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kbranfield's review
4.0
Nina Sadowsky's debut novel Just Fall, is intriguing mystery about a woman who discovers on her wedding day that everything about her new husband, including his name, is nothing but a series of well-crafted lies.
With a few failed romances behind her, Ellie Larrabee has low expectations about her blind date with Rob Beauman. Much to her surprise (and his), the two immediately hit it off and before long, they are living together and planning their upcoming wedding. Shrugging off her concerns about Rob's reluctance to discuss his past since she, too, is keeping a few dark secrets of her own, Ellie is eagerly looking forward to their wedding day. However, what should be the happiest day of her life quickly turns dark when, immediately after exchanging their vows, Rob makes a stunning confession. When he is kidnapped from their wedding reception, Ellie endures a horrifying ordeal in order to save his life.
Ellie and Rob seem to be the perfect couple. Fixed up by mutual friends, they are pretty much inseparable from their first date. Their relationship moves at an accelerated pace as they become engaged soon after moving in together. Ellie quells her doubts about Rob's reticence to reveal much about his past but her fears about him are soon realized by his shocking admission on their wedding day. Terrified for Rob's safety, Ellie is soon swept up into a dizzying array of events that she hopes will set them both free from his sinister past.
Written from multiple points of view and weaving back and forth in time, details about Rob and Ellie's relationship and their individual backstories reveal shocking and unexpected information about this seemingly innocuous couple. Rob's past is particularly heartbreaking as events from his childhood set him on collision course for disaster. Surprisingly, Ellie is the less sympathetic of the pair since the revelations about her past paint her in a less than flattering light. Neither are particularly likable but it is impossible not to feel empathy for them as they try to move past their mistakes and missteps.
Just Fall is an engrossing mystery that is surprisingly addictive despite a somewhat slow beginning. Ellie and Rob are both deeply flawed and seemingly without conscience but tiny glimmers of humanity and compassion make it easy to hope they survive their ordeal. With an absolutely shocking plot twist, Nina Sadowsky brings the novel to a dramatic and stunning conclusion that appears to leave the door open to a possibility for a sequel at some point in the future.
With a few failed romances behind her, Ellie Larrabee has low expectations about her blind date with Rob Beauman. Much to her surprise (and his), the two immediately hit it off and before long, they are living together and planning their upcoming wedding. Shrugging off her concerns about Rob's reluctance to discuss his past since she, too, is keeping a few dark secrets of her own, Ellie is eagerly looking forward to their wedding day. However, what should be the happiest day of her life quickly turns dark when, immediately after exchanging their vows, Rob makes a stunning confession. When he is kidnapped from their wedding reception, Ellie endures a horrifying ordeal in order to save his life.
Ellie and Rob seem to be the perfect couple. Fixed up by mutual friends, they are pretty much inseparable from their first date. Their relationship moves at an accelerated pace as they become engaged soon after moving in together. Ellie quells her doubts about Rob's reticence to reveal much about his past but her fears about him are soon realized by his shocking admission on their wedding day. Terrified for Rob's safety, Ellie is soon swept up into a dizzying array of events that she hopes will set them both free from his sinister past.
Written from multiple points of view and weaving back and forth in time, details about Rob and Ellie's relationship and their individual backstories reveal shocking and unexpected information about this seemingly innocuous couple. Rob's past is particularly heartbreaking as events from his childhood set him on collision course for disaster. Surprisingly, Ellie is the less sympathetic of the pair since the revelations about her past paint her in a less than flattering light. Neither are particularly likable but it is impossible not to feel empathy for them as they try to move past their mistakes and missteps.
Just Fall is an engrossing mystery that is surprisingly addictive despite a somewhat slow beginning. Ellie and Rob are both deeply flawed and seemingly without conscience but tiny glimmers of humanity and compassion make it easy to hope they survive their ordeal. With an absolutely shocking plot twist, Nina Sadowsky brings the novel to a dramatic and stunning conclusion that appears to leave the door open to a possibility for a sequel at some point in the future.
alexis_wise's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I like how it went back an forth between the Now and Then it really gave you an idea of what their lives were before each other as well as leading up to getting married. I thought it was a great read. I also like how the author is so in depth with detail, I can’t tell you how many times I could picture being right there exactly in the spot that she wrote about. It was great. I recommend reading this book!
angiegreads's review
3.0
I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of this book.
This book took me a minute to get into because I thought the different character changes confusing at first. But as I began to pay closer attention, I realized how everything connected, and I was able to enjoy this title.
The book alternates with "then" and "now" instead of chapters. It is the story of Rob and Ellie, their relationship then and now, and the pasts of both characters. It is also the story of Detective Lