When It Falls Apart by Catherine Bybee did not disappoint. This is an emotional story dealing with the trials and tribulations of families, feelings of abandonment, trust issues, and more. Brooke is dealing with her father after suffering a stroke. She leaves Seattle and moves both of them to San Diego in order to be closer to each other. Luca is a single dad, living in one of the apartments above the family restaurant. Having his family on site helps him to raise his daughter, making her a top priority in his life. When Luca’s mother rents their spare apartment to Brooke, Luca isn’t sure he wants an outsider in such close proximity. This is a heartwarming story emphasizing the love of family and the importance of helping each other. I loved the story and look forward to more.

What an emotional read! It's pretty heavy in the beginning and I just felt so much for what Brooke was going through. I couldn't help but put myself in her shoes and wonder how I would have handled things. I was at a loss and that made me feel so much more for her plight.

I was glad for Luca and his family as they came into the picture, not only to give some light to this story, but also to see Brooke have something good in her life. You do get a bit more drama with the situation with Luca's daughter but to me, that was good drama. It really showed how good Brooke would be for Franny and how much she was what she needed.

Like most stories, you get invested with every chapter you read, and the ending is what really made me fall completely in love. I admit, I wanted to see more of that ending. It did end in a way to make me think there will be a book 2 for the sister, so I can't wait for that, but also to see more of Luca, Brooke and Franny.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley for an honest review. This is different from the 2 previous series of Bybee.. The characters are more mature, and have their share of personal trauma or resilience. As I follow Catherine Bybee on Facebook I was wondering how much of Brooke’s story was close to the author’s chapter after chapter. I discovered the extent through the acknowledgments..
There is a lot of tenderness and the happy ending is much needed in this story. I was afraid that Luca wouldn’t be hero material enough for me but I appreciate here and there sometimes a hero with just a big heart. And an Italian cook beats any miltary hero anytime..

Thank you to Netgally for an ARC in exchange for my review. I love this author and I think have read all her books, this one did not disappoint. The story follows Brooke, who moves to San Dieggo following a break up to have a fresh start and be nearer her sick father. There she meets Luca who has his own baggage but they soon overcome this. As well as the traditional romance the story covers themes of elder care and complicated family dynamics when marriages break down. The romance element felt a bit rushed but I really enjoyed this story and like the move back to more traditional romance after a few thriller style books. I'm hoping this is the start of a new series about the D'Angelos and look forward to reading more. Highly recommended.

This is a great book. The two main characters are Brooke and Luca. Brooke has just broken up with her boyfriend and her father is going to need to go in assisted living. Brooke decides to have a fresh start for her father and herself, she decides on San Diego. Luca is the chef at the family’s Italian restaurant, Brooke decides to have lunch there and meets Luca. There is a mutual attraction. They each have trust issues because of her father and his daughter but together they work them out and fall in love.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book. A beautiful story about love, family and forgiveness, I loved Brooke and Luca together! I gave it 4 stars because the ending felt a little rushed. I cannot wait to read the future books in the series.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
We meet Brooke at a time she is trying to take care of her father long distance and she is on the verge of realizing her boyfriend does not love and care for her the way he should.
Brooke helps her father deal with not being able to live on his own and Joe is as stubborn as they come. She realizes both may need a fresh start and they move to the San Diego area.
Brooke meets Luca and family and ends up renting an apartment above their restaurant. Just as Brooke and Luca realize the attraction and love they have for one another his ex shows back up. Brooke and Luca’s relationship will be tested.
Great read and I did not want to put it down. Hope to read more from this author.

I love all of Catherine Bybee’s books but this has to be my favorite. I loved this book!! Luca and Brooke were so awesome together and I loved Franny!! The whole family dynamic was fantastic. The D’Angelo family was so close-knit and loving and then there was Brooke who had never had a real family. Having a father who left her when she was so young and then growing up and taking care of him when he was sick showed you how compassionate and forgiving Brooke was. All the problems that Brooke and Luca came across just showed you how strong their love was for each other. They could handle anything as long as they had each other. I did not want to put this book down until it was finished. When you were done reading this book, it just leaves you in a very happy and peaceful mood. Thank you Catherine for such a wonderful book. Cannot wait to see which D’Angelo you write about next!

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5.0
First a couple of warnings:
1) This book is as much women's fiction as it is romance. For those used to this author's light romances or exciting Romantic Suspense offerings, this will be a bit of a change - albeit a lovely one.
2) I know this author personally and can testify that many of the events in this story are not only true but actually much kinder than real-life. Ms Bybee did a fantastic job of painting a realistic story while allowing it to keep it's beauty.

That said, enjoyment of the story, itself, will largely depend on how deep one wants to consider the themes it portrays. It can be a light, sweet read about life and finding love again, against the realities of living... Or, it can be meaningful look at the deeper issues of abandonment, elder care and unconditional love, what makes a true family, and so many other themes that resonate with every single one of us on some level. It is superbly portrayed and achingly real.

The romance did seem a bit rushed, but given the immensity of the topics so eloquently explored, it really wasn't a problem. The strong family and support the couple intrinsically give each other is such a delight, that even the quickness of the love seems perfectly believable.

