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devansbooklife's review against another edition
5.0
Kami is a broken, abused, terrified soul. From the introduction until around 90% in I was trying to piece together her story. She does a terrific job at pretending. Unfortunately, that is all Kami is. She's a shell of a human, pretending to be alive. She stopped living when she was a little girl.
Until Blaine! Who by the way seems like an smoldering and intense package of things dream men wish they could be.
While everyone in this story has terrible baggage, and haunting scars, they fit. They become a family. The only part I didn't understand was the touching and affection between Dom, Angel, and Kami. I understand they all deal with closeness differently. But the way they interacted sometimes confused me. Almost to the point that I became a little turned off.
All in al a sad, gripping read that will leave you disappointed in humanity. Monsters are real. We allow them to be part if our world daily.
Until Blaine! Who by the way seems like an smoldering and intense package of things dream men wish they could be.
While everyone in this story has terrible baggage, and haunting scars, they fit. They become a family. The only part I didn't understand was the touching and affection between Dom, Angel, and Kami. I understand they all deal with closeness differently. But the way they interacted sometimes confused me. Almost to the point that I became a little turned off.
All in al a sad, gripping read that will leave you disappointed in humanity. Monsters are real. We allow them to be part if our world daily.
echoingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book was honest and powerful. It was really moving that leaved you vulnerable at the end of the book wandering what you will do next. In this book I felt a lot of sadness, shock, anger, heartbreak, love, hope and courage. I felt all those emotions and so much more! This story was one real powerful read and I can tell you it’s not for the faint of heart. This story is filled with horrifying memories from the lead ~Kami, the memories full of betrayal, disappointment and abuse which created a thick layer of fear. She thinks she is unlovable and permanently scarred and she built a very huge and thick protective wall around her heart! She doesn’t let anyone in except her roommates, they have a very strange relationship and they show a lot of affection to each other.
It was sad to read about what the three roommate had such a bad upbringing. This kind of story just breaks a persons heart. This book is moving and painfully raw but it is also very hopeful for all those who has been abused. It give a person courage to fight for some kind of happiness and to face a persons fears, to find the courage to love and to have the hope that someone loves you enough to catch you if you fall! Each of the roommates has their own tragic past but yet they understood each other but the three needs each other to make it day to day so when she met Blaine Jacobs she was very surprised that her body responds to him where it never actually responded to anyone. Blaine is tattooed and pierced but with deep and kind brown eyes, she seemed to intrigued him, almost like he sees the real Kami behind all that walls she put up! Somehow she feels safe around him but he still scared her!
Blaine also had a different upbringing and he battles his own guilt and pain. But somehow, Kami calls to him and he is determined to help find her happiness. Blaine is one amazing guy. He is sweet and supportive and willing to do anything to make Kami feel safe and happy. He’ll do whatever it takes. Blaine helps Kami believe that she is strong. I though the same because with all that in her past she still survived even though she had a lot of fears! He encouraged her to be herself and to open up her heart, to let love in even when she thought she is unloveable. This is a strong book about the slow and beautiful way to fall in love. Though the more they got together, however, the more cracks become to show. She become determined to push him away for his own good. I wander if she would ever let herself be loved by him and to show love in return.
My hear literally broke for Kami. About all those fears that paralyzed her. I wanted her to be happy with Blaine. The story unfolded with compromised steps, small steps….. Often one step forward and two steps back but for me this book was really brutally honest and realistic! The type of pain she had to shoulder and the abuse doesn’t just get fixed instantly but the cracks fused together over a long period of time. I really felt for Blaine, his heartache and desperation and he didn’t know what to do and how to help the person to love. He did show her at every moment how much he cared about her. I felt so much emotions reading this book from the big to small ones…. This story is told in alternating POV’s which let us connect to both of the characters. The epilogue was perfect in my eyes! I was happy and full of joy when I read the epilogue because it was a happy ending with full of love and hope. This book was beautifully written envoking a wide range of emotions. This is a book that I will read all over again! Also I really fell in love with Dom.
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG:
“[…] just remember, the storm doesn’t last forever. It can scare you; it can shake you to your core. But it never lasts. The rain subsides, the thunder dies, and the winds calm to a soft whisper. And that moment after the storm clouds pass, when all is silent and still, you find peace. Quiet, gentle peace.”
