When a ballerina moves next door to a cinnamon-spiced single dad, falling isn’t just for the stage.
This story leans into the magic of fresh starts — the kind you don’t expect but suddenly can’t imagine your life without. It’s tender, hopeful, and a little swoony in the way that sneaks up on you like a perfectly timed slow dance.
Title: Falling at the Barre
Series: Love in Fairwick Falls #5
Publish Date: December 11, 2025
Genre: Small Town Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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Book Description
Luca Bishop is a devoted girl dad with one rule: no dating until his daughter graduates… in, oh, about eleven years. But with an expanding auto shop and a high-energy first grader, hiring a nanny becomes a must.
Olivia Maroo isn’t done dancing—but ballet has done a number on her confidence. While regrouping at home, she’s temporarily teaching dance and house-sitting… right next door to Luca and his sunshine-in-sneakers daughter. Movie nights, gentle pining, and maple-syrup mornings turn “temporary” into “I really don’t want to leave.”
Tropes You’ll Love
- Single Dad x Nanny
- Neighbors-to-Lovers
- He Falls First (and hard!)
- Mutual Pining
- Hurt/Comfort
- No Third Act Breakup 🎉
- Soft but spicy chemistry
My Review
This was my first read by Elise Kennedy, and I can confidently say the hype grabbed my hand and twirled me straight into Fairwick Falls.
Olivia is the kind of heroine who’s trying to rebuild the dream without shattering her heart in the process. Luca? Tattoos, beard, grumpy-warm energy—and he melts into a total marshmallow for the two girls in his life. Their chemistry is like a perfectly executed lift: a little shaky at first, then breathtaking once they trust the fall.
The small-town coziness is perfection—crisp leaves, apple-pie pancakes, community meddling in the name of love. AB (the daughter) steals every scene with unicorn-level sparkle, and her bond with Olivia genuinely tugged at my heart.
Spice? Enough heat to fog up the studio mirrors—but the emotional intimacy is what really made me swoon. And can I just say THANK YOU to the author for skipping the classic heartbreak detour? Communication! Growth! Adults acting like… adults!
“That some places and people just stick with you? That some things just feel right, even though they make no sense?”
Why I Think You'll Love This Book
- It’s cozy without sacrificing spark ✨
- Found family and real emotional support
- Romance that lifts you up—no messy breakups required
- Humor, heart, and genuinely sweet parenting moments
If You Like...
- Flawless (slightly grumpy MMCs who adore their people)
- Ballet or dance-centered romances
- Sweet kid side characters with chaotic energy
- Books that balance swoon and laugh-out-loud scenes
Final Thoughts: Charming, heartfelt, and a little cinnamon-spiced—this book is the reading equivalent of a slow-dance in the kitchen. I’ll definitely be back for more Fairwick Falls romances.
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