If Only You Fell (If Only #2) by Stefanie Castro

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elody Lorrent’s heart was fused to another at an early age. But what happens when life takes a tragic turn and she’s left behind to pick up the pieces?

Burying her husband found a way to bury her soul as well. Elody now lives for her kids. Her chance at love was lost the moment her husband took his last breath. She never saw her future by someone else’s side. The only thing she didn’t account for was the grumpy parent of one of her students.

Wyatt was never known for his warm personality. His world consisted of hockey and his daughter. The only issue was his daughter’s teacher took hold of his heart in an unexpected way.

When Elody and Wyatt’s world collides, Elody fights the love that blossoms because she doesn’t trust the harsh realities that come along with living. She can’t give her heart to another after all the pain she endured. She lived on top of the world and everything collapsed. Wyatt didn’t understand that reality.

If only he fell…

MY REVIEW

If Only You Fell, the second book in the If Only series by Stefanie Castro, is a beautiful and emotional read that will leave you in tears. FYI, books that make me cry are the best. From the very first heart wrenching page to the very last heartwarming page, I was all in. The loss, the grief, the love… This book is one of my favorites this year.

Elody “Ellie” Lorrent, widow, and wonderful mother of three, is a good person who is always striving to keep everyone around her happy, but she neglects her own well-being in the process. It’s been five years since her husband died and putting on her happy mask is becoming difficult to maintain. Ellie’s struggle are genuine and I couldn’t help but empathize with her. She is such a good and caring person with a surprising naughty girl streak. You go, girl!

Enter the grumpy, controlling, hot sexy Wyatt “Xander” Christiansen, single dad and retired NHL player, who sweeps her off her feet and shows her how to love again. He’s the opposite of her husband, Beau, but he challenges her to try new things while making sure Beau stays part of her life in memory. God, I love this man. He’s such a fantastic father. He’s so thoughtful and smart. He’s forthright and honest. And his smirks and dirty talking is delicious. No woman in her right mind would turn all that down and Ellie came through after listening to her best friend’s advice and facing her fears. A happily ever after that gave me the feels!

Ms. Castro is an exceptional romance writer who seamlessly blends tough subject matter like death, illness, and grief with budding romances filled with doubts and insecurities. The supporting characters in the book are strong and fearless, adding depth to the bonds between friends and family.

Get your hands on this must-read series. The characters are relatable, making it easy for the reader to get lost in the story. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Ms. Castro for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

If Only Series

If Only You Knew (2023) – My review
If Only You Fell (2024)
If Only You Hurt (2024)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prior to becoming an author, Stefanie had written for years on blogging platforms. She is a registered nurse with years of experience working with families starting their journey into the parenting world. She started writing as a way to connect with families. After releasing her first memoir in May 2023, she felt a pull towards writing romance. Her love of the genre is something she is highly invested in as a reviewer and cheerleader for authors all around. Stefanie debuts her romance writing career with If Only You Knew in November 2023. She is shining a light on romance characters that are in their forties, something she feels is not easy to find in the genre. Stefanie resides in Southern California, with her husband, two kids, and their Cavalier King Charles dog.