If you love the grumpy-sunshine trope, you’ve stumbled across one of the best in Obsession Falls. Lovers of Claire Kingsley’s Bailey brothers’ series have been long-awaiting this book. This series. And they won’t be disappointed. Josiah Haven. How on earth will words explain this stoic, fiercely protective, emotionally stunted hunk of deliciousness? He truly did not people well. So he made me laugh. He also made me swoon. Because once he decided Audrey was his woman, that was it. No matter the cost. And sweet, dog-loving, bright light Audrey Young brought exactly the right amount of energy, sunshine, and joy into both Tilikum and Josiah’s lives. She helped Josiah heal. She gave him hope. But she was also caught in the crosshairs of a crazed mind, determined to stifle Audrey’s new-found contentment. Her peace. Told in dual POV, Obsession Falls was a fabulous read. From seeing into poor Josiah’s confusion re peopling to Audrey’s emerging and much-deserved self-confidence, my heart was enveloped with reading pleasure. Four-legged lovers will delight in Max’s exuberant, dopey fluffiness. To add in some additional sinister tension, Kingsley allowed the reader to hear the stalker’s internal hate-filled wrestle with flawed logic through short, well-placed chapters. Chilling. Brilliant. Twists and turns kept the pages turning. This writer’s storytelling talent ensured a captivated reader from start to finish. I dearly look forward to returning to Tilikum again soon.

This was not my favorite Kingsley book. It felt very choppy and segmented almost like a debut novel and not one from a seasoned author. The plot was pretty easy to catch onto and the “stalker” I had figured out from midpoint—not the whole of the “twist” but who it was was easily to see—always those you medium suspect, lol. The romance between the MMC and MFC was a quick fire and it was nice to not have the will they won’t they or the second act break-up. The spice was very low, maybe a 1-2 spice level. They weren’t closed door scenes but very low passion and quick scenes. The most annoying parts of the book were from the stalker because his writing was so very elementary and basic. I get the three-four word sentences to show the anger or angst but it just was too basic for the feelings that this person should’ve been feeling especially for their age. It was more like a teenager than a grown person. I did finish the book quickly but I will admit that I did skip pages here and there just because it was slow or not significant to the main plot. The setup of the family was nice and the author tried to setup intrigue about the brothers in order to setup sequels but I am not sure it’s enough.

I really love Claire Kingsley‘s writing , and I was in the mood for a romantic suspense when I read this. For me, this one is lower on the spice and heat as well as the intensity of the suspense. Which is totally fine. To me, this felt more like a cozy, romantic suspense novel, and it was enjoyable and a bit and enthralling to read it and I really enjoyed it.

Usually by 40% of the way into a book I can predict what’s about to happen but man this book had me guessing and guessing and I was wrong the whole time! The twists and turns were so good!!! I loved the characters build up and love story it was slow enough for some angst and then fast enough for the free fall mixed with some stalker. It was way better than I was thinking it was going to be and I’m already starting the 2nd one which already has me shook!!!

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are engaging and amazing the connection is undeniable throughout the pages. The storyline flowed easily throughout the pages. A must read!

This book. The swoons. The growls. The babbling. The derpy dog. The light danger. I loved it all and the fact that it was set in Tilikum was the cherry on top of this delicious story. I loved, loved Josiah and Audrey’s grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, next door neighbors, small town romance with a side of stalker. It is a heart warming tale about pivoting, of letting go of the life you planned, recognizing the change, and embracing the life, love, and people that show up instead. Josiah and Audrey are portrayed as real, relatable people who have flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans in the fishbowl that is small town life. Josiah owns a house remodeling and rental business in small town Tilikum with his father. He is a grumpy, surly, growly bear of a man who is uninterested in dating or relationships. He’s a little rough around the edges, a little wounded. Audrey is a reporter who was laid off and has moved back home near her mom to take a job on the hometown newspaper in Tilikum. She is is bubbly, happy and optimistic and still hoping to find the one. Their hilarious and awkward meet cute involved nakedness and a derpy but bad guard dog. The more interactions Josiah and Audrey have with each other, the more they are drawn to each other. Their relationship progresses and deepens incrementally moment by moment, day by day until a threat to Audrey pushes their journey to their HEA into the fast lane. While the identity of the bad guy in the story was fairly easy to guess, that did nothing to diminish the enjoyment of the story. Reading this will give you all the feels - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, and cheering. It was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steam, laughs, supportive friends, messy families, painful pasts, secrets, a little bit of danger and all the happy heart squeezing love. I cannot wait to read which Haven brother falls next.