It was sad to read about what the three roommate had such a bad upbringing. This kind of story just breaks a persons heart. This book is moving and painfully raw but it is also very hopeful for all those who has been abused. It give a person courage to fight for some kind of happiness and to face a persons fears, to find the courage to love and to have the hope that someone loves you enough to catch you if you fall! Each of the roommates has their own tragic past but yet they understood each other but the three needs each other to make it day to day so when she met Blaine Jacobs she was very surprised that her body responds to him where it never actually responded to anyone. Blaine is tattooed and pierced but with deep and kind brown eyes, she seemed to intrigued him, almost like he sees the real Kami behind all that walls she put up! Somehow she feels safe around him but he still scared her!
“You don’t have to be afraid of falling. Just close your eyes, let go, and know that I’ll always be here with arms outstretched, ready to catch you.”
Blaine also had a different upbringing and he battles his own guilt and pain. But somehow, Kami calls to him and he is determined to help find her happiness. Blaine is one amazing guy. He is sweet and supportive and willing to do anything to make Kami feel safe and happy. He’ll do whatever it takes. Blaine helps Kami believe that she is strong. I though the same because with all that in her past she still survived even though she had a lot of fears! He encouraged her to be herself and to open up her heart, to let love in even when she thought she is unloveable. This is a strong book about the slow and beautiful way to fall in love. Though the more they got together, however, the more cracks become to show. She become determined to push him away for his own good. I wander if she would ever let herself be loved by him and to show love in return.
“I’m not looking thru you Kami, I’m looking into you. I’m standing here, wondering how the hell a girl so beautiful could hold so much sadness in her gorgeous green eyes. And I’m asking myself why I want- no- why I NEED to know what’s made her so sad. And what I can do to take away every ounce of that sadness. I need to know what it will take for you to let me in, so I can do just that.”
My hear literally broke for Kami. About all those fears that paralyzed her. I wanted her to be happy with Blaine. The story unfolded with compromised steps, small steps….. Often one step forward and two steps back but for me this book was really brutally honest and realistic! The type of pain she had to shoulder and the abuse doesn’t just get fixed instantly but the cracks fused together over a long period of time. I really felt for Blaine, his heartache and desperation and he didn’t know what to do and how to help the person to love. He did show her at every moment how much he cared about her. I felt so much emotions reading this book from the big to small ones…. This story is told in alternating POV’s which let us connect to both of the characters. The epilogue was perfect in my eyes! I was happy and full of joy when I read the epilogue because it was a happy ending with full of love and hope. This book was beautifully written envoking a wide range of emotions. This is a book that I will read all over again! Also I really fell in love with Dom.
“Maybe before a big storm rolls in, you’ll use it to catch fireflies (see, I did remember something, city mouse. But they’re still lightning bugs down here). And if you do, just remember, the storm doesn’t last forever. It can scare you; it can shake you to your core. But it never lasts. The rain subsides, the thunder dies, and the winds calm to a soft whisper. And that moment after the storm clouds pass, when all is silent and still, you find peace. Quiet, gentle peace. That’s what I wish for you. Even if you couldn’t find it with me.”
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG:
kelli7990's review against another edition
An emotionally charged story of self-discovery and healing, following a young woman's journey as she confronts her deep-seated fears and learns to trust and love again.
I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. I was enjoying this book but I’m going to DNF it after reading 148 pages. I like the male love interest but the female main character is getting on my nerves because she’s whining too much. She grew up in an abusive home and she keeps saying that she doesn’t deserve to be loved so I get why she’s whining but I don’t want to read any more of this. I have the sequel on my Kindle but I’m not going to read it.
I read this book on Kindle Unlimited. I was enjoying this book but I’m going to DNF it after reading 148 pages. I like the male love interest but the female main character is getting on my nerves because she’s whining too much. She grew up in an abusive home and she keeps saying that she doesn’t deserve to be loved so I get why she’s whining but I don’t want to read any more of this. I have the sequel on my Kindle but I’m not going to read it.
pamgodwin's review against another edition
5.0
The villain in this story is a psychological condition. You can't take it down with a hollow-point bullet. You can't pass a sword through its deeply-guarded heart. It lurks in the shape of 253 stars. Kami's 253 fears.
