Pamela Clare books never fail to make me happy. If I want a good, solid romance novel I pick up one of her books. Normally I'm a fan of her romantic suspense books but was given the opportunity to read a book from her new contemporary series I jumped at the chance.
Falling Hard is full of my favourite catnip - small town, single parents with cute kids, injured heroes- it had it all. Overall a wonderful, enjoyable, contemporary romance novel.

Tales From The Heart ~ Leanne's blog review from NetGalley

Wow this story grabbed me from the beginning. Ellie is a widow with twin toddlers, her husband was killed in action before they were born. Her elusive neighbour Jesse looks out for in secret ways but they never meet for a couple of years. He has his reasons and demons of his own to fight. It was a beautiful love story and gave me so many feels, I laughed and I cried and that one heart stopping moment had me gripped to my kindle. What an emotional ride from this talented author. I've not read the previous two books before this one, it stands alone but I intend to go back and find out about the other characters. Jesse and Ellie were so likeable and a joy to read about, not to forget those innocent cherubs. You'll be hoping they can work their way through all the trials of life and get their HEA.

Note as requested: I've posted this today 3/16/17 on Goodreads and Amazon

DO NOT MISS THIS ONE! Jesse is a sexy, courageous former Army Ranger haunted by his past. Ellie is a beautiful young widowed mother of two-year-old twins who has a heart of gold, works as a RN and has a supportive family. In Pamela Clare's beautiful story, we become acquainted with these characters as if they are real people in our community, struggling with real issues.

I love the way Jesse and Ellie are portrayed - there's no sugarcoating here. Ellie's husband Dan, an Army helicopter pilot, died 6 months before the twins were born. People are often telling her she must be thankful to have the twins as a way of reminding her of her husband however, "Ellie didn't need anything to remind her of Dan. Yes, she was grateful for her children and loved them with her heart and soul. But two new lives couldn't erase the pain of another that was lost."

And Jesse, Ellie's neighbor, who now works as a primary member with a mountain rescue team, served 10 years in sustained combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and has experienced plenty of tragedy himself. Given the nature of the rescue work he does now, he still struggles with emotional turmoil from his past.

But it's that very genuine, real characterization that draws you into their story. Ellie and Jesse both have healing and closure to accomplish before they can truly become whole. Yes, some of their story is heartbreakingly sad, some is funny and some is just oh so hot and sexy! You will enjoy following them along on their journey!

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review.

This book had it all, sadness, love, and happiness. I was happy to read Jesse story, after last book when they mentioned him, I wanted his story. Jesse was a complex individual, to read how he grew up, breaks your heart. Even though he went thru so much, he was a hero and always willing to help others, so I was happy for him to have a love interest. Ellie was his neighbor, but she was also a mother and war widow, she also deserved happiness. They go thru there ups and downs, but in the end, reach for happiness. It also enjoyable to read of the rest of the cast in Scarlett Falls.

A deeply felt and amazing addition to Pamela Clare’s collection.

Sometimes keeping promises is nearly impossible. It’s been three years since her husband died in combat but Ellie Meeks isn’t interested in moving on. She spends her time working and taking care of the twins her husband never got to meet. But when the good Samaritan that helps her out in the middle of a storm turns out to be her very sexy neighbor, he reignites her desire to live to the fullest.

Ex-army Ranger Jesse Moretti wanted to escape the horrors of war by putting all his efforts into helping people through the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team, the Ski Patrol and extreme sports. But it’s hard to do when the woman he finds himself attracted to is connected to the past he’s trying to put behind. Can he overcome his guilt and fears in order to embrace the love and happiness Ellie has to offer?

I got completely swept away with this book. The longing, the heartache, the OMG thrilling moments Pamela Clare is well versed in giving us, and the inevitable surrender between these two characters that deserve to be happy together. Falling Hard has it all, as we visit the small town of Scarlet Spring where everybody knows everyone and the sense of community is heartwarming.

