This is Denise Williams' second book, and I am completely in love with it. Thank you to Net Galley, Denise Williams, and Berkley Pub for an advanced copy.
Format: Net Galley Advanced Reader Copy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Page Length: 380 pages
Publisher: Berkley Romance (November 2, 2021)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mr. Darcy‘s Rating: “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”
A Chasing Mr. Darcy Review
I really liked Denise Williams' first book, How to Fail at Flirting...but I freaking love her second book, The Fastest Way to Fall.
Here’s a summary from GoodReads: Britta Colby works for a lifestyle website, and when tasked to write about her experience with a hot new body-positive fitness app that includes personal coaching, she knows it’s a major opportunity to prove she should write for the site full-time. As CEO of the FitMe app, Wes Lawson finally has the financial security he grew up without, but despite his success, his floundering love life and complicated family situation leaves him feeling isolated and unfulfilled. He decides to get back to what he loves—coaching. Britta’s his first new client and they click immediately. As weeks pass, she’s surprised at how much she enjoys experimenting with her exercise routine. He’s surprised at how much he looks forward to talking to her every day. They convince themselves their attraction is harmless, but when they start working out in person, Wes and Britta find it increasingly challenging to deny their chemistry and maintain a professional distance. Wes isn’t supposed to be training clients, much less meeting with them, and Britta’s credibility will be sunk if the lifestyle site finds out she’s practically dating the fitness coach she’s reviewing. Walking away from each other is the smartest thing to do, but running side by side feels like the start of something big.
There are so many things about this book that stuck with me, but the biggest thing is how much I identified with Britta. Britta is on a health journey, and she is focusing on her body...improving her strength, her physique, and her overall health. If that ends up with weight loss, great. I honestly felt like Denise Williams had written a book about my own personal struggles as I read Britta's journey, and I found myself identifying with Britta page after page. Her longing, her self-doubt, her insecurities...they were all my longings, my self-doubts, and my insecurities, written on the page in black and white for me to read. Denise Williams gave me a journey and a character I could unabashedly cheer for, and she did it all while writing my soul on the pages of her book. I cannot say how much I appreciate this book. It spoke to me and was balm for my soul, but more importantly, it let me know there are people out there just like me.
I also really liked Wes in this story. Wes is a character that could have easily been written the easy way- a swarmy, charming, toxically masculine fitness trainer. Instead, Denise Williams wrote a sensitive, at times insecure, emotionally flawed, but always sincere Wes...and this character is truly a gift. I think so many people will identify with his backstory as well, and I love that someone out there will read Wes and realize they're okay and there are people out there just like them.
Overall, I think this is a powerful story. I see contemporary romances get written off as "just another romance book" so often, but this story is truly more than that. This is a story of discovery, self-awareness, and learning to love yourself so you can more fully love someone else. If you have ever struggled with your weight or known someone who has struggled with their weight or are just a human being, you need to read this book.
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