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iceangel32's review against another edition
4.0
This book was defiantly worth the over due charges. There were tears rolling down my face and a quivering lip in the middle of the Starbucks as I finished this book.
It is a great book about a girl that gets in a bad relationship, has trouble at home and tries to live a normal life. Rae is such a strong character, always trying to do for others and hiding her own, but she might not be the only one. I wish I could be as strong as Rae and maybe there are Leo's out there for all of us...
What I will take away from this book is "Life hands us things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matter. That's all."
It is a great book about a girl that gets in a bad relationship, has trouble at home and tries to live a normal life. Rae is such a strong character, always trying to do for others and hiding her own, but she might not be the only one. I wish I could be as strong as Rae and maybe there are Leo's out there for all of us...
What I will take away from this book is "Life hands us things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matter. That's all."
julie_reads15's review against another edition
4.0
Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder is a young adult contemporary novel about Rae, a 17 year old teenage girl from a broken home who seeks to be loved. Snippets of verse are included amongst the prose.
The story switches between present time when Rae is in hospital suffering from a tragedy we know nothing about, to flashbacks of the events which lead up to her tragedy. This layout hooked me as I wanted desperately to find out what happened to her and to know if she was going to get the happy ending she deserved.
I really admired Rae. She was such a strong, selfless and sympathetic character. She didn't let her negative experiences define who she was. She vowed to become a better person than her mother and step father.
I really liked Rae and Leo's friendship and how they helped each other out in difficult times. They found a positive outlet in creating videos.
I thought Schroeder did an excellent job of exploring dark themes, and balancing the darkness with the light.
The story switches between present time when Rae is in hospital suffering from a tragedy we know nothing about, to flashbacks of the events which lead up to her tragedy. This layout hooked me as I wanted desperately to find out what happened to her and to know if she was going to get the happy ending she deserved.
I really admired Rae. She was such a strong, selfless and sympathetic character. She didn't let her negative experiences define who she was. She vowed to become a better person than her mother and step father.
I really liked Rae and Leo's friendship and how they helped each other out in difficult times. They found a positive outlet in creating videos.
I thought Schroeder did an excellent job of exploring dark themes, and balancing the darkness with the light.
chaneldt6's review against another edition
4.0
It was a different style of writing compared to Lisa'a previous books but it was great! The story line was different and crazy. I don't normally read books on abuse and it was very interesting and took me on a ride! But it was awesome!
nagam's review against another edition
4.0
[Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading]
If you think back to your high school days, was there ever a time when it seemed everyone around you had a boyfriend but you? That’s kind of how Rae feels. She’s not sure she’s relationship material because she’s super picky. Then one magical day, a new boy (Nathan) appears at her school and he’s immediately interested — blatantly staring at her, making sure she knows he’s interested.
While Rae would like to take things a bit slower, her best friends encourage her to take the risk and go for it with Nathan. What her friends don’t know is how badly Rae wants to be loved, how dire her home life is, and how easy it is for her to fall under Nathan’s spell. Her mom is married to a scumbag of a guy because he promised her a better life (that, unfortunately, will likely never come to fruition). He gets fired from his low-paying job and forces Rae to relinquish nearly all of her wages from her job at the floral shop to “help the family stay afloat” (aka: hand over money for his alcoholic ways).
Nathan quickly begins pressuring Rae for more than just make-out sessions. She would rather build a relationship on something more than the physical. When their relationship falls apart, she feels free of Nathan’s constant watchful eye. She finds solace in her job and her newfound friendship with Leo, the boy who works at the coffee bistro next door (…and is easygoing and happy, makes silly movies, and takes Rae on unexpected adventures). Nathan begins showing up in random places, stalking her, and becomes more possessive and threatening.
Falling For You begins in present day where we see that Rae is in the hospital, not doing very well. The exact details of what happened to her are unknown, but we rewind six months to the beginning of Rae’s relationship with Nathan and her step-dad’s downward spiral. The big question is What happened to Rae? There’s lots of speculation on behalf of the reader, but the real heart of the story is seeing Rae’s life, both the highs and the lows, unfold.
