“I will never fall again.” Landry Hutton and Callum Shaw both promised themselves that. Their hearts have been trampled by bad relationships, and they won’t let it happen again. But they never could have anticipated the plans God had—and how tragedies and danger would bring them together. Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn features a deep story with warm, kind characters. It also, however, demonstrates the evils of humanity, the devastations of a twisted mind, and the heartbreaking impacts “good Christians” can have.

After three years as artist-in-residence at The Haven, Landry is ready to build a dream home for herself and her daughter. She hires SPQ Construction for the project, working closely with former Marine Callum Shaw to turn her dreams into reality. They promise to maintain a platonic friendship, as they don’t want to risk losing even that relationship. A suspicious fire changes priorities…and their hearts. They have hard conversations. They don’t always get along, which I love. But they eventually come together so believably.

I can’t go deeply into some of my comments above without revealing spoilers. But Never Fall Again hurt my heart regarding a certain character’s history with the church. I think it’s safe to say we all probably know the cookie-cutter Christians. The ones who profess God’s love, who act welcoming and as ambassadors for Christ inside the auditorium. But you see them outside of Sunday mornings, and their behavior seems to juxtapose their professed faith. I know these Christians; in fact, I know many of them. Never Fall Again shines a light at this sad reality, a light which desperately needed to be ignited.

My only complaint about Never Fall Again: For me, the antagonist’s development lacked something. I guessed the identity early on, but the motives weren’t clear enough. Even now that I’ve finished the book, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it. Fires. Guns. Bombs. Threatened lives. Blackburn’s book has a great build-up. But in the end, my reaction to the antagonist was “meh, okay.”

“Never fall again.” It can have multiple meanings. Callum and Landry go from “I will never fall in love” to “I will never again fall alone.” They promise to pick each other up, to support and protect. To be a family. They put aside their misgivings to embrace the love between them. Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn is a heartfelt work of fiction that will leave readers satisfied, yet also hungry for the second book of her “Gossamer Falls” series.

Award-winning author Lynn Blackburn pens a new romantic suspense series set in Gossamer Falls, North Carolina, a small town at the foot of the mountains.

In Never Fall Again, artist-in-residence Landry Hutton hires former Marine Callum Shaw to build her new home in Gossamer Falls, never expecting to encounter threats to her property and person. Can Cal protect Landry and her daughter? Can they build a future together,and uncover the person behind the malicious destruction before it is too late?

Blackburn is well-known for creating a story world filled with realistic characters, descriptive narrative, faith elements, a clean romance, and a believable plot. Never Fall Again is no exception. The main difference between her earlier series and this one is the level of suspense. While not a high-adrenaline explosive plot, nevertheless, it is a mystery with twists, featuring two strong individuals with past heartaches, and a small-town family community. She lays the groundwork for the other books in this series, even the final pages introduce the reader to the next book.

Recommended for adult collections and fans of romantic suspense, especially fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey.

NOTE: Book reviews are my honest opinion of books I either purchased or received free from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. In this case, I received this copy as part of the Revell Reads blogger program. I am not required to write a positive review.

Never Fall Again was my first taste of by Lynn H. Blackburn’s writing. She is a master at pulling in a diverse set of characters and making you feel for the leads in the story. The story perfectly incorporated Landry’s backstory without weighing down the narrative, but also helped move the plot. I really, really liked her interaction with Cal. All fathers should love and dote on little girls the way Callum showed affection to Eliza. Lan’s misunderstanding about if he could like a woman with a daughter and his response was a nice touch to the book.

Blackburn’s side characters held their own, but I am sooo ready for Mo and Bronwyn’s second chance. I’m drawn to second chances and the mystery of why she pushed him away is all I need in a story.

I would recommend this story for anyone who loves series, because you’ll want to get to know everyone in Gossamer Falls. Book one concludes with a happy ending and also includes a preview of the next story.

Congratulations to the author on their new series venture. A new town. A new mystery. And new characters for readers to adore.

Never Fall Again is great for fans of contemporary, slow burn romance, inspirational, single mother romance, military drama, diverse characters, Christian fiction, whodunnits, mysteries, and faith.

