Christina Lauren has long been known for crafting witty, heartfelt romances, so expectations were naturally high when Falling was released as part of the Scared Sexy Halloween short story collection. With its premise of a cursed immortal colliding with a woman who sees past his allure, this story promised a mix of supernatural danger and sizzling chemistry. Unfortunately, while it offers a quick seasonal escape, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression.
The story follows Cat, a young woman attending a Halloween party in New York dressed in a lamb costume and nursing the sting of an impending breakup. There she meets Brigan, a devastatingly attractive immortal cursed centuries ago by a sorceress. Unlike everyone else who succumbs to his powers of persuasion, Cat resists, sparking his fascination. What begins as a one night stand evolves into a game of revelations, trauma sharing, and supernatural confessions.
On paper, it sounds like a thrilling setup. Yet several readers, myself included, found the execution rushed. The short format left little room to develop the romance or the paranormal lore. Brigan’s tragic backstory and Cat’s sharp resistance could have been powerful, but instead they feel like sketches rather than full portraits. As one reviewer pointed out, the supernatural element often reads more like set dressing than a driving force in the narrative.
Christina Lauren’s signature charm is also surprisingly absent here. Their novels typically brim with humor, banter, and chemistry, but Falling feels stripped of those qualities. The relationship between Cat and Brigan burns hot for a moment but never lingers in the reader’s mind. For some fans, this absence was so pronounced that it felt unlike the author duo’s usual voice.
That said, the audiobook performances by Marli Watson and Nicholas Boulton deserve praise, especially Boulton’s accent which added texture to Brigan’s character. For readers simply seeking a bite-sized, mildly entertaining Halloween romance to devour in a sitting, this story delivers just enough mood and heat to pass the time. But for those hoping for Christina Lauren’s trademark sparkle, Falling may feel like a missed opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Falling has the bones of a compelling supernatural romance but lacks the emotional depth and polish that fans have come to expect from Christina Lauren. If you are in the mood for a short, low-effort seasonal read, it might work for you. If you are looking for something memorable, however, you may want to explore other titles in the Halloween romance niche.
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