A twisty murder mystery/domestic suspense story about three women's complicated relationships and a rock climbing tragedy that has only two women walking away alive. I liked the Australian setting and the psychological drama in this latest by a new to me author. Great on audio and perfect for fans of Roz Nay. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor presents a promising premise—a tragic accident, a grieving protagonist, and the tangled relationships between friends and lovers. Unfortunately, while the novel has a gripping setup, it falls short in execution, leaving much to be desired.

The story centers around Finn, who is caught between her girlfriend, Magdu, and her best friend, Daphne. The plot revolves around an accident during a rock climbing trip where Magdu falls to her death. From there, the narrative shifts to Finn grappling with grief and trying to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. While the emotional tension of loss and guilt could have driven a compelling narrative, the book struggles to flesh out its characters and plot with any real depth.

One of the main issues lies in the pacing. The novel feels uneven, often dragging in parts where it should be building tension. While Finn’s internal turmoil and reflection on her past relationships with Daphne and Magdu are supposed to add emotional weight, the character development feels thin. None of the characters—Finn, Daphne, or even Magdu—feel particularly well-rounded. Finn’s motivations and emotions can seem inconsistent, and her relationships with others are more told than shown, making it difficult to fully connect with her or invest in the mystery.

The book also attempts to tackle complex themes such as grief, guilt, and identity, but these aspects feel underexplored. While the idea of Finn's past trauma and her strained connection to Daphne is intriguing, it never fully develops into a coherent exploration of her emotional landscape. Similarly, the police investigation and the question of foul play are introduced too late in the story and never reach the level of suspense or intrigue one might expect.

Overall, Girl Falling has an intriguing concept but struggles to deliver on its potential. The pacing is slow, the characters lack depth, and the emotional payoff feels muted. It’s a book that starts with promise but ultimately doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio with Flatiron Books as well as the author and the narrator for this audio ARC.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #MACAudio25 #FlatironBooks #HayleyScrivenor #SophieLoughran #audiobooks #BookReviews #Thriller #Mystery #Fiction #LGBTQ+ #CrimeFiction

Title: Girl Falling
Author: Hayley Scrivenor
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Sophie Loughran
Publisher: Macmillan Audio with Flatiron Books
Publication Date: March 11, 2025
Themes: Friendship,toxic friendships, suicide, grief, loss, LGBTQ+, crime
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, death, grief, murder, toxic friendships

Finn and Daphne are best friends who grew up together in New South Wales, Australia. When they grow up, Daphne is in college while Finn works as a national parks guide. She meets and falls in love with Magdu. When Magdu falls to her death during a mountain climbing adventure with Finn and Daphne, some questions start to arise. Was Daphne unwilling to share Finn? Was this just an unfortunate accident?

This crime thriller is pretty good. Fans of crime thrillers will find a lot to like here. The story moved along at a brisk pace for a while but started to slow down for me. I’m not usually a fan of crime thrillers and police procedurals so this started to lose me for a while. The performance of the narrator, Sophie Loughran, really helped pull me through this book. She helped smooth the areas that the book lagged with her smooth narrative and interesting vocals. There were moments in which I couldn’t listen fast enough, punctuated with painfully slow procedural stuff.
There are a few fun surprises sprinkled throughout.

All in all, this one was decent and I’m glad I listened to it. I recommend this to fans of crime thrillers. I also recommend that the reader go in with as little information as possible to enhance his or her enjoyments.

DNF’d at 42%.
I couldn’t get into this book.it wasn’t bad writing, but I didn’t like the characters. I couldn’t really connect or get into this book unfortunately.

1.5★
Girl falling by Hatley Scrivenor is a suspense novel about a young woman's girlfriend who falls off a cliff during what was suppose to be a fun day of rock climbing. Is it suicide or murder?

Great premise right? Sadly, this book was poorly executed. I think it would have been better as a mystery. It's obvious who's the culprit from the beginning and I think that took away most of the suspense.

The characters were unlikeable to the point it was annoying, especially Daphne.

It had some promising scenes with a few of my worst nightmare: heights and the dentist. Sadly, those were lackluster as well.

The ending was fine. It was sudden and felt twisty just to have a twist, but at least it was something. I Immersive read this book with a physical arc and an audio arc. The audio completely skipped chapter 8 and 13 which was also confusing. (Like the chapter number on the audio go from 7 to 9 and 12 to 14.)

