SYNOPSIS
- We meet the three Fall siblings (Dizzy, Miles, & Wynton) in Paradise Springs, California. They are raised by their mom, a chef, as their dad disappeared over 10 years ago.
- A mysterious rainbow-haired girl, Cassidy, appears & changes the siblings’ lives.

MY THOUGHTS
- Alternating POVs (Dizzy, Miles, Wynton, & Cassidy). I particularly loved Cassidy’s portions.
- Lots of back story & we get to learn about the past. We even get to learn about past generations to dig deeper into our characters.
- Excellent character development.
- Soo much I loved about this book. The writing is exquisite & lyrical, and I savored every word.
- Masterfully plotted & incredible story.
- Nelson is skilled at balancing serious and heartbreaking with humor and relief throughout the book.
- Magical realism, sibling rivalry, family secrets, complicated families, generational trauma.
- The dog is such a good character 🐶
- Loved the areas this book touches on - grief, coming of age, coping with loss, connections
- After finishing, I was shocked to see this book is marketed for YA! I’m in mid-30s, and I think the book is excellent at any age.
- The characters are all flawed, but extremely endearing.
- This book captures how truly messy & beautiful & heartbreaking life is.
- Incredible ending.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️wow, that was one hell of a book… in the best of ways.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book is out now.

I definitely liked some parts of the book, but in the end, it doesn't even matter because this didn't really stick with me. I liked the writing a lot, the many run on sentences and endless paragraphs full of questions, the gorgeous descriptions of the different settings. I liked the characters, though I feel like some of them take up more than their fair share of time (Cassidy). I also feel like some of the character arcs weren't finished properly? Like Miles, who was shown to have pretty debilitating depression, suddenly felt better after talking to a stranger for one afternoon and then falling in love with a guy that he has known for two days? I guess I just wished his journey had more to do with accepting himself than by being saved by these two perfect, quirky beings. Even Dizzy's ending with her friend felt a bit unsatisfying, and I wished she would define herself beyond her relationships. Did meeting her father and reuniting with her friend somehow cure her anxiety? I really wish the connections between the siblings were explored more, considering all that was set up (the romance book, feeling like they are the wrong "species", synesthesia, their unique magical abilities, how incredibly horny they all are). I loved catching these similarities while reading but it feels like these ideas were dropped by the end without proper resolution.

My interest in Cassidy definitely waned as the book continued. Although her story was heartbreaking to read at points, I just think it takes up way too much time. She's definitely the main character here, and I can't help but feel like the synopsis misrepresented what the book is about. I also kind of wish she was actually magical, because the way the Fall siblings are all captivated by her felt a bit over the top. Just because someone is technically your sibling doesn't mean you'll fell magically drawn to them. I would understand if it was just on Cassidy's side, considering she knew all along that they were related, but the way the three siblings are obsessed with her so immediately felt unwarranted.

There is not a single good adult in this book and I don't think any of them face the consequences they should. The mom being in love with both brothers (to the point where she was consistently cheating on the one she's married to with his brother) came out of nowhere and I hated every second of it: "...I revealed that there might be room in my heart in this new way for both of them." What the fuck. Why, just why. Marigold is awful, Dave's quasi redemption felt unnecessary, and Theo (who also cheats???) doesn't do anything to justify his years of abandonment. What is the message here? That people are imperfect? That love conquers all? That it's just destiny? I don't know, I just feel like they all needed to make more amends before being forgiven.

The family curse felt too drawn out, especially because we don't get much of how it's manifested in Wynton and Miles. Maybe it's just me but I feel like it should have been Dizzy, not Cassidy, who was ultimately able to bring the brothers together and break the curse.

Cassidy and Wynton, oh boy. I was rooting for them at the start because of their inexplicable, destined-to-be connection. But then the question of incest was raised? I know that they're not technically siblings and that they're not related by blood, but it's still weird. The author also just keeps bringing up the fact that DON'T WORRY THEY'RE NOT SIBLINGS over and over and over and I just wish this was not a question we had to ask. Having Cassidy begging that Wynton is not her brother and constantly reassuring him in his coma that no, it's okay they can still get married because they're not technically related was just weird: "I tell myself again and again: We are not related!". This is weird behavior, even if it's not illegal. I just think even the question of incest should be kept out of romantic relationships.

The pacing was off, there are too many characters, and the ending was so abrupt. I can't help but think of how tight of a story I'll Give You the Sun has compared to the scale and subsequent messiness found in this book. Definitely some cool ideas but unfortunately this did not do it for me.