Even though they have been neighbors for a couple of years, Jesse and Ellie’s lives cross by chance on a stormy night when Ellie needs a hero. Theirs is a slow burn story in which they need to overcome guilt in order to embrace a happy future because Ellie loved and lost and couldn’t fathom looking for, much less engaging in, any kind of romantic relationship until the sexy adrenaline junkie who devotes his life to helping others keeps helping out. Before long Ellie and Jessie are incapable of ignoring their growing attraction and emotions, but getting over the past is not as easy as it sounds.

I loved Ellie’s twins almost as much as Jesse did. My ovaries exploded witnessing this tough as nails man fall for them as much as for their mother. He was a perfect hero, with some dings and dents that made me feel for him, but also with a huge, giving heart.

I also loved all the supporting characters –from past heroes and heroines to the guys and gals from the Team and even Bear– that gave the story an added and welcome layer of goodness.

It’s impossible not to love a book that brings out all the feels. There are so many things to talk about this story, from small details to all the big emotions that gave it so much depth. Needless to say, I smiled and swooned, cried and tried to slow my heart from the sexy hotness and excitement. Pamela Clare has a wonderful way of delivering a story that grabs me from the start and has me entranced throughout.

Falling Hard is book #3 in the Colorado High series by Pamela Clare. It is a standalone contemporary romance. Told from both points of view with a happy ending.

Holy emotional overload (in a good way), Batman! All the feels this book inspires are just... wow. I rarely get even slightly misty-eyed when reading, but FALLING HARD choked me up repeatedly. There may even have been actual tears; I’ll never tell. But seriously, this is exactly why I love Pamela Clare so much. I cut my teeth on her superb I-Team romantic suspense series and cried a little inside when she switched to writing straight contemporary romance but followed her anyway… because what truly drew me to Ms. Clare’s work were her incredibly real and relatable characters and the raw power of their relationships, and I believed she could deliver the same without the terrorists, explosions, and dead bodies of the I-Team series. And Ms. Clare has not disappointed with her Colorado High Country contemporary series. The first two books were raw, real, and sexy-- everything readers have come to expect from a Pamela Clare novel. But with FALLING HARD she truly knocks it out of the park. I rarely find myself racing through the pages of a contemporary romance, but I simply could not put FALLING HARD down: I was so emotionally invested in broken (in his eyes) hero Jesse Moretti and kickass survivor Ellie Meeks that I needed to know how their HEA played out, stat. And, boy, what a journey of self-discovery and healing it was. Without giving anything away: Ellie is the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up and Jesse the type of man every guy should aspire to be, and watching them come together and overcome is a heartwarming, emotional experience that fills me me hope. I can’t wait to see whose story is next! Can we have the next book now??

I haven't read any Pamela Clare before now because I don't really enjoy romantic suspense. I don't know, that feeling of anxiety in suspenseful stories is just too much for me to handle! When I saw that this series was contemporary romance, I knew this was my shot to try this author.

Falling Hard is a book that any M/F contemporary lover will like. It has some excitement and minor suspense like a romantic suspense, but it is mostly just a story about two people who've been through lots of emotional hurdles, finding love again.

Jesse Moretti is the kind of romance hero that explains why people read romance: You just HAVE to love him. He is brawny, a little broken, and sexy as hell. I fell hard for Jesse along with Ellie, and I was rooting for them full force from the start.

This is a mostly slow burn romance, and I liked that it took its time. Sure, there were a few miscommunications that irked me, but mostly I just liked watching Jesse and Ellie fall in love. It was a pleasure to read from start to finish, and it was just really good romance.

Calling all Pamela Clare lovers and all contemporary romance lovers, this one is for you.

*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I absolutely loved this book. It made me cry so many times. It was a beautiful story dealing with grief, guilt, and joy in an amazing way.

Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher

I loved Pamela Clare’s romantic suspense series, but I had,’t read her new contemporary series yet because I was worried about the small town atmosphere someone described to me. I finally decided by the synopsis of this third volume and I’m glad I did.

Ellie’s husband died before their twins’ birth, and she’s been raising them with her parents’ help for almost three years. On winter night, Jesse, her neighbor, helps them when their car breaks down.

