Casey Tyler
AUTHOR + DESIGNER
One girl. Two brothers. A lake house. Five summers. And a wedding that marks the culmination of it all.
When Piper Adams swaps city life for the serene Adirondack Mountains, she expects nothing more than a simple existence. Little does she know that fate has a different script in mind. Enter Jeremy Keller—a rock-climbing, picture-perfect, all-around mystery man—who literally drops into her world like a fallen angel.
After an invitation to his family’s legendary Fourth of July party, Piper falls in love with the Keller family, including Jack, Jeremy’s older brother, who is a beacon of kindness and has a knack for turning every dull moment into a memorable one. The trio become inseparable over the next five summers that lead up to an unforgettable wedding. Through it all, Piper does her best to decode young men’s strange behaviors, whether throwing themselves from high cliffs into the lake, goofing off with a can of bear spray, or—to Piper’s incredible frustration—simply not explaining themselves.
Two handsome, available brothers plus a girl with a penchant for falling head over heels…what could possibly go wrong?
The Summer of Falling is the ultimate beach read, bursting with laugh-out-loud humor, nostalgic memories, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you. It will leave you in a reverie, wishing summer would never end.
CHAPTER ONE
The Wedding
This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
Across the way, his gaze met mine, tears brimming. I carefully and patiently took each step toward him. Though I saw him in his suit before the ceremony, I fully took in his frame, all familiar yet marvelously captivating. The few wavy blond strands on his forehead shifted slightly as he shook his head with a cheeky smile. The skin on his hands and neck was kissed by the sun from the many days spent outdoors since the shift from spring to summer. His slender body and muscular forearms were nestled perfectly beneath a shapely black suit. His typically scruffy face, now clean-shaven, evoked memories of our earliest days together. The big brown irises I’d grown to adore shimmered in the golden glow of the setting sun. As my eyes passed to the floor, I saw his black Converse grounded before the altar—it simply wouldn't be Jeremy Keller without them.
After what felt like a lifetime, I found my way in front of him.
“Hey, Pipsqueak,” he whispered with a slight grin while his one and only dimple on his left cheek came out to greet me.
“Hi,” I replied, barely able to catch my breath as I took my place beside him. The wildflowers in my hands trembled as nerves swam throughout my body like a rushing river.
Ever since the moment I met Jeremy, I envisioned this day. It was love at first sight—or at least the closest thing I had ever experienced to it.
Our beloved Tambat Lake sparkled behind us in the dipping sunlight. The bright rays reflected upon the water’s surface as we stood there with a light breeze caressing our cheeks. This lake we’d spent years wading in and watching sunsets hover above had always been the backdrop to our story. So it made sense that this would be the place for the perfect wedding. It was also the place where my world had come crashing down only a few summers after meeting Jeremy.
As I stood next to him, we basked in the moment. Feeling a stray strand of my auburn hair tickle my face, I reached to move it, and Jeremy intercepted my hand, intertwining his pinky finger with mine, letting our hands rest at his side. I gave his callused digit a light squeeze while the small orchestra toward the back of the seats changed their melody.
“I love you, Jer,” I whispered. “Always have and will forever.”
I could sense his smile. “I love you, too. Always have and will forever.”
Jeremy Keller. Perhaps the perfect embodiment of everything I had ever wanted in one person.
My best friend.
My soul’s mate.
“You ready?” I asked.
“Nope,” he laughed lightly. “But let’s do this.”