How does she fight fear when she's erected her entire life around it? Normally, I'd balk at heroine who is crippled by nothing more than herself, and scream at her to power through it. But Kami's fear is so palpable and vetted, to behave with an iron spine and swinging fists would've belied her character. Jennings is so convincing in the characterization of this poor girl, I was a glutton to experience every detail of her miserable psyche.
Blaine is the catharsis in this harrowing tale of persistence and triumph. Victims of abuse lick their wounds in a myriad of ways, but the one honest salve is a sturdy shoulder to brace you through the mending. That person or persons, who accepts without question, who lends support from a distance when distance and patience is what is needed.
The Avett Brothers' Perfect Space captures the essence of Kami's relationship with Blaine and her roommates:
I wanna have friends that I can trust,
that love me for the man I've become not the man I was.
I wanna have friends that will let me be
all alone when being alone is all that I need.
The story is executed delicately, yet with a deep-welled power. The writing is seamless. While it's often emotionally frustrating, the best books always are. I highly recommend.
How does she fight fear when she's erected her entire life around it? Normally, I'd balk at heroine who is crippled by nothing more than herself, and scream at her to power through it. But Kami's fear is so palpable and vetted, to behave with an iron spine and swinging fists would've belied her character. Jennings is so convincing in the characterization of this poor girl, I was a glutton to experience every detail of her miserable psyche.
Blaine is the catharsis in this harrowing tale of persistence and triumph. Victims of abuse lick their wounds in a myriad of ways, but the one honest salve is a sturdy shoulder to brace you through the mending. That person or persons, who accepts without question, who lends support from a distance when distance and patience is what is needed.
The Avett Brothers' Perfect Space captures the essence of Kami's relationship with Blaine and her roommates:
I wanna have friends that I can trust,
that love me for the man I've become not the man I was.
I wanna have friends that will let me be
all alone when being alone is all that I need.
The story is executed delicately, yet with a deep-welled power. The writing is seamless. While it's often emotionally frustrating, the best books always are. I highly recommend.
aoibhrua's review against another edition
5.0
★★★★★
NO SPOILERS
Review originally posted on Aoibh Reads
Kami Duvall doesn't do love. She is incapable of being loved and loving - at least that what she keeps telling herself.
Running from her haunted and abusive past, Kami finds herself in a bar and meeting Blaine - the one person who makes her question everything, who ignites deep feelings and emotion foreign to what Kami knows.
Neither can deny the sparking chemistry between them, but Kami is permanently haunted by demons and hellbent on keeping Blaine at a distance. But how long can she push him away before he walks, leaving her even more broken than before?
BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. HOT DAMN. BLAINE.
I'll just get straight into it and say these 5 stars are for sweet Blaine Daniel Jacobs.
*DEAD*
We are lucky enough to meet the wonderful Blaine right away in the first chapter and what an encounter!
Then Kami gets to do a tequila shot from his neck, going down in history as one of the most extraordinary shots taken as she runs away from the heat of it all.
Kami: Kami is a tough cookie although she considers herself as crumbs. She has had an awful life and her demons still haunt her as she is never truly safe. She can't help but fall for the allure of Blaine, despite knowing she couldn't give him forever, and it was so heartbreaking seeing her heart break in an effort to protect him from herself, when she was the one needing protecting!!! But, towards the end it got a tad annoying, with her throwing out the same lines and it did become a little bit of a pity party. Because of her traumatic past, it worked for most of the book with her actions definitely being totally justified, but at the end I wanted to scream. I would've grabbed onto him and never let go!
Blaine: Reading YA/NA you always have those book boyfriends and ideas of perfection, but this guy, this is the one you really want. He is so kickass and can go from concrete to kittens in the blink of an eye. He speaks the truth and from the heart, having learned not to keep things to himself, and his brutal honesty scares Kami (as it probably would me too.) He's tough, but he has a heart of gold that he's not ashamed about or tries to hide, making him even more endearing. And he shows he is human - he vows to not give up on Kami, but her persistent pushing him away does eventually take its toll on him as he deals with his own struggles. He isn't portrayed as a total angel or bad boy, just your average guy and it works so well for him.
Writing: The writing is fairly decent, and probably better than what I normally expect from NA. Often the story is the main focus and the writing rather standard, but there were great descriptions (of Blaine) and diverse settings for conversations or scenarios, keeping the story fresh. I loved that it changed POV between Kami and Blaine. I nearly enjoyed reading from Blaine's POV more, I think.
