Enjoyable read with an interesting storyline and what felt like a respectful and authentic portrayal of a character struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. I did think Josh felt a little young (which, he was) and I struggled a bit with his immaturity and general outlook on life. I also found the veganism thing to just be... weird? unnecessary? random? I didn't understand why the character needed to be vegan and while I have zero problems with veganism, I have a lot of problems with the fanaticism and judgemental attitude that often goes hand in hand with it, which Josh did exhibit a couple of times and it really made it hard for me to personally connect with the character. And the scene with the rabbit and the fox actually made me angry--don't put your beliefs on fucking wild carnivorous animals, that is actively harmful. The relationship itself was generally enjoyable, and I did like the book, but not my favorite by this author.

This was a great book to read. I loved the story of Josh and Mark and how came to be together. Mark was a soldier who returned home from serving his country. He wanted peace and quiet from his family and moved to a little town to a small cabin in the woods. Painting houses and old jobs keeping him busy. The house he was working now for a elderly lady has him stuck with no help for him in sight. On his way home to his cabin he saw a figure on the side of the road with haunting eyes but he keeps driving.
Josh a young 18 year old living on the streets was determined to find his autumn leaves to find peace. On his traipsing around he'd heard of a place called the White Mountains which sounded perfect. He finally makes it there on a late snowy night and found a sheltered place under a bridge. A great read, which almost had me going for the tissues.

Beautiful

Falling Down was a beautiful, heartbreaking story, and I loved Josh and Mark. They were broken, and beautiful, and so good together.

My only complaint is that the end/HEA felt a bit abrupt to me. I'd have loved to see a bit of post-accident hurt/comfort and them getting their feet under them. Either way, it was a beautiful story.

Wonderful, Treat Yourself and Read This Story

When I read the blurb for this book I wasn't sure I wanted to read something this dark. I'm so glad I decided to get the book!

The story was wonderful, I chose to read it slowly savoring her wonderful phrasing, her words painted a perfect picture it feels like you're present during the romance she so skillfully builds.

It was a pleasure reading this well edited, well written book. You won't regret it!

Both of these men had trauma in their lives, centered around the death of someone important to them. I loved how they found each other and how they filled the holes in their hearts.

Josh had gotten to the point in his life, overcome with depression, that he felt he no longer wanted to go on. Going up to New England, with the expressed purpose of seeing the fall colors in honor of his mother, before just allowing himself to fall asleep in the snow, he is discovered by Mark, a veteran who was trying to carve out a life for himself as a house painter/handy man. Mark's big heart wouldn't let him walk away from Josh, and he took him home and gave him a job.

Even with the cloud of trauma that surrounded their hearts, I loved how both of them reached out for the other. I loved how they recognized the goodness in the other and tried to help each other accept that in themselves.

The climax of the story had me biting my fingernails, and I have to admit the tension was so overwhelming for me I had to read ahead and "cheat." Loved the epilogue which put their lives at such a wonderful spot for the two of them. Definitely a great book for me.

I'm not sure. Part of me was so upset and ...well almost angry at times while reading this that I I thought maybe I didn't like it as much as I did...but I can't give it less than 5 stars because of all the emotions I felt while reading it. It is sad. It is heavy. It is utterly heartbreaking and lonely and scary in a way, too. But I find that when I read books that feel like this, the weight on my chest and all, that when those moments of hope come through, they are just ...perfection. Josh has had such a rough life.

Spoiler

his first sexual experiences with a married man with two kids, that's his boss, that doesn't actually care for him. His homelessness. His mother's loss. His feelings of worthlessness. His unfortunate step-father.

Mark was pretty amazing. My heart broke for him as well.

Spoiler

I can not begin to describe my relief at his family not being total shitheads about everything. His memories hurt my heart. The name calling and things that the brothers felt was just "brotherly" stuff, but was actually so damaging to mark and how he saw himself.

Adored Mrs. Fischer. I loved the MCs together. There aren't a ton of sex scenes, but they're pretty sweet and it all fit with them.

Spoiler

I'm glad it wasn't all happy rainbows and such once they finally got together, that wouldn't have been believable. I would find myself upset with Josh when he would snap at mark and turn away, I felt badly that he felt the way he did, but knowing that mark was only trying to help and how happy he wanted josh to be...it was hard.

This is definitely emotional and painful, but so full of hope, too. Highly recommend.

DNF at 40% because of the sleep inducing narration. No idea what happens in this book. It just goes on and my mind wanders off. I give the story an avarage 3 stars because I can't judge it if I can't remember it. Narration was bland. Sound editing was appalling.