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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Falling in Love Montage is another winner from Ciara Smyth.
It has sharp (at times razor-sharp) writing, believable character development, snarky dialogue, and nicely paced. It also provides real insight intowhat life is like for the child of a parent with early onset dementia , a topic which I knew very little about, and which is pretty devastating to read about .
The best character development award goes to our MC, Saoirse (pronounced Seer-sha, as she makes clear right at the beginning). Her distinctly sarcastic narrative voice engages you immediately, even as you think, this girl has issues (well, that's what I thought, anyway).
The plot is well-paced, and it is in some ways I could see where it was going,, particularly with the romance plot , but it was told so beautifully that I didn't mind the journey getting there.
I also really appreciated how everythingwasn't neatly wrapped up at the end, because that felt more realistic .
Overall, this was a really well-written, feel-good tale with a knockout MC.
It has sharp (at times razor-sharp) writing, believable character development, snarky dialogue, and nicely paced. It also provides real insight into
The best character development award goes to our MC, Saoirse (pronounced Seer-sha, as she makes clear right at the beginning). Her distinctly sarcastic narrative voice engages you immediately, even as you think, this girl has issues (well, that's what I thought, anyway).
The plot is well-paced, and it is in some ways I could see where it was going,
I also really appreciated how everything
Overall, this was a really well-written, feel-good tale with a knockout MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Alcohol, and Misogyny
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Ableism, Blood, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
MC Saoirse's mother hasstacy837's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol and Chronic illness
Minor: Sexual content
genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Dementia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
bookwormcat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, and Dementia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
lolajh's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
First of all, any potential readers know that Saoirse’s name is pronounced Seer-sha and I only found that out at the end of the book where she explains it and it’s not something like say-or-rees or say-ors or freaking ‘sauce’ like I’ve been pronouncing in my head the past two weeks of reading this. Anyways! Here’s the review!
I just want to say that I am ANGRY. This book right up until literally the last chapter was an absolute five-star read. I hated the ending and feel so underwhelmed.You’re telling me these lesbian ass bitches didn’t drop their futures to break the rule of the montage and “having to break up” (because they didn’t have to at all) to be gay in Ireland together? What the fuck! WHO IS VERONICA. FUCK OFF I NEED SAOIRSE AND RUBY TO BE ENDGAME HELLO? Where was their wedding? I cannot tell you how much I NEEDED the (what I thought would be) predictable cheesy plot twist where it isn’t literally JUST A SUMMER THING and they’d JUST FUCKING DATE. Sorry. I’m so opinionated about this book. Where was the “happily ever after” that’s literally above the book’s blurb, the thing that’s foreshadowed throughout the whole book? The meet cute happened, the falling in love montage, the big fight, the hero realising they’re wrong, the grand gesture, now where is the happily ever after? I thought my fucking book was printed wrong and missing the actual last pages. I’m so pissed off.
Now, onto what I liked. So, Saoirse, let me tell you I loved to hate her. Why? Because she’s ME. She is the most relatable character I’ve ever read the perspective of. Her life and character all has such human reason it feels like she really is real. Flawed characters are the best <3
And I FUCKING LOVED RUBY (among other characters like Oliver and Beth and not really Saoirse’s dad) She is a lovable little ball of sunshine that in some parts maybe deserved more than Saoirse and shouldn’t have forgiven her so many times, but that’s okay.
I don’t have much else to say. Maybe if the ending was different I’d be able to appreciate the parts of this book that I loved so much, but I really feel like I can’t. I’m going to be resorting to ao3’s alternate endings to this book immediately to fill the void in my heart that I now have because of that ending.
I just want to say that I am ANGRY. This book right up until literally the last chapter was an absolute five-star read. I hated the ending and feel so underwhelmed.
Now, onto what I liked. So, Saoirse, let me tell you I loved to hate her. Why? Because she’s ME. She is the most relatable character I’ve ever read the perspective of. Her life and character all has such human reason it feels like she really is real. Flawed characters are the best <3
And I FUCKING LOVED RUBY (among other characters like Oliver and Beth and not really Saoirse’s dad) She is a lovable little ball of sunshine that in some parts maybe deserved more than Saoirse and shouldn’t have forgiven her so many times, but that’s okay.
I don’t have much else to say. Maybe if the ending was different I’d be able to appreciate the parts of this book that I loved so much, but I really feel like I can’t. I’m going to be resorting to ao3’s alternate endings to this book immediately to fill the void in my heart that I now have because of that ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Chronic illness
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Ableism, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
a_win_in_clear_rain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really cute, wasn't suuuper satisfied with the ending, but I'm glad I read it! I loved the characters and the growth of their relationships!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Classism, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Pregnancy
coybooks's review
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Sexism and Sexual content
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- Oh my goodness, I loved THE FALLING IN LOVE MONTAGE. This book is YA at its best: silly and sweet, but also tackling tough life events and complicated relationships.
- Saoirse is prickly and angry, and the book does a good job of showing us how her feelings can be valid, but also a bit overblown where she doesn’t have the full context.
- I also loved how this book was virtually free of homophobia. Maybe a brief mention, but not a central part of the plot at all.
- Saoirse is prickly and angry, and the book does a good job of showing us how her feelings can be valid, but also a bit overblown where she doesn’t have the full context.
- I also loved how this book was virtually free of homophobia. Maybe a brief mention, but not a central part of the plot at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Dementia, Grief, Medical content, Alcohol, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
kirstenf's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Sexual content, Car accident, and Blood
hannahvt's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute romcom, but the main character was a little annoying sometimes, and especially the ending felt very rushed to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Sexual content