Every Time I Fall

While I enjoy all of Lexi Ryan's books, I'm going to start out by saying that it was the idea of a 'curvy girl' as the main character that had me adding EVERY TIME I FALL to my TBR. I think that it's important for authors, especially romance authors, to realize that their readers come in many shapes and sizes, and that writing stories that embrace this spectrum can make a serious difference in the reading experience. I both appreciate and applaud Lexi for including this book in the Orchid Valley series, and am glad to have had the opportunity to read this book. As a curvy woman myself, I can attest to the fact that until you see yourself as just as attractive, smart, worthy, what have you, it doesn't matter what others are telling you. While Abbi's self-doubt is understandable, given her past experiences, she is the only one that can get out of her own way and see how amazing she is, and I really appreciate that Dean lays it right out for her, no holds barred. Speaking of Dean, this guy is a serious keeper. Saddled with his own share of issues in the self-worth department, his decision to handle them and move forward to be the kind of person that he wants to be is extremely satisfying. EVERY TIME I FALL is an important addition to both Lexi's catalog, and to the current genre in general, and while I didn't necessarily love Abbi and Dean off the bat, their evolution and growth made this a book that I very much enjoyed, and would happily recommend. As a note, EVERY TIME I FALL can be read as a standalone, but reading the other books in the series will provide some good background. I'm not sure where the series is headed, but I'd love to see more of these characters. And, because Lexi is so good at developing her characters, if anyone can redeem Amy Matthews, she can... ❤️

I absolutely loved Every Time I Fall by Lexi Ryan, the third story in the Orchid Valley series. It was an incredible story, filled with everything that I love in sizzling romance stories. I loved every page and could not put it down. Each book in the Orchid Valley series keeps getting better and better. Lexi Ryan has once again proven that she is a wonderful storyteller, and Every Time I Fall did not disappoint. I love that she writes her stories in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love knowing what the main characters are thinking and feeling. I love the lighter moments where I found myself smiling and laughing. My favorite moments are the ones that cause me to sigh, say aww to myself with tears filling my eyes. Every Time I Fall is filled with all that and so much more. Every Time I Fall is the story of Abigail “Abbi” Matthews, chef at The Patio and her brother's best friend and her secret crush, Dean Jacob. Abbi is a big girl and has a problem with her body image and believes that she is bad in bed. Dean has been trying to over his ex-girlfriend, Amy, but when she calls for a booty call, he goes running. Dean and Abbi make an arrangement, where he will help prove that she is not bad in bed and to love her body. she will be his excuse to stay away from Amy. Abbi and Dean decide that to a temporary, uncomplicated fling. As Abbi and Dean spend time together, Abbi shares her darkest secrets and insecurities with Dean making herself vulnerable to him. Dean also shares his own insecurities with Abbi. As they spend more time together things change between the two of them. They each begin to break down the walls around their hearts, feel less vulnerable and grow closer to one another. A surprise plot twist occurs that I did not see happening, and that changes everything for Abbi and Dean and all they worked so hard for and how Dean’s outburst over Abbi’s reaction is truly life changing for the both of them. I love when both Dean and Abbi get real with their true feelings for one another and open up to each other in the emotionally charged, gut wrenching dialogue that transpires between the two of them. Every Time I Fall felt like a family reunion and catching up with all the other characters from the other books in the series. I love the characters in Every Time I Fall; they feel like family. I enjoy all the interactions among the characters, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I love the changes that Abbi was able make within herself with the help and encouragement from Layla and Dean. Every Sweet Revenge is filled with all the elements that I have come to love and expect in Lexi Ryan stories. I love the bittersweet and poignant moments, as well as the surprise plot twists. Every Time I Fall was a wonderful story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and a beautifully written tribute to Abbi. She is truly a very strong female character and I love her that she is loving herself and making her dreams come true. I love how everything gets resolved and that Abbi and Dean get their happily ever after. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend this brother’s best friend love story.

"It's okay to be scared, but don't let fear keep you from going after what you want." From the moment I saw the cover for this book, I knew I had to have it. I love the way Lexi Ryan writes, I love the way she develops her characters and her story. And it was sooo good to go back to Orchid Valley again! I don't think I have enough words to describe Dean. Everyone should have a Dean in their lives. Yes, he's definitely attractive, he has a dirty mouth, and he's confident. And he's flawed and made some bad choices in his life. But there's more to him than just what you see on the outside. Because Dean is the ultimate good guy, with a heart of gold, who's been in love for a while but never acted on it, because, despite all that, he thought he still wasn't enough. Abbi is just an amazing character. Some readers are likely to see Abbi as one-dimensional, as just another weak-minded character who dislikes herself because she's overweight. There's so much more to her than that, and even if that were true, it takes real strength to get through every day not feeling like you're enough. So, no, weak is something she is not. And no, she doesn't need saving. She can save herself, with a nudge in the right direction and something to fight for. Abbi's wanted Dean for a very long time, but she never thought he'd give her a second look because she doesn't fit his usual choice in women. Dean's been crazy about her for years, but he thought he could never measure up to what she wanted in a man. And fate gives them both a hand in this, and shows them we all have our insecurities, but when it's right, it's just right. And their story together is incredibly sweet and amazingly beautiful, while also having the chemistry Lexi's stories always have. And there's definitely chemistry, believe me! "You're all the things you refuse to see in yourself." It's easy to see these two are meant to be together. The way they are as just friends, how comfortable they are with each other once their relationship starts to evolve, how much they trust each other, how they just fit together, and the love they share. And the way they finally understand each other and realize what they have. Both Dean and Abbi needed someone to see them for who they really are, beyond what they look like, the clothes they wear, the people they date, their pasts, what they've been through and so many other things that do not make us who we are as people. It's all about finding their love for each other, and their love for themselves. Without reservations, without holding back. This book was truly inspirational, and a reminder of the reasons why I read romance. Thank you, Lexi. For Abbi's voice and Abbi's story, which I think may resemble that of many of us, readers. It certainly resembled mine.