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⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4/5
I went into the Free Falling audiobook expecting a cozy fake-dating romance with a few friendly ghosts on the side.
The ghosts, it turns out, have opinions.
Clarke has a struggling antiques shop and a very persistent spirit. Leith has a farm and a problem with his inheritance.
Put them together and you get a small-town romance that's warm, a little spooky, and not always as light as it looks.
Listen to it if you want a childhood-crush, fake-dating romance with a haunted-town twist. Skip it if you want something breezy from start to finish.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Free Falling: A Sweetwater Peak Novel |
| Author | Lyla Sage |
| Narrator(s) (audiobook) | Robert Hatchet, Megan Wicks, Lyla Sage |
| Series | Sweetwater Peak, Book 2 |
| Genre | Contemporary paranormal romance |
| Subgenre | Small-town romance, fake dating, childhood crush |
| Audiobook length | 8 hours 15 minutes |
| Audiobook release date | September 22, 2026 |
| Publisher | Random House Audio |
Clarke Cartwright runs Toade's Antiques.
The roof is a mess. Half the stock can't be sold.
And she has a ghost problem. Specifically, the ghost of her childhood crush's father, who won't leave her alone.
Then there's Leith Wilkes, the crush himself.
He's spent most of his life flirting, but he's finally ready to take over the family farm. There's a strange clause tucked into his inheritance, and he thinks he's the only one who knows about it.
Then Clarke, a little drunk, lets it slip that she knows too.
From there, the two of them fake a relationship to protect their families' legacies.
That's where I'll stop. The rest is yours to find out.
This is the second book in Lyla Sage's Sweetwater Peak series, set in the same haunted small town as the first.
Fake dating works best when the pretending is the fun part. Here, the setup does most of the work.
These two aren't strangers. Leith has been Clarke's crush for a long time, so every "pretend" moment carries some history.
Leith gets a lot of love from reviewers. The word that keeps coming up is golden retriever: warm, loyal, a talker.
I like that the premise gives him a real reason to slow down and get serious. He isn't only there to flirt.
Clarke is the opposite kind of busy. She's stretched thin, she's guarded, and the ghosts aren't making it easier.
That contrast is the engine of the book.
Readers say the pairing pays off. I'd say it's what you're really signing up for.
Most fake-dating romances stay in the sunshine. This one keeps a few shadows around.
The ghosts are part of the fun, but they're also part of the mood.
One reviewer called the book autumnal and cozy. That fits.
Now the honest part.
Some reviewers found the plot mechanics a bit contrived. A few felt the conflict between Clarke and her mother never added much.
One listener wished the story had more lightness, since Clarke carries a lot of weight on the page.
Another reviewer wanted more ghosts. Fair.
None of that sinks the book. But it's worth knowing before you press play.
Robert Hatchet and Megan Wicks are the leads' voices. Lyla Sage is also credited as a narrator.
Early listener reviews are warm about the pair. They mention how well Wicks handles Clarke's exhaustion and dry humor, and how Hatchet makes Leith come across as warm and protective.
The full audiobook runs 8 hours 15 minutes. That's a pretty manageable listen.
A banter-heavy story like this tends to suit audio. Dialogue is doing a lot of the work.
And if you like the ghost-and-small-town mood, a good narrator can make Sweetwater Peak feel even cozier.
Pros
Cons
Good fit
Not a good fit
It may be possible, depending on the platform and your location. Some services offer a free trial or introductory credit to new members, but offers vary. You can also check whether your local library carries it through Libby or Hoopla.
Free Falling is a warm romance with a haunted streak.
The leads are the draw. The narration gets good marks. The plot has a few wobbles.
For a cozy autumn listen, it does what it promises.
If it sounds like your kind of story, try the Free Falling audiobook. Many audiobook platforms offer a free trial credit to new members, so check what's available where you are.
Who narrates the Free Falling audiobook?
Robert Hatchet, Megan Wicks, and Lyla Sage are credited as narrators.
How long is the Free Falling audiobook?
The listed runtime is 8 hours 15 minutes.
Is Free Falling a standalone or part of a series?
It's Book 2 in Lyla Sage's Sweetwater Peak series.
Do I need to listen to Soul Searching first?
Opinions differ. Some readers treat the books as interconnected standalones. Others feel Free Falling works better if you've already met the town and its characters in Book 1, Soul Searching.
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