I received this book through Net Galley and was not required to give a positive review.

Author Lynn H. Blackburn brings the mountains of North Carolina alive in a brand new release and the first book in her Gossamer Falls series, Never Fall Again. Readers are transported to a small town where family is both friend and enemy, friends are family and new beginnings are happening.

HIGHLIGHTS:
-Single Mom, Pottery Artist Heroine with a Dark Past
-Former Marine, Construction Business Owner Hero
-A Darling Five Year Old Girl
-A Sweet Golden Retriever
-A Small Town and Mountainside Retreat Setting
-Taking a Risk on Love Again

While reading this story my personal affinity for the mountains of N. Carolina grew. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and strong elements of family, roots and heritage woven into this novel.

It took me until about two-thirds of the way through the novel to become truly invested in this story, but the growing relationship between Callum “Cal” Shaw and single-mom, Landry Hutton, was what kept me coming back for more. Cal is a worthy hero with heartache holding him from risking his heart to love again, so the redemption, love and second chance for him was rewarding. He won me over and I enjoyed the way he cared for Landry and her young daughter, Eliza. The secondary characters were all fantastic, as well with their own backstories that sparked my interest.

There’s a beautiful element of found family in this story that was perhaps the most important factor for me. With subtle threads of faith and sweet family members who go out of their way to welcome Landry into their fold, I felt the book spoke volumes of southern hospitality and mountain families.

I found the suspense in this story to be mild compared to others by this author and for the genre, making this read more like a romance. Nonetheless, there was a subtle hint of apprehension, or expectation, that I liked.

Overall, a great, standalone read for readers who enjoy mountain settings, sweet romance, a hint of suspense and wonderful stories of hope, new beginnings and family.

Content and Trigger Warnings: Past-trauma from abusive relationship (light). Stalking.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

I was immediately hooked by this first book in the Gossamer Falls series set in North Carolina! Landry Hutton is a widow who survived a bad marriage with her young daughter and doesn't want to be found by her in-laws so lives inside the locked exclusive resort, managed by her best friend, where she gives art classes and sells her pottery. When mysterious things begin happening in her studio and the art shop, Landry must find shelter elsewhere. I loved how former Marine Callum Shaw and his extensive extended family are ready to protect Landry and her daughter. You will love this book with suspense and romance but, after bad experiences in their past, will Callum and Landry be able to trust again? I recommend Never Fall Again to others. I received a complimentary e-book from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

"Never Fall Again" by Lynn H. Blackburn sets the stage for an enthralling series, introducing readers to the captivating characters of Gossamer Falls, a small town rife with longstanding family rivalries. Landry Hutton, striving to remain anonymous in a community where everyone knows each other's business, finds herself targeted by an unknown adversary and seeks refuge in Callum Shaw's assistance.
While not a high-action novel, the story immerses readers with its abundant red herrings and looming danger. I was prepared by another reader that it was not going to be as high action as her other novels and I am glad because I think it helped me enjoy it more knowing that this story was going to be more character driven. The story focuses on the burgeoning relationship between Callum and Landry, both grappling with past romantic scars. Blackburn expertly balances romance with suspense, culminating in an electrifying finale packed with twists and excitement, promising a fantastic series ahead.
The tale of Landry, a single mother facing threats, and Cal, a hero reluctant to engage romantically, unfolds as one of the finest romantic suspense narratives. The methodical build-up of suspense keeps readers on edge as they delve into the characters' backgrounds and the dangers they face, making the book utterly unputdownable.
As typical with Blackburn she creates dynamic and relatable characters like Mo, a tech-savvy individual with hidden depths. I cannot wait for his story! Landry's guarded heart and Cal's genuine kindness add depth to their evolving relationship. The slow-burn romance between them is both realistic and engaging, leaving readers rooting for their chance at love amidst the turmoil.
The well-paced plot, peppered with surprises and suspenseful moments, lays a solid foundation for what promises to be an engaging series. Overall, "Never Fall Again" delivers a compelling blend of romance, suspense, and faith, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