Topic: There are some taboo/dark topics in this and the author doesn't dance about them or glorify them. They're portrayed as brutal as they are and this makes Kami's suffering real. It isn't a mish-mash of random abusive acts, but a deeply woven abusive thread, that also makes it so much more raw. Kami isn't just "broken" from one or two incidents but from a world of pain. The author manages to really treat this so delicately, by showing Kami as such a crushed soul but with so much fight in her. She's alive and I could sense her defensive nature from the core. Even still, there isn't an overload of the sadness, it's there, but Kami does have fun times which are so crucial for this story to work and it's why it does I think - it's not just one block of torment and upset, her growth and development and inner turmoil is evident throughout.
Overall:
Fear of Falling has flown into my favourites list. I love it so much! I read it within 24 hours and it left me empty once completed. Proper book mourning going on. S.L.Jennings depicts domestic abuse so carefully but truthfully, it's chilling, but the warmth of Blaine entering Kami's life helps create a beautiful story among the torture endured.
See more of my reviews here
NO SPOILERS
Review originally posted on Aoibh Reads
Kami Duvall doesn't do love. She is incapable of being loved and loving - at least that what she keeps telling herself.
Running from her haunted and abusive past, Kami finds herself in a bar and meeting Blaine - the one person who makes her question everything, who ignites deep feelings and emotion foreign to what Kami knows.
Neither can deny the sparking chemistry between them, but Kami is permanently haunted by demons and hellbent on keeping Blaine at a distance. But how long can she push him away before he walks, leaving her even more broken than before?
BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. BLAINE. HOT DAMN. BLAINE.
I'll just get straight into it and say these 5 stars are for sweet Blaine Daniel Jacobs.
"Even shrouded in ink, I could tell his arms were magnificently cut and defined with muscle. Muscles that flexed and quivered as he leaned against the bar, causing his biceps and shoulders to strain against his fitted, plain white t-shirt."
*DEAD*
We are lucky enough to meet the wonderful Blaine right away in the first chapter and what an encounter!
"...met with a hooded pair of chocolate brown eyes and a boyish grin. His hair was covered in a worn baseball cap, and he had just the right amount of scruff on his chin and upper lip to give his baby face an edge. His hands and arms were covered with intricate, colorful tattoos."
Then Kami gets to do a tequila shot from his neck, going down in history as one of the most extraordinary shots taken as she runs away from the heat of it all.
Kami: Kami is a tough cookie although she considers herself as crumbs. She has had an awful life and her demons still haunt her as she is never truly safe. She can't help but fall for the allure of Blaine, despite knowing she couldn't give him forever, and it was so heartbreaking seeing her heart break in an effort to protect him from herself, when she was the one needing protecting!!! But, towards the end it got a tad annoying, with her throwing out the same lines and it did become a little bit of a pity party. Because of her traumatic past, it worked for most of the book with her actions definitely being totally justified, but at the end I wanted to scream. I would've grabbed onto him and never let go!
Blaine: Reading YA/NA you always have those book boyfriends and ideas of perfection, but this guy, this is the one you really want. He is so kickass and can go from concrete to kittens in the blink of an eye. He speaks the truth and from the heart, having learned not to keep things to himself, and his brutal honesty scares Kami (as it probably would me too.) He's tough, but he has a heart of gold that he's not ashamed about or tries to hide, making him even more endearing. And he shows he is human - he vows to not give up on Kami, but her persistent pushing him away does eventually take its toll on him as he deals with his own struggles. He isn't portrayed as a total angel or bad boy, just your average guy and it works so well for him.
Writing: The writing is fairly decent, and probably better than what I normally expect from NA. Often the story is the main focus and the writing rather standard, but there were great descriptions (of Blaine) and diverse settings for conversations or scenarios, keeping the story fresh. I loved that it changed POV between Kami and Blaine. I nearly enjoyed reading from Blaine's POV more, I think.
Topic: There are some taboo/dark topics in this and the author doesn't dance about them or glorify them. They're portrayed as brutal as they are and this makes Kami's suffering real. It isn't a mish-mash of random abusive acts, but a deeply woven abusive thread, that also makes it so much more raw. Kami isn't just "broken" from one or two incidents but from a world of pain. The author manages to really treat this so delicately, by showing Kami as such a crushed soul but with so much fight in her. She's alive and I could sense her defensive nature from the core. Even still, there isn't an overload of the sadness, it's there, but Kami does have fun times which are so crucial for this story to work and it's why it does I think - it's not just one block of torment and upset, her growth and development and inner turmoil is evident throughout.
