He Falls First

Colburn Brothers, Book 1

De: Jill Shalvis

Narrado por: Lila Winters, Sebastian York

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again...

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

©2025 Jill Shalvis (P)2025 That's What She Said Publishing, Inc

Can’t wait for the rest of the series!

Well done by all, writing and performance. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Favorite Narrators

Thank you Jill Shalvis for using my favorite narrators Lila Winters and Sebastian York. The usage of the slogans "taking my Constitution" and the condom slogan "Don't be a fool wrap your tool" that I have never heard of were funny. quirky and catchy. It wasn't until the second to last chapter that I figured out why this audible is titled "He Falls First," nice. Additionally, pairing two characteristic individuals who are both for the first time together afraid of getting hurt, letting someone in, and for the first time learning what love, commitment, sacrifice and reciprocation is all about. Authoress Jill Shalvis thank you for these humorous, catchy and very characteristical audible. I can't wait until the next Coburn Brothers audibles.😁😆😊
P.S: Kiara's twins Abby and Alex are cute, vocal and funny. I hope that there is more of them and Penelope's brother Wyatt, also with a brotherly sense of humor.

Loved it!

This was a good one. Very mature and realistic and more common with today’s dating world, which I appreciated. It was also really cute how their attraction naturally progressed, it wasn’t over the top or too soon. I’m a fan and want to know more with the side characters too- so off to see if there are more books in this series!

What a gem of a story!

This book gave me all the feels. Penny and Ryder are two people who’ve been carrying the weight of their families for way too long - Penny’s looking out for her grandma and little brother, and Ryder’s running the family business. Neither of them is looking for love, and honestly, they don’t think they deserve it. But somehow, they find it in each other—and it’s messy, sweet, and totally worth it.
Set in the charming town of Star Falls (where a legend says three shooting stars mean you’ll get your happily ever after), this story is a delicate blend of painful topics of grief and abuse and lighthearted tender moments sprinkled with hilarious, and witty banter.
Jill Shalvis absolutely nails that perfect balance of heart and humor. I couldn’t put He Falls First down, and now I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Colburn crew.
The narration by Lila Winters and Sebastian York - a cast made in audio listener’s heaven - is simply phenomenal! It brings the book to life in whole new dimension, and allows you to immerse yourself in the story.
Five bazillion enthusiastic stars from this listener!

Ryder and Emma and The Legend

Lila Winters and Sebastian York are A+ narrators. They bring such life to the characters.

This is my first read of a book by Jill Shalvis and I can see that my future is going to be filled with reading her backlog and also waiting very impatiently for the next book in this series. This was SO good, with very little drama or angst, although the drama is always just hiding in the background, a hint of what's still to come.

I love the characters, even Hank. I love how the Colburn family still rallied to do what they had to do, even if the old Hank would never have deserved their care. I loved reading while Penny recovered from having lost her sense of self in her prior relationship, and how she was learning to not just stand on her own two feet again, but to give her grandmother and brother as much support as she could.

All of the characters are amazingly well written. Ryder is an absolute paragon of a book boyfriend. Protective, caring, nurturing, hard-working, and determined to be the best person he can be - that even extends to the grace given to Hank.

I give this my highest recommendation.

Sweet Scale: 5/5
Spicy Scale: 3.5/5

Feel Good romance

I liked the story, I also LOVE the narrators, ugh so good. The story was good, could have had a little more excitement. but over all it was a sweet feel Good romance this was my first book from this author and I liked it so much I'll explore more books.

Loved it!

❤️ the story and happy ending! It 100% enjoy your books. I can't wait for the next one!

Repetitive

The narrators were great, but the the female lead went on and on about her fear all the way till the end it was too much. I was hoping for more.