THE FASTEST WAY TO FALL

An unexpected romance kicks off between a writer and her latest subject in this body-positive romance.

Desperate for a promotion after working as an editorial assistant for the last four years, Britta Colby needs a home run on her next assignment for Best Life, a website for millennials. She and a co-worker have agreed to anonymously try out two different fitness apps with similar principles—to help users feel good in their bodies—but with different approaches. FitMi Fitness, the app Britta is reviewing, pairs its users with personal trainers using a matchmaking algorithm. The mix of on-the-go technology with one-on-one communication has been a hit, and CEO Christopher “Wes” Lawson is struggling to keep up with demand. It's not all bad, though, as the interest has enabled Wes to get out from behind his desk and get back into training, which is a wonderful distraction from how much of a nose dive his personal life has taken. Though the FitMi team is aware Best Life has sent in a covert user for an upcoming piece, Wes doesn't know it's Britta, his charming new client, and Britta doesn't know she's been set up with the company's founder. Their email and in-app correspondence slowly grow into an adorable flirtation. Since they're both local to Chicago, Wes suggests some in-person training sessions. Britta and Wes fit well together, and their banter flows effortlessly, but Wes shouldn't be dating a client, and Britta's assignment will undoubtedly get nixed should people find out she became intimate with her subject. There's a lot to like in this romance with its supportive leading man, delightful heroine, and dynamic secondary cast. There's more than just romance going on, and Williams excels at juggling all the parts. Wes' former girlfriend and business partner now runs his biggest rival, fitness app HottrYou, which coincidentally is the one being reviewed by Britta's co-worker in their joint article. Williams also takes great care in providing a content warning for diet culture and disordered eating.

An emotionally resonant and thoughtful novel.