The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Book Review Mar 10, 2025

My review

4/5 stars

This short story really surprised me, though it shouldn't have because I LOVED the last book I read by this author.

The main characters were very likeable from the start and I was invested in their story from the first page - their chemistry felt well developed. The tone was light and easy to read.

In spite of this, they had very real issues that were handled respectfully and given the space that was needed despite the short page count. My only hesitation with the darker side of the storyline was that the trauma recovery felt a little rushed given how much emphasis was put on the trauma in the first place.

I also enjoyed the addition of the two best friend characters. They really filled out a world that didn't have a lot of space, and bought some much appreciated humour to the pages.

This packed a lot into a short space and I really enjoyed reading it.

Book blurb

Two good neighbors make the best of a bad Valentine’s Day in a funny and improbably romantic short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer.

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love.