Be prepared to fall in love with two awesome families, quirky characters, and even a parrot who is the comic relief in many scenes.

Lots of action and living and learning are happening in the small town of Star Falls, Sonoma County. HE FALLS FIRST is action-packed with life in this town, and Jill Shalvis has once again created a mass of unforgettable characters.

Life is not always easy, and this is the ongoing theme of this book. The lesson, though, is rather simple. It’s imperative that we keep on living the best life possible and have confidence in ourselves. Truly a difficult one to learn and manage.

There are many ways that people cope with their life situations, and in HE FALLS FIRST we are front- seat to the drama that follows people’s lives. Some are within our power to straighten out, and others hold great power over us. And here is the great challenge to the amazing characters in this story.

Simply put, we have a family that has seen its share of sorrow and pain and has now managed to create a thriving business even though their personal lives are still floundering. That would be the Colburn siblings. Brought up rather roughly by a temperamental, controlling father who candidly ruled his family with an iron fist. Three brothers and a sister who assumed roles. The burden often falls on the eldest son, Ryder.

Self-worth is also a classic issue with those who make mistakes and then just can’t get out of the rut that seems to surround them. That would be the case with Penny, who feels unable to trust her decisions and choices.

In HE FALLS FIRST, we have a front seat to some of the best character interaction and, dare I say, growth. Penny has taken on the responsibility of watching out for her younger brother, grandmother, and a man with some mental disabilities. Her dream of owning and operating a restaurant or café is on the back burner for now. Just maintaining a stable life has become her destiny. Her biggest challenge is trust and a big hit on her self-worth. Ryder has also wound up the self-appointed ruler of the roost. His family has had its share of hard knocks, and he seems to think he can shoulder most, if not all, of them.

Classic Jill Shalvis giving the reader a front seat to lots of action and self-evaluation, and dare we hope love and a successful conclusion. Penny is a mix of anxiety, trust issues, and a bit of hero worship, all wrapped up with a heart of gold. Ryder is busy keeping herds on his truly adorable family group, complete with snarky brotherly love. HE FALLS FIRST is the first installment in this prolific author’s newest series centered around the Colburn brothers. Not absolutely necessary to read the three-book series in any order, but it is fun to watch the ongoing antics of some wonderful characters.