For those of you that loved The Day Before (written entirely in verse), don’t fret. Schroeder incorporates poetry through Rae’s personal diary entries and her anonymous submissions to the school’s newspaper. Through the poetry, we’re opened up to a side of Rae that she shares with no one — she is raw and honest, holding nothing back. This was a lovely incorporation that opened my eyes to how necessary writing is for some people as an outlet when they feel they’re all alone in the world.
Full of charming imagery with awesome I-want-to-know-you-in-real-life-characters (I dare you not to love her boss and co-workers!), Schroeder’s Falling For You will make you want to open up your guest bedroom for Rae to give her a safe, loving place to live. You’ll be eager to get to the end of the story to find out what happened to her, but hesitant to finish the story because you won’t want to leave Leo behind.
If you think back to your high school days, was there ever a time when it seemed everyone around you had a boyfriend but you? That’s kind of how Rae feels. She’s not sure she’s relationship material because she’s super picky. Then one magical day, a new boy (Nathan) appears at her school and he’s immediately interested — blatantly staring at her, making sure she knows he’s interested.
While Rae would like to take things a bit slower, her best friends encourage her to take the risk and go for it with Nathan. What her friends don’t know is how badly Rae wants to be loved, how dire her home life is, and how easy it is for her to fall under Nathan’s spell. Her mom is married to a scumbag of a guy because he promised her a better life (that, unfortunately, will likely never come to fruition). He gets fired from his low-paying job and forces Rae to relinquish nearly all of her wages from her job at the floral shop to “help the family stay afloat” (aka: hand over money for his alcoholic ways).
Nathan quickly begins pressuring Rae for more than just make-out sessions. She would rather build a relationship on something more than the physical. When their relationship falls apart, she feels free of Nathan’s constant watchful eye. She finds solace in her job and her newfound friendship with Leo, the boy who works at the coffee bistro next door (…and is easygoing and happy, makes silly movies, and takes Rae on unexpected adventures). Nathan begins showing up in random places, stalking her, and becomes more possessive and threatening.
Falling For You begins in present day where we see that Rae is in the hospital, not doing very well. The exact details of what happened to her are unknown, but we rewind six months to the beginning of Rae’s relationship with Nathan and her step-dad’s downward spiral. The big question is What happened to Rae? There’s lots of speculation on behalf of the reader, but the real heart of the story is seeing Rae’s life, both the highs and the lows, unfold.
For those of you that loved The Day Before (written entirely in verse), don’t fret. Schroeder incorporates poetry through Rae’s personal diary entries and her anonymous submissions to the school’s newspaper. Through the poetry, we’re opened up to a side of Rae that she shares with no one — she is raw and honest, holding nothing back. This was a lovely incorporation that opened my eyes to how necessary writing is for some people as an outlet when they feel they’re all alone in the world.
Full of charming imagery with awesome I-want-to-know-you-in-real-life-characters (I dare you not to love her boss and co-workers!), Schroeder’s Falling For You will make you want to open up your guest bedroom for Rae to give her a safe, loving place to live. You’ll be eager to get to the end of the story to find out what happened to her, but hesitant to finish the story because you won’t want to leave Leo behind.
mckinlay's review against another edition
2.0
i feel like the Nathan character was unnecessary and while I know Rae was only 16, i feel like she could have left her home and been ok. She should have at least told someone what was going on.
nikkieliz13's review against another edition
4.0
Originally, this book was bought as a “filler” between my trips to the bookstore. I’m embarrassed to admit that whilst I didn’t judge the book by its cover, I did judge it based on its synopsis–which led me to believe that I was in for another repetitive story about a teen love triangle. Jump forward a year or so, and I finally will myself to read the book. Boy was my original assumption proven wrong.
Without going into detail and spoiling the book, I can assure you that this book was well worth the read. Books nowadays are introducing strong and inspiring female characters which only seem to exist in either a dystopian setting or as the focus of a love triangle. However, Schroeder, places her protagonist Rae, in the world we actually live in; and while there is a love triangle, it is not the drive of the story or the conflict for Rae. Instead, we the readers, are able to accompany the characters through the hardships of life, and learn that the darkness only wins when you choose to hide in it.
A story of friends, family, and hope–Falling for You will change your view of the world.
Without going into detail and spoiling the book, I can assure you that this book was well worth the read. Books nowadays are introducing strong and inspiring female characters which only seem to exist in either a dystopian setting or as the focus of a love triangle. However, Schroeder, places her protagonist Rae, in the world we actually live in; and while there is a love triangle, it is not the drive of the story or the conflict for Rae. Instead, we the readers, are able to accompany the characters through the hardships of life, and learn that the darkness only wins when you choose to hide in it.
A story of friends, family, and hope–Falling for You will change your view of the world.
kayharkness's review against another edition
5.0
A well written and interesting read that I did not want to put down.
sqeeker's review against another edition
5.0
- I loved this book!
- I'm really glad I didn't judge this book by its cover or title, or I probably wouldn't have read it. The cover is a really bad representation of the story. The book is by one of my favorite authors, so I had to give it a whirl.
- I love the use of poetry. The author has a such a way with words and poetry. I picked up a poetry book because of this book, and I'm not a poetry reader.
- I loved Rae. I really felt for her and her situation. I thought dating Nathan was bad judgement on her part, but considering where she was coming from, I understand why she would jump at something like that.
- This was such a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I just had to get to the end.
- What Leo does for Rae is so sweet and amazing. I wasn't sure about him at first, and I just wanted Leo and Rae to stay friends, but he proved his quality.
- The story is full of misery and sadness, but it is also full of hope, love, and kindness. It is such a great read!
- I'm really glad I didn't judge this book by its cover or title, or I probably wouldn't have read it. The cover is a really bad representation of the story. The book is by one of my favorite authors, so I had to give it a whirl.
- I love the use of poetry. The author has a such a way with words and poetry. I picked up a poetry book because of this book, and I'm not a poetry reader.
- I loved Rae. I really felt for her and her situation. I thought dating Nathan was bad judgement on her part, but considering where she was coming from, I understand why she would jump at something like that.
- This was such a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I just had to get to the end.
- What Leo does for Rae is so sweet and amazing. I wasn't sure about him at first, and I just wanted Leo and Rae to stay friends, but he proved his quality.
- The story is full of misery and sadness, but it is also full of hope, love, and kindness. It is such a great read!
sleepygirlreads_'s review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on Brit's Book Nook
I’m kind of kicking myself in the butt for not reading this one sooner. I actually won a copy in a giveaway from another blogger, which I can not remember since it was about 3+ years ago.
I loved this book. I found I could relate to Rae, the main character, even though our lives aren’t very similar I did understand how she felt and I understood a lot of what she was going through. Even though I love this book, I wish I would have read it when I was a little younger and when my experiences were more fresh.
I don’t want to go too much into the story but I laughed, I cried, it moved me. I totally predicted the sappy parts of the ending and even though it was a happily ever after, I wouldn’t want it to be anything different.
There are so many quotes in this book that I would love to share with you guys but then I would practically share this whole book in one post. The writing was just something else. It’s hard to explain, since I’m not so eloquent with words, but Lisa Schroeder had a way of making every word meaningful.
I would recommend this book to everyone. If I were younger and still in high school I would probably have finished this book in 3 days or less. But I sort of value sleep now that I’m working 40 hours a week.
If you’re like me and haven’t picked this up yet, what are you waiting for?!?!
I’m kind of kicking myself in the butt for not reading this one sooner. I actually won a copy in a giveaway from another blogger, which I can not remember since it was about 3+ years ago.
I loved this book. I found I could relate to Rae, the main character, even though our lives aren’t very similar I did understand how she felt and I understood a lot of what she was going through. Even though I love this book, I wish I would have read it when I was a little younger and when my experiences were more fresh.
I don’t want to go too much into the story but I laughed, I cried, it moved me. I totally predicted the sappy parts of the ending and even though it was a happily ever after, I wouldn’t want it to be anything different.
There are so many quotes in this book that I would love to share with you guys but then I would practically share this whole book in one post. The writing was just something else. It’s hard to explain, since I’m not so eloquent with words, but Lisa Schroeder had a way of making every word meaningful.
I would recommend this book to everyone. If I were younger and still in high school I would probably have finished this book in 3 days or less. But I sort of value sleep now that I’m working 40 hours a week.
If you’re like me and haven’t picked this up yet, what are you waiting for?!?!
sydvicious_15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0