I found again with pleasure Pamela Clare’s writing and her ability to create deep and endearing characters. The heroine, Ellie, suffered a lot when her husband died, but she had to be strong for their twins. She’s convinced she doesn’t want an affair even less a new love story. The hero, Jesse, is a former soldier who became a search and rescue member, and he’s convinced he can’t get close to anybody because of his past emotional wounds.
Both are soon attracted to each other, and if I found they gave in to fast to their desire the evolution of their relationship and of their feelings is afterwards very softly and slow enough for us to believe it. I especially appreciated that Ellie’s first marriage was happy and that she still loves her late husband while developing feelings for the hero. As for Jesse’s relation with the twins, it’s so sweet 

There are several sensual and love scenes which are well written and steamy. I frowned during a scene where they stage a fantasy because I was afraid the author had given in to false BDSM, but phew, that was a false alert! However at each love scene I was thinking they were lucky the twins had a heavy sleep lol.
I found some scenes emotionally loaded, especially a bus accident that puts everyone on edge, and Jesse’s memories returns which will allow him to understand and overcome his emotional block.

I was afraid because of the fact the story takes place in a small town and frankly I didn’t feel it at all. The heroine and the hero are known (Ellie is a nurse at the hospital, her father is the town doctor, and Jesse is part of the search and rescue team and also works at the ski resort) but at no time did I feel this small town atmosphere where everybody knows what the other is doing and get into things that do not concern them. I also liked the nods at the author’s romantic suspense series with the presence of the owners of the Cimarron Ranch.

All in all I thought Falling Hard is a very good contemporary romance (and those who know me know it’s not always my cup of tea) in which we don’t settle for seeing the characters dance around each other pages after pages, so I recommend it heartily.

Loving this series! This is a stand alone, you don't have to have read the previous books, but I recommend it because it's a great series! Ellie and Jesse are great together, fighting through their pasts. Laughed, cried, loved it! want more from the series!

4.5 Stars. I really loved this book and the writing was phenomenal. The characters were lovable and the chemistry was amazing! The only reason it lost 1/2 a star for me was because in the last month I've read two other books with almost the exact same plot. (Pregnant woman's husband dies in combat leaving her alone to cope until she meets another military guy who doesn't think he should get involved with her because of the military brotherhood but can't resist). Although I will say that Pamela Clare's was my favorite of the three!

Jesse was an amazing character who you can't help but love (and want one of your own). He was hot, sexy, caring and the scenes with the twins were just heartwarming. He also had some hot sex scenes with Ellie. I also loved Ellie and I really loved the way the author wrote her love for both her husband and Jesse. She didn't diminish her love for her husband but I truly believed that she loved Jesse. Each relationship was different and meaningful (I don't like it when the author diminishes the relationship between the first husband so that the heroine can move on). This book brought Ellie to a place where she could have closure in her first relationship but knowing that a part of her would always love him and yet still make her love and relationship with Jesse very believable, real and deep.

The book made me laugh a couple of times and it made me cry. I couldn't help but root for the two of the them to make it work. I enjoyed watching Jesse work through his feelings and his past which gave him that wonderful wounded and edgy feel to go with his softer side. I also loved Ellie. She was strong and after her initial hesitation she knew what she wanted and went after it.

This was a wonderfully well written romance with great character depth and a relationship that was built throughout the book with plenty of steam and heartfelt moments. I love this series and can't wait for the next one!

First Pamela Clare romance I've read and I so enjoyed it. Excellent plot and writing.

This series just keeps getting better an better. Was told it would be emotional but funny too. It just drags you in from page one till you put it down on last page an you have to finish it cause you just can't put it down it is that type of story an series an I just loved every minute of it, who needs sleep anyway lol. I'm so looking forward to the next book an would recommend this book to everyone

A beautifully written emotional story of love and loss and the experience of finding love again. Grab your tissues. While this book is definitely not all sad you will have your moments. It is one of my favorite books I've ever read.

When Ellie and her kids are sick and the car won't start with snow falling and the freezing air around them Jesse, a search and rescue team member, steps up and helps her by trying to fix it and then driving her and the twins home when he can't.

After realizing later that he was shoveling her drive and then he became sick because of them she get to return the favor by bringing a doctor to his door. This is the beginning of a friendship that opens the door to healing for both of them.

