Britta and Wes start like all online dating romances start...except they aren't on an online dating platform. They are on a fitness app, and Britta is a journalist working on an article about Wes's companies app. However, neither of them know each other's precarious positions until it's essentially too late. Their flirtation is kind, caring, funny and the support they give each other is so heartwarming.
This book is perfect for contemporary romance or chick-lit lovers that enjoy witty banter, body positive messages, and a little bit of steam. If you have a patron who enjoyed Denise Williams "How to Fail at Flirting" or maybe someone who is reluctant because of the heaviness of "HTFAF" they will enjoy this - it's a little lighter, with a few heavy elements on the backstory. Trigger warnings would be child of addict, abandonment, and fat shaming.
Great read, great message, warm feelings.
Thanks for the ARC!

Denise Williams is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her debut novel "How to Fail at Flirting" was one of my favorite reads last year and when I got the opportunity to read an advance copy of her new novel, I jumped for joy!

The Fastest Way to Fall was full of so many positive messages, a cute romance and a sense of being. I loved how the main character was already pretty happy with herself and when she got this opportunity to write about testing out a fitness app, she didn't make it about losing weight or needing to be skinny to feel better about herself. I really feel like so many readers will feel more confident about themselves and feel like they too can workout to just feel better physically than to just lose weight and appease to today's standards. Especially when a cute guy that has no judgy motives will cheer them on!

If you're looking for a cute romance that will make you feel butterflies, maybe tear up a bit and possibly get your in the mood for a run then you should read this book! But honestly, it was so body positive it made me super happy.

<----Spoilers---->

Britta is whitty and knows how to write a killer piece to bring in an audience. She never downplayed her appearance or never let the reader know she wasn't plus sized. I enjoyed being inside of her head and reading about how she is confident in herself even though she had a few bumps in the road. (Don't we all?) Her journey with fitness really resinated with me because I went through a similar transformation with myself and fitness.

The way Wes talks, really made me love him instantly. How he would ask how Britta was doing and how her workouts made her feel. Never judged her eating habits and just encouraged her to do small little improvements. It is nice to read about since so many people out there have to deal with people telling you to put the burger down or go for a run every once in a while. I hope his character made people feel safe and that there could be someone out there for them like that.

Her friendship with Wes was very obvious in the beginning that it would become something more. Their back and forth cute little remarks and jokes felt natural. I enjoyed reading about it as it grew into something more and how he was such a good influence on her. The ending made me tear up a little and I really wanted to keep reading about their cute little life together.

I can't wait for Denise Williams next novel because you know I will be picking it up!

hank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Another favorite adult rom-com added to my list! I adored Denise Williams’ previous novel, How to Fail at Flirting when I read it earlier this year and was beyond excited to read Wes and Britta’s story in The Fastest Way to Fall. One of the aspects of Denise Williams’ storytelling is how she is able to balance discussions of such important topics with the actual romance plot. In this book, there were discussions of substance abuse and addiction, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and body shaming, which were thoughtfully handled. I LOVED the body positivity in this book! Seeing Britta on the cover and reading about her journey to feel good in her body was so incredible. Denise Williams has always been amazing with her representation in the past and I was glad to see it portrayed so well in this book too!

I think overall, I enjoyed The Fastest Way to Fall better than How to Fail at Flirting, mainly because we got a dual-POV from both Britta and Wes. In How to Fail at Flirting, we only had a sole POV from Naya and that made me feel like I wasn’t that connected to Jake as a character (loved their cameos in this book, though!). However, with the dual-POV in this book, we really got to see both Britta and Wes’s feelings for each other develop and it made their relationship seem so much more genuine. The slowburn and tension between the two was also drawn-out really well and made the climax and resolution so much more satisfying. I think I just adored the romance in this book so much more, too. Wes is so incredibly sweet and supportive of Britta every step of her journey. The romance has so many tropes that I adore too, including the one-bed trope and the guy-falls-first trope.

