Emma Montague flees to New York and leaves her upper-crust British life. Unwilling to live up to her snobby parents expectations, they expect Emma to marry royalty or PLU (People Like Us). Emma has a successful career in banking in New York City and enjoys all the fringe benefits: A luxurious apartment, designer clothes, many relationships that head nowhere, and a healthy bank account. Tired of banking and the City life, Emma wants to try something new, something creative in a new location. Having a friend who lives in Westport, Connecticut, she heads there and immediately loves the area. She finds a seaside cottage that could use a facelift but the rent is within her budget. Her landlord, Dominic, is handsome, friendly and helps her move her heavy boxes and offers to build her a bookcase for her many books. Dominic lives next door with his six year old son, Jesse. They were abandoned by Jesse's mother, soon after his birth and she has never returned. Dominic works as a handyman and is a bartender at a trendy in spot. Although they are from completely different backgrounds, Emma and Dominic begin a friendship that quickly blossoms into love. Emma has never met anyone like Dominic. She feels happy. She feels secure. She feels she is home. She begins to decorate the dilapidated cottage and gets decorating jobs and is successful. Is this the life she has been looking for? Are her dreams coming true?

Jesse, is extremely spoiled by his father and he is not used to sharing him with anyone. He is wary of Emma and questions her arrival into their lives. Emma tries hard to gain his trust. She takes him with her when she adopts a kitten and offers to share the kitten with Jesse. Pancake breakfasts made just for him. Isn't that enough to earn his affection? They begin to become closer, when his long, lost mother arrives in town asking for a second chance with her son.

The dysfunction with Emma's parents and Dominic's parents distressed me and I did not care for any of them. Dominic was my hero and I fell in love with his uncomplicated way of looking at life. He was a delight and loves Jesse and Emma without reservation. Emma spent too much time questioning if they would be able to make it with such diverse backgrounds. The major surprise in the story was truly a surprise and ruined this book for me. Jane Green is a skilled story teller and I have enjoyed so many of her books. I prefer her light, breezy romantic stories with a happy ending, but FALLING was not my cup of tea. Perhaps next time?

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