Kara Isaac: Can't Help Falling

By Kelly Bridgewater

A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque Oxford, England.

Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.

Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.

When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with curious a wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in Kara Isaac’s inspiring and romantic story about second chances.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

I read the first book by Kara Isaac, Close to You, and I really wasn't that impressed. With the second book mentioning C. S. Lewis in the synopsis, I really hoped that Isaac would improve on the story. While the writing was the best part of the book because Isaac really understands Deep Point of View and jumping into her character's perspective, she did have a number of point of view shifts in the same paragraph. While the setting is important to keeping the reader grounded, Isaac does a good job at descriptions to settle me into the story. My biggest issue with the story is the ability for Isaac to deliver what she promises in the synopsis. I thought the story would center more on C. S. Lewis and Oxford, but they, like in her first novel, were just a passing item. The story would have worked just fine without the mention of Lewis. I had a really hard time staying focused on the story; I couldn't wait to put the book down and move on. I really wanted to read something else. Even the romance seemed to be childish. I saw no reason that Emilia and Peter would fall in love. Emilia was a shallow character who spent her spare time hunting for wardrobes with an entrance to Narnia in the back. Similarly, Peter  seemed like a bore o me. I really couldn't empathize with either character. While fans of strict romance stories will enjoy Can't Help Falling, I don't think I will be reading anything else by Isaac. I gave her two chances, and I really was bored with her books.

I received a complimentary copy of Can't Help Falling by Kara Isaac from Howard Book Publishing, and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

What makes you return to a book by an author that you didn't like the first time? Or do you ignore them all together and move on? There are tons of books out there that need to read.