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Book Summary and Reviews of Falling by Jane Green

Falling by Jane Green

Falling

by Jane Green

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  • Jul 2016, 384 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House, Jemima J, and Summer Secrets presents a novel about the pleasure and meaning of finding a home - and family - where you least expect them...

When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn't the life she wanted either.

On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.

Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.

But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all.

In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds - of one woman's far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be…

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Despite their differences and outside influences that rock the boat, Emma and Dominic's relationship deepens until a late-in-the-game twist that may well rile readers. Nonetheless, Green's tale is an engaging journey that will undoubtedly be sought out by her many fans." - Booklist

"Green's fiction is full of disgruntled city gals finding their bliss in the 'burbs, but although Emma could certainly be a more compelling heroine (most of the main events of the plot happen to her without requiring much action or decision on her part), her community is full of nuanced characters that elevate the story above its cookie-cutter beats and add extra impact to the tearjerker ending. It likely won't linger in readers' minds, but it's a pleasant enough beach read." - Publishers Weekly

"Readers of Emily Giffin's novels or those who enjoy a love story with heart will adore this tale of homecoming and transformation from Green (Summer Secrets). Recommended for all fiction collections." - Library Journal

"Though Emma's life changes drastically, the reliance on clichés and all-too-familiar tropes makes it difficult to reach an emotional payoff." - Kirkus

This information about Falling was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Nanette S. (San Pierre, IN)

Falling by Jane Green
Probably my favorite Jane Green book--and I love all of them! If you cried after Me Before You, you will be bawling after Falling. Loved the characters, and flow of the book.

Ariel F. (Madison, WI)

Enjoyable Summer Read
I found Falling to be an easy summer read. I knew from the title that someone would fall in love. Emma leaves her family in England and moves to New York City to work in the fast pace world of finance. She does not enjoy the NYC pace and moves to Connecticut. In Connecticut, she begins to find meaning in her life.

Sarah T. (LaGrange, IN)

Summer read
I found it to be a fast read with several unexpected twists. In several instances very true to life. All the problems with parents who were not impressed with "dating below their class" along with a precious little boy who felt he was being replaced. Everyone does not live happily ever after and it made it very realistic in my opinion. Enjoyed reading the book.

Diane M. (Walden, NY)

Love story
This is a story about contemporary love story. Emma leave her fast paced life in new York to find a better life following her dreams in Connecticut. She finds love with Dominic and his son but life gives the story surprising twists. Beautiful story.

Terri C. (Litchfield, NH)

I fell for Jane Green's new book "Falling"
The storyline of a successful women who decides to leave Wall Street in search of a life that really makes her happy was a hook that caught me and drew me in as Jane Green beautifully knitted together a soothing, wise, well written story. We quickly find ourselves falling in love with Emma as she finds herself falling in love with her new life in a small cottage in a beach town, and following her passion in both choice of men as well as manner of earning her income. With exquisitely well -chosen words, the author takes us through dialogue that details what dating and relationships can look like all too often. Then with just a few strokes of the pen, she gets it exactly right as she scripts the feelings and thoughts of how it feels when real love strikes, as well as the struggles and considerations that may come along with it. In addition to the plot which takes some expected, and not so expected twists, is the backdrop of action and dialogue that includes references to current events such as the desire to see the play Hamilton, brand names of clothes and possessions in style today, and best stores to shop when decorating for a luxury look on a budget. This tactic ensures the reader becomes gently yet diligently entwined and involved in the main character's lives as to invite us to eagerly look forward to turning the pages until suddenly and all to soon, we arrive at the final fall to quickly and abruptly as we seek to prepare for the ending, the book draws to a close. As we close the book, we reflect on the title and suddenly, it has new meaning. With a smile, we know we are putting down a well crafted, enjoyable read, published just in time for our summer reading pleasure!

Mary Ellen, IN

Falling by Jane Green
I thoroughly enjoyed Falling. The main characters were likeable and their situations interesting, while other characters enriched the story through twists and turns and humor. The complex and strained relationships between Emma and her parents and Dominic and his parents were believable. Falling is a love story sweetened by the close relationship between Dominic and his son and Emma's efforts to find out just where she fits into the picture. There also are surprises that I didn't see coming. Falling is a good read.

...19 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Jane Green Author Biography

Jane Green (born May 31, 1968), is the pen name of Jane Green Warburg, an English author of women's novels, who is viewed by many as a founder of the "Chick Lit" Genre.

Jane worked for many years as a journalist, writing women's features for The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, Cosmopolitan and others, with occasional forays into public relations for film, television, and the odd celebrity. The author of many bestselling novels, including Straight Talking, Jemima J, Mr. Maybe, Bookends, and Babyville.

Jane lives outside New York City with her husband and children.

Link to Jane Green's Website

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