By: Jane Green
Narrator: Jane Green ASIN: B01FWJU18E
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: 7/19/2016
Format: Other
My Rating: 2 Stars 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…
My Review
Jane Green returns following Summer Secrets (2015) with her latest, FALLING a story of two people from different walks of life, and an unexpected bond with a child. A wide range of reviews for this one. Straightaway, getting right to my feelings about this book, versus an overview. I had not planned on writing a review-not a fan of giving bad reviews; however, many of my Goodreads’ friends have asked for my brutal honest opinion. Here it goes: Falling fell for me. I have read ten Jane Green books. This was one of the most “boring books” and literally nothing about it made any sense. Totally weak, flat and uninteresting. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and could not wait until the ending. It never came together. From the storyline, plot, and the characters. The reading was so annoying and robotic, I kept shaking my head thinking, what is this? I continued listening thinking it would get better. Unfortunately, it did not. The only part I enjoyed was the latter part, where the tragedy occurred and the character of the little boy, Jesse was front and center. I agree with several of the other reviewers--everything seemed robotic. I could not connect with any of the characters. Was never invested or hooked in any way. Emma was the worst, and Dominic not much better. Their relationship was undeveloped, and awkward. Jesse, the son was the only one which added to the story. However, unfortunately, he could not save it in the end. When reviewing the past books I have read by Green, my ratings have not been consistent, and range from 3-5 Stars. The first thing I noticed was the cover. Not an appealing high-end image. It did not draw me in any way. It looks cartoonish, and low end. I choose a book by the cover, and almost passed over it due to this factor; however, her last three books, I rated five stars (enjoyed them), and decided to give it a chance. Also noticed this time around, the publisher was Berkley, not St. Martin’s Press. I could tell right away this was not a SMP cover. SMP is one of my favorite publishers. (possibly why a new publisher, cannot imagine them signing off on this one). Not sure if the new publisher, editor, or designer had any part in the book’s overall outcome; however, cannot recommend this one. As another reviewer mentioned, I too may be outgrowing her books. I do not read a lot of women’s fiction or chick-lit anymore; too light and uninteresting for my taste, plus not a romance fan. I need substance, intrigue, and much more. When you read over 400-500 books a year, you are more selective about the books you really enjoy reading, due to time management. I do have some select authors, which I still read in this genre. Your taste in books change over the years, the more you read. I prefer more literary, historical, domestic suspense, psychological, mysteries, thrillers, and well-written, thought-provoking books, preferring more intense, deeply complex page-turners. Everyone has their favorite types of books. Unfortunately,Falling did not "fall" into any of these categories. Making this fit in a one–three star category, at best.
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About the Author
Jane Green’s is the author of seventeen novels, including sixteen New York Times Bestsellers, including her latest, Summer Secrets. Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance, Jemima J, and Tempting Fate.
She is published in over 25 languages, and has over ten million books in print worldwide. She joined the ABC News team to write their first enhanced digital book— about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News as a live correspondent covering Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton. A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Green filled two of her books, Saving Grace and Promises to Keep, with recipes culled from her own collection. She says she only cooks food that is “incredibly easy, but has to look as if you have slaved over a hot stove for hours.” This is because she has five children, and has realised that “when you have five children, nobody ever invites you anywhere.”
She lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks. A cancer survivor – she has overcome Malignant Melanoma, she also lives with Chronic Lyme Disease, and believes gratitude and focusing on the good in life is the secret to happiness. Read More
