Obsession Falls
Concrete and Cotton Candy (and a whole lot of swoon)
Claire Kingsley has built a solid reputation for writing small-town, contemporary romance with heat, heart, and all the feels, and she continues that tradition with Obsession Falls, the first novel for the much anticipated Haven brothers series. Josiah Haven—100% worth the wait. Not only do I have a massive book hangover, but I definitely have a new book boyfriend and a new girl crush. Add in a floof that will melt your heart and inspire you to hug (or adopt) one of your own, and the recipe for a five-star read is pretty well complete.
Readers familiar with Kingley’s Bailey Brothers series will recognize Josiah, but will get to see him in a completely new light. And it is stunning. Josiah brings a strength and depth to the story that almost sneaks up on you. Sure, he’s broody and stoic, but he’s also fiercely protective, insightful, and so beautifully balanced in his strength and vulnerability. And his heroine, Audrey—a brand new character in the Kingsley world—is truly his perfect HEA. With baggage and vulnerabilities of her own, she exudes a bright light and energy that brings out the best in Josiah, and in their relationship. The emotions between them are real and raw, creating a bond between them that only gets stronger as they face an external conflict that initially throws them together, but ultimately shows how much they’re meant to stay together.
As with anything set in Tilikum, humor and levity entwine with deeply emotional situations. And of course the squirrels are back, playing a key role in bringing people together and expanding the sense of community inherent in a Kingsley novel. I truly appreciated and enjoyed the romantic suspense element of Josiah and Audrey’s story. It created the ideal level of tension without overpowering the emotional growth and journey of the main characters, providing the incentive for their relationship to ignite without diminishing the connection they found in each other through their individual strengths and desires.
Kingsley has a wonderful way of bringing well-developed, relatable characters to life. And meeting them in a familiar setting (welcome back to Tilikum), feels a lot like coming home. Blending familiar faces from prior novels with new insights into characters readers only got glimpses of, Kingsley creates a new investment in the Havens, with a new perspective into their tight-knit family and their place within the community. Billed as an interconnected standalone, Obsession Falls definitely stands on its own, but also does a stellar job of setting the scene and the tone for the upcoming Haven brothers narratives.
