Can't Help Falling

GIVEAWAY

ISAAC, KARA
CAN'T HELP FALLING

She's moved to Oxford looking for a new start. He's only interested in chasing his dreams. But when they discover a shared passion, they can't help falling for one another...

Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down, beyond her fearless, tabloid-reporter façade, there's a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can't resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England -- home to C. S. Lewis -- to try to make amends for the damage she has caused.

Peter Carlisle was on his way to becoming one of the Great Britain's best rowers -- until he injured his shoulder. He's determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking everything. It's the only way he can honor the memory of the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.

When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can dreams of a fantasy land be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threatened to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an English manor house, and an antiques shop with a curious wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in this inspiring and romantic story about second chances.

My Review:

Sqqqueeaaallll!!!! Kara Isaac has taken my favourite ever children's series and incorporated it into a contemporary romance. I'm beside-myself-giddy!!!! Do you love all things Narnia? Yes? Then this book is for you. No? That's okay, you might not thrill at every literary reference but you'll still thrill at Peter and Emelia's complicated love story.

The Narnia tie-ins are fantastic! Love Emelia's obsession with wardrobes...and I guess now is as good a time as any to confess that I share that same fascination. So, of course, I love the pivotal role a wardrobe plays in this story. And I'm thrilled that Reepicheep makes an appearance in an impactful way. :-)

Infused with humour and witty dialogue this almost reads as a romantic comedy except for the shadow of secrets looming in the background. So even as I laughed over pithy comments and situational slap-stick, I felt the weight of those secrets bearing down on Emelia and Peter...and me. Deliciously conflicting and made for an anxiety-riddled read.

A clever first meet had me grinning...and quickly falling for a certain Oxford rower. Brilliantly done. But did I mention it's complicated? Really, really complicated. And Isaac doesn't let us know exactly how complicated right at the start. She dangles delicious tidbits that we have to slowly piece together until we get the whole awful truth. That's when my laughter turned to tears -- some of them angry as I railed against stubborn ol' Peter. Gah!

I thrilled over the faith thread Isaac has woven into this story. Because, well, as Reepicheep would say, "We have nothing if not belief." And Emelia has been living with nothing for a long time but learning to believe in a loving God -- and in her own self-worth -- is so hard.  I got shivers up my spine and at one point!

A poignant, funny and tender romance that inspires hope in second chances.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Can't Help Falling please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 5 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!