# Trust Fall

By Lynn Painter

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/trust-fall-c1a0a0f6/

An inherited Manhattan home takes Julia’s family from Nebraska to a new life in the city. Her tutor Damion has a private reason to watch them closely: he believes the house should have come to him from his great-uncle. Helping Julia adjust puts him near the family he suspects.

## What makes it funny?

Julia and Damion use sarcasm and pretend flirtation to avoid admitting their attraction. Saying something that sounds romantic can remain a joke, provided neither acknowledges how much they mean it.

### The comedy at work

Tutoring brings two suspicious people together repeatedly. Julia is learning the customs of an elite school while Damion pursues his own questions about her family, giving their verbal sparring more to conceal than a mutual attraction.

### Try this if…

A slowly developing teen romance for readers who enjoy hidden motives complicating an enemies-to-lovers pairing. The move from a small town to Manhattan also brings questions of class and belonging into their encounters.

### Good to know

Julia and Damion alternate as viewpoint characters. The book includes innuendo, strong language and teen drinking; on-page physical intimacy is limited to kissing.

## What to expect

- Genre: Romance
- On the shelf: Contemporary romance · Romantic comedy
- Kind of humor: Banter
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Audience: Young adult
- Format: Novel
- Length: 416 pages
- Audiobook: Available
- Published: 2026

## A few distinguishing details

- A Manhattan inheritance contested in secret
- A tutor investigating his student’s family
- Sarcasm and mock flirting conceal attraction

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Trust Fall | Book by Lynn Painter | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Trust-Fall/Lynn-Painter/9798347100217)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lynn-painter/trust-fall)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Trust-Fall/Lynn-Painter/9798347100231)