I loved this book and I was totally into it from the first page and remained engaged throughout the story. I loved that it was Christian fiction and very clean, non-preachy but at the same time included God in the grieving process.

Eva and Angela are sisters-in-aw who have to live life after their husbands were both killed in a scuba diving misadventure. (SPOILER: Wes got his foot stuck and Brent tried to help him but they both ran out of oxygen and died END OF SPOILER) I thought it was very realistic how both women dealt with death. Angela has children while Eva does not. That alone changes the dynamics of how a woman might deal with death. Guilt, how to move forward, how to grieve in a healthy way, honoring the death of a loved one, how one's higher power can help him/her to move on in life without feeling guilt. The living must live and I thought this book did a super good job of showing that.

Highly inspirational, well-written and about very real problems, this novel is about dreaming again, smiling again and moving again.
Two sisters-in-law, whose husbands (brothers) died at the same time in accident, are trying to find their way again. One marriage was mostly happy, one was troubled. One of the couples had three children, the other couple was taking their sweet time to do this. Every of the females is living under the dark cloud of different kind. Then they realize that their husbands were to take part in the New Zealand ultra marathon.
The two women and the male friend who was to be a part of the husbands team at the race decide to take the places in the race as a team. This decision brings many challenges (one of them is to bring the new possible love interests into their lives), many hardships, many turning points - and hope and strength to move forward.

I especially love that the authoress is realistical about her characters. She acknowledges that this and that is simply not easy. That no one-time sweet talk will magically solve the characters’s problems. That some things are messy, some takes time snd some needs both. Because of this tender, yet realistical attitude this novel might bring much inspiration (as it certainly inspired me).

A intriguing story about two women trying to navigate their way through grief when both their husbands die in a scuba diving accident.
The characters question God’s Plan for them.
Can they be happy again?
Can they find peace?
Can they heal?
A beautiful story of healing.

A competently told and vibrant tale of grief and redemption that establishes Harrel as a needed and alluring voice in the realm of Inspirational Women's Fiction. Wanderlust was high with this one.... a lovely balance of philosophy and heart

I liked this one, it was a great novel about moving on. As well starting again. I do recommend having tissues when you read this one.

The Joy of Falling was such a beautiful, heartbreaking read!
The author has done a fantastic job of dealing with the subject of grief, loosing a spouse and learning how to grow and continue on in life. All set in the gorgeous New Zealand countryside!

This was my first read by this author and I am thoroughly impressed. I am looking forward to reading her other books!

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel deals with grief. Both main characters have lost their husband’s. Each is dealing with their grief in their own unique way. To help them heal, they have decided to fulfill their husbands’ mutual dream of participating in an ultra-marathon in New Zealand.

I struggled to connect with either of the female characters. I also felt like it was unrealistic for them to both find love at the same time. Because of these things, this was just not the book for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sisters-in-law who are recently widowed take the stage in this story with a Ruth and Naomi theme. Yes, the mother-in-law is also prominent in the story. Eva and Angela grieve in their own ways and they are not real friends when the story begins. They are together by marriage. Angela is struggling financially and has 3 children to raise. Repeated appeals to her husband to stop the “adventures” with his brother fell on deaf ears. And, she is angry and now widowed. Eva is childless as her husband’s adventures had them postponing a family. She is sad as the love her life left her all alone. The mother-in-law provides care for the grandchildren and structure for the extended family.
A few months into their grief, Eva finds out the two deceased brothers won a lottery spot in a famous walk/run in New Zealand. The women decide to take the spot and the story continues as they literally walk/run through their grief.
This was a unique way to tell the Ruth and Naomi story and I really enjoyed it. Though I do not have a runner’s background, I felt the author gave me enough description of the process that I could easily follow the struggles of the team.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

Both Eva and Angela lost their husbands and both are trying to live again after such a loss. These ladies and completely different, connected only by the brothers they married, and a mother in law that loves both.

This is my first book by this author, and I will sure be looking for more from Lindsay Harrell. I slowly fell in love with these characters. It was hard at first because they were facing such a past, and trying to find their own way to grieve. I really liked the mother in law, she was full of wisdom because she has also lost a husband, and she lost her two sons at the same time. Sometimes I really was frustrated with Eva and Angela because they depended on they depended on her too much, instead of helping her through her grief, she had lost her husband and boys, after all.

