When a second job takes Sierra Watson to Chesapeake Heights, she finds herself entwined with the powerful Freeman family in a world of tradition, loyalty, and love. Free to Fall is a soulful story of resilience, redemption, and a love so powerful it breaks through the toughest barriers. Readers who love Kennedy Ryan and Jessica Prince will devour this steamy, small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance from Louise Lennox.
Blurb
She’s his greatest temptation. He’s her biggest risk. Together, they just might fall…
Jabari
Love? I don’t do that anymore. I’ve had my fill of betrayal, of trusting the wrong people, of letting my guard down only to be burned. My life is about control now—running the Freeman family empire, upholding our legacy, and keeping my heart locked behind walls no one can break.
Then she shows up.
Sierra Watson is nothing like the women I’ve known—bold, beautiful, and completely unimpressed by me. She challenges me, meets my sharp edges with smooth confidence, and refuses to be anything less than herself. I should stay away. I need to stay away. But when she looks at me, I feel something shift, something crack open that I thought was long dead.
But love has cost me before, and I can’t afford to lose again.Sierra
I don’t have time for love. Not when my family is depending on me. Not when my sister’s reckless decisions have forced me into a second job I never wanted, working for the powerful Freeman family to clean up a mess I didn’t make.
Then I meet him.
Jabari Freeman is infuriating—cold, controlled, and way too arrogant for his own good. He pushes, I push back. But the more I fight it, the harder it becomes to ignore the fire between us. And when that fire ignites, it’s impossible to put out.
But love has never come without sacrifice for me. And just when I think I might finally have something for myself, the life I’ve been trying to escape comes crashing back in.
Jabari has his own demons to fight, and I have mine. The question is… are we strong enough to fight for each other?
Enemies-to-lovers tension Irresistible chemistry Steamy Small Town Romance A love worth risking everything for
Set against the lush backdrop of Southern Maryland’s Chesapeake Heights, Free to Fall is a soulful story of resilience, redemption, featuring the Freeman family. This is Book One: Jabari’s Story.
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Excerpt
Copyright 2025, Louise Lennox
As we walk, I feel Jabari’s presence before I see him, his shadow a faint whisper behind Ann’s confident steps. When I steal a glance over my shoulder, there he is—hands clasped tightly behind his broad back, his expression unreadable but his posture screaming control. He’s a silent guardian, watchful and unrelenting.
I whip my head back around, pretending not to notice him, but the heat of his gaze burns into the small of my back like a brand. It’s steady and searing; I feel it no matter how much I try to shake it off. I bite my lip, fighting the overwhelming urge to glance again, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his stare rattles me.
Instead, I focus on the uneven trail, willing myself to stay composed, but fate has other plans. My foot catches on a big, stubborn, and perfectly placed root to send me sprawling.
Time slows as I lurch forward, bracing for the harsh sting of dirt and gravel against my skin. But it never comes.
Instead, strong arms yank me back, wrapping around me like a vice and holding me steady before the ground can claim me. His touch impacts me like a lightning strike, sending electricity coursing through me as I gasp at the warmth of his body pressed against mine. His chest is solid, his grip firm, and for a moment, I lean into him, caught between the safety of his embrace and the unmistakable charge sparking in the air between us.
“Careful, Siren,” Jabari murmurs, his voice low and rough against my ear. The way he says it sends shivers down my spine, his tone full of something I can’t quite name but feel everywhere. “We can’t have you hurting yourself.”
Before I can process the warmth of his breath against my skin and the solidity of his presence behind me, he sets me upright and steps back. His hands fall away as quickly as they came, leaving me cold and off balance in more ways than one.
I catch my breath, my heart racing for reasons that have nothing to do with the near fall and everything to do with the man standing behind me.
“My name is Sierra,” I mutter as I move past him.
Ann continues, blissfully unaware of the hot mess unfolding behind her. When she suddenly stops, she turns and smirks at her son but doesn’t say a word. Instead, she gestures to a green clearing encircled by towering, venerable oaks. “And here is where we host our annual jazz festival,” she says. “Every first week of July, music becomes the heartbeat of Chesapeake Heights.”
“Sounds amazing,” I reply, my voice faltering just a little, caught in the pull of Jabari’s eyes. He might as well be wrapped in caution tape, the way he stands so still, so controlled. His fitted tee clings to his muscular frame like a second skin, and every inch of him exudes power and restraint.
I want him to unravel.
“Sierra, are you alright?” Ann’s concerned voice breaks through my reverie.
“Absolutely,” I lie, offering a brittle smile. The truth is, Jabari makes me nervous, not because of his brooding demeanor, but because there’s something in his guarded gaze that threatens to scale the walls I’ve built around my heart with ease.
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About Louise Lennox: Contemporary Romance Author with Heart and Heat
Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic who crafts steamy, heartfelt tales of love and healing. A proud Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, she is passionate about creating meaningful stories that celebrate Black women as the stars of their romantic journeys. Motivated by the lack of positive love stories featuring women like herself, Louise founded #HappyBlackRomance.
Through her novels, Louise highlights the beauty, resilience, and joy of love across the diaspora. She inspires readers from all backgrounds to embrace its richness and undeniable allure. Her stories are filled with sparks, unforgettable passion, and characters who make the world a better place through their love.
When she’s not writing, Louise is a dynamic school leader, devoted wife, and proud mom to two lively kids she affectionately calls her “dragons.”
Discover more about Louise, her mission, and the #HappyBlackRomance movement—and snag a free book—at www.lovelouiselennox.com.
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