Reviews with content warning for Bullying - The Falling in Love Montage

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The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

3 reviews

nutmegandselkie's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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lisa_m's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I was hoping for a cute sapphic romance. It kind of was that but also not at all. This book is sad - I cried multiple times and there is a lot of things to unpack.

Let me start of by listing what I didn't like about this book:
- the main character was kind of annoying at times. Also I got really mad at her for the way she treated other people and argumented herself out of every wrong doing.
- the book was really sad and depressing at times (I cried a few times throughout the book)

- it doesn't have a happy ending

I really liked Oliver and his dynamic with Saoirse. They had that teasing brother and sister "funny enemies" thing going on which I really like.

I also liked Beth. I get why Saoirse didn't like her but I think she is actually pretty great. I did not however like her father. I get that he's trying his best but I would be so so mad at him for everything he has done.

The ending was fine I guess. I don't have super strong feelings for this book I have to say. I thought it was okay but I doubt it will stick in my mind for long.
I think I'm just kinda disappointed because I wanted to like this book so bad and I also really thought I would..

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stopthesun's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"'See, the thing about the falling in love montage,' she said, her voice horse, 'is that when it's over, the characters have fallen in love.'"

Saoirse's been having a rough go at life lately - she's sworn off love and maybe even planning for the future. But when she meets Ruby, who proposes a summer romance without all the bad stuff that goes along with relationships, Saoirse agrees.

Warnings for

Spoiler

Abelism, Homophobia, Slut Shaming, Dementia

When I picked up [b:The Falling in Love Montage|53066661|The Falling in Love Montage|Ciara Smyth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570034111l/53066661._SX50_SY75_.jpg|69421272] I expected a fluffy romance... which isn't exactly what I got. I almost feel like it's less of a romance and more of a coming-of-age story.

THE GOOD

Saoire's Growth: I love when characters have clear growth. At the beginning of the book Saoire was a piece of work - stubborn, pessimistic, scared. The world's wronged her and she's not letting anyone in to make it worse.

Over the course of the book you can see her mature though. She slowly (and reluctantly) gets to know Beth. She starts to let Ruby in. She makes up with some people. The only person whose relationship resolution bothered me was with her dad, but more on that later.

Saoirse & Ruby: I saw some people saying that they didn't see the chemistry between Saoirse and Ruby, but I thought they were really cute. And I appreciated their resolution at the end of the book - I thought it was appropriate, realistic, and hopeful.

Characters: Specifically, I really liked Oliver (for his an Saoirse's "rivalry") and Beth ( for how hard she tried).

THE NOT AS GOOD

Miscommunication: Pretty much all of the conflicts in this book are based around Saoirse keeping secrets and not wanting to talk about her feelings.

And here's where I admit that miscommunication doesn't actually bother me. It's only in the this section because I know miscommunication bothers other people. Personally, I feel like it's realistic - some people are like this. And [a:Ciara Smyth|6910324|Ciara Smyth|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1571741138p2/6910324.jpg] handled it well. There are clear consequences to being the way she is and I think Saoirse learns her lessons.

Saoirse & Her Dad: I understand that Saoirse is angry with her dad because she feels like he abandoned her mom. But the book makes it clear that her dad still loves her mom and visits her all the time and I just don't think Saoirse is fair to him. In fact, she's so mean to him that I felt bad.

It seemed like all the things Saoirse was learning was leading her to a healthier relationship with herself and her dad. So I kept waiting for a satisfactory resolution between them but it never came.

Some Favorite Quotes:

"I'm so glad we have this chance to get to know each other," she said. "Your dad talks about you all the time."
"OK," I said flatly.
Dad shot me a look. I shrugged at him. What was I supposed to say to that? I'm familiar with your existence and I disapprove. Seemed rude even for me.

"You want to have meaningful eye contact with me now?"
"Sure."
"Shouldn't it be, I dunno, more natural?"
"You're OK with a list of dates and a prearranged breakup, but we can't schedule meaningful eye contact?"

He stuffed a biscuit in his mouth and got crumbs all over my bed. Was this what being straight was like? A boy in your bedroom making a mess? Not for the first time, I thanked God I was a lesbian.

"What is wrong with you, Saoirse?" Dad hissed.
"I have no impulse control?" I replied, like I really wanted to figure out the answer to this question with him. "No, wait, it's that I don't have any fucks to give? I'm all out of fucks."

Sometimes the best feelings in the world don't last forever. They're explosions in the body or the heart of both at once, and you know that you'll never be the same as before, but it's OK because you can always build something new in the wreckage.

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