Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey tells the story of two women, Gray and Diana, whose lives intertwine one summer at the beach. Told from the perspective of both women the book focuses on the importance of friendship and family.

Gray is a 34 year-old (almost 35) soon to be divorced single mom. She owns her own multi-million dollar affiliate marketing company she built from the ground up. She is living down the shore for the summer and navigating her new normal since her husband left her for his 20-something assistant and her mother passed away from cancer.

Diana is a 40-year old woman who leaves her loser boyfriend of eight years and gets fired from her job at the pharmacy in the same day. She is unsure where is is going to live or even get her next meal. Through maybe fate, she begins working for Gray as her housekeeper and the women become fast friends. Together they navigate new (and old) love interests, family drama, and the curve-balls life throws in their path.

What I liked about this story is it focused so heavily on female friendships rather than rivalries. The love interests in the book seemed a little under-developed but I loved how built out the female characters were. The reason I am giving this book 3 stars is it dragged at parts and some of the story lines seemed to be wrapped up in a neat package that wasn't necessarily earned. Either way, I felt this was a nice light-spirited read. Fans of female friendship fiction will enjoy this as a fun summer read.

A fun and refreshing read. The focus is on friendship, how some people enter your life because you need them at that moment. The characters are rich, Gray a successful woman in charge of her own company and Diana, the underdog. A story of love, loss and friendship.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was already a Kristy Woodson Harvey fan going into this book and continue to be after!

A great piece of women's fiction set in the south with a great main character that intrigued me so much that I couldn't help reading the book in two sittings! Gray Howard is an older sister who is going through a divorce that unfortunately happened right after she lost her mother. She is navigating maintaining her business while also co parenting and her ex already has a new woman in his life. Summer is starting and she heads to her summer home for a change of pace and hopefully to regroup.

Diana Harrington is the other main character that shares her perspectives also. Each chapter is divided between the two women as they push the story along. Diana has had a rough go of it recently and has always landed on her feet, but this time she may need to accept a little help and maybe through a new experience she could find a new passion in life.

I loved Gray and Diana, but I also loved the people they had around them. They each had their own great storylines and enough drama, but not too much. There are just enough moments of romance in Kristy's books that make you smile and giggle, but not enough to make you roll your eyes! If you are looking for a book that has heart and soul, then you can read each of Kristy Woodson Harvey's books, but I can absolutely suggest you start here with Feels Like Falling.

This was a great book to read in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic as a breather from the news and real life.

Gray Howard is having a rough time of it. Her mom died from cancer, her husband left her for a younger woman and her sister married a religious extremist and she now has nothing to do with Gray except to tell her that she is going to Hell for getting a divorce. Diana Harrington is having an equally rough time. She grew up in foster homes after her mom abandoned her and her 3 siblings when they were small kids, so she grew up with the stigma of being poor and unwanted. She has been through a series of really bad relationships and this latest one just took the money the she had saved for a desperately needed root canal and blew it overnight at the casino. And now, she just got fired from her job AND and since she left that loser boyfriend she is also homeless. So when Diana and Gray's paths cross in an unexpected way, they realize that they each have something they can offer each other....a way out of their problems and friendship.
This is perfect for fans of Nancy Thayer, Holly Chamberlin and Mary Alice Monroe. It is the perfect combination of girl's night out, hot romance, broken hearts, best friends, and new beginnings. This is one that you definitely need to add to your bag for beach trip.

<b>Things I Loved:</b>
The Characters: I thought the author did an awesome job of creating engaging characters who, despite being different from me, still felt relatable. I also really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters - they added just the right amount of wit and humor throughout the book. It felt like they became my friends as well (I love when an author creates a supporting cast which comes to life).

The Alternating Storylines: I liked that the book switched back and forth between Diana and Gray's experiences - I liked hearing the perspective of both characters (particularly Diana) and I felt it added a layer of richness to the book that otherwise would have been missing.

The Timeframe: I liked that the book only took course over one summer - it didn't feel too short or dragged out. The timing of everything felt right.

<b>Things I Did Not Love</u>
The Plot: As much as I loved the characters - there were aspects of the plot which felt predictable. I felt like I knew what was going to happen pretty much throughout the whole book. That being said - it is a light beach read - so that wasn't necessarily the worst thing in the world.

The Stereotypes: I didn't love the way the author addressed the LGBT community and it left me feeling a little uneasy. The constant joking about one of the characters being surprisingly straight because his behaviors seemed "gay," just seemed contrite and outdated. It would have been nice if the author had actually included a queer character rather than used it as humor.

The Setting: I <i>loved</i> the setting and I wish the author had done more to make it come alive.

<b>Overall Feelings</b>
I enjoyed this book - I read it over the course of two afternoons and it was a light and easy read. I liked the characters and the plot, despite being predictable, was enjoyable. With that being said, the constant "gay as humor" really did not hit he mark for me.

I have read a few by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and her newest one is definitely her best. I could classify this as an elevated beach read. It's a great story with characters I connected with almost immediately. There are some predictable parts as with many books in this genre, but there were also some twists I didn't see coming. There are definitely some deep issues dealt with, but they are handled in a respectful and honest manner. The thing I loved most was the friendship between Grey and Diana and the way it helped them both to learn so much about themselves and grow as people. I think you will finish this book feeling warm and satisfied!

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC of this book! Opinions are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was written in an interesting way with it being from the point of view of Gray & Diana. The titles for each chapter were clever which made me look forward to seeing what was coming next. Kristy Woodson Harvey did a great job fleshing out these characters as well as the “side” characters. I fell in love with Gray & Diana even though they were very different women. I highly recommend reading this book to find out how their stories go...you won’t be disappointed!

Kristy Woodson Harvey shows us that opposites can forge a strong friendship, and that sometimes our first love is meant to be our forever love. Gray, a successful entrepreneur and Diana, a homeless wannabe chef become quick friends during a crazy summer when Grays husband leaves her for a much younger woman, and Diana’s deadbeat boyfriend squanders her savings and leaves her homeless. Gray finds true love this summer, and Diana’s first love re-enters her life to rekindle their love. Ms. Harvey has developed relatable and endearing characters. I look forward reading her next book.

Gray has lost a majority of the people she cares about. Her mom has passed, her sister is now married to a religious extremist, and her husband has left her for his assistant. Oh and they took her son on a three week European vacation. When she accidentally gets Diana fired, she feels awful, and her attempts to help her lead to a beautiful friendship.

This is the perfect beach read. It’s also the perfect quarantined, wish you were at the beach read! The characters were flawed but in the best way, and each one had their own quirky lovable side as well. I loved that Gray and Diana came from two completely different worlds, but that they were able to build such an amazing friendship despite that. This is one of those novels that truly shows that family is the one you create yourself, not necessarily the one you were born into.

Thank you Gallery books and netgalley for my gifted copy of this book!

Right now all I want in my reading life is to escape! I can't actually go on Spring Break this year, but *Feels Like Falling* definitely belongs in a beach bag and begs to be read by the water. This book was immediately engaging and drew me in. This book is mostly about friendship and made me feel connected to the characters in a way that I really needed right now.

A comfortable and relaxing read, perfect for fighting off the anxiety of the pandemic.

SUMMARY
Gray Howard has just lost her mother to cancer, her sister to a evangelical husband, and her husband to his executive assistant. Then she inadvertently gets a stranger fired from her job at the local pharmacy. Things are just not going her way.

Diana Harrington’s summer isn’t off to the greatest start either: Hours before losing her job at the pharmacy, she broke up with her boyfriend and moved out of their shared house with plans of living in her creaky old Impala. Lucky for her, Gray has an empty guest house and a guilty conscience.

With Gray’s kindness, Diana’s luck begins to change, but when the man that got away comes back, every secret from her past seems to resurface as well. And, as Gray begins to blaze a new trail, she discovers, with Diana’s help, that what she envisioned as her perfect life may not be what she wants at all.

REVIEW
Feels Like Falling is a cure for these crazy times! It’s a story of friendship and families during both the worst and best of times. It’s light and breezy, just like the wind off the North Carolina coast. It’s a perfect book for a day at the pool or beach.

My favorite part was the structure of the story, alternating between Diana and Gray. Both women are experiencing a breakup, the loss of a mother, and the challenges of beginning again. I really appreciate the fact that Diana and Gray backgrounds could not be any more different and yet they become the best of friends. Both women are pleasingly strong but vulnerable and come alive on the pages of Feels Like Falling.

Author Kristy Woodsen Harvey’s writing is clear and captivating. She is the bestselling author of six Southern fiction novels including the delightful and delicious Peachtree Bluff series: Slightly South of Simple, The Secret to Southern Charm, and The Southern Side of Paradise. I guarantee, no one can read just one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Gallery Books
Published May 1, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Wow. Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again!! I fell in love with the Peachtree Bluff trilogy, and instantly knew that KWH would be an auto-read for me. Feels Like Falling is so many emotions packed into one story. You have growth, loss, love, greed, hatred, connection, and on and on. I'm always in awe of how Kristy can write female characters that are completely different in their voices. She did this so successfully with the sisters in the trilogy, and I think she nailed it with Gray and Di. I was rooting for Andrews throughout the book. I think the ending was perfect.


I was honored to receive an advance copy, but all thoughts are my own.

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a modern day look at life from the eyes of two very different women. Gray Howard is running very successful business and has a son, Wagner. She also has just lost her mom to cancer, her sister to her evangelical husband and her own husband to his much younger assistant. Can life get any worse? Well of course it can and does when she accidentally gets a young woman fired from her job. Diana Harrington has just broken up with her boyfriend who stole the money for her trip to the dentist for her aching tooth. All she has is pretty old Impala and that will have to be home for a while. Fortunately for her Gray has a load of guilt and an empty guest house and is in desperate need of someone to organize, clean and cook for her and Wagner. As the two of them heal together and try to find their perfect life they discover themselves and learn their ideal life may be very different from what the envisioned.
I loved this one. The story goes back and forth being told from the perspective of Gray and Diana along the backdrop of the North Carolina coast. There are some quirky back up characters that add charm and at times humor to the story. I give this book 5 of 5 stars and recommend it to all women.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This was such a great read as Kristy Woodson Harvey constantly writes a book that you fall in love with. You sure don’t want this book to end! There’s a quote in this book that we should all follow in life, the quote is “It doesn’t have to look perfect to be perfect for you!” If you were looking for a fun read I highly recommend this!