I easily gave this book 5 stars and I’m so excited for everyone to read The Fastest Way to Fall when it comes out this November!

One of the best things about romance is the suspended reality of the moment you fall for someone. Against all odds, opposites attract, and all that. But when reality catches up with you and your perfect match puts both your careers in jeopardy, you've had to (kinda) lie about why you connected, and the internet tries to break you up? Britta and Wes find courage in facing their mistakes and their insecurities. A couple swoon-worthy declarations later, the typical tropes play out in reality in a fresh and empowering way. One of those love stories you file away to remember always.

In the world of romance novels, things can get a little predicable. Most follow the same path of exposition, setup, action, conflict, and resolution in favor of our main characters that requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. And we as romance readers, despite whatever we may say, expect the writer to stick to that path. I go into every romance novel knowing this and ask myself, "How, if in any way, will this book be different?"
"The Fastest Way to Fall" is different. Other people will say it's different because we have a main character who is Black, fat, knows it, and loves it. That's what might initially set this book apart. But, this book is different because Denise Williams is actually a good writer.
Williams, just like in her precursor to this book "How to Fail at Flirting," follows the same basic romance novel outline, but does so in a way that is uniquely hers. She has a wonderful flow and voice to her writing that engages you from the outset and genuinely feels different between characters. Britta and Wes, our protagonists, are fleshed out, and I understand their choices even if I don't agree with them sometimes.
The author's note in the beginning set the tone for the novel, and it inserted an extra sense of heart into the story I was being told.
It's a great read by itself and a wonderful tie-in to her first novel. If romance novels are something you enjoy, you're going to have a good time with "The Fastest Way to Fall."

Denise Williams just has a way with words that will capture your heart.

I want to start off by saying that I loved how the author incorporated content warnings at the very beginning of the book and resources for help at the end of the book. This book talks about alcoholism, substance abuse, parental neglect, disordered eating, eating disorders, fat shaming/ body shaming.

Wes and Britta were special. Their easy and funny banter will have you swooning for these two. Denise Williams writes banter in a way that feels so natural and she truly has a talent for writing funny banter which will have you cracking up. This is kind of a slow burn and reading it from both POV’s makes it even slower I think because you’re going through both of their emotions. I wouldn’t have it any other way though cause to really fall in love with Britta and Wes you need to read both their POV’s.

As I mentioned above, there are some hard topics covered and I think Denise incorporated these into her novel with a lot of care and respect. Britta is so many of us who have been made feel less than because of our bodies and her character truly hit home for me. Britta is the kind of strong female protagonist I love.

This book will capture your whole heart! I hope you’re ready!

For my steamy readers - there’s a ton of sexual and emotional tension and a bit of Steam. I did think the steam was written very well there just wasn’t a ton of it but the scenes that were steamy were open door.


For those who have read …. Kelsey?! Ugh!!!

I enjoyed this story. I really like stories when the main female character is relatable, and in this one she is. I thought the slow build of the relationship was also enjoyable. I will definitely read more of this author's work.

Absolutely loved the body positive message of this one, and the characters are *chef's kiss* wonderful! (Well, except for the antagonist, but she's supposed to be awful and she does that very well.) I finished this one and immediately checked my ereader, and yep! I have a copy of her debut book, so guess what I'm reading now? ;)

(My only real complaint is--with how open and chatty Britta is with everything else about exercise/being active/being comfortable in your clothes and body, how is it she never once talks about the impact of running on her chest? Did she just manage to have that magic, elusive, super supportive and comfy sports bra in her wardrobe already when she suddenly took up running? Inquiring minds who also own large chests want to know, because gravity is a b*tch, people!)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

4.5

super refreshing looks at both love and fitness, and i think the only ones we should be preaching.

#netgalley

This book is so important, and just so spectacular. There's so much love in this book, and it's not just romantic love (although that's pretty awesome). There's friendship, and acceptance, and loving yourself and all of your imperfections. A must read!