While Jesse cannot see himself with kids, ever, Ellie and her twins Daisy and Daniel start to slowly work their way into his heart without him even realizing it. And when he is always there to lend a hand and then babysit on last minute notice he certainly starts to help her with her grief over losing her husband in the war.

There is a secret though that he is keeping and it may just blow up what they are building together. But then a tragedy happens and there could be no one more qualified and more selfless than Jesse to step in and save a life more important than either his or Ellie's.

Time to say goodbye is also a time for new hellos.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie's busy working at the hospital and taking care of her twins alone since her husband died in the service. She doesn't have time for a social life and can't get over her loss. Then along comes Jesse, who served with her husband, and is so full of fun and life. Her husband made Ellie promise to move on if something happened to him but that's easier to say than do. Second chances make this love story special and a red hot romance to savor.

Overall this was a nice read. I wasn't bowled over by either the Hero or the heroine, but I liked them well enough. I thought the story dragged a bit...there was a lot of time spent on what the H/h were doing separate from each other, which slowed it down for me. But with that said, I enjoyed the story and was rooting for the H and h to get and stay together. The drama at the end was believable and I liked how both main characters were worried about the other. Overall a good read. (Received by NetGalley and this is my honest opinion)

I'm just so thrilled to be reading more Pamela Clare books. I was so hooked on her I-Team series. And just took notice that this Colorado series was already on book 3. That just means I get to go back and read the first 2! Win!

Ok, let's talk Falling Hard...because that's exactly what I did for Jesse Moretti. Yes, he may have some ghosts haunting him from his past, but he's honestly got a heart of gold. And can I just throw in that he's on the ski patrol? Oh, and that he's also on an elite rescue team? And that he's so freaking combustably (<-made up that word) HOT? And so incredibly tender? Alright...(fans self)...I'll stop there.

Ellie and Jesse's relationship is a slow neighbors-to-friends-to-lovers story and it really was beautiful watching it unfold. When they finally both recognize their feelings, it takes off and though the pace from there definitely picks up, it never felt unnaturally so to the story.

The whole plot twist of Jesse knowing Ellie's husband during the war didn't phase me and almost felt like there was a bit of overreacting on everyone's part about it. *shrugs*

All in all, a super fun read and can't wait to read more!

4.5 Stars What a fabulous read!! I haven’t read anything by Pamela Clare and I never normally read a series out of order but when I was lucky enough to get the chance to read this I jumped straight in. The characters were amazing and the storyline was superb. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two in this series and then find more by this great author to read.

Falling Hard

Wow! That was one amazing rip my heart out reads. Such an emotional story.
A Gold Star wife alone…

Ellie Meeks promised her pilot husband that if he was killed in combat, she would live her life to the fullest. Three years later, she is still alone, raising the twins he never met. She has no interest in dating or meeting men—until one snowy night when a stranger helps her get her sick kids safely home. That stranger turns out to be a former Army Ranger and a member of the elite Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. He’s also tall, rugged… and irresistibly sexy.

All it takes is one kiss…

Jesse Moretti came to Colorado to get Iraq out of his head, using the adrenaline of extreme sports and high-risk mountain rescues to keep his mind off the past. But getting involved with Ellie might be the riskiest thing he’s ever done. It’s not just their explosive chemistry. There’s something about Ellie that gets inside him, opening him to feelings he’s tried hard to ignore.

When passion ignites…

Ellie feels alive in Jesse’s arms and happier than she ever thought she’d feel again. But their relationship comes at a price for him, and soon Ellie sees that she must help Jesse fight the demons of his past to protect the love of a lifetime—and save the heart of a hero.

Pamela Clare completely sucked me in and made me feel so much while reading this book. I fell in love with all the characters in this one. She did an incredible job writing this book. I felt like I knew Jesse and Ellie after reading this. I felt all their emotions while reading.
Such an awesome read. I am definitely adding Pamela Clare to my list of authors to read. I'm also gonna look into reading her other series.
This is Book 3 of The Colorado High Country series. It can be read as a standalone or in order.
I would totally recommend this book for everyone to add to their reading lists.
Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.