Kristy Woodson Harvey strikes again! One of my favorite author delivered yet another gem. This book, focused on the lives of Gray and Diana, and delves into both of the main characters' biggest insecurities. Both ladies are unable to let their pasts keep them from centering themselves in the present and allowing themselves to be happy as they think about and plan for the future. Diana can't get past her issues of abandonment as a child and drove a wedge between her high school sweetheart, the one that got away but still consumes so much of her mind and heart, while Gray is struggling with a difficult divorce, learning to co-parent, and trying to get back out in the dating world. As always, as a fellow Carolina girl, Woodson Harvey's beach setting makes me wish I was there and I want to be friends with all of their fun group. This one was an easy read and worth picking up!

My to be read pile is getting lighter with all the extra time I am being given. I just finished “Feels Like Falling” by Kristi Woodson Harvey.
Kristi Woodson Harvey has written such books as “Dear Carolina”, “Lies and Other Acts of Love”, “Slightly South of Simple” and “The Southern Side of Paradise”. She is the recipient of several accolades such as: Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Southern Living’s Best Spring Break Reads, Southern Independent Bookseller Association’s Okra Pick, Parade’s Big Fiction Reads Every Book Club Will Love, Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Reading Picks and many others.
Kristi Woodson Harvey is an alumnus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in journalism. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, and her son.
“Feels Like Falling” takes place in North Carolina. Since this is one of my favorite places ever, I was excited about the setting. The author did a great job of describing the settings so that I was able to picture the scenes. I loved the southern flair that was present in the setting and details.
The overall theme of the story is about finding yourself and living the life you are dealt. Sometimes plans aren’t what we make them, and we find ourselves staring down a different path.
The story focuses on two women, Gray Howard (I love her name) and Diana Harrington. These two women are as different as night and day. Gray is wealthy, Diana is homeless. Gray has been married, and is recently getting divorced, Diana has had a string of unhealthy relationships. However, at an incidental meeting, the two women become fast friends as Diana is employed by Gray as her maid.
My favorite character was Gray. I loved how she was able to let go of some of her “hangups” to be happy. She was able to let go of the hurt that her ex-husband caused her, preconceived notions of what she thought her life would be like, and her need to control everything.
Diana was a great character, I just felt like I couldn’t relate to her at all. She has gone from one guy to another, always looking for something she had but once lost.
I enjoyed reading this story, although, it took me a while to get into the story line. I felt like it was a little slow in the beginning but picked up once Gray found herself a serious love interest. I rooted for them throughout the story which made me become more invested in the story.
There are elements in the story that revolved around foster care, abortion, and adultery. This could be a trigger for a reader and I feel it is necessary to mention this.
The overall rating that I would give this book is a 3.5 out of 5. I enjoyed the storyline, and I would definitely read more books by Kristi Woodson Harvey.
“Feels Like Falling” has an May 1, 2020 publication date from Gallery Books. It can be purchased from amazon in Kindle format for $11.99, and paperback for $11.89.

You know that feeling when you read the first page of a book, settle down into your chair and go, "Yeah, this one's going to be great"?

Totally got the feeling from the opening lines of "Feels Like Falling". Kristy Woodson Harvey will do for the North Carolina coast what Elin Hilbebrand and Nancy Thayer have done for Nantucket. Her characters were real, enjoyable, and a little bitter - just the way I like my heroines.

And while Gray and Diana's stories may have wrapped up neatly in a bow; I think there's more with Quinn and Marcy so I'm smelling a sequel!!

This book is full of second chances, finding true love, sisterhoods and humor.

Told from two point of views- Gray and Diana- you learn that it is quite possibly that things fall apart, so better things can come together. That your friends become your family when you need them the most. That love isn’t always what you expect, and it really comes to you when you least expect it.

It is the perfect beach read. If you are a fan of Mary Kay Andrews or Elin Hilderbrand- you will love this.

Gray and Diana, two women from completely opposite walks of life fill Feels Like Falling with a great story full of friendship, everything Southern, finding our place in the world and finding our tribe.

I love Kristy Woodson Harvey's work. You can always count on her for uplifting women's fiction that just plain outright makes you feel good. With the world the way it is with Covid19, I needed a read like this.

If you like any of the things I mentioned above, pick this book up and snuggle down to enjoy yourself.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for allowing an ARC at my request. This review and all thoughts are my own.

This book is fantastic! Definitely add this to your summer TBR list! This is not your average summer beach read. The characters have life, depth, and maturity, along with plenty of authentic feelings, attitude, and struggles. It's a fun read - plenty of summer love, girlfriend bonding, beach, drinks, and snark - that also has heart and touches on serious topics like homelessness, foster care, divorce. It handles those topics with care while remaining light and perfect for the beach or poolside. You will be entertained while you think and feel and learn. I will absolutely be recommending this one to anyone asking what to read this summer!!