If you are going to read a Jandy Nelson novel, you need to be prepared to be along for a wild ride. There are always multiple perspectives and types of writing. In this novel, you have the three Fall siblings: Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton. They are all dealing with their father's disappearance in their own ways. The book begins with Dizzy, and she's really melodramatic, but I find her voice endearing and fun. Miles is considered the perfect brother (beautiful and smart and helpful), but of course we know that no one is perfect. Wynton is the oldest, and immediately falls in love with Cassidy, who is the character that ties everyone together in different ways. So if you're following along with all of these characters, you also need to completely give into the bit of magic that Nelson employs in the novel. But it's ok! It's actually more than ok because Nelson makes it worth it! I just don't know any other writer with her writing style. I circle and underline phrases in her books all the time. And I never really know what to expect. Of course I recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is way too long, the plot feels uneven & the end felt abrupt. I did enjoy the magical realism though.

Also I’m 100% sure that if this was written by a man it would not be classified as YA.

2.5 rounded down to 2.

This is a difficult one to rate. I think a lot of people will fall in love with this book and its characters, but it just wasn't for me. It was a tiny bit reminiscent of Stargirl (which I loved). It had that whimsical, dynamic, mysterious new girl. The main family was completely and absolutely dysfunctional. There were strange and hard to understand stories/flashbacks about the family's origin. The stories were so out there and you come to understand why at the end, but still. The ending twist was so absurd, it almost made completely no sense. Like, no sense at all. I just don't believe a parent would do that. I did enjoy how everything came full circle and unfolded, but unfortunately it wasn't enough of a redemption for me.

Any time you have to devote this many pages to explaining that they "aren't technically siblings", you've lost me. However, I liked the parts of the book that focused on Cassidy and her mother, and I appreciated Jandy Nelson's unique voice.

I loved that this was multigenerational, Nelson develops characters in a way that is unlike anyone else! My only complaint was that it was a bit too long for my tastes

Beautiful story with captivating characters who are imperfect yet they win you over. I have never read this author before but she is now a must read for me.

The Fall kids' father mysteriously disappears in When the World Tips Over, leaving behind a shattered family. Twelve-year old Dizzy reads romance novels, sees ghosts and longs to be reunited with her estranged best friend Lizard. Seventeen-year-old Miles is supposedly the smart, athletic, and handsome "perfect one," but he struggles with his sexuality and lack of connection with his siblings. Nineteen-year-old Wynton is a violin prodigy, who causes trouble wherever he goes. Their mother runs a restaurant and longs for her absent husband, leaving a gourmet meal out for him each night. Enter the rainbow-haired girl, Cassidy who saves each of them when she meets them - two from accidents and Miles from himself. Cassidy has had her own issues with abandonment, which are explored in a parallel plotline. When the kids go in search of Cassidy, catastrophe strikes and the secrets of the Fall family curse begin to surface, giving all of them an opportunity to rewrite their futures.

The way that this book is written was beautiful. The relationships among the different characters and the stories were well done. I did struggle a little bit with the backstories and to get into the start of the book, but overall enjoyed it.

Jandy Nelson's previous book, I'll Give You the Sun, blew me away when I read it and is easily in my top books of all time. I was so excited to see she had written a new one and even more excited to receive an advanced copy.

This story has many layers and the narrative is told from several different perspectives -- siblings Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton, and newcomer to town Cassidy. I loved reading all of their perspectives and getting an inside look at what they were thinking and feeling. Cassidy was my favorite character - her backstory and history was so good, I didn't want to put the book down. I also really loved Dizzy and can remember being that age.

As in her past books, Jandy Nelson really nails being a teenager and all the trials that go along with it.

I loved this book so much and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys family dynamics and endearing teenagers. I was rooting for every single character and I loved how it all came together. I cannot wait to read whatever Jandy Nelson writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I’ll Give You The Sun is one of my all time favorite books, so when my besties @penguinteen sent me an early copy I literally screamed.

Jandy’s writing has a way of hooking into your brain and squeezing your heart. Every single character endears themself to you, every single line feels like one you need to highlight. A story of love of every kind- familial, romantic, platonic, parental, all of it!! This family will have my heart forever. I hope you’ll all consider picking it up.

I can’t wait to revisit WTWTO over and over when the audiobook comes out.

Such a wonderfully written sequel to a beautiful book. I really enjoyed getting to reconnect with the characters. Jandy Nelson’s writing style is perfectly suited to this genre.

This book wasn't for me but I think fans of this author will enjoy this one. Thank you for the early access!

“There is never enough chocolate, oysters, peaches, figs, filets cooked a perfect medium rare, picnics by rivers, sky, flowers, wine, kisses, love, time. There is never enough life in life. Open the cupboards. Rip open the bags. Reach your hand in for another. Walk into the forest at midnight, splash around in moonlight. Find the people who plant the sun in your chest. Seek platters of words, jugs of bright paint, whole days made of music. Kiss for weeks at a time, kiss everyone you know. I see you and you and you and you-life-thieves like me trying to stuff more in your pockets, your mouths, your hearts during these measly lives that will be forgotten.”

This story gripped my heart and it will never, ever let go. You get multiple POV and there is a story within a story that provides some very deep character development that you are going to love.

Jandy Nelson has a way of writing about love and loss with such relatability and tenderness. There are layers of grief to this story that will make you feel seen, family drama and dynamics that will also make you feel seen, and a cast of characters you won’t forget.

I don’t want to give too much away. Just go read this one and be prepared to be swept off your feet and fall in love with another of Nelson’s stories.

If you're an audio book fan, I highly, highly recommend the audio. Its a full cast narration and they really bring the story to life. Also, if you haven’t read Nelson’s other novels, I’ll Give You the Sun and The Sky is Everywhere, I highly, highly recommend those too

4.5 stars

If you know me, you know that sometimes, when a release is very highly anticipated by me, I have a hard time finishing it (or starting it, for that matter). I know that once I start it’ll be over, and who knows how long it’ll be before I get to read something new from that author again.

This was the case for WTWTO. As an ELA teacher, I read Jandy Nelson’s first books and adored them. This was a VERY highly anticipated release for me, as it’s been 10 years since Jandy Nelson released a book.

Jandy’s writing is profound and moving. Reading her books almost makes me sad; it’s overwhelming to know someone can write in such a beautiful way. The charm, wit, and metaphor she’s able to put into every single sentence is impressive.

While this is classified as a YA book, I’d recommend to everyone, especially if you loved All The Colors of the Dark, as it has a similar vibe.

10/10 recommend this book. It’s beautiful. I laughed. I cried. I was moved.

While I have loved Jandy Nelson’s previous two books, I found not get into this one and decided to DNF around 30%. The story seemed a bit all over the place, and I was not connecting with the characters. It’s definitely a unique story, which will appeal to plenty of readers, but unfortunately it was just not a match for me.

When the world tips over centers complex generational family dynamics. There is plenty of whimsy in combination with heavy truths and difficult relationships. The story develops from different POVs, all with small threads connecting them together in one big tapestry. It combines hurt and hope into a family spanning saga.

The most important element of this book , to me, is the characters. We have the Fall siblings; Dizzy, Miles and Wynton, who were each loveable in their own quirky way. While I do wish we got a little more from Wynton, I understand why this is the sibling we get to know the least. Miles took some time to grow on me but especially in the second half I felt his character developing and opening up more. Cassidy was a real stand out for me, both her past which at times was a difficult read, and her now. I felt fully invested in her and understood her motivation and feelings at all times. Felix was also simply a joy. While I’ve only touched on a few here, all the characters were vivid and charming in their own right.

I did have a few issues with how the Theo Fall story was handled, and I wanted a bit more consequences for the choices that were made regarding that plot. In general I felt the ending was a little too open-ended especially since we have so many plots to wrap up. I also didn’t like Sandro, but that’s just personal preference. The exploration of sibling relationship and romantic love was done very well, but I would have liked to also get some more platonic love in the mix. With all the characters in this book I definitely feel like there was room for it.

My favourite bits of the story were the highly emotional confrontations and betrayals, the way Jandy Nelson writes emotions feels so tangible, relatable and realistic. The writing just lives and breathes on the page.

I was highly anticipating this release since I’ll give you the sun is my favourite YA contemporary. When the world tips over is a fantastic addition to the Jandy Nelson catalogue and is so ambitious and grand in scope. Would definitely recommend!

Every now and then, a book comes along that sweeps you off your feet, tugs at your heartstrings, and leaves you feeling utterly enchanted. When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson is that kind of book. It’s not just a story—it’s an emotional experience, a journey through love, loss, hope, and everything in between.

