A light hearted quick read, there are serious topics in it with the stalking aspect but I felt it was appropriate with how it was represented. Seth and Gabe were golden retrievers in all aspects and just lovely. Even though it was novella length and a quick read the story didn’t feel rushed or incomplete.

3.75🌟
No spice
Forced proximity novella. An interesting story built around the “man or bear” question that was all over social media. Sweet relationship growth for such a short amount of time.

I’m shocked at how invested I can get in only 80 pages. In true Jimenez style, The Fall Risk is sweet, funny, reflective and with just the right emotional punch.

I would have eagerly inhaled a full length version of Charlotte and Seth’s story. However this short form also satisfies, and is so rich in narrative that I didn’t feel anything was missing.

A warm and delightful read, this is perfect for anyone looking for a palate cleanser, a pick me up, or for those looking for a fix whilst waiting for Jimenez’s next book!

Thank you Amazon Original Stories for this arc. Opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. It was short and sweet, full of humor and seriousness. I love the forced proximity trope. This gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings. I would love a spin off story to dig into the dynamic of the best friends as well. Thanks for another fantastic read.

I’m not a rom-com kind of reader so I’ve steered clear of Abby Jimenez, despite seeing her books everywhere and being tempted each time. Thanks to Netgalley for the free e-copy of The Fall Risk.

This was a CUTE short story I blasted through in about 35 minutes and it was FUNNY!! Seth was such a cutie with his tree jokes. Often with short stories I just don’t feel like there was enough to feel emotionally invested, and while the ending of this wrapped up really quickly, I do feel satisfied.

Always like Abby Jimenez's stories, believable characters in a realistic settings, this could have been a full book, wanted to see and hear from all four of the characters

A short romance story with a twist, two neighbours decide to turn their Valentine’s Day around. One has a stalker and the other is recently divorced. I thought this would be a cute, cozy, romance read but I was wrong. The whole stalker thing was creepy. I also found the very frequent use of the f word and other swear words unnecessary and honestly ruined the book for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own

A Delightfully Hilarious, Bite-Sized Rom-Com with a Twist - The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

It’s been a long time coming, but I finally read my first Abby Jimenez romance—The Fall Risk—and I’m officially sold. I’ve been on a rom-com hiatus for a while, but this charming, laugh-out-loud novella reminded me exactly why I used to love them.

Coming in at under 100 pages, The Fall Risk is a quick, deliciously entertaining forced proximity romance with a side of suspense (because, surprise—there’s a stalker). Over the course of one eventful weekend, Charlotte (an armed and lethally trained accountant) and Seth (a tree-loving botanist with an A+ sense of humor) find themselves stuck together… literally. Turns out, when your apartment building staircase disappears, you’re in for some unexpected bonding time.

Why you need this in your life:
- Forced Proximity – Stuck on their landing with no way out. ("Where did the staircase go?")
- Hilarious secondary characters – And yes, they get their own HEA!
- Nerdy tree jokes & innuendo – Who knew botany could be so flirty?
- Endearing & fun banter – The kind that makes you grin from ear to ear.

As for steam, this one keeps it sweet with on-the-page kisses and nothing beyond that. Definitely tamer than my usual reads, but honestly? It was so utterly delightful (stalker situation aside) that I didn’t mind one bit.

The Fall Risk landed on March 1, 2025.
If you love your rom-coms short, snappy, and sprinkled with a bit of chaos, I highly recommend grabbing this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Abby Jimenez, and Amazon Original Stories for the advanced reader copy.

#ForcedProximity #RomanceNovellas #RomanceBooks #RomanceNook #AbbyJimenez #TheFallRisk #NetGalley

I will read anything by Abby Jimenez. This short story is perfect and sweet. Quick reads like this are the perfect palate cleanser between books. Definitely give this one a try.
4 stars!

This was my first Abby Jimenez and I loved it so much!! This would have made such a good full length novel but it was perfect in novella form too. Charlotte and Seth end up in forced proximity when the stairs to their apartment building are accidentally removed and they’re stuck on the second floor together. Charlotte has been a bit of a recluse for the past couple years because her stalker is still walking free and she lives in fear of being found.

This book does a great job of handling the serious subject of violence against women and what men are allowed to get away with while also showing how strong women can be. It also manages to be absolutely hilarious and romantic in between. Charlotte and Seth stole my heart in 82 short pages. This may have been my first Abby but it will definitely not be my last!

Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No because I don't understand HOW a short story like this held so much meaning and depth in the span of not-so-many pages. Yes it was short but Seth and Charlotte's story felt complete and that's all that matters.

somehow Abby Jimenez can make you completely fall in love in 80 pages.

I AM THE FALL RISK, IT'S ME.

This author knows how to do characters.

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Jimenez's last two novels, and will probably stick with audio going forward. She makes stylistic choices that can feel stilted and repetitive to me. That being said, I read this short story in two sittings (separated by sleep), which isn’t common for me at the moment!

What a clever little novella!

I loved the integration of Seth's profession and passion for being an arborist through so much of the story. Charlotte's situation is not an easy one, and he stepped up big time to help her feel safe and supported when he learned of it.

I also loved the sidekick love interests that ran parallel to Seth and Charlotte's story. It really reminded me of the movie Failure to Launch and just made me smile so much.

I can't imagine it's easy to write a story this robust and emotional in such a small amount of pages, and though I thought the main plotline was a little underwhelming in the finale, this did a great job of delivering a great story.

If you only have an hour or two on a weekend to indulge in reading, this is the perfect story to get your reading mojo restarted!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m in loveeeeee with Seth and Charlotte!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Why was this so short? It was a quick and cute read.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!!!


Ps: The stalker part gave me chills and I don’t know how but the story was wrapped up perfectly for a short story.

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Abby, you’re the best lol

4.5/5 rounded down

One of my very rare highly rated contemporary romances, and my first Abby Jimenez at that.

After a construction mishap leaves Charlotte, a woman in self-imposed isolation, and Seth a very recent divorcee trapped in their apartments on Valentine's day weekend, sparks start to fly.

This was exactly what you want out of a rom-com. Fast paced, sweet and hilarious to boot. I only wish this was longer and we got more from the retirement home ladies and their bonsais.

Actually refreshing to have such a short romance novella not just be a spice fest. Does the plot happen in a very short space of time and is parts of it a little unrealistic? Sure. But it's not like they're saying I love you straight away. It's sweet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

This is a cute story! I loved the whole forced proximity situation and that when it came down to it, Charlotte was capable of protecting herself!

First of all - Content Guidance from the author:
All my books are rom-coms, but I do like to include more serious topics within them that some may find triggering. If you feel trigger warnings are spoilers, feel free to skip the next paragraph. Everyone else, see below. This story is about a woman who is being stalked by a mentally ill stranger. There are mentions of suicide, kissing cousins, and discussions about firearms for the purpose of self-defense.

I'm a huge fan of Abby Jimenez and the book cover totally got my attention. When I read the blurb, I was even more intrigued.
The combination of romantic comedy with a more serious topic? I didn't even know I could like it that much.

Charlotte and Seth are neighbours who lost their stairs at home. Sounds funny, but it's the truth.
Both try to make the best of it over the weekend... but there's still the problem with Charlotte's stalker.

This story was absolutely enjoyable, funny, but also really emotional.
I instantly fell in love with Seth.
Oh my, this guy is an arborist, kinda shy, but also really really cuuuuute. What he did for Charlotte to make her feel better... *SWOON OVERLOAD*
And Charlotte? I felt with her! Well, I don't how it is to deal with a stalker. I can only imagine how horrible it is. 😔

I liked this cute but also serious short story really much.

Thanks a lot to Abby Jimenez and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

Seth and Charlotte deserve the world (and a whole book about their happily ever after).

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is the only short story ever that I’ve rated 5⭐️.. it was sooo cute I loved it!

This coming from someone who rarely dabbles in the romance genre is high praise.

The characters were genuine and interesting, there was no annoying miscommunication tropes and no third act break up.. just adults having real honest healthy conversations and being adorable human beings

Thank you to Amazon original stories for the gifted copy!