Olympic season has come to our kindles with the latest book by author, Meg Riley. The Fall Line is the fourth and final book in her Heartwood series, and I didn’t know skiing could be this fun and entertaining.
Check out my previous read review 
All Superheroes Need Photo-Ops by Elizabeth Stephens
Genres: Sports RomancePublisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: February 5, 2026
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: ebook
I have a secret: I’ve never been kissed.
At least, not before I married the world’s hottest pro skier and world-renowned playboy.
The deal? Stay married until I secure my inheritance and keep my café, and he convinces his sponsors he’s changed his womanizing ways.
Easy… except Jett plays the part of devoted husband a little too well.
He’s sweeter than he lets on. He teaches me how to ski, how to date…
How to kiss.
He’s protective and calls me wife.
Our marriage might be the most meaningful relationship Jett Landry has ever had. And somewhere along the way, what started as a PR stunt has stopped feeling pretend.
Now I’m wondering if the man every woman wants, might actually want me.
The Fall Line is a reformed playboy, marriage of convenience small town romantic comedy with a guaranteed happily-ever after! It is the fourth book in The Heartwood Series and can be read as a standalone.
“My wife might be the most authentic person I’ve ever met, and the only time I’ve felt like my truest self is with her.”
The Fall Line was actually really cute and fun. I read it in the span of 48 hours, and really enjoyed just how low stakes and Hallmark-esque it was. The story follows Jett and Poppy’s fake marriage as both are in desperate need of a little help from the opposite sex—Jett needs to clean up his image after a disastrous scandal breaks out regarding his “rakish” ways that threatens his only chance at getting to Worlds Championship, and Poppy is required to be married in order to fully own her late aunt’s café which has become her pride and joy. But when faking it for the media turns into real moments, the two have to figure out what is more important to them and if this relationship is worth making it real.
One of my favorite tropes is the fake dating/marriage trope, so when my book club voted for this to be our February pick, I got a little excited. After reading a lot of paranormal and fantasy romances, this was a much-needed palette cleanser and breath of fresh fun air. Jett and Poppy’s dynamic teetered on insta-love territory, but I’m going to go with this being a bit more friends to lovers than not. Jett is originally explained to be a playboy in the midst of a wild scandal, but his personality and actions gave away anything but playboy—cocky yes, but playboy no.
Our main FMC, Poppy, suffers from chronic illness and I loved getting to see that on page. I personally don’t suffer with the same chronic illness she does (arthritis for her) so I can’t fully speak on if the representation was well, but I can say I appreciated seeing it on page and seeing how that played a part in their relationship.
This was my first Meg Riley book, and though there were some pacing and choppiness issues with the writing, I thought this was a pretty good romance. I went into this book for the vibes and that is exactly what I was given. Absolutely entertaining, and I didn’t have to think. Definitely am interested in reading Riley’s future work to see her growth as an author.
My Spice Rating: 🌶️
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