Just Don’t Fall Book Review - No Spoilers
Introduction
Yesterday my daughter Rebecca spilled grape juice all over my manuscripts as I was revising a chapter—classic chaos in the morning. I sighed, grabbed a towel, and thought I needed something light and warm to balance out the mess. That craving led me straight to Just Don’t Fall, and I’m glad it did. Let me tell you about this sweet hockey rom-com that rescued my mood.
Plot Summary
Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair is the first book in the *Sweater Weather* / *Appies Hockey* series (a multi-author small town romance universe). Parker works as the social media manager for the Harvest Hollow hockey team. She’s quietly carried a crush on Logan Barnes—her brother’s former best friend—ever since they were younger. Logan, meanwhile, has left town, had success (and scandal), and is now forced to play for the local minor league team after an injury and bad press. When Logan returns, Parker and he must work together (for TikTok, branding, team promos), and she even ropes him into a fake-dating scheme to help deflect family questions. As the fake relationship stirs old feelings, tensions grow. Each of them grapples with past hurt, pride, and the possibility that the “old flame” never really died.
Why I Love This Book
I love that this book strikes the balance between cozy and emotionally satisfying. The small-town setting feels warm, and the hockey team’s camaraderie gave me moments of joy. The banter between Parker and Logan truly made me grin—they have history, awkwardness, and unspoken longing all mixed in. The fake-dating plot is handled with care, not contrivance. I especially liked that Parker has never been kissed; her hesitation feels genuine rather than forced, and when she finally lets go, it means something. Logan’s arc—from guarded to vulnerable—is believable, and I appreciated watching him peel back his tough exterior. The pacing is gentle, not rushed, which lets me breathe into their development rather than feeling the romance was sprung too fast. Most of all, I love how the emotional stakes—being ghosted, trusting again—weave naturally into the romance rather than feeling tacked on.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy clean or low-spice romance, small-town settings, childhood crushes, fake dating, and sports romance (especially hockey), this is a great choice. Readers who like slow burns, character growth, and emotional undercurrents more than high-stakes drama will find this soothing yet engaging. Because it’s closed-door, it’s friendly for readers who prefer less explicit content.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book involves emotional hurt, ghosting, and past abandonment issues. There are no graphic sexual scenes—romantic and emotional intimacy is the focus—so if that’s okay with you, you’re in good hands.
Tagged As
sports romance, hockey, small town, fake dating, brother’s best friend, childhood crush, dual POV, clean/closed-door romance, slow burn, contemporary romance, series, HEA
Steam Level
On romance.io, this book is rated 2/5 for spice (i.e. “behind closed doors”). The heat is gentle—kisses, emotional closeness, and tension without explicit scenes.
