The cover and title alone of this book caught my attention. They are both just fun and cute and makes me want to have some fun with this book. I read the synopsis and knew I wanted to read this book and it would be great for when I needed the short and light kind of read. I was right. This book was so fun and light and cute and fluffy and full of the good feels. The romance was cute, the story was good, and with the character development and wonderful setting if Ireland I couldn't ask for anything more in this kind of read.

Clementine Haas was a girl with her entire future ahead of her. She decided to take a trip to Ireland and on the way there the plane went down. Clementine was the only survivor. She wakes up in the hospital with no memory of who she is or the life she had. When it all gets to much for her she decides to hide away with a guy she just met at the hospital. He happens to be nice and sweet and rich and has a nice home she can borrow for a couple of weeks. She wants to give herself some time to see if the memory comes back. Instead, she finds herself building a new life with new memories. It can't be that easy though... not when everything new is built on lies.


This book was really adorable. I just loved every moment of it. Now I don't agree with running off with some strange guy you just met in a foreign country with no memory of who you are... but it fit okay for the story. So you know he was not a serial killer or anything like that. Now that I have given my few words of don't try this at home, let's get to my thoughts.

The characters in this book were cute. I loved Clementine... as stated above didn't really agree with her actions but I wanted to enjoy the book as was and except for this decision... and the decisions of lying... I really liked her. I got her motive. I mean she has no memory and as far as she knows no life. It was going home with a stranger or escape with a stranger. There was no win for her. I love amnesia books because they are intriguing. This is something no would ever understand unless one has been through it. I can't imagine ever losing all my memories and knowledge of who I am. It's got to be plain scary. So I got why she did what she did. She was a brave individual and determined not to let this part of her life define her. She was just going to reinvent.

Kieran... oh Kieran I loved him. Part jerk and part sweetheart. He was cold at times, built up a wall but oh all the nice things he did and said. He made me swoon. I don't like some of the choices he made either but I do know he had his heart in the right place. For most of the book, I was totally in love with him.... the accent didn't hurt either.

There were some other adorable characters too. Clive... another one I just adored. He was so so cute and kind and funny and all that good stuff. I just wanted him in my life. Kieran's sister... I can't remember her name now... she was a little witchy but I knew I would end up loving her too and I did.

The story was cute and fun and the kind of book that gave you warm feelings of goo in the end. It was the perfect light and fluffy that I needed and still had some deeper moment in there too. There was a little mystery as Clementine put together her past or remembered it little by little and few surprises down the road too.




A good old fun time with this book.

I want to read more ARCs this year, and this was one of my most recent ones I've received so I decided to pick up. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but this is truly a delight.

Clementine Haas remembers nothing when she wakes up in the hospital in Ireland after surviving a plane crash that killed everyone on board but her. The suffocating hospital and the terror of her absent memory leads her to escape the hospital to discover herself on her own. With the help of a boy she meets, Kieran O'Connell, she leaves with him to his small town of Waterville. There, she aims to avoid the life she lost and recreate herself in the hopes of finding herself along the way. The people she meets and the discoveries she makes in Waterville under the name of Jane Middleton will change Clementine Haas's future forever, but will she have to leave one of her lives behind?

I've never read anything by Rebekah Crane before, but I really found her writing captivating. She managed to write a book that is simple and sweet, but sprinkles it with incredibly profound statements that are worthy of wall decor. Her characters are each vivid and different and the whole book is a standout in its genre. Though it lacked a bit in diversity, it was sex-positive and very accepting of all sexualities, which was wonderful to read. I can't wait to read her other books and follow her in the future.

Clementine Haas's journey is a unique and specific situation, but she is incredibly relatable. Self-discovery is a journey that never ends, and Crane perfectly captures this aspect of the human experience. Clementine--or Jane, as she is called for most of the book--is a unique character because of her journey of self-discovery. Having nearly nothing to offer from the beginning allows her to go through the book as the same pace as the reader. She is thoughtful and kind and is surprisingly self-aware for someone with no memories. Clementine/Jane is so easy to read and even easier to love.

Kieran O'Connell. Is there a more stereotypical Irish boy name? But I honestly didn't mind! While being the usual contemporary romance love interest (daddy issues, a past he won't discuss, and one or two hobbies that are incredibly unique), he doesn't blend in with the rest. Though he acts a bit distant and strange throughout most of the beginning of the book, the reader never dislikes him. He is not cruel, but is instead very level-headed and rational.

The reader meets other characters like Siobhan, Kieran's very prickly and very pregnant twin sister, Stephen, her gay male nurse, and Clive, Siobhan's boss and friend. Each character brings something different to the table for Clementine, and the way they help her in her transformation is amazing. I have never wanted a group of such unique and out of the ordinary characters to be my friends until this book.

I've wanted to go to Ireland for a long time now, but Crane's description of it as the setting made me want to go even more. It was the perfect place for this book to take place and it made it feel fresh. The setup of the entire book make me increasingly curious about the ending, and I have to say I thought she ended it very well. It's one of those where you get to the last bit and you're thinking, "How is she gonna give me everything I want with so little time left??" Of course she does, and it's absolutely worth it.

If you're looking for the perfect read as it gets warmer and you're reaching for those sweet summer romances, put this at the top of your list. It's a fun and easy read, but it's also poignant and impactful. Rebekah Crane started off my spring/summer reads with the perfect pick. I'm a little late on this review so it's already hit shelves, so do't waste any time grabbing your copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this YA offering, Cleveland native Clementine Haas is the sole survivor of a plane crash. She has a tattoo of a green heart on her ankle, a room in an Irish hospital, and a purple sweatshirt. What she does not have is any memory of her life leading up to the accident. Not ready to face her father, the press, or the situation in general, Clementine escapes from the hospital with a man she meets in the cafeteria. Clementine holes up in a cottage with the handsome and mysterious Kieran and his hostile (and pregnant) sister Siobhan and slowly unwinds her history.

In the author notes, Crane reveals that the book arose from a brainstorming session with high school students. My reaction on reading that was “Oh, that explains it.” The amnesia trope and the Prince Charming elements seem like they would come from adolescents devising a romantic plot. They certainly succeed, and Crane keeps it light and funny. Still, I can’t give this one as many stars as Crane’s The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland, which if you haven’t read yet, go do it. Its flawed characters and their struggles give that book a poignancy and depth and ground it in the reality of adolescence. On the other hand, where The Upside of Falling Down is concerned . . .

Read if: You want something easy and escapist.

This book is adorable. Yes, adorable. It’s a fast read, and an uncomplicated book. However, that’s not enough to make me rate it 4 or 5 stars out of 5.

The book focus mainly on Clementine, as she tries to get her life back after a tragedy took away her memories. There are other characters introduced throughout the book (the nurse, Kieran, Siobhan, and that store owner (I forgot his name, darn), but aside from Kieran, all the other character just felt like props. To help with Clementine’s character development (not that there’s a lot of it), and I hate when that happens.

While the book was okay, I just couldn’t connect with Clementine. I thought I would, after some time, but I was kind of charmed by Kieran, so I continued reading. And I found out I was wrong. I couldn’t connect with Clementine at all. In fact, I was annoyed by her. I find her whiny, and insensitive (and being a victim and sole survivor of a plane crash only let you get away with so much). I hate the way she treated the people who cared for her, like the nurse who trusted her but she ran away instead, or her dad who flew all the way to Ireland, and waited there as she lived with Kieran and Siobhan. That was really selfish of her, and I can’t help but feel sorry for them.

I know what you’re thinking. I said it was an adorable book, but I’ve been talking about how annoyed I was with it (or just Clementine, to be specific).

I find the Ireland (or small town in Ireland) painted by Rebekah Crane adorable; the town, the sheep, and the eccentric shop where Siobhan worked at. I find the male nurse that attended to Clementine, and Siobhan’s boss (I forgot their name) sweet. And I guess, ignoring the annoying part, the story was sweet.

Overall, this book is half adorable and the other half a mixture of annoyance and frustration. There’s also a bit of mystery tucked in, although some people might be able to guess it from the beginning. All things considered, the book’s not that bad.

I rate it 3.5 / 5 stars.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me and I did not finish it. Thank you for the opportunity :)

I thought this was really cute! I enjoyed it about as much as (possibly more than) Grover Cleveland. I do think it would have worked a bit better if Clementine was a bit older - I kept forgetting she was 18/19 and I just don't buy forever when characters are that young, but other than that, this was enjoyable. Funny, cute, little bit of romance with mostly self discovery. I liked all the characters and how everything unfolded. Most of all I loved all the sprinkles of Jane Austen, that was a pleasant surprise.

I just finished this book and I loved every moment of it.

I believe that if you have ever read (and loved) a book written by Sarah Dessen, you will love this book. I actually want to read the other books written by Crane now, just in the hopes they are like this.

Clementine Hauss loses her memory, but not her life, when her flight is downed in Ireland. The lone survivor of the crash she is the topic of a lot of media attention, but Clementine can't help fill in any back story. She survived the crash but has lost all memory of who she was. In a rash moment with a stranger, named Kieran, she takes off from the hospital under the guise of "Jane" to find herself. And find herself she does in this sweet book about discovery and love.

It is amazing how the things that she does remember, though subconsciously, relate to her true identity. It is also amazing that a book hid something from me for so long successfully! (You'll understand that when you read it, as you should!)

I received this book in exchange for my unbiased review. And I loved it.

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane
Clementine Haas is searching for herself. Not just figuratively but literally searching for herself. Clementine is in an Irish hospital where she doesn’t know why she is in Ireland or anything about herself. She is told that she is the lone survivor of an airplane crash. The Irish press wants to know everything about her and she becomes overwhelmed and takes off to find herself. She meets Kieran O’Connell and travels to his hometown and begins to discover a new Clementine.
A sweet romance which moves at good pace. Clementine’s decisions sometimes leaves the reader questioning her but in light of the loss of memory can be understandable. Some of the things Clementine does such as escaping from the hospital so easily seemed a little unrealistic. The setting may cause some teen readers to shy away from this title but those readers who like a sweet romance will be rewarded by picking up this title. The reader will be rooting for Clementine and Kieran all along the way. The ending does explain why Clementine is in Ireland and the twist is enjoyable and unexpected. Give to a teen reader who enjoys a sweet and easy read.

I don't know, this book just fell flat for me. When I saw this at Netgalley, I thought it will be a quick and fun (maybe cute?) read but I really struggled continuing with this. I just can't connect with Clementine and Kieran, or any character for that matter. The story started out great but ended absurdly.

I'm always up for a good amnesia story. This YA novel tells the story of Clementine - the sole American survivor of a plane crash. When she wakes up in Ireland and doesn't remember anything about her life, she flees the hospital and takes solace in the comfort of a cute, mysterious boy (naturally!). Although the story is a little predictable, Clementine is a strong character with a clear ambition to discover who she really is. The resolution at the end was a bit too quick for me, but overall, I was left feeling satisfied by this charming story.

This was a great book about picking yourself up and finding a new identity after a tragedy. Clementine has no memory of who she was before the crash and she's scared of hurting the people from her old life by pretending to be someone she's not. So she runs away from her life and chooses to find a new identity rather than chasing after an old one.

Obviously it is not a good idea to run away from hospital and go off with a complete stranger in a foreign country, but I really understood Clementine and wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to go back to her dad, but I also wanted her to find her new life and run away with Kieran. It's a book that really makes you think hard about the choices that Clementine is making and whether what she's doing is for the best.

I love books that make you think about things differently. The right and wrong of it all is obvious, but even then, it still makes you think about it all.

A love letter to Ireland, with strong themes of identity and truth, this was a fantastic book all around.

3.5 stars. I loved that our protagonist was full of life even when she didn't have her memories. I found myself rooting for her throughout the book, and did't get too annoyed about her going back and forth about how she felt about lying (sometimes it was a bit whiplash, though). I really, really liked the surprise at the end--I saw it coming to some extent, but felt pleased by how it wrapped everything together in a slightly unexpected way. A fun, quick read.

I'd call this New Adult disguised as Young Adult, both in content (swearing, sex) and theme (figuring out who you are in the world around you).

Thanks, Netgalley, for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Skyscape and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Upside of Falling Down. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Clementine Haas is the sole survivor of a plane crash, only she does not remember anything at all. Without her identity to guide her, Clementine feels lost - that is, until she meets Kieran O’Connell and some of the inhabitants of Waterville, Ireland. As her past remains elusive, will Jane (as she calls herself) be able to shed who she was entirely and become someone new?

I liked the characters and the pacing of the plot, but the story itself was stunted by the ending. The pieces fall into place too neatly and the serious content of the book is shunted off in a lighthearted way. The Upside of Falling Down is a perfect read for those looking for a YA romance with an international setting.

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane is written in first person with Clementine Haas as the narrator. The story is set in Waterville, Count Kerry, Ireland and follows the life of Clementine Haas, the only survivor in a plane crash but suffering with amnesia. Out of fear of facing her father with no memories and achingly longing to have them back, she decides to make a run for it with Kieran O'Connell, a stranger she had just met in the hospital grounds. Clementine takes in a new identity hoping to start anew. But would that be enough? This book that carries a taste of Ireland is one contemporary novel you definitely wouldn't want to miss!

The story holds an understanding of the past, the present and the future, what should be left behind, and what should be kept instead. It tells a story of looking ahead, instead of backward.

