to be her coach (which according to company policy means hands off). Both have some serious conflicts of interest and both could be putting their careers in jeopardy in order to take their relationship to the next level. That, along with some lingering emotional issues from the past, means these two have a rough road ahead of them. But it’s a romance, so you know they find a way to make it work.
There aren’t a ton of authors out there who make me laugh and cry in a single book, but Denise is most definitely one of them. Her voice and wit are so brilliant that for the beginning of the book, I’m just cackling, and then by the end I’ve got tears streaming down my face as these two characters deal with the very real issues keeping them apart. I absolutely fell in love with both Britta and Wes, I loved both of their personal journeys, and their relationship journey. I was immediately sucked into this one because I am a sucker for banter, and since the two don’t meet in person for the first chunk of the book, all the texts and emails and messages are just short and sharp and so full of humor. And then once Wes and Britta did meet in person, the chemistry was so crackling I was practically screaming at my ereader for them to just bone already (and then they did ;o)). And as if all of that wasn’t enough, I was so into the exploration of acceptance and finding your own version of what healthy looks like. I have struggled with body image issues for basically my entire life and this book was just so affirming and positive and I loved the approach it took to such a sensitive and important topic. I loved every single second of this book!
Overall Rating: 5 stars