This was my first book by the author but now I am very excited to read the author’s previous works.

This one started out slow for me but around the 15% mark, I didn’t want to put it down. The chapters on Cassidy really drew me in and made me feel invested in the story. I loved the magical elements in this books but if you don’t like magic in books, don’t let this detour you. They are minimal and don’t take up much of the storyline.

I just loved this book so much. It’s hard to put into words what I loved about it but it just really worked for me. I loved the characters and the writing and after finishing the ebook I immediately the ordered the physical.

I think if you like family dramas and great character development, you will enjoy this one. The alternating POV kept me turning the pages.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I’ll Give You the Sun is one of my forever favorite books, so I was really excited to read another from Jandy Nelson. This one didn’t hit the mark for me like I’ll Give You the Sun did, and I think it’s because it read (to me) more YA than I was anticipating. I still think this is a really solid YA novel that many people will love and cherish, just not me personally!

My first Jandy Nelson read, and I totally get the hype now. This heart breaking and inspiring magical realism novel is told through a mix of multiple POV chapters, letters, and news clippings.
I highly recommend this novel to lovers of contemporary fiction and fantasy alike.

Jandy Nelson’s novels are distinctively “Jandy Nelson” because of her voice, the poetic word choice, the rich sibling relationships, and the little sprinkle of whimsy she gives her stories. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is an epic family story. It took me a bit to settle into it and then I could not quit reading. I needed to know how all the pieces fit together—and several of them were unexpected. Saying too much about the book feels spoilery, so I won’t do that. However, I do have to say Dizzy is one of my all-time favorite characters. She stole the whole novel with her wholly original outlook and antics. I hope someday she gets her own YA novel.

This is a different kind of story that left me bewildered for a while until it started to make sense. It jumps around from a variety of points of view between the siblings in the Fall family and Cassidy. The Falls live in Paradise Springs in California wine country and Cassidy is roaming around in a mobile home with her mother. Theo Fall disappeared from the life of his family before the youngest, Dizzy, was born, and they have been coping with that ever since. This story is hard to write about without spoiling it.

This story explores the messiness of family dynamics and how that shapes these characters. It is an odd journey that I feel will stick with me.

I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN is one of my all-time favorites and I waited nearly 10 years for Jandy Nelson's follow-up. And here it is! And… my feelings are a little mixed. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is still better than most books, but there's one major caveat.

Dripping in whimsy and magical realism, the novel tells the story of the three Fall siblings— Wynton, Miles, and Dizzy— and Cassidy, the newcomer who turns their life upside down. Wynton, a self-destructive wreck with rare, powerful musical talent. Miles, the “perfect” son with a secret ripping through his soul. Dizzy, an awkward preteen outcast trying to manage her life after losing her best friend to middle school politics. Their mother has tenuously held the family together since their father skipped town and disappeared just before Dizzy's birth, but when rainbow-haired Cassidy finds her way to their seemingly enchanted town, everything starts to break open.

Jandy Nelson is a five-star writer. Dreamy, lyrical, and mesmerizing. I love the storytelling's BIG FISH energy and I got sucked in by the characters and narrative so quickly! Several moments tie back to the strange magical energy of the town without going full fantasy: For instance, Dizzy can see spirits in the vineyard behind their home and Miles <i>really understands</i> dogs. There's also a lot of generational backstory-turned-folklore slowly dispersed. In a lesser writer's hands, these elements would feel cringey (okay, sometimes they still do feel a bit odd in the moment,) but Jandy's storytelling integrates those odds and ends very well.

I love the slow burn storytelling and careful unfolding of every element. I didn't always love all the characters, but their flaws are what made the story and I appreciated them all (though I feel like Jandy went a little too hard with Wynton. I sometimes found him exhausting.) And I DID love some characters, particularly Miles and Felix. The ending was a bit too sudden for my tastes given all the buildup, but it was satisfying all the same and I know I'll remember and think about this book for a long time.

BUT it has a fatal flaw: Major moments where the characters go "It’s okay! It's not weird!" regarding a certain reveal. And... yes, it is. A novel shouldn't have to work so hard to convince me that something is safe and acceptable. It's, I daresay, a little uncomfortable. It feels squicky despite some technicalities and I can't get my head around it, so I have to lower the rating accordingly. Yes, I *am* being the most vague I can possibly be.

Here's hoping the wait for the next Jandy novel is less than 10 years! Fingers crossed!

I dint think I could do this book justice in describing it. It was magical and colorful and full of family secrets and longing. I think it should be read by just diving in without reading summary or reviews.

My brain is a jumble of thoughts as I write this because I want to express to you how wonderful Jandy Nelson’s When the World Tips Over is; how delighted it made me feel; how I never wanted to put it down and yet wanted to put it down so that I could lengthen a journey that I was savoring so very much. I don’t think I have ever experienced these sensations with a novel of 528 pages–the kind where you lose track of how many pages are in front of you or behind you, as you you merge into the deliciously enchanted reading realm.

Dizzy Fall is different. For her, scents equal colors. And she sees ghosts around the family’s property, mute ghosts who never tell her their story. Because she is different (and so extraordinary), she’s bullied at school which almost results in tragedy, but she’s saved by a rainbow-haired angel who disappears. But then the angel visits her brother, Perfect Miles and neighbor dog, Sandro. Perfect Miles, who really isn’t perfect and who knows that the truth of just how imperfect he is is about to be known shortly, finds his gloomy feelings replaced by hope after talking to the rainbow-haired girl. And then on what might become the very worst night, the angel interacts with their older brother, Wynton. Maybe the rainbow-haired girl holds the key to everything or maybe she’s just an integral part of a larger story.

Stories within stories woven like fairytales blending reality with seeming mythical elements. Jandy Nelson has done something extraordinary here. Her words are magic dust across pages. Truths burgeon, forming a book that dispenses quotable (but not trite) quotes every few pages. Character’s stories entwine to show inevitable interconnectedness. A rainbow of human emotions surge over pages. Is repeating history a curse or inescapable unless something is learned?

If only time stopped here. If only.
If only we could have joys without sorrows, blessings without curses.

If there is one thing I’d disagree with, it’s that When the World Tips Over has been placed in the YA category, which might cause some readers to have different expectations or, worse, to not read it at all. The focus might be on the younger characters but the themes are all-encompassing, the writing so smart that it transcends genre-categorization–in my opinion (which is obviously what this whole review is, haha, but I hope it becomes yours 😉 ).

And lastly, Jandy Nelson does what we all wish we could do: find a way for a dog to live forever. 💖🐶

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Dial Books for sending me a copy.

5*

Oh, my! It was worth the 10-year wait since the publication of my all-time favorite young adult book, I’ll Give You the Sun, to finally read Jandy Nelson’s new book, When the World Tips Over. Other than excellent writing, I had no idea what to expect and never could have anticipated this tear-inducing, heartbreaking, romantic, redemptive family saga full of magical realism, sibling rivalry, and fanciful storytelling. Like its predecessor, a central theme is the way children cope with the loss of a parent, whether through death, abandonment or mental illness. It’s also vaguely reminiscent of Esquival’s Like Water for Chocolate minus the overwhelming tragedy. That’s not to say that this story is a happy one.

In its 500+ pages, there’s plenty of space for Nelson to weave a tale that gives sufficient attention to all of the characters and their lives, both separate from each other and in the ways they intermingle. She successfully juggles the various timelines and multiple POVs; handles multiple traumatic, potentially triggering events with sensitivity; describes the impact her characters’ bad decisions have on people around them while still not seeming to judge them harshly; introduces ghosts and curses without them seeming fantastical; and paves the way for a very dysfunctional family to come together and begin to heal following a near-tragedy. I found the idea of nature vs. nurture very interesting, especially how genetics can have a profound impact on someone’s life in both positive and negatives ways (whether it’s synesthesia, sexual orientation, musical talent, etc.), and appreciated how Nelson handled queer characters and their navigation of their sexuality and gender identity in the face of adversity. The exploration of love in all its forms (e.g., familial, platonic, romantic) is a thread that runs throughout the story, and is a potent motivator for many characters.

There are so many emotional highs and lows in this story. I actually cried in the first chapter and several other times throughout, but there was never a feeling of hopelessness. Of course, I also thought how much this family (especially the children) could benefit from therapy. Having a dog you can talk with telepathically is not a healthy coping mechanism! A quote near the end, which references the title, pretty much sums it up: “I do believe now that when the world tips over, joy spills out with all the sorrow.”

Although this is billed as a young adult novel, I want to emphasize that the number of triggers is very high, so this would be most appropriate for older teens, young adults and adults. It’s an unforgettable story that deserves all the awards and accolades I suspect it will receive. Highly recommended!

This book was very interesting. I liked the whimsical nature but found it pretty dark at times. For a YA novel, I don’t think I was expecting some of the themes this book touched on. I liked how this book was essentially a family saga, and had engaging intertwining stories. However, I did feel it was a tad too long and I got lost with so many characters. Overall this was okay. I think it wrapped up nicely but still felt a little long and just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Set in the sun-soaked vineyards of Northern California. The story revolves around Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton Fall, three siblings dealing with the aftermath of their father's mysterious disappearance.

The arrival of a rainbow-haired girl turns their world upside down, adding a touch of magic and mystery that pulls the siblings further into their own tangled stories. This book dives deep into themes of family, love, and the legacies that shape us, all while blending humor and heartache in a way that feels utterly real.

The writing is lush and enchanting. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a story that balances joy and sorrow with a sprinkle of magic, this one’s a must-read. I know it will stick with me for a while!

Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for this arc

I'm a big fan of Jandy Nelson's previous books, so I was glad to get my hands on this advanced copy! With her trademark style, Nelson spins an impressive family saga spanning generations. I think some of the final reveals didn't quite emotionally hit for me, but that might just be a personal thing. I would overall recommend this, as always, for her specific blend of whimsy, comedy, and raw honesty.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Magical realism mixed with family drama mixed with romance mixed with a lot of heart. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is messy and fun and yes, a little all over the place, but it's heartwarming and beautiful and doesn't shy from the best and worst parts about humanity. Our capacity for love, our capacity for hate, how betrayal and loyalty can tip too far over the edge, how it feels to hate everything and love everything all at once.

WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER follows the Fall siblings who live in Paradise on a winery passed down from their great-grandfather, and, eventually, vagabond Cassidy who grew up in a RV with her flower-child mother. Each character is so unique and wonderful-- from Dizzy, the youngest, with her ability to see ghosts and endless fountain of hope, to the middle brother, Perfect Miles, who isn't so perfect after all, and their hot-mess-express oldest brother Wynton who cries when he plays the violin but can't seem to stop himself on the path to self destruction.

This book was magical in every sense of the word; I loved everything about it.

When the World Tips Over was a great story with characters that are so well developed by the author, it's hard not to want to keep reading and see what happens. I thouroughly enjoyed the book and want to say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For ten years, I have been waiting for Jandy Nelson to write another book. Her previous, I’ll Give You the Sun, is one of my favorite books of all time. When the World Tips Over was well worth the wait. The multigenerational story provides so much depth for each present-day character’s individual and familial struggles. The cycles that kept repeating throughout their family members felt very relatable. I was most drawn to the relationships between Cassidy/Marigold and Theo/Clive/Bernadette. I could not get enough of them. I found myself not being able to read this book fast enough but also wanting their stories to last forever. I also enjoyed all of the magical realism that was sprinkled throughout the book. It lent a certain air of mystery and intrigue to each storyline that I appreciated. I will happily wait ten more years for another book from Nelson, but I hope I don’t have to.

Tremendous thanks to author Jandy Nelson, publisher Dial Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of When the World Tips Over in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

When The World Tips Over follows the Fall siblings, whose lives are changed with the mysterious appearance of a rainbow-haired girl.

Jandy Nelson has a remarkable knack for character, and the Fall siblings are no exception. I'm a firm believer that any book with rich and round characters is automatically a Really Solid Read, and When the World Tips Over is absolutely a really solid read. Miles, Dizzy, and Wynton were a fantastic trio, each worth rooting for in their own ways, and with arcs that informed and were changed by the arcs of the others. All the supporting characters, too, felt beautifully vibrant and fully realized. If there's any one standout element in this book, it's the characters by a wide margin.

The plot and writing were also solid. I do think things began a bit slowly, and this is a hefty, lengthy read, but the journey these characters are brought on is ultimately engaging, heartwarming, inspiring, and all other manner of good-feelings-y. I do think that there were a couple loose-ish ends for some of our characters that left me feeling a tad unsatisfied, but ultimately I think this is a worthy follow up read for readers who connected deeply with I'll Give You The Sun.

I waited years for a new Jandy Nelson book, and I can’t describe how happy I was to read the Fall family’s story. I’m giving this book five stars because no one writes like Jandy Nelson. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, goofy, greatness wrapped in a magical realism package. The main characters are young, but this is a book for all ages because the topics can be heavy. These characters are real and flawed and endearing, and there’s a moment you might hate each of them, but also a moment where you will feel pure love. Cassidy will break your heart, and Felix will make you laugh, but Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton will completely enthrall you.

This isn’t a perfect book - how many of those actual exist?? I had some issues with literally every adult character, but Jandy Nelson’s writing is just magic, and my rading experience was too.