I immensely enjoyed this book from the tips of my toes to the ends of my hair! The first chapter was one that got me chuckling several times and simply attention-grabbing that sets the mood going, which I adore completely. This book is effortlessly easy to read and has a lot of LOVELY quotes that I couldn't help taking note of every time I spot one.

What made me love this book so much is that it had the right amount of contemporary, YA, and romance mixed together that I think Professor Utonium will appreciate this wonderfully written book! The book did my heart some flipping and my stomach flopping and it was just uh- MAZING! Also, there was this "so near yet so far" factor that I wholly love when it comes to romance, and GOSH! This made me love the story all the more!!! I had been so engrossed in this book that if it wasn't for my real life responsibilities, well, I could have finished it in a day! If you're a friend of mine in Goodreads, you'd see how my rants for every update I make in this book, explicitly handing out how good the book is!

While all the characters in the book were lovable, my favourite was Siobhan. She is charming in her savage, mean way and I see reason as to why she has that personality.

I actually felt like I was walking on Clementine's shoes. Almost all the emotions she displated throughout the book, I felt crystal clear. The pain, the frustration of not remembering at all, the giddiness, the joy, the brokenheartedness. All these I felt with her and that's one more thing added to the reasons of why this book is just adorable!

Another awesome thing about this book is that the word "dull" can't be found anywhere. Every time I felt that things were going downwards to boring land, I am met a few paces later with excitable events that would either leave me giggling or plow through.

Here are a few things to expect when reading the book:

-the word lovely
-Irish name pronunciation! (Here's an example: Saoirse Ronan. Love her!! But she's not part of the story haha!)
-quotes on self-discovery, individuality, and something about the upside of falling down
-Cleveland. It's in Ohio. On Lake Erie.
-Alternating between Irish and American accent
-Kieran O'Connell
-Some dares
-A bit of Jane Austen

This book is highly recommended to those who enjoy fluffy romance, innocent love, self-discovery and Europe, specifically Ireland, more specifically Waterville.

"It's never the end. Even when you think your life is over, a new story line appears."

**I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

“What is the point of cheating death if a life doesn’t exist when you wake up?”

Could you imagine your life where you don’t remember anything anymore? Waking up with amnesia and not able to decide what to feel- fear, confusion, panic, frustration? Feeling alone? I certainly can’t imagine myself being in that situation and this was exactly what attracted me towards this book. I knew from the beginning that this I would end up loving this, and I am glad I was not disappointed 🙂

This story is about Clementine Hass who is the sole survivor of a plane crash and wakes up in a hospital with retrograde amnesia. She found herself overwhelmed with all the strangeness around her so she runs away with a stranger (Kieran) to his house in a small village and decides to live there until she remembers her past life. She chooses a new name, Jane, and a new life for her, but soon she realized that she is not going to remember anything soon and that she is being accustomed to being Jane.

WHAT I LIKED
------------------------------
1. I loved the main character, Clementine. She has been portrayed as a strong woman with a stable mind and determination to achieve something. She is not afraid of uncertainties. After a certain time, she realized that she is nowhere near to knowing about her past, but even in that situation, she was ready to build everything for herself from scratch.
2. I loved the overall theme of this story. This is a book about new beginnings. This is about moving on with uncertainties. Life won’t always give you a fair chance at everything. There are a few times where you have to just move on. You have to keep digging the new possibilities. Rebekah Crane has done a wonderful job in depicting the overall theme.
3. I have found my new book boyfriend 😀 I LOVED Keiran! He was so adorable and cute. I liked how he was portrayed in the story along with Clementine. He was never shown as a bossy one or otherwise. He left her free to figure out her stuff and always made her comfortable. I like how he was shown as a person who liked to help everyone. But sometimes, Kieran was a complicated guy. While helping Jane, he was dealing with his own family crisis. He was trying to decide what he wanted to be, as his father had other hopes with him. And you know what is the cutest thing? He gave a nickname to Jane/Clementine – Bunny! Isn’t this adorable? 😍
4. The romance was slow-building and quite. In a way, perfect. I liked how it was not rushed. It took almost the end to build that perfect scene for the romance but it was worth it.
5. I really enjoyed the side characters, Siobhan and Clive, among others. I loved their contribution to the story and how they molded it.
6. I loved the setting of the book which was Ireland. Rebekah Crane has perfectly described Ireland’s places and it made me want to visit that beautiful place right away 🙂
7. I loved all the dares that Keiran and Jane did in the story, as I want to do them myself someday?
8. I LOVED the ending. It was NOT AT ALL what I expected. The last 50 or so pages were too intense and I was quite on edge thinking what would happen next. I loved how everything was wrapped up nicely in the end.
9. The writing style of Rebekah Crane was wonderful. It was kind of poetic which reminds with the writing of one of my favourite author John Green. One thing I appreciate most about his books are wonderful quotes and I can say, The Upside of Falling Down has plenty of them. The writing made this book a quick read and kept me hooked from first to the last page.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
---------------------------------
1. Though I loved Clementine as a character, sometimes she was too nosy in other people lives and I didn’t like it particularly? I felt as if she overstepped her boundaries, a few times, considering she was a total stranger in someone else’s home.
2. I loved Siobhan and Clive as a pair and I really wanted to know more about them and their stories.

