All Too Well

There were a lot of good tropes mixed I to this book. Brother’s best friend, friends to lovers, single dad, mutual pining, sports romance, second chance, small town, it’s always been you, forced proximity, firefighter romance. They all mixed so well together. Ainsley and Lachlan were such a fun couple. They shared some great banter that was formed from their years of history as friends. I loved the way they picked at each other. They had some very intense chemistry and got caught in the moment multiple times.Lachlan was a great dad. He put his daughter first in everything and gave her the life he’d always wanted, with stability and love. He had some deep wounds from his childhood that he needed to work through and that kept his walls sky high. I loved that he got a chance to work through his fears and Ainsley gave him a reason to do that.Ainsley was the perfect match for Lachlan. I loved her optimism and her enthusiasm. She was determined to prove she had what it took to be a great reporter and worked for it. I loved her relationship with Rose. They had an easy friendship and I loved the way they teamed up against Lachlan.This was a great introduction to a new series. There were so many characters introduced and, I think, a good amount of Easter Eggs for future couples. I loved the setting and the small town feel. I loved the idea to center a series around a group of former athletes finding their way in life after the end of their athletic careers. As a former college athlete, it isn’t an easy transition to give up something you’ve given years of training and hard work to.

Small town, single dad stories are my kryptonite lately, and throw in that second chance element, as well as the quintessential grumpy/sunshine aspect? It’s the makings of a fun and heartfelt story.Lachlan West is a great character. He had the world in the palm of his hands with a first-round draft pick to the NFL when fate threw some hard passes at him. Becoming a single dad and losing his mother to cancer changed the trajectory of his life forever, and now he’s the fire chief in the small town of Ember Falls. He’s in the spotlight once again when he rescues a little girl from a burning building, and who gets sent to interview him? None other than his best friend’s little sister, a woman he’s been secretly in love with for way too many years.Ainsley MacKinley is something else. This woman is extremely intelligent and an excellent journalist, even if her boss and coworkers don’t acknowledge it. I admit I struggled quite a bit in trying to connect with her. She gets sent to Ember Falls to write an article about Lachlan, a sort of “what is he doing now” type of thing. She’s the girl that knows absolutely nothing about sports, and I mean absolutely nothing. Like, she couldn’t even tell you if football has quarters, or periods, or innings. I know a lot of people don’t follow sports, but most pick stuff up through osmosis. Not Ainsley. She was clueless to the extreme. But she was totally in love with Lachlan and was now being sent to Ember Falls to write an article that would make or break her career with Metro NY so she had to do some pretty fast learning.This story is also a bit of a second chance romance in that Lachlan and Ainsley had one very significant encounter before it all blew up, and now it’s been four years since they’ve seen or talked to each other. So, there’s a lot of healing that needs to happen between them with that aspect, as well as Lachlan needing to do a lot of soul searching when it comes to past tragedies he’s endured. He was very much a “I’m not good enough for you, I can’t offer you anything” type of guy, which we all know is so not true, but his journey to self-acceptance was a long one.This is quite an emotional story. There’s a lot of unrequited love feelings with both characters. There’s heartbreak and loss, opportunities missed, sacrifices made. But there’s also Corinne’s signature humor and snark between characters that is always fun to read. So many side characters I fell in love with! Of course, Rose, she was the ultimate little sweetheart, who I just know is going to break hearts when she grows up. Caspian who is Ainsley’s big brother and Lachlan’s best friend, who has huge daddy issues. I really hope he gets a book in the future. And then there’s the Disc Jocks, Lachlan’s Ultimate Frisbee teammates who are also former athletes that walked away from their sports for various reasons. They all share a tight bond and give as good as they get in the razzing department.I’m excited for more stories in the Ember Falls series. Next up is Miles, the school principal. I can’t wait to see what Corinne has in store for him.

Lachlan & Ainsley’s story was probably my most anticipated September read. And it gave me everything I wanted and then some. It was funny and emotional, and I already want to read it all over again. All the stars!Stars: 5/5Spice: 3/5Ainsley gets assigned an article about a former college athlete who is now a firefighter – Lachlan. Her brother’s best friend. The boy next door. The man she hasn’t spoken to since their drunken kiss four years ago.I was completely hooked on Lachlan & Ainsley’s story from the first chapter. The first time they see each other after four years? Yes! His daughter’s immediate reaction to Ainsley? Priceless. I just loved everything about this. From the single dad firefighter to the grumpy/sunshine dynamic to when those walls finally come down – gimme! The unrequited love that’s been there for years? Icing on the cake. Their chemistry just picked right back up where it left off – and I’ll eat that up every time. And bonus – now I know I need more firefighter romance on my TBR! I can’t wait to see where this series goes. Highly recommend!CW: Death of a parent (off page), cancer (off page), grief

Love Corinne Michaels’ books. This series is off to a brilliant start. Lachlan was childhood friends with Ainsley’s brother Caspian. They were both part of military families which was not only difficult for them but also their parents. They all have a lot of emotional scars from the past that is weighing on their futures. Ainsley has always loved Lachlan. A vulnerable moment separates them until Ainsley returns to town to write a story about Lachlan who has created a buzz being a former college football star turned firefighter hero after he saves a child.This story was the beautiful journey this couple took. Reconciling with the past. The story of family, loss, pain and love. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Learning that things aren’t always what they seem and dreams change.Looking forward to continuing this series. The characters are so interesting. Also a surprise appearance by a character from a previous series (no spoiler).🫶brother’s best friend, single dad, small town romance, unrequited love, grumpy/sunshine, second chance

“If there was anyone in the world who could make me want more, it would be you.”Ainsley is a little worried when she gets sent on a writing assignment with her job because she has to confront her past with Lachlan, her brothers best friend. Last time they saw each other, emotions were high and a certain moment between them made her run.Lachlan wasn’t expecting to see Ainsley again and let’s say he is less then thrilled to hear about the article she is writing. He realized long ago that he wouldn’t be achieving his dreams of becoming a professional athlete, so he focuses on his career and his daughter, Rose, and has no regrets.“I’d break myself open for you. You’ve always been my weakness.”Ainsley has a plan when she gets to town but she doesn’t expect the house she rented to be so run down that it has Lachlan demanding he stay with him and Rose. I loved watching them grow closer and the banter that they have. The push and pull between them was so perfect because they feel so much towards each other but don’t want to risk damaging their relationship now.“Each day I thank God that I fell in love with the girl next door.”Lachlan is holding on to a lot of hurt from his past and I really loved watching him work through that pain, mending some relationships and opening his heart to the possibility of more. Their story not only captured my heart but the foundation that was built within Ember Falls has me feral to return and learn more about the characters we met in this story!