The Hardest fall drew me in right away with that cover. I am so in love with that cover!! I liked Zoe-she is so strange and quirky it was fun! Then this thing with Mark (the football coach) threw me. And I struggled with her after that. Why did she let him treat her so poorly; Why did she didn't tell anyone but Kayla and Jared, etc. She was a smart girl and fairly independent so her determination to do everything Mark asked of her for 3 years despite how awful he had been was baffling.
The winner of this book is Dylan! He is hilarious, endearing, and a football player who isn't a man whore. That bears repeating: footballer who isn't a whore. I love that Maise wrote a character like Dylan!
Kayla is Zoe's best friend and her story has a heartbreaking culmination. While it didn't have anything to do with Zoe and Dylan, I think it was really appropriate in a college based romance. The reality of Kayla's story plays out on campuses all across the country and I think its important to bring all the attention possible to this struggle.
The Hardest Fall is slow burn for sure! Zoe and Dylan dance around each other for month. As the reader, you know both find the other attractive, but Dylan thinks Zoe has a boyfriend and Zoe feels that she can't start anything with a football player. This was a great example of how perfect a friends to lovers romance can be!
I have listened to many books narrated by Lidia Dornet and she does a fabulous job! This was my first book narrated by Alexander Cendese and he was good. His attempts at the voice of female characters often came across a bit screechy. That was my biggest struggle.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: a few
- Trope: opposites attract, friends to lovers
- Triggers: Kayla is physically and sexually abused by her boyfriend. There is no details about the rape but there is a scene of physical abuse between the boyfriend, Kayla, and Zoe that could be upsetting to readers who have experienced domestic abuse
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes, with epilogue
The Hashtag Series by Cambria Hebert, How to Date a Douchebag series by Sara Ney, I Dare You by Ilsa Madden-Mills...then you will probably like The Hardest Fall!
See full review on The Book Disciple