Overall:
Fear of Falling has flown into my favourites list. I love it so much! I read it within 24 hours and it left me empty once completed. Proper book mourning going on. S.L.Jennings depicts domestic abuse so carefully but truthfully, it's chilling, but the warmth of Blaine entering Kami's life helps create a beautiful story among the torture endured.
See more of my reviews here
paigedreams's review against another edition
5.0
This book was extremely emotional. The fact that it was based on a true events was-oh-so-real.
ashkwtf's review against another edition
1.0
Kami was ridiculous. She was irrational, stupid, and broken. Blaine deserved better. I realize Kami had a terrible childhood but the way she let it consume her and drive her reactions -- with horribly irrational justifications -- just drove me batty. I ended up skimming the last angst-and-drama-filled 40% of the book.
parryc's review against another edition
4.0
Fear of falling is about a girl who constantly lives in fear of so to many things and who can't seem to break free of those fears and live her life.
Kami describes herself as a disaster and broken beyond repair. She had a horrible childhood and since then has never recovered. Kami lives in fear of everything that sparks the slightest memory from her past. She believes herself unloveable and after breaking yet another guys heart who she couldn't love she finds herself at the bar Dive. While at the bar drinking with her roommate Angel she meets Blaine.
"The magnitude of what I feel for you, the thought of losing you for good? Yes scares me to death."
Blaine is tall with sandy brown hair and deep chocolate brown eyes. He has a rough exterior but a heart full of love and sadness. After experiencing his own turmoil and heart break growing up he has chosen to say what he feels and never hold back.
"But I want you. I need you. so. Bad. Shit... Kami I need to fuck the fear out of you"
I find I really felt bad for Kami and found it hard to understand how she couldn't get over her fear of love with Blaine yet she could let him help her concur other fears so easily. Blaine wow he was amazing I loved his POV and found myself looking forward to those chapters. His love for Kami was adorable.
I loved the secondary characters Dom and Angle's witty banter was hilarious at times.
"I think you're mistaking my dates with your Wednesday night stripper conquests. There's still a layer of edible body dust on the furniture. I fell like Elton John every time I sit on the couch."
CJ was super funny also and had me stopping to laugh out loud.
"The girl I've been banging has some obsession with Gossip Girl. She makes me watch that shit with her to get her in the mood. Fucking irritating at first but it's a pretty cool show. The chicks are hot as hell, and Chuck Bass is one cool motherfucker. I might start wearing bowties.
Kami describes herself as a disaster and broken beyond repair. She had a horrible childhood and since then has never recovered. Kami lives in fear of everything that sparks the slightest memory from her past. She believes herself unloveable and after breaking yet another guys heart who she couldn't love she finds herself at the bar Dive. While at the bar drinking with her roommate Angel she meets Blaine.
"The magnitude of what I feel for you, the thought of losing you for good? Yes scares me to death."
Blaine is tall with sandy brown hair and deep chocolate brown eyes. He has a rough exterior but a heart full of love and sadness. After experiencing his own turmoil and heart break growing up he has chosen to say what he feels and never hold back.
"But I want you. I need you. so. Bad. Shit... Kami I need to fuck the fear out of you"
I find I really felt bad for Kami and found it hard to understand how she couldn't get over her fear of love with Blaine yet she could let him help her concur other fears so easily. Blaine wow he was amazing I loved his POV and found myself looking forward to those chapters. His love for Kami was adorable.
I loved the secondary characters Dom and Angle's witty banter was hilarious at times.
"I think you're mistaking my dates with your Wednesday night stripper conquests. There's still a layer of edible body dust on the furniture. I fell like Elton John every time I sit on the couch."
CJ was super funny also and had me stopping to laugh out loud.
"The girl I've been banging has some obsession with Gossip Girl. She makes me watch that shit with her to get her in the mood. Fucking irritating at first but it's a pretty cool show. The chicks are hot as hell, and Chuck Bass is one cool motherfucker. I might start wearing bowties.
ashleybhaley's review against another edition
3.0
The story was good but it became predictable and repetitive and I got bored with it. The characters had a lot of drama in this book... All of them!