“There’s a moment bungee jumping, when you’re free – falling. The air actually feels thick. Almost like it’s keeping you afloat more than pushing you down. And you forget to be scared. You forget to be anything. You’re just… still and falling at the same time. At the end, when the bungee catches, you’re actually disappointed because it felt so good. It’s over too soon. It’s the upside of falling down. It’s why you jump in the first place… for that moment.”


FINAL THOUGHTS
-----------------------------
Overall, this was a super cute, adorable and quick read about finding yourself and daring to accept the challenges. This is a great example of a perfect contemporary. This shows that it isn’t necessary to have a strong plot every time to make a story entertaining. You don’t need to have high romance and a perfect pair to make it swoon-worthy. Sometimes, just a simple story like this can also do the magic. I immensely enjoyed this book and thus I would highly recommend it.

what a unique situation.., the sole survivor of a plane crash, Clementine wakes up with amnesia and has to puzzle out who she is and who she was. A delightful quick read that is fun for all.

This is a solid book in my favorite genre, it's no surprise that I enjoyed it. It's well thought out and well executed. I liked the characters best of all, and the plot was very intriguing. The only thing that doesn't sit well with me is the ending, it felt rushed and it didn't seem believable.

I've got to say that this book tackle this issue in a refreshing way. I really liked how Clementine tried hard to enjoy her life even with her amnesia. I couldn't stop flipping through the pages. I think the author did well in talking about the hard times with the right amount of sensitivity and in a relatable way. The ending felt a little bit rush but overall it was a great read! x

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane is a very unique and interesting book, and I loved it. Clementine Haas, from Ohio, wakes up in a hospital in Ireland with total amnesia. She is the only survivor of a plane crash. The only person Clementine feels comfortable with is her male nurse, so instead of facing her dad, she escapes the hospital to find who she really is. This book kept me reading page after page, and it had more twists and turns as we figured things out along with Clementine. I strongly recommend this book, I plan on reading other books by Ms. Crane.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A book about new beginnings, The Upside of Falling Down is Clementine’s story about having to move on and live with uncertainty. She is the sole survivor a plane crash, but she also has retrograde amnesia – so when she wakes up in the hospital, she is basically a stranger to herself. Because returning back to a life she knows nothing about seems overwhelming, she runs away with a stranger to his house in a small village, so that she can try to remember and figure herself out before getting back to her life.

The story is mostly about uncertainty and not knowing what comes ahead. For Clementine, who adopts the name Jane while she is amnesiac, she first tries to figure out Clementine’s life. But pretty soon, she realizes that she likes living as Jane, and discovering little parts of her personality along the way rather than trying and failing to be Clementine. Kieran, meanwhile, lets her figure her stuff out but she doesn’t tell him that she’s the runaway plane crash victim that the press is seeking out. While living in his town, she gets to know his sister (who is pregnant and prickly), Clive, who is different and owns it, and Kieran himself – though, he is pretty closed off to her. She seeks out his company because he makes her feel comforted, but she also starts falling for him, which is a problem because she had intended ‘Jane’ to be temporary until she remembered being ‘Clementine’.

The romance is slow-building, and at times, I was amazed how no one was suspicious of her. But as the end explains, it all is connected. She learns to not run away, embrace what she doesn’t know, get over her fears, and let go of what cannot be changed. Kieran is a constant rock throughout, and lets her find herself, and gives her space, and he is book boyfriend goals. At first I was like, girl, how can you just go off with a stranger? But then, everyone was a stranger to her in the start – even herself. Only she is quite nosy at times, and gets into other’s business, which his sister Siobhan scolds her for quite often. Siobhan’s and Clive’s relationship is also adorable and I am happy for them, but I wish it had been given more development, rather than just declared towards the end.

In short, a beautifully written contemporary new adult about finding yourself and letting go of fears, with a good romantic subplot.