Author, Lynn H. Blackburn, delivers another amazing story with Never Fall Again. Taking readers to the picturesque setting of Gossamer Falls she sets up the series with a cast of characters with a deep but contentious relationship that had me fully invested on page one. The complexity of the plot was driven by the engagement of the characters and I think it made this story all the better for it. Truly, a fantastic read!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher and I was not obligated to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn sets the stage for what promises to be an amazing series. Readers get to meet the characters of Gossamer Falls, with longstanding family rivalries that makes me think of the Hatfields and Mcoys. In a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business, Landry Hutton tries to remain anonymous. But someone is out to get her, and she turns to Callum Shaw for help.

This story isn’t a high-action, full-speed-ahead on every page kind of novel (which I love), but that didn’t stop me from being totally engrossed in the story. With lots of red herrings and danger, the story focuses more on Callum and Landry. Both have past relationship issues to deal with, but everyone knows they were meant for each other. And, for all the suspense junkies out there, don’t worry, the ending is a doozy – it’s dripping with plot twists and excitement! Blackburn has a nice balance of romance with threads of danger woven tightly together throughout the story, propelling the reader to an epic finale. I think this is going to be a fantastic series!

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book transported me immediately to the beautiful setting of Gossamer Falls, captivated me and would not let me go. The story of Landry, a single mother who is threatened from an unknown source, and Cal, a hero who just wants to stay away from women, is one of the best I have read in romantic suspense. The suspense builds methodically as I was introduced to the characters and got to know more about the danger Landry and her young child Eliza faced. As the danger became more real, my heart was in my throat and this book was absolutely unputdownable. The characters were dynamic, relatable and lovable, if somewhat mysterious. One of my favorite characters is Mo, a man with a lot of secrets and a talent with technology that gets him into secret places with little effort. I also enjoyed meeting Landry, the young woman burned by love who is guarding her and Eliza’s hearts from being hurt again so she is not looking for a new relationship when she moves to Gossamer Falls. The developing friendship between Cal and Landry is realistic and engaging, with my cheering for them to step out and take a chance on love again. The process was fascinating to read and completely entertaining. I loved the suspense that was built into the story, with some really big surprises as Landry’s life and livelihood are attacked. This book is a fast-paced and well-written introduction to what I am sure will be an enthralling series. The author always does a wonderful and thorough job of research and I especially enjoyed the information about Cal’s contracting business and Landry’s pottery. All of the facts from their backgrounds contributed to my fascination with the edgy and brilliantly written tale with its clever twists and complex intrigue that kept the plot moving to a satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy because I enjoy this author’s books tremendously and collect them. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I was thrilled after diving into Lynn Blackburn's inaugural Gossamer Falls installment and I’m excited for what lies ahead.

Book one not only introduces readers to Gossamer Falls and the core characters, but also to Landry Hutton, a somewhat reclusive artist employed at an exclusive resort on Gossamer Falls' outskirts in North Carolina.

Feeling the call of community as her daughter approaches kindergarten, Landry decides to build her dream house. Enter Callum Shaw, an ex-Marine now engaged in his family's construction business, ready to construct Landry's envisioned home. However, their plans take an unforeseen turn when a fire devastates Landry's storefront and exquisite pottery, hinting at someone determined to shatter her dreams.

Amidst the riveting narrative, filled with action and mystery, a deeper story of second chances and the struggle to rebuild trust unfolds. Both Landry and Cal grapple with baggage from their pasts, making it challenging to move forward. The subtle crafting of the antagonist's identity kept me guessing or perhaps I was so engrossed in the story I just enjoyed the ride.

I'm definitely curious about the fates of other characters from Gossamer Falls and the family feud in this captivating world created by Blackburn. The blend of suspense, personal growth, and unforeseen twists promises a future of late night reading sessions.

I’d like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

OK, y'all, this is one of the best romantic suspense stories that I have read in a while! I love the characters-pretty much all of them, and I love the family dynamics in the 2 main families! Although the 2 main characters each have some issues, it doesn't drag on and on in their relationship like it does in some books. The story keeps you interested throughout the whole book. I already can't wait for the next book in the series!!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Never fall again,

New author for me.
Small town romance.
Like everyone knows everyone.
This one has some suspense.

It was a great storyline.
A mom who's out to protect what's hers.
At any cost..

I found this book hard to get into.
It took a bit but down the road somewhere I found it Interesting.
Small town books like small towns can be sweet.

Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn is so good. We get to start the adventure of this series in the small yet exciting town of Gossamer Falls. This small town full of family history has just enough everyone knows everyone but no one knows everything to keep the readers guessing. Landry Hutton and her 5yo Eliza have lived in this town quietly for 3 years. Life has finally evened out enough for them to put some stakes in the ground and the community, to truly make this quaint mountain town their home.
Enter Callum Shaw. Cal is part of the Shaw family who is part of the foundation of the town. But of course his family is at odds with some other foundational families. Because how you have a small town life without small town drama?
Cal is contracted to build Landry and Eliza's home. They find trouble is knocking at their door from the jump of their arrangements. The more they get to know each other the more trouble shows up. How can Cal guard his heart from this beautiful artist and her spit-fire daughter when they clearly need his help staying safe?
I really like this book and am so excited for this series. There's just enough adventure mixed in with the everyday ups and downs to keep readers engaged. This story is fun and exciting.
Thank you NetGalley and Revell for the opportunity to share my opinions regarding this book.

Never fall again was an okay read. The plot had some intriguing elements, and the characters were moderately engaging. However, I felt that the pacing was a bit uneven, and there were moments where the story seemed to drag. Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

What a great start to a new series by Lynn H. Blackburn! Never Fall Again had a little bit of everything, romance, humor, suspense, faith, and a whole bunch of endearing characters. It’s set in Gossamer Falls, North Carolina, a small resort town popular among celebrities that could be a piece of heaven, except for the underlying family feuds. Landry Hutton has just moved here with her small daughter Eliza hoping for a new start after her abusive husband’s death. As a talented potter at the Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of town, she’s managed to save enough money to build a home and hires one of the town’s favorite sons and former marine Cal Shaw to manage the construction. Someone though doesn’t want her to put down permanent roots. Could it be her former husband’s family, neighboring property owners, or someone else?

This book surprised me in a good way. I found myself fully drawn in to this small town with all the engaging, quirky residents and underlying tensions. I loved Cal’s grandma, Mo, Bronwyn, and Cal’s darling golden retriever Maisy. There’re a lot of people to keep track of at first, but I found things became clearer as the story progressed. Someone mentioned having a family tree at the beginning and I think that would be amazing, just to keep everyone straight.

Loved Cal and Landry! Both have past hurts making them leery of a relationship. I loved their slow burn romance and how it grew through shared experiences and service. Cal has a funny sense of humor and I loved seeing that throughout. Landry tends to get flustered around him and produces funny word salads as a result. Though attracted to him, she’s understandably hesitant and wants to put her daughter first. I loved Cal’s genuine kindness and how he and his family completely took Landry and Eliza in and made them feel instantly cared for.

The suspense is a slow burn mystery that really ratchets up at the end. I liked that the author took the time to lay the foundation of the series giving more insight into characters and family dynamics instead of just non-stop action. There’re instances of sabotage of Landry’s work and livelihood which build to an exciting, nail-biting conclusion. The suspect was a bit of a surprise with a few red herrings along the way. I also appreciated how faith was deftly woven in throughout the story.

Definitely recommend this to romantic suspense fans! Looking forward to the next book in the series! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!

Having read and being a fan of this author’s past work, I was expecting a bit more suspense in this story. For me, this felt more like a romance with a bit of suspense, than suspense with a bit of romance, which was what I had been expecting.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed this story and meeting all the various members of the Quinn family.

I could understand how both Landry and Cal, due to past hurts, made the decisions they had, but it was also fun to see how the heart knew and risked before their heads followed suit.

Sweet Eliza was an adorable 5-year-old, and I enjoyed all the fun scenes with her, especially with the grump Mo (whose story I desperately want to read).