The trip the New Zealand was interesting. There was a lot of friction between Eva and Angela. Angela did have a bad attitude, but Eva had her issues as well. There are so many things happening in this story, and you need to read the book to really get it all and enjoy it. The author does an amazing job of weaving everything going on and bring it to a nice close to end the story.

If you are a fan of contemporary fiction, and good, clean Christian fiction, you will love this story. It is sure a story of family, love, forgiveness, trusting God and second chances. I encourage you to check this one out. It is well worth the read.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A beautifully written story full of grief and joy, friendship and faith. Well developed characters. Believable story line. This book will have you shed a tear or two. Highly recommended. Five stars.

I honestly don't even know what to say about The Joy of Falling. I finished it a couple days ago and still don't have the words...but I'll try my best. I loved the book. When I heard that this was, in part, about running a marathon, I thought it wasn't going to be that interesting...boy was I wrong!

This book dealt with loss, grief, healing, and new love. I was captivated by the story right away and felt like I took this journey of healing with Eva and Angela. I was rooting for them as they ran the marathon (which sounded INTENSE) and hoping for the best with the rest of their stories.

All in all, The Joy of Falling was a fantastic read and I recommend it!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

What a fun, heartfelt and unforgettable read!
It truly is a ride! To the other side of the world, to deal with scars and to discover you never stop growing. Most importantly, hope and joy and love never end and never fail!

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel is an unexpected book dealing with the serious subject of grief. Eva and Angela could not be more different. When they both lose their husbands, they deal with this in very different ways. The characters in this book are so real and alive. Their emotions are so raw and aching. Yet Ms Harrel has written them with such hope interwoven in this book that overall, this book is such a delight to read. There is fun and adventure alongside that very real hurt. And the hope abounds as the women contemplate what life will look like now in the absence of their husbands. I highly recommend this novel to readers of many different interests. I think it is an important read that many would be able to relate to and benefit from. I sincerely loved it. Ms Harrel's books just keep getting better and better. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I was immediately drawn in to this beautifully written story of grief, faith, forgiveness and finding joy. I felt so many different emotions while reading the story of sisters-in-law, Eva and Angela. The author did such a wonderful job describing the beautiful setting of New Zealand. The secondary characters were great, especially mother-in-law, Sherry. I also enjoyed learning more about what runners go through while training for marathons. I highly recommend this book!

The Joy of Falling is an amazing story of grief and healing, joy and triumph, and the importance of relationships in every aspect of life (family, friendships, romance). Oh, and a little armchair adventure in New Zealand happens along with ALL THE FEELS.

I believe anyone who has experienced grief can relate to this story. While these characters lose their husbands, their journey of grief shows how it manifests uniquely to each person and is simultaneously universal. I appreciate how Harrel clearly communicates that with this story – giving these characters permission to grieve differently, showing its stages and waves in a relatable way.

While the weightier aspects of grief and fear are a part of this story, its bright JOY and honesty are the best parts. Eva and Angela each grow and benefit from their relationships in this story, both as sisters, daughters, and, in Angela’s case, as a parent. The importance of friendship is spotlighted, as are a couple tentative friendship-and-romance relationships. These are developed carefully and with a refreshing honesty in the face of the emotional trials both Angela and Eva are experiencing.

This emotional and enlightening journey plays out for the characters in a most vivid setting: New Zealand. Harrel has captured the place wonderfully, in a setting-as-a-character manner. Its varied terrain is a catalyst and metaphor for the perseverance Eva, Angela, and Marc must prove in their marathon and in their season of change.

It was a blessing to read this story at this moment in my life: its message of joy as an overarching theme and anchor, as opposed to fleeting happiness, becomes a constant for the characters and a reminder we all need in this world.

I’ll end my thoughts with one of my favorite quotes from the novel:

“How was it possible to feel so much love and hope in the midst of tragedy?”

-The Joy of Falling
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

I keep finding jewels of books by Lindsay Harrel and The Joy of Falling is among the rarest of gems in her library of books.

