Let’s dive in and fall down the rabbit hole for a few moments…Meghan March has long been a fave of mine simply because I adore how complex and well-written her characters and story lines are. It’s like literary tiramisu and you know this Southern gal’s got a sweet tooth the size of Texas 🍰😏I read her Dirty Mafia duet back in early fall and fell head over heels in LOVE with Cannon Freeman. But, even as amazing as Cannon was, let’s talk about a teeny tiny blip on the DMD map. There was a quick mention of Gabriel Legend and as soon as he stepped onto the scene, I was immediately drawn to him. I’m talking moth-to-flame, Ross-to-Rachel, gravy-to-biscuit level attraction, y’all 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥I jokingly mentioned on one of MM’s Legend teaser posts that this was like Lady and the Tramp 2.0 (can anyone say Letty and the Tramp?), but after reading The Fall of Legend, I am 110% convinced that deep down, this is the grown-up retelling of the classic tale of tails. (PS If Meghan March is reading this: I believe a sketti-and-meatball rendezvous is needed within the trilogy—pretty please 😉😍😁)If you take away the ruff and fluff, you could even draw parallels with another of my faves: Aladdin. A scrappy man with a red-hatted sidekick, an iron will to escape the bonds of his past and poverty, and a steely determination to win the heart of a princess who’s bored with the façade of her ivory-towered reality? Sound familiar? I rest my case, counselor. #TeamUnderdogForTheWinWhat’s my verdict on Book 1 of the Legend trilogy? The legendary KBR 6/5 improper fraction star rating for this TKO! The steam from Legend and Scarlett will scald you for sure. Good Lort… This couple! The slow burn in this book singed my soul and had me panting for more. When Queen Britney sings, “Gimme, gimme more,” she was talking about Gabe and Scarlett. (Seriously. Look at the lyrical footnotes. It’s reaaaaaally tiny, but totally there. In white ink. 😉)The backstories are rich and left me wanting more from the vault of storyteller’s secrets. Scarlett’s struggle with FOMO: Family Edition is so genuine and raw, and I felt every pang along with her as she recounted all the real-life riches her life could not yet afford. Gabriel, in all his broken splendor, was show-stopping and I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him, one page at a time, as he told me all the things he sacrificed to get to where he is now. I wanted to give that man the biggest hug, but I think that’s better left to a certain blonde-haired good luck charm or adorable Cane Corso. I firmly believe we’re gonna get to see our underdog use his fists of lightening and roar of thunder, fighting those who rob or plunder. I doubt it’ll be done in a cape, but one can always dream. Right?Getting to know the most important people in their lives was a wonderful treat and can’t wait to see more from them all (even if I want to tell a few of them: mindyourownbidness, ya nosy yentes!). Always well written, MM’s works are like a fine wine: her stories grow better with her age. 😊 All that’s missing now is a creative couple moniker to finish out this review 🤔 Thinking cap on 🧢 Creativity on simmer ♨ Hmmmmmmmm…Okay. How about…#PriestAndPauper? Nah. That’s a poor choice of words 😂#ScaBriel? Too rash? 😂😂😂 Get it? Yeah, that was lame-o.#Legentt? Ohhhhhhh! Getting some serious MC Hammer vibes now, y’all! “Too Legentt, Too Legentt quit!” Hey, it could catch fire 🔥👩‍🚒 Or not 💦DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC for my honest opinion and honestly, I can't get enough of Legend and CAN. NOT. WAIT for House of Scarlett!