From the moment I started reading, it felt like stepping into a dream. Nelson’s writing is nothing short of magical. Her words flow like poetry, drawing you in and wrapping you in a whirlwind of emotions. Every sentence feels deliberate, like a brushstroke on a canvas, creating vivid images and deep feelings that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Let’s talk about the real heart of this story—the characters. Dizzy, Cassidy, and Marigold, all of them, completely captured my soul. They felt so real that I found myself completely invested in their journeys. Dizzy’s quiet strength, Cassidy’s fierce determination, and Myles’s vulnerable courage, all of the characters made me fall in love with them.

Each of the characters are navigating their own personal storms, but together, they form a tapestry of human emotions that we can all relate to. They’re flawed, messy, hopeful, and so, so real. It’s impossible not to root for them as they try to find their way through life’s challenges. You don’t just read about them—you feel their pain, their love, their fears, and their moments of joy.

What sets When the World Tips Over apart from so many other books is Nelson’s mastery of language. Her writing isn’t just beautiful—it’s immersive. The way she weaves emotions into her sentences made me feel like I was living inside the story. It’s almost dreamlike in its ability to pull you in, and it makes the entire reading experience feel both ethereal and deeply grounded at the same time.

There’s this wonderful rhythm to her writing that makes it impossible to put down. I found myself completely swept up in the story, carried along by the flow of her words. It’s the kind of book where you want to linger on every page because each sentence is a work of art.

By the time I finished When the World Tips Over, I felt like I had been on an emotional rollercoaster—and I loved every second of it. It’s a book that stays with you long after you close it. The characters, the writing, the emotional depth—it all leaves a lasting impression.

If you’re looking for a book that’s more than just a story, one that will make you feel, think, and fall in love with its characters, then When the World Tips Over is for you. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Jandy Nelson has truly created something magical with this one, and I can’t recommend it enough.

I'll Give You the Sun is one of my all time favorite books – like to this day is one of the ones I recommend for non-readers who are looking to find a reading habit – so to say I've been waiting a long time for another Jandy Nelson release would be an understatement.

That said, unfortunately, this book wasn't a hit for me. There were so many pieces that I loved and appreciated, and I found the emotional writing that Jandy delivered in I'll Give You the Sun was very much present and yet, there were so many things I hated that it really took away from the good parts. <spoiler>Why are we excusing parents leaving their children? Why are we making it seem acceptable to make decisions based on whims when you're a grown up with a whole family? I think the trauma struck a little too close to home, and it clouded the reading experience for me. </spoiler>

Three stars because it wasn't BAD, and was still a Jandy Nelson release, but I just didn't get what I needed out of this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I have loved Nelson's previous books and was excited to read this one, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one overall. It is by no means a bad book, I think it was just not a book for me. If you enjoy generational tales and secrets, fantastical and sensory-evoking writing, and quirky yet lovable characters, then do go ahead and give this a try! I struggled to read it consistently as I could not really get into the story at the start, which always making a reading experience tougher for me.

YA - 3.5*

Rich in depth and breadth.

This novel took me a long time to read, and I'm conflicted about it.

This is the story of the Fall family. In the current generation, Dizzy, Miles and Wynton are struggling with the disappearance of their father. He recovered from a severe injury and then packed up and left without saying goodbye to anyone. Dizzy has become "divorced" from her best friend and feels like she has nowhere to turn. Wynton has blown up his life - he has driven his car into a town statue, stolen from his mother, been kicked out of his house and is down to his last chance to make it as a musician. Miles is carrying a heavy secret and can no longer handle the burden, so he runs away from being the perfect child - he runs off the track in the middle of the meet, is skipping school and hiding in the vineyards, and doing anything he can to avoid facing the future.

All three kids have an encounter with Cassidy that changes their trajectory. Dizzy thinks she's an angel that has come to save them. Wynton wants to marry her, and she makes Miles think that a future is possible. Cassidy does more than make the future look bright, but she brings their past into focus.

This was such a quirky novel. It's both generational and contemporary. It has aspects of mystical realism and yet is grounded in doubt. The plot draws parallels from the story of Cain and Abel. In the Fall family, there have been many sets of brothers that have fought. These struggles between brothers have cursed the family through the generations. Can it finally end?

I found the story interesting but don't know if I really liked it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this novel.