Eva and Angela married brothers who were adventurers and who died because of an accident. Both ladies were having a hard time getting through their grief when Eva gets a phone call from an ultra marathon race director asking about her husband's entry and the remaining entry fee for the team. Angela used to run quite a bit when she was younger, before children, and Eva thought that they should compete in honor of their husbands, along with the third member of the team, Marc--once the business partner of Eva's husband.

Sherry is Eva's and Angela's mother-in-law and is the voice of wisdom for both girls and encourages them to find the joy of living, and not to depend on happiness. She also encourages them to find their relationship with God again.

Lindsay's writing style is one that grabs the reader on the very first page and doesn't let go until the back cover is closed. She puts a lot of action into her stories, and moves the plot along at a pretty good clip. Her characters are flawed human beings and relatable to her readers. This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and an astounding finish in the ultra-marathon of life.

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed are totally my own.

Some stories are just unforgettable. What started as a book of grief and sorrow ultimately leads to a story of hope and joy. The beautiful relationship that blossoms between two widows, Angela and Eva—sisters in law in name only—is what makes it so incredibly heart filling. These 2 very different women, along with Marc, the best friend of Eva’s late husband, decide to fulfill a mega-race commitment that their husbands made. At first, I heartily disliked Angela, and was wondering wether she might create the whole race’s undoing. But as we got to know her better & understand where each woman is coming from, and where the hearts are going to, the story opens up into a tale of moving beyond the tentacles of grief and finding joy where you least expect it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

The Joy of Falling is a very encouraging book. I loved the story of Eva and Angela. Both their husbands were killed in an accident. They are both struggling to recover from their husband death.

Eva and Angela find out their husbands had plan to run a race in New Zealand. The decide to do the run in place of their husbands. They are not runners. They are determined to finish the race. I loved how determined they were and no matter what they were going to finish.

The Joy of Falling is a fast reading book. The story shows us there is life after death of a love one.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

4.25 Stars / 1 Steam Fans

Anyone that knows my reviews will tell you that I am not a fan of Christian Fiction; however, I must say that The Joy of Falling was such a delight to read. Eva and Angela are mourning the loss of their husbands. So when Eva finds out that their husbands had signed up to participate in a mega marathon in New Zealand, she convinces Angela to join in their honor. As sisters-in-law, Angela, and Eva work through the different ways to grieve, celebrate, and accept the tragedies that affect them both. I appreciated the way that Lindsey Harrel incorporated faith and belief into this story without beating you over the head.

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Eva Jamison lost her husband eighteen months ago. He and his brother drowned while diving. She was a talented florist, but hasn’t worked since Brent died. Instead, she volunteers at his favourite, lives off the proceeds from the fitness centres he co-founded, and mourns. When a chance telephone call offers the opportunity to raise money for Brent’s favourite charity, Eva is keen to help. But that requires help …

Angela Jamison hasn’t had time or energy to mourn her husband. Instead, she works two jobs to support their three children, and tries to cope with her moody teenage daughter. She doesn’t have the time or energy to think or grieve, let alone train for an ultramarathon or travel halfway around the world to New Zealand’s South Island. And there’s the money … money she doesn’t have.

Two sisters in law, united by a common grief, and brought together by a unique opportunity. It’s a great premise, and while it did not motivate me to run any distance, the characters somehow managed to convince me that running an ultramarathon for 155 miles around the South Island was a great idea. (Hint: it’s a noble objective, and the scenery is fantastic, but I prefer to tour via a car, thank you very much.)

I’ve visited many of the New Zealand settings from The Joy of Falling, and I definitely enjoyed those parts of the book. It’s great to read about a familiar setting, and especially to see it through the fresh eyes of visitors. Being in a new country gave the women (and the children) a chance to rediscover themselves.

The writing was excellent. The story is a sensitive examination of grief from different perspectives. It’s also a story of discovery and making choices and finding the blessings in life, even in the hard times. It’s not an overtly Christian story, but the underlying themes and values are definitely Christian, and the overall tone is straight out of the Bible: be joyful always … even when it’s hard.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.