I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it didn’t work. A big part of what makes a story engaging is connecting with the characters on some level—whether you love them, relate to them, or even love to hate them. Unfortunately, in this case, none of the characters were likable or compelling enough to hold my interest. Without that connection, staying invested in the plot or caring about what happened to them became hard. For me, a good story needs at least one character to root for, even if they’re deeply flawed, but this book just didn’t deliver that.

3.75⭐️ rounded up
After loving Scrivenor’s debut, Dirt Creek, I had high expectations for this one. Girl Falling is a literary slow- burn, character driven mystery that starts off with one of the main characters, Mandy, plunging to her death during a climbing trip. To figure out what truly happened to her, the story goes back in time dissecting the relationships of two of the other main characters and best friends, Finn and Daphne. The relationship between the two is toxic and manipulative. The writing is excellent and the characters are well fleshed out despite being unlikeable. I enjoyed this one but loved her debut much more. I would still love to read more from this author; she knows how to write and how to develop characters to keep the reader invested.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ah what a gripping thriller! I really enjoyed this one, it was so engaging and fun. I love how the cover image really fit the story. The friendship between Daphne and Finn slowly frayed apart just like the cover and I am a huge sucker when the cover just fits. Finn and Daphne are both pretty unlikeable characters, and that added to the beauty of this book. I wasn’t necessarily rooting for anyone, but I needed to know the truth. I always get a kick out of things when I don’t like the characters but love the book. It just is a little extra fun and I enjoy when authors are able to do that, I feel like it’s quite the accomplishment. The twist on this one was enjoyable, not necessarily groundbreaking, but still fun and I enjoyed it.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable book about a toxic friendship, then check this one out!

So, I had expected Girl Falling to be a Mystery/Thriller with queer main characters, but this didn't end up being very mysterious or thrilling. The story follows Finn in the aftermath of the death of her girlfriend with intermittent flashbacks to her relationships with Magdu (her girlfriend) & with her best friend, Daphne. Told from Finn's POV, the book focuses on grief and the nature of toxic relationships. If I'd expected a deep dive on queer relationships, I may have enjoyed this more.

I was not a fan of the "twist" either, which felt rather disingenuous. I was honestly leaning more toward 3/3.5 stars up until the last couple of pages, but the book ends rather abruptly on a huge twist, which I didn't like at all. It felt like I waded through all this backstory just to be cut off from any kind of actual conclusion.

As a large fan of thriller novels as well as survival stories this is one book that really seemed up my alley. A book that was not too long but also one that was going to keep me entertained throughout the whole thing was really something I was looking forward to and this book did not disappoint. One of the million things that made this book so fantastic was since it was a YA thriller you got all the suspense and mystery without any super dark themes. This book is one that really dug its claws in and left me gasping for breath. I couldn't get enough of this story and after every chapter I was desperate to see what was going to happen next which is the sign of a good read in my book. This story is told during, but mostly before the main characters' actual climb even started which gives the reader lots of time to come up with their own theories only to be proven right or wrong which is my favour part of these kinds of novels. The main story starts with our main character Fin and Daphne going on a climb with Fin's new girlfriend Magdu. When an accident happens and Magdu falls to her death. What happened to cause this and who if anyone is to blame and if so why? From there were are thrown back into the past where Fin and Daphne are great friends and we see their relationship change as Magdu comes into the picture. I love how it was written this way because it gave the reader lots of background on what was actually happening and the longer the book went on the more information the reader got and the more your opinion changed on the actual accident. I was constantly finding myself going back and forth on who if anyone was to blame as well as who I felt sorry for the most. The tension and suspense that was filled with this novel was so thick it was like a weighted blanket. It's desperate as I was for answers and to find out what was actually going on I never wanted this book to end. I found myself getting lost in the story very easily as I fell deeper and deeper into the plot. What made this book perfect was even with everything that was going on it all focused on what happened with Magdu and why. So many little things were brought up and the reader was consistently going oh yeah, what about that? I loved this book and couldn't get enough of it. This is a fast paced book that will really keep you on the edge of your seat. Great job and I'm so excited to be able to say that I got to check it out first.

It was nice like a little treat read it didnt excite me as much as i hoped it would but it was still worth the read

"Girl Falling" is a stunning showcase of beautiful writing and a masterful tone. The metaphors are some of the most powerful I've encountered in a novel recently, weaving depth and emotion into every page.

This author’s twisted mind is a place I’d gladly explore again. While the narrator's tendency to keep secrets from the audience added intrigue, it could also be frustrating at times. The time jumps occasionally made the narrative a bit confusing.

That said, I couldn’t put this book down. The twists were incredible, making it a thrilling and unforgettable read.

Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Girl Falling” by Hayley Scrivenor is an atmospheric thriller that focuses on the themes of toxic friendship and betrayal, set against the rugged beauty of Australia’s Blue Mountains. Told from the perspective of Finlay (Finn) Young, a national parks guide, the story unfolds after the tragic death of her girlfriend, Magdu, who falls from a rocky escarpment on a group hike. As Finn grapples with her grief, she relives the complexities of her relationships with Magdu and her manipulative childhood friend, Daphne, unraveling a web of dark secrets and psychological control.