I loved the idea of this novel. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my hopes. While it's a great story, parts felt forced and the ending felt rushed. It's still a great novel that sometimes things in life need to go a whole lot of wrong in order to go right.

There is plenty of heart and family in this book, and what happens when relationships with parents are not only hard but heartbreaking. It hits very close to home. No one has a perfect family. I loved the dialogue and the setting, and who can resist a loud Italian family. I really enjoyed this book. This is my first time reading Catherine Bybee and it won't be the last. I'll look forward to the next book in The D'Angelo series. Highly recommend.

It’s like Christmas when we get a new Catherine Bybee book. Add that it’s a new series and it is icing on the cake. The D’Angelos patriarch and mother takes Brooke under her wing and with an Italian mother’s meddling knows that Brooke is right for her son Luca. Catherine writes her books weaving the tale of her characters lives so that I always feel I am right there, whether it be happiness or tears. This book was no exception. What Brooke goes through with her dad, the emotions knowing he can’t live independently and the support given by the D’Angelo’s and her support for Luca and his daughter Fanny was amazing. I wish for my own mama D’Angelo and a happily ever after.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to it hopefully being the beginning of a new series. Totally recommend.

I have a few books by this author and she consistently delivers a solid story. This book is no exception. The portions of the story that dealt with issues around care for an elderly parent really resonated - a challenging topic, but I really liked the focus on the care giver's stresses.
Notes in the afterword revealed the author's own experiences with this and I think that gave that part of the story a lot of weight.
The romance felt like a subplot - no quibbles about that, although the ex resurfacing felt a little "extra".
Solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy to review. Opinions here are my own.

A fresh start in a new city was what Brooke Turner needed after her father fell ill and needed more support than she could offer. She landed in San Diego renting an apartment above a lovely Italian restaurant owned by the D’Angelo family. Luca D’Angelo, the family’s oldest son and a single dad, is skeptical of a stranger renting this apartment with his young daughter Franny in the wings.

Brooke and Luca’s worlds are turned upside-down as they work through complex family dynamics, tough relationship histories and budding love.

This was the perfect quick read - I almost forgot that it was set in San Diego with all of the delicious Italian food and family culture. I am ready for a sequel to see what happens next.

I absolutely loved this book! When Brooke's father ends up in the hospital again it confirms her feelings that her relationship with her boyfriend is over. He is not supportive of Brooke while she is helping her dad and more worried about his upcoming trip for his travel blog. After realizing things need to change in order for her dad to get the medical help he needs she breaks up with her unsupportive boyfriend and moves her father into an assisted living facility. Needing to be closer to the facility and for a fresh start Brooke moves and end's up in in a new town and living on the 4th floor of the D'Angelos home and restaurant. Luca is one of the 3 D'Angelo siblings and is also a single father to outspoken cute little Franny. This loving Italian family instantly takes to Brooke and becomes the family she never had. I will not give any spoilers as to how Brooke and Luca's story plays out but trust me when I say it is beautiful. This was my first book by Catherine Bybee and it will not be my last. The details in this book and the way she Catherine writes really made me feel like I knew the characters. Along with Brooke and Luca you will meet the D'Angelo mother, brother Gio, Sister Chloe, Brooke's dad and other family and friends. This is book 1 in this series but hopefully we will get a book 2 with Chloe and Dante.

Catherine Bybee’s When It Falls Apart is a fast read full of family, heart, laughter and love. I was so glad to learn this was the first in a series about the D’Angelo family. Although you are introduced to Brooke (who is NOT a member of the D’Angelo family) first, her connection to them is quickly established.
A heart warming story about how there is possibility after some major life events, such as a father’s illness and divorce.
All of the characters were well thought out. Their relationships with each other, while complicated, are enjoyable. The setting is Little Italy in San Diego just makes me want to travel there even more.
As Brooke makes a major life decision and says goodbye to one part of her life, she quickly meets Luca, a single father, and his daughter. Their love story truly is a fairy tale, but still has challenges. Luca’s family is most important to him, and their love and loyalty shine through. The quickly embrace Brooke and her father.

This is truly a book I didn’t want to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC of this book. I truly enjoyed it and HIGHLY recommend adding this to your TBR list!

I received an ARC of, When It Falls Apart, by Catherine Bybee. Life is not easy as the characters in this knows. Brooke Luca and his family are great characters, Relationships in families are not always easy, or pleasant. This was a fairly pleasant book.

This is a beautifully written story dealing with parent/child relationships, feelings of abandonment, trust, acceptance, letting go, and moving on. It is bittersweet and emotional, filled with love, laughs and tears. I loved it! I look forward to the next books in the series.

This is one of the most touching books I have ever read and the fact Ms. Bybee shared so much of her own experiences makes it that much more powerful.

Brooke had a rough childhood with no contact with her father until she was a teen, and even then it wasn't much. She carried the after-effects into her adult life, leading to massive trust and insecurity issues but now she was also expected to care for her ailing parent and she was having a hard time with his demands. The positive side was it also gave her greater insight into how those types of experiences affected other children. Luca was very family-oriented but had also been burned by his ex-wife, who allegedly decided she was ready to be a mother to the daughter she abandoned several years earlier. Together, Brooke and Luca supported each other through their respective family issues and developed their own special relationship. This was such a heartwarming story and I highly recommend it.
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