The suspense did come at the end, and when it did, it was full force nail biting with a twisted mind behind everything.

I loved the dynamics of this book. Landry and her daughter have each other and that's enough. Until they are taken into fold of Cal's family. Everyone in this small town has connections which Landry was trying to avoid. Cal and Landry both have dissapointments with prior relationships and keep everything in the friend zone at first. As their feelings grow someone is destroying Landry's property. Things will take a dangerous turn and will have them fighting for their lives.

Pardon me for a minute while I just sit here and keep grinning over how much I loved this book. In fact, I haven’t stopped grinning besottedly since I finished reading Never Fall Again, and I’m not sure how in the world I’m going to wait for book two because I want to immediately be back with these characters.

Landry and her adorable daughter Eliza are immediately likable, and the blurry glimpses we’re given at first of their complex backstory just drew me in even further. I wanted to know what had happened to make Landry feel like she had to keep looking over her shoulder, and as the danger begins to ramp up in the second half of the book I was completely invested in figuring it out to keep them safe. (As though I could do anything to help her, considering she’s a fictional character in a book that’s already been written & not by me… but still LOL) Landry’s personality is engaging and warm, and my favorite moments were when she was teasing Cal and even through the pages you can picture her whole face lighting up.

And then there’s Cal …. blissful smitten sigh. Cal is a former Marine, baby of the family but all man, flirty, bighearted, and protective. Has a gorgeous smile (which he uses often) – “one that reached his eyes and hid nothing” – and loves Jesus, his dog (the fabulously sweet Maisy whom I also loved) & his family. His big, crazy, hilarious, boisterous, loving family who I fell head over heels with just as easily as I fell for Cal. One of my favorite types of romance heroes is the one who suddenly realizes that, despite his best intentions to the contrary, his heart is now completely spoken for. Oh how I adored watching that happen to Cal, watching him fight unsuccessfully against falling in love with Landry and Eliza only to concede defeat. (And I very much enjoyed his family and crew realizing it before he did.) Once his walls are down, have mercy! And this sentence – “Cal kissed like it was his mission and failure wasn’t an option” – still has me fanning.

Bottom Line: My first trip to Gossamer Falls, on the pages of Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn, is one that will have me coming back to visit again and again. I loved the main & supporting characters so much that I can’t quit smiling about them, the romance between Cal & Landry is all kinds of swoony, and the suspense (though it doesn’t ramp up until the last few chapters) is riveting. Blackburn brilliantly sets up the rest of the series by giving us hints of romantic tension & complicated histories for several of Cal’s extended family, and I can’t wait to see where these relationships go next. This will easily be one of my fave reads of 2024, and I highly recommend it for your next read, too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Never Fall Again, by Lynn H. Blackburn, opens with Landry Hutton meeting Calum Shaw. A close friend has recommended Cal to help Landry have a new home built for herself and her young daughter. Before they can move ahead on this project, Cal and Landry learn that The Haven, the location of Landry’s current home and workplace, is actually on fire and much of Landry’s pottery is being destroyed in the blaze!

Landry decides to put her house on hold until the destroyed store can be put back in operation. When a second attack takes place at the store, Landry realizes that someone devious is definitely at work!

All Landry wants is a safe place to raise her daughter. Hold tight as you discover what happens next and more importantly who is behind it all!

I read my first book by Author Lynn H. Blackburn, and it was fantastic! It had just the right balance of suspense and romance.

The main characters, Landry and Cal, had tragic pasts they were trying to heal from, which added depth to their slow-burn relationship. The progression from friendship to romance was so sweet as the two vulnerable people learned to take chances opening their hearts again. The supporting characters were numerous and enriched the narrative. Landry's daughter Eliza and her friend Abby were charming, while Cal's quirky family members were lovable. Maisy, Cal's loyal dog, was a delightful addition to the family dynamic.

The mystery surrounding the threatening troublemaker provided thrilling moments and a surprising resolution. Overall, the character-driven story of courage, love, and redemption concluded satisfyingly, leaving me eager to dive into book two of the series.