Worth the Fall/Mara Jacobs/235 pgs.

This is the 3rd in Mara Jacobs' Copper Country series. 36 year-old Alison Jukuri, childhood friend of Lizzie (Worth the Weight) and Katie (Worth the Drive), and known in town as "the smart one," has made a big mistake--she slept with Petey Ryan,  after Katie's wedding. Petey and Alison have a history--Alison had a "thing" for Petey in high school--a "thing" Alison thought Petey had reciprocated. However, Alison went to college and became a respected college professor and therapist; Petey went to college and became a professional hockey player. Off season, Petey would return to Copper Country and touch base with his friends--but there was always "distance" between Alison and him that the others never noticed.  Back to the present: while in town, Petey is staying at his parents' house, slips on the icy front steps, damages his leg, thus ending his hockey career. Ironically enough, he had just informed his parents that this was going to be his last season, but he hadn't planned on it ending so abruptly. Complications occur, and we learn more about Alison and Petey's pasts. There's a lot more going on than just a "get back together" romance. As in her other two books in the series, Mara Jacob brings a depth to her characters that is often missing in many contemporary romances. I really like this series.