Scrivenor’s book balances psychological thriller elements with an exploration of human relationships. Finn is a complex protagonist, struggling with self-doubt and still haunted by the trauma of her younger sister’s death. Her relationship with Daphne, a domineering and possessive force in Finn’s life, is both unsettling and compelling. Through flashbacks, Scrivenor reveals how Daphne has long wielded control over Finn, using emotional manipulation and blackmail to bend Finn’s will, especially when it comes to her romantic choices. Daphne’s character is both magnetic and menacing, leaving you questioning her motives as the mystery deepens.

The story’s setting in the Blue Mountains adds a powerful, if underused, sense of isolation and danger to the story. The remote environment emphasizes the precariousness of Finn’s situation, mirroring the psychological cliff edge she teeters on as her friendships and past traumas converge. While “Girl Falling “excels in character development and tension, its pacing is a “slow burn.” The story oscillates between past and present, gradually building suspense as you start to piece together Finn’s relationships with Magdu and Daphne. However, the investigation into Magdu’s death doesn’t fully take shape until the final quarter of the book, and the climax and concluding twist were a bit unsatisfying as the sudden shift near the end feels discordant with the carefully constructed buildup, leaving the resolution feeling abrupt.

Overall, “Girl Falling” provides a raw look at the power dynamics within friendships, the yearning for self-worth, and the destructiveness of repressed desires. Scrivenor’s prose is thoughtful and attentive to detail, bringing Finn’s emotional landscape to life even when the plot veers away from conventional thriller territory. This is not a fast-paced mystery, but a slow, introspective exploration of how friendships can become twisted and how love can both heal and destroy.

It’s OK. If you’ve read enough thrillers, the twist aren’t super original. They’re almost too unpredictable— I felt like there wasn’t enough foreshadowing to fit the puzzle together. It’s also not psychological enough to compensate. Some people will like this, but it’s not my thing.

This novel totally lacks the depth and suspense of Scrivenor’s first one. Plot is predicable, characters are stereotypical and writing is flat.

Best friends Finn and Daphne have a great close friendship and can always understand how the other one feels since they have both lost sisters to suicide. When Finn falls in love with a new student, Daphne starts to show jealousy over having to share her best friend. When the 3 women go hiking one weekend, Finn's new girlfriend falls to her death and the mystery over exactly who's to blame begins.

I liked the flashbacks and flash forwards throughout the story slowly revealing the truth behind the death of Finn's new girlfriend. I also liked the close, albeit unhealthy, friendship between Finn and Daphne. But the ending felt too predictable and also rushed.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

This one was so close to 3 stars until the last few pages. I overall really would have enjoyed it if that twist at the end was different (or honestly not even there). It didn't line up with what we had learned so far, and since the story ends so quickly after the reveal, you get the technical explanation but not any of the emotional depth that should go along with a twist like that. The characters were nicely built out, and I liked the dreary vibes. Unfortunately, there was just a lot of untapped potential that made it all fall a little flat.

Thank you to Flatiron Books for an advance copy!

When Finn's girlfriend dies in a climbing accident, she is shocked. However, in her grief, she begins to investigate and realizes that maybe it wasn't an accident and that someone wanted Magdu dead.

This one jumped the reader in quickly and was pretty fast paced. However, like many other readers, I was really underwhelmed by the ending. It just felt meh. The twist was not even really a twist. And then it just ends! There was not really a satisfying conclusion here.

Edge of my seat action. I didnt know what would happen until the very last page and i love that. I try to come up with my own theories when i read books like this and it just. kept having me guessing.

I enjoyed the complexity of the relationships '
It was written very well but from the first sentence you already knew what the twist was going to be.

I enjoyed reading this. It was hard to put down. I felt the relationships between the three main characters were well developed. I really liked the use of dual timelines as well.

This was one that I felt engaged in for most of the book. I already had a fear of heights and then has confirmed that I will not be mountain climbing anytime soon lol! I enjoyed it for the most part. If you read thrillers often the ending was very predictable from the beginning. It was a nice filler read for me to get my thriller fill. I probably wouldn’t recommend it to my other thriller readers but if you are just getting into thrillers this may be a good steppingstone into them.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book early. This book comes out on April 10, 2025!

Just a wonderful a read as the book one. The world building and story telling was expertly done. I felt immersed in the story.

In the first chapter of this Australian thriller, a climber falls to their death. The police believe that there was foul play and two friends are called in separately. Finn, our protagonist begins to relay what has transpired and lead us to this point and why her best friend Daphne may very well have caused the accident. This is a double cross thriller, a cat and mouse chase, and a delectable story of when someone becomes obsessed. #flatiron #girlfalling #hayleyscrivenor

“Girl Falling” by Hayley Scrivenor is a captivating exploration of psychological tension that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The narrative unfolds with intricate character development. Scrivenor masterfully weaves suspense throughout the plot, ensuring that your attention never wavers as you turn page after page in eager anticipation.

Each twist and turn draws you in, creating a compelling atmosphere that keeps you guessing. However, I must admit that the ending left me somewhat dissatisfied. The final twist, while ambitious, felt disjointed and did not align well with the narrative that preceded it. It seemed to shift the tone in a way that didn't resonate with the buildup of tension that had been so skillfully established.

Overall, “Girl Falling” is a gripping read that showcases Hayley Scrivenor's talent for storytelling, even if the conclusion doesn't fully deliver on the promise of the rest of the book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ebook! If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this book may still be worth your time.