The Fall Risk

The Fall Risk, published in March 2025, is the second novella from Abby Jimenez, a #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary romance. It follows 2024’s The Situationship, the author’s first piece of shorter fiction. The Fall Risk follows Seth and Charlotte, who, after discovering that their apartment’s stairs have been removed, find connection and healing in being trapped together on the second floor on Valentine’s weekend. Jimenez addresses themes including The Conscious Work of Emotional Healing, Trust as a Foundation for New Beginnings, and The Power of Small Acts of Kindness. Before her successful writing career, Jimenez was a Food Network champion and founded Nadia Cakes bakery, which has won numerous Food Network competitions and gained an international following. Jimenez’s other works include The Friend Zone and Part of Your World series, as well as her standalone novels, including her most recent release, Say You’ll Remember Me. 

This guide is based on the 2025 Amazon Original Stories edition.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide feature depictions of stalking, which in this context is a form of emotional abuse and sexual violence/harassment.

Plot Summary

Neighbors Seth and Charlotte have never met until the day the stairs to their second-floor apartments disappear due to a construction error. Their property manager, John, promises that the stairs will be repaired by the beginning of next week, meaning Charlotte and Seth will be stranded in their apartments for the duration of the Valentine’s Day weekend. John installs a bucket system for Seth’s friend Gabe and Charlotte’s friend Izzy to deliver supplies to them. The frustration of the day is compounded by the fact that Seth’s divorce is now final, and he must accept that his marriage is over. Both Gabe and Izzy encourage their friends to spend the weekend together instead of in isolation. Gabe and Izzy connect and begin a romance while helping their friends.

Charlotte knocks on Seth’s door with coffee, but he does not invite her inside because he senses that she is uncomfortable being trapped with a man she doesn’t know. They move chairs onto their shared landing and spend most of the day talking and getting to know one another. Seth shares about his divorce and how his wife cheated on him with her distant cousin. Charlotte reveals that she has become a prisoner in her apartment since a man named George began stalking her. Charlotte is trained in self-defense and has access to weapons, and she has gone to great lengths to conceal her location, but she still lives in fear that George will find her. Though Gabe has advised Seth not to bore Charlotte by talking about his love of trees, Seth shares about his vocation as an arborist and passion for nature. Instead of being annoyed, Charlotte asks to hear more about his love of trees. Charlotte confesses she can’t keep houseplants alive, though Seth is confident he can bring her dead plants back to life.

The following day, Seth adds more furniture to the landing, along with lights, and it begins to resemble a home. Charlotte hasn’t painted her apartment or hung her photos because she moves so frequently. Seth convinces her to let him help her paint and decorate so her space will feel homier. John brings them supplies, and they spend most of the day painting. Several women drop by from the retirement home where Seth volunteers; they are aware of his recent divorce and have come to deliver Valentine’s treats for him. Gabe and Izzy bring dinner, and it’s obvious to Seth and Charlotte that the two are becoming romantically involved. Seth asks Charlotte if she would consider going on a date with him, and although she wants to, she fears bringing Seth into her circle and making him vulnerable to George as well. He asks Gabe and Izzy for help in planning a Valentine’s Day surprise for Charlotte, even though she doesn’t want to celebrate.

On Sunday, Seth reveals that he’s transformed the landing into a pool cabana and created a mimosa bar. Izzy interrupts their perfect moment by calling to report that a neighbor has posted a video online of the landing, which reveals Charlotte’s address. She panics, immediately preparing to pack up and leave. Seth implores her to stay and let him, Izzy, Gabe, and John help her. Charlotte decides she is done with running from her life and agrees to stay. John installs extra security cameras on the property, and on Monday, workers replace the staircase. George finds Charlotte, and she sees him coming. Instead of running, she approaches him with her baseball bat. She fearlessly breaks his kneecaps, and Seth calls the police. Charlotte is relieved to be free and kisses Seth, telling him that the first thing she wants to do is go on a date in public with him. Gabe and Izzy move into Charlotte’s apartment, and Charlotte moves in with Seth. She becomes an advocate for women and teaches self-defense classes.