Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey

The weather's not cooperating with my desire to sit in the sun and read summer fiction. But closing my eyes and listening to a book in a sunny window is the next best thing.

My latest beach bag listen is Kristy Woodson Harvey's new book - Feels Like Falling.

"It’s summertime on the North Carolina coast and the livin’ is easy." But not for everyone. Gray Howard's life is in turmoil - her mother has passed, her husband has left her for his secretary and she doesn't know what to do next. Either does Diana Harrington. She's broken up with her latest boyfriend and he's spent her nest egg. With nowhere else to go, she's living in her car. Until.....Gray and Diana's lives cross. And things might just be looking up...

Oh, all the right elements are there for a great beach bag read! Interesting, well drawn characters that you want to know more about. Feels Like Falling is told in alternating chapters from Gray and Diana. Now, I must admit, I was more drawn to Diana. I just really like her down to earth outlook. Gray surprised me though - she ended up being more thoughtful and kind than I first thought she would be. I quite enjoyed the interplay between the two as their relationship turns into friendship.

And of course there must be obstacles to overcome. And there are! Setting is important too and Harvey hits all the right notes here as well. (Wish I was there!) But what's the most important element of a great summer read? Uh huh - you got it - romance! Love lost and all the angst that comes with it. And the winding road to love found. And all the missteps, miscommunications and missed cues along the way.

Harvey's writing is easy and engaging and I found myself quickly caught up in the tale.

As I mentioned, I chose to listen to this book. Two narrators were used - Kelsey Navarro and Amanda Ronconi. Navarro had the perfect voice for the mental image I created for Gray - cultured and sophisticated. It was very 'smooth' if that makes sense. Easy to listen to and well modulated. She also captured the emotions of the character with her voice. Ronconi's voice was ideal for the character of Diana. Rough around the edges, a nice twangy accent and well, just a down home, heart of gold manner of speaking. Easy to listen to as well. And I really appreciate having two different readers. In addition to be easier to know who's speaking, it feels more like actual conversations. Makes the listening more immersive. Both did an excellent job. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Feels Like Falling.

This was the first book I'd read/listened to from Kristy Woodson Harvey - and I would happily pick up another! Who else enjoyed Feels Like Falling?  "Buckle up, buttercups, because Feels Like Falling feels like your next summer sizzler!" - Mary Kay Andrews.