In the hopes of getting promoted to a full-time writer, Britta volunteers to sign up for and write about a new body-positive fitness app called FitMe. To get back to what he loves, Wes, the CEO of the FitMe app, decides to take on a new personal coaching client…Britta. Wes and Britta start out mostly messaging about nutrition and fitness, but as time goes on, they start to open up to each other. After an accident lands Britta in the hospital, Wes and Britta start to blur professional lines by working out together in person and chatting with each other outside of the FitMe app, which is against the FitMe company policy and a huge conflict of interest for Britta’s article. Even though ending the blossoming romance is clearly the safest thing to do, Wes and Britta find it hard to walk away from each other.
The Fastest Way To Fall is a contemporary adult romance perfect for fans of Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese, Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, and Wait For It by Jenn McKinlay. This book deals with themes such as love, heartbreak and betrayal, appearance versus reality, inner and outer strength, family, wealth versus poverty, overcoming trauma and fears, and identity. It is important to note that there are some instances of addiction, parental neglect, and eating disorders in this novel with the main takeaway from The Fastest Way To Fall is the importance of self love and body positivity.
I really appreciated how the title and the cover of this book completely matched the theme, tone, and plot. It was great reading about Wes and Britta’s love story, plus Wes was totally swoonworthy! Here is one of my favourite quotes from Wes: “I want you to be my everything, because it feels like you already are”. Next, I loved how this book talked about body positivity and it was great that the FitMe app focused on making healthier choices and finding balance. Similarly, it was awesome that Britta was always upfront about the fact that she didn’t join the FitMe app to lose a certain amount of weight, she joined to learn more about fitness and nutrition, and to learn to feel more confident with her body. Through her posts about the FitMe app, I liked how Britta shared her real-life fitness struggles and encouraging body positive messages with others. It was also great to see how Wes completely supported and encouraged Britta in her fitness journey and, without spoiling anything, it was nice to see how Britta’s training paid off at the end of the book, followed by Wes and Britta’s happily ever after.
On the negative side, I didn’t like how Wes and Britta’s love story was a slowburn; I was disappointed that Wes and Britta didn’t meet in person until almost halfway through the book and the majority of Wes and Britta’s conversations happen via direct messages. Their relationship reminded me a lot of Ross and Rachel’s frustrating yet intriguing “will they, won’t they” relationship in Friends. Like Ross and Rachel, Wes and Britta clearly wanted to be together but something (usually their jobs and sometimes Wes’ manipulative ex-girlfriend who runs a competing fitness app) always got in the way and prevented a romantic relationship from developing until the very end of the novel.
This was my first time reading one of Denise Williams’ books and The Fastest Way To Fall completely exceeded my expectations. If you love romance and fitness, this book is definitely for you!
The Fastest Way To Fall is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of November 2nd 2021.
Will you be picking up The Fastest Way To Fall? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Britta didn’t plan on falling for her personal trainer, and Wes didn’t plan on Britta. Plans change and it’s unclear if love, career, or both will meet them at the finish line.
Britta Colby works for a lifestyle website, and when tasked to write about her experience with a hot new body-positive fitness app that includes personal coaching, she knows it’s a major opportunity to prove she should write for the site full-time.
As CEO of the FitMe app, Wes Lawson finally has the financial security he grew up without, but despite his success, his floundering love life and complicated family situation leaves him feeling isolated and unfulfilled. He decides to get back to what he loves—coaching. Britta’s his first new client and they click immediately.
As weeks pass, she’s surprised at how much she enjoys experimenting with her exercise routine. He’s surprised at how much he looks forward to talking to her every day. They convince themselves their attraction is harmless, but when they start working out in person, Wes and Britta find it increasingly challenging to deny their chemistry and maintain a professional distance.
Wes isn’t supposed to be training clients, much less meeting with them, and Britta’s credibility will be sunk if the lifestyle site finds out she’s practically dating the fitness coach she’s reviewing. Walking away from each other is the smartest thing to do, but running side by side feels like the start of something big.
