The first three quarters of this book were really dragging in my opinion. It deserved two stars. The last quarter redeemed it for me a little bit. The characters were ok. Georgina seemed to be the only one throughout who had a solid foundation.

The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House, Jemima J, and Summer Secrets presents a novel about the pleasure and meaning of finding a home—and family—where you least expect them... When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted, either. On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son. Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son, whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all. In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds—of one woman’s far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be...

Such a beautiful breathtaking novel with well developed characters and a story that made me cry.

Note: clearing old books from before 2019

I recently purchased this book and read it a few years after publication. It was a beautiful story and I'm so happy that I didn't leave it sitting on my shelf. I only wish I'd been able to read it back in 2016 and get it in front of some other readers.

Probably just me but I struggled with this book and ended up skimming through it to finish it. I’m sure others will love it though.

Falling is the first Jane Green book for me, leaving me to wonder if I have been living under a rock. This book is wonderful. Jane Green’s writing style is wonderful. I was pulled right into the storyline with the amazing setting and the charismatic characters. The love story was sweet but not easy, the relationships were true and hard, and the friendships were real.

The cutest character was Jesse. A young boy who’s mother left him to be raised by his handsome, handy, and wonderful father, Dominic. Jane Green did a perfect job with him. He acted as a child should. Sometimes he rebelled, most of the time he was loving, and always he acted like a child should. His life was not perfect but it was normal.

Emma and Dominic both had interesting parents. I liked that their life was not perfect. There were mistakes, both by themselves and their families. The doubts came into their relationships but they stuck it out and made their relationship the priority. While they struggled at times, there was never any doubt that Emma and Dominic were meant to be.

I cannot end my review without mentioning the ending. I won’t spoil it for you but Oh My Gosh! I never saw it coming, I still can’t believe that twist, and am not sure what to think of it. I was left with my mouth hanging open not able to believe what I was reading.

This is my first Jane Green book but not my last I recommend picking up your own copy.

Classic Jane Green! This one did not disappoint and I flew through it. I love how Jane paints such relatable characters and makes you feel like you're in the story.

Love is a great many words. We are enraptured by it; especially when we can live vicariously through the Lifetime channel, wrapped in our own cocoon of avoidance to the outside world. With a flip of a coin, roll of the dice, (insert your own euphemism) love can change; it can be mean, envious, devastating. Love requires our full trust with another human being, essentially ripping our heart out, placing it in their hands, and hoping they don’t have butter fingers.

Emma Montague is looking for a change. She has been focused and driven at her job, but is lacking in happiness. Being in the banking business allows for multitudinous opportunities, and cocktail parties, but also surrounds employees with a drive of competitiveness and a “Keeping up with the Joneses” complex. As if that’s not enough, Emma’s parent’s expectations of falling in love, getting married, and having children is enough to drive this London girl across the Atlantic to New York City.

Putting her job as a priority has now left Emma in her mid thirties, quitting her job after moving to the States, and seeking solitude and inspiration near coastal property in Connecticut. A quiet respite to figure out what to do with her life. Emma found her temporary home from a Craigslist ad, a simple cottage. What she was not expecting was how much of a modern update it needed, and how close her landlord, Dominic, would be; right next door.

As she is unpacking her belongings, Dominic notices all her boxes filled with books, and equally notices the lack of space to put them. He kindly offers to build her bookshelves, regarding himself as a carpenter. Once finished, Emma notices they are more like a Monet painting. From far away they look great! Once you’re up close to them, the shelving is crooked, and has other minor flaws. Not wanting to insult her new landlord, Emma decides to make tiny upgrades to the shelves to improve their quality; just some paint, and trim.

The tiny upgrades continue through to the office area- completely ripping up the carpet, changing the whole look of the cottage, something out of a magazine. Emma has found her calling, now to work on a portfolio and finding clients. Thankfully Emma has a friend that lives in town that is able to show her around. Dominic also invites her to a cookout, surrounded by his closest friends. Dominic tells his friends how she’s upgraded the cottage prompting everyone to walk over and admire her work. Ultimately this is the spark that allows Emma to really follow through and start up her independent interior design business.

Throughout this entire move, packing up and moving countries, quitting a job and moving towards the coast, the last thing Emma was looking for was love. And love just so happened to be a doorstep away. Dominic finds ways to be around Emma, which at first seem like an annoyance. Annoyance blossoms into warmer feelings as the two are around each other more often. First with home improvements, as well as contracted home improvements, followed by a Farm Dinner date.

It has never been so easy to fall in love. Everything with Dominic feels effortless, easy, and safe. It feels like home- something Emma has never felt before. Can a Londoner with a posh background fit in with a down to earth Italian from the states? Naturally there are speed bumps along the way, but how Emma navigates them will be the telltale sign of how hard she’ll fall.

I have been a fan of Jane Green ever since “Jemima J“. Ever since that one story, I’ve been hooked on this brilliant author’s writing. So one book turned to two, to three, and so on and so forth, until I have acquired (more than) a bookshelf space worth of Jane Green novels- and that’s not including what’s on the Kindle AND audiobooks for long car rides.

I’m not sure if it’s an overseas thing, but there are three authors (Rowling, Green, Nicolle) that can deliciously describe a dirt road, or someone’s eyes, and it sounds infinitely better than how we “yanks” would describe it.

I haven’t read Green in about five or six years, so jumping back into one of her novels was such a treat. I was easily reminded why she had been a favorite of mine from day one. “Falling” is absolutely effortless. Green proves love can happen at any age, and it’s still full of romance, and butterflies. Not all relationships are the same, and not all parents can understand what we see in the other person. Sometimes you just have to go with what your heart is telling you to do, and take that flying leap.

I’m so excited to continue collecting Jane Green’s novels, as well as her cookbook that was published a year or two ago. I am pretty sure when I say that each of her books is a standalone, so feel free to pick up any and know for sure you’re not starting in the middle of a series.

And per usual with me when I have a favorite author, it is my GOAL to have my books signed.

“Falling” by Jane Green is available now! I was chosen by Netgalley to receive an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. Given that fact, it has not altered my opinion on the book at all.

I liked the general concept of the book, but it felt rushed. It could easily have been a series. I also thought a few jokes from the main characters regarding Henry and George were in poor taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.

I thought this would be the typical romance. I was wrong and I'm so glad I was. I really enjoyed this story by Jane Green. I've read one other title authored by her and I like her a lot. She is quickly becoming one of those authors in which I want to read everything they have ever written.
In this story Emma, an English woman living in America, has given up her high-powered and high stress career for a slower pace. She's moved from New York City and the world of finance to Westport, Connecticut and a suburb kind of life. She's going to indulge her interest and passion for interior design and try to make a living doing something she loves rather than something she doesn't. She's got one friend in town and is looking forward to what this chapter of life is going to bring her. Her landlord, Dominic, and his son - Jesse, live next door and Emma quickly finds herself spending time with them, much to her own surprise. As the title says, this is a love story - but whose and how will it unfold?
What I really liked about Green's love story is the lack of predictability that is in most - boy and girl meet, boy and girl get together, ex of one and/or some jealous/manipulative person enters into story, misunderstanding and conflict occur, boy and girl go separate ways because of assumptions and zero communication, somehow misunderstanding and conflict are cleared up, boy and girl get back together and live happily ever after. Green doesn't participate in this format for her love story and it's so refreshing. Instead, she has boy and girl communicate and work through assumptions and misunderstandings - in other words, she has developed her adult characters to be healthy and functional adults. What a concept! Jane Green is an author carving out her own place on my bookshelves.

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