Thanks to the Goodreads Giveaway, I got this book to read. I wasn't expecting much because of the title and the book cover. However, like they say, "You can't judge a book by its cover." This book really surprised me. It was actually really good. Davis and Molly are brother and sister both going through some unexpected life changes. It's a story of how they each cope with their own crises, and how they adjust and adapt. The story has some humorous moments, and some sad moments as well.
I caught myself laughing, wowing, gasping, and crying while reading this book.

This is the first book that I have read from this author and it was much appreciated. I found the wit and comedy to be really funny in the dialogue. It sort of reminded me of Fredrick Bachmann in a way. I liked the literal play on words with free fall throughout the book and how it affected the main character. I would definitely recommend this book to others and found it well worth my time. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I love how the cover plays in to the story. The roller coaster on there is because Davis, one of the MC's, designs and coordinates having them built at amusement parks. The other MC, is Molly, his sister. When we stumble in to their lives, they are in the midst of some pretty big upheavel.

Davis's skills are put into question when a child is hurt on one of his rides and Molly is in a deadend spot in both her job and in her love life. As they each suffer their own misfortunes, they learn to self evaluate and to try to let go of both their childhood traumas and their current frustrations. Each learn forgiveness but also how their childhood seems to be affecting their day to day.

I also loved the humor in the book and found myself laughing out loud pretty often. I loved the silly neighbors and how that all played out. I liked Britt and understood her hesitation and anger. All in all, great story.

I adored the Davis and Molly, the siblings in this story. They were seemingly abandoned by their mother and are suffering hard times in their personal and professional lives but at the same time not bitter and mean spirited with one another. Their senses of humor was quirky like mine and I found myself truly laughing out loud no matter where I was! I love it when an author creates characters that are flawed and relatable! This book had intrigue, past secrets and troubles to overcome all while having these characters that I would want as my friends.

Thanks to Andy Abramowitz, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoted this story once I got into it. It revolves around siblings Molly and Davis and the themes of family, siblings and forgiveness. An enjoyable read and a unique perspective.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I did try to pick it back up on a few occasions but the style of writing meant I couldn't get into the story. Just personal preference, but it wasn't my kind of story.

This novel features such complex relationships and deals with issues of abandonment, guilt and starting over. I love how the characters are interwoven with each other. This is a great read.

This is a finely done novel that I enjoyed more than I expected to. Davis and Molly are siblings struggling with a variety of issues. They have very different ways of coping but in the end, it's all about family. Thanks to Netgalley foe the ARC. A good read.

Oh what a beautiful novel this is. The rollercoaster is the perfect symbol here because my heart was dropping and soaring throughout the story.

The writing is smart and witty. I laughed out loud, but they're not cheap laughs. The author does an amazing job of capturing the back and forth of ever day relationships. The tone is snarky at times in a way that is true to real life- people tease each other and are sarcastic, they lie when embarrassed, they apologize, argue, and make up. I adored every single character, they were all relatable. These are people living their lives, trying to do their best and screwing up along the way, like we all do.

Our main character is an engineer who designs roller coasters, which is unique and added a lot of visuals to the story. While the premise is he's an intelligent man who makes some stupid mistakes in his personal life, it's a complicated story with a lot going on. Ultimately this is a story about family, and relationships. It's about loss and forgiveness.

I highly recommend this for readers of contemporary and literary fiction. Especially if you enjoy family drama.

What a fantastic character driven plot and book! Out of the new ones I've read thus far in 2020, this tops my list.
We have Davis who is flawed, but funny and so so smart; Britt who is dedicated, strong and working through things on her terms; Charlie the young funny sassy independent; Molly the self doubting sister who comes to accept and embrace her gifts and many more "side people" that add so much vibrancy to an already interesting story line.
I absolutely loved each and every one, I felt like I was walking with them on their journeys, cheering them along, and loved the ending. I personally really enjoyed this book, it resonated with me, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. Rarely has one man's downfall been as funny and insightful than that of Davis Winger. In one day, his world comes crashing down around him. He is placed on leave from his job as a roller-coaster engineer, his wife finds evidence of a one-night stand and he is booted out of the house, away from his wife Britt and 6 year old daughter, Rachel. Davis and his sister, Molly, are close and survived a childhood of being abandoned by their mother. All of this sounds really bleak but most of it is written in a very wry and witty way. The ups and downs of life, marriage, families, work all come together perfectly. Will Davis work his way back into his life? Will he and his sister ever reconcile with their long gone mother? Will Britt take Davis back after his stupid indiscretion? The only way to find out is to read this clever, hilarious book by Andy Abramowitz.

I've always said that I would leave my husband if he ever cheated on me. In reality, it's so much more complicated than that. Infidelity is a complex subject to tackle - but Abramowitz does it beautifully. The impact to each character was explored in such an honest way. Never before have I rooted for the (genuinely remorseful without being cloying) cheater before, yet here I am.

Though the infidelity arc was just a part of a whole (tales of a tragic coaster accident, an absentee mother, a secret poet), it was what my mind kept circling back to.

4.5 Stars (rounding down)

It just wasn't adding up for me. I couldn't rationalize the characters, didn't like the writing style that much. The story wasn't for me either.
I do appreciate the writer's style and what he wanted to do, but wasn't for me.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Davis designs roller coasters, and now he's on the roller coaster of his life. A Beginner's Guide to Free Fall takes you on the ups and downs of life.

First and foremost, let me say, I would not be embarrassed to wear a Hanson or Culture Club shirt in public. That gave me a good laugh. I did enjoy many of their musical references, especially to Tom Petty. I felt like the tag line may have missed a mark and could have been something musical related.

It was witty, funny, and made me smirk a few times. I did find the main character Davis to be more of a smug, wounded puppy instead of someone who made a mistake and is trying to fix it. Molly, on the other hand, was very likeable and I enjoyed reading her storyline more. I felt as though I would skim quicker through Davis's because I did find myself rolling my eyes.

It took a while to get into the book as it did start slow. Once I was in, it was a good read. I felt as though it took too much time to give the backstory that there was no time for the actual story. All in all, a 3 star book.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone loves the comeback kid,and in this story you feel bad for a guy who made one bad decision while on a work trip. Davis Winger has a larger than life dad and a life dreams are made of. His daughter adores him ,his wife trusts him , his sister counsels him. On a business trip he meets and beds a colleague only to leave and forget completely the encounter. Davis a respected engineer has his reputation put on the line when an accident on a ride of his construction and design puts his life on “ice” . The ensuing events ,his sister’s publication may fold, his wife see’s a text from a woman she doesn’t recognize. All begin this spiral of emotion and self reflection that ends in Davis restarting his life in another country and an unfortunate end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This was an interesting premise, white the roller coasters and all, but definitely not a lot of plot.
This is all about the siblings, and how they live their life, how the actions of their parents led to their actions now as adults. Dealing with abandonment, and the consequences of the families actions.
This won't be for everyone, it's very character driven, so can be slow going. It was good writing though. 3.5 rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley

I was super excited about this book because I was seeing it all over BookRiot. I gave up 10% in. just not well written, foul language for no reason...just couldn't do it.

This book will not be in my top ten this year,but I did enjoy it. The rollercoaster theme is something I knew nothing about. It's good to learn while being entertained. I love a good family drama. Nice to see others more screwed up than me! Thanks @netgalley for the ARC. @abeginnersguidetofreefall @andyabramowitz #netgalley

A well written but rather slow paced novel following siblings Davis and Molly who were abandoned by their mother at a young age.

The novel is more character driven than plot driven and explores the consequences their mothers abandonment has had on their personal and working relationships. I enjoyed both Molly and David's characters and seeing them grow throughout the challenges they face.

Davis Winger, a self-proclaimed good guy, designs roller coasters, and a new log flume ride that he's designed experiences a problem which injures a young woman. On the same day, his wife finds out about a previous indiscretion. His life as he knows it changes instantaneously. Davis' sister Molly is dealing with her own issues including job security as a writer at a local newspaper and being abandoned by her mom when she was little.

I really enjoyed this book. I was pulled in by the story and loved the element of roller coaster design - I had never read anything with that in the story line. Davis' relationships with his family and friends are sweet yet flawed. Good dialogue and likable characters. I wasn't familiar with the author but I'll check out his other book "Thank you, Goodnight".