Thank you Macmillian Audio and Flatiron. I appreciate getting a chance to read this book and always appreciate any ARCs I get in trade for an honest review.

The entirety of Girl Falling is good. Hayley Scrivener all along was retain her place among my favorite Aussie authors, but, with the very last chapter, she tipped the scales with an epic, never-saw-that-coming twist that left me stunned in the very best kind of way, It's hard to say much without spoilers, but I will say that Girl Falling is a five-star-plus read that I will be recommending to all my thriller-loving friends!

I loved the narration and character development. The relationships are complex and nuanced just like in reality. I listened to the interview with the author at the end of the book and really enjoyed it!

Finn and Daphne have been best friends forever but the circumstances of their friendship lie in a morbid commonality. Both of their sisters committed suicide.

When Finn and Magdu start dating, Daphne seems jealous. They all go climbing one day together and their lives change forever when the rope snaps. Magdu is dead. Was it an accident? Or could someone have wanted her dead?

Thank you MacMillan Audio for a copy to enjoy.

Hayley Scrivenor’s Girl Falling is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge, particularly with its last-minute twist that reshapes the entire narrative. The novel follows a compelling storyline, building tension as it progresses, and ultimately delivering a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

While the plot is well-constructed and the pacing accelerates effectively as the story unfolds, the novel could benefit from more descriptive detail at the beginning. The opening lacks some of the atmospheric depth that could help fully immerse the reader in the world Scrivenor is creating. However, once the momentum picks up, the book becomes difficult to put down, showcasing Scrivenor’s skill in crafting suspense and delivering impactful revelations.

Overall, Girl Falling is a strong thriller with a well-executed climax, appealing to fans of psychological suspense. While a more immersive introduction could have enhanced the experience, the novel ultimately succeeds in delivering an engaging and thrilling read.

The premise of this was strong - suicide or murder? But it was a tough one to review as the characters were pretty unlikeable. Ultimately, it probably won’t be a super memorable book for me. The short timeline for the plot (over than span of a week or so) works well as this is a shorter book coming in around 290 pages. There are some twist along the way and you will either love or hate the ending (personally it added an extra half star for me.)

Happy Pub Day to *GIRL FALLING* by Hayley Scrivenor! 💫

The scoop: Three young women head to the Blue Mountains for a rock climbing adventure. Two are pros, and one is a newbie. Tragically, only two make it back when the novice and the main character’s girlfriend falls to her death. Was it an accident, or something more sinister?

The story unfolds in classic psychological thriller style, weaving back and forth through time to that fateful moment on the rock face. Each character is well-developed, with relatable flaws and backgrounds.

The narrator does a fine job, pacing is solid, and the twists keep things interesting, but overall, the vibe felt a bit too Young Adult for my taste, which was a bit disappointing. Still, I'm eager to check out more of Scrivenor's work in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me a copy of this audiobook to listen and enjoy.

I thought the cover was intriguing and the story sounded interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a climbing book before. Also not too many Australian books either and this mixed both plus a good sprinkle of LGBTQIA+. Now I want to say the ending did surprise me a bit but I think it’s because I was listening to the audio and maybe missed things because I don’t think it’s was that shocking and if one was paying attention more I think they would have guessed it, but I did not ahha. I actually feel like I didn’t need the twist, the end had gave us closure then bam a twist. I think the story read easily because it was plausible that a girl and her best friend feel disconnected because of one of their new relationships, and the murder plot keeps the readers interested. I did like the authors descriptions on things as I’m not a climber and I don’t live in Australia. I enjoyed the narration as well because we had accents! And I loved it haha, it was easy to distinguish all of the characters.
Overall, I enjoyed this listen and I’d recommend it and read more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the new novel by Hayley Scrivenor, narrated by Sophie Loughran. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Finn and Daphne form a tight, emotional bond at school when they realize they have a shared trauma; both lost their younger sister to suicide. As they get older and Finn starts a relationship with Magdu, Daphne is jealous, and Finn feels pulled between the two. When an accident occurs when the three are climbing, was it suicide, an accident, or something else?

I was a huge fan of Scrivenor’s debut, Dirt Creek, and loved this book as well. This is a complete character study of relationships, friendships, grief, control. These characters felt very real to me and you can feel the intensity and drama between the three. Told from Before so that we see how the relationships formed and progressed, and Now, when the police investigation looks into the death. The writing is beautiful and the narration just added depth to the story.

A character piece with dark undertones as a woman deals with the death of her lover and the betrayal of her friend. A slow pace mires the narrative and the twist is truly macabre. It was hard to like any of the characters here so I had a hard time investing in the story. The back and forth of the timeline was a little confusing and might have been easier to follow in the print version. I did feel like the narrator did a great job with the accents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Hayley Scrivenor's "Girl Falling" is a gripping thriller that expertly weaves themes of friendship, tension, and the darker aspects of human nature into a compelling narrative. The book's cover beautifully encapsulates the story's essence, symbolizing the slow unraveling of the bond between the two main characters, Daphne and Finn. As their friendship frays, readers are drawn into a world filled with intrigue and uncertainty.
What makes this novel particularly engaging is its choice of protagonists. Both Daphne and Finn are complex, sometimes unlikeable characters, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. It's a rare treat to encounter a story where the reader isn't necessarily rooting for the characters but is nonetheless captivated by their journey and the unfolding mystery. Scrivenor skillfully invites readers to witness the deterioration of their relationship without relying on conventional likability—a feat that makes the reading experience all the more intriguing.
The tension throughout the book is masterfully maintained, creating a gripping atmosphere that compels you to keep turning the pages. Scrivenor crafts familiar but distinctive scenarios that keep you guessing and invested in the outcome. The writing is sharp and engaging, drawing you deeper into the story with every twist and turn.
However, the culmination of this thrilling narrative in the final few pages left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. The twist at the end, while enjoyable in its own right, felt discordant with the intricately developed story and characters that came before it. Instead of serving as a fitting climax, it struck a note that felt out of sync with the carefully crafted buildup. While the story held my attention consistently, the conclusion seemed to undermine the well-established character arcs and narrative cohesion.
Overall, "Girl Falling" is a fascinating and engaging read that showcases Scrivenor's talent for creating tension and depth in her characters. While the ending doesn't quite deliver on the promise of the preceding chapters, the journey itself is still well worth taking. This book is an excellent choice for those who love thrillers that challenge conventional character tropes and keep you guessing until the very end.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the book #GirlFalling by #HayleyScrivenor. This book will have you hooked until the surprise ending. I never saw that coming. Finn feels like she is divided between her girlfriend, Magdu and her best friend, Daphne. They do t really seem to get along. When the three of them decode to go hiking and Magdu falls to her death, Finn is traumatized and wonders who would purposely kill her girlfriend.

Finn tragically lost her sister. And Daphne was there to help her though it. And they became friends. But though the time of their friendship Daphne was the one that always taking advantage of Finn because she knew the real reason how Finn lost her sister. Then Finn fell in love with Magdu and Finn did everything she could think of to not lose her.

Though the whole book I was convinced that Daphne was the one to blame. That Finn was the victim. The ending was a twist and unexpected.

I have conflicting feelings on this book. On one hand, it captured me from the start (especially the narrator's accent!), and on the other, there was just a lot of description that sent me over the edge. Examples include: her period, rotting tooth, and her experience at the dentist. It made me want to scream.

That said, I think this mystery was masterfully done and built. I really appreciated the twists that came over and over. If you like women's wrongs, this is the book for you.

Girl Falling was suspenseful with many brilliant moments. I loved the story, though the pacing slowed down at times. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that I'd love to revisit.

3.5

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.

Sophie Loughran was the perfect pick for the narrator!

I devoured this one! I think a large number of females that read this will be able to relate to the unhealthy friendship seen in this book, although maybe not to this severe of a degree. The ending was SUCH a surprise, I truly didn’t see that one coming! I really honestly enjoyed this book.

This is a quick read, you’ll find yourself flying through the pages, or the minutes if you consume it in audio form as I did.

This wasn't exactly what I was expecting from this. I'm not sure where I got the idea this was a horror but that definitely effected me when I first started this book. That being said once I realized this was a thriller and not a horror I got really into the story. I will say I found this book a bit predictable but for me with thrillers its more about the journey and boy oh boy was this a journey.
This was incredibly well written and I found the duel time line to be a perfect way to tell this story. Overall this was a really solid book. It was a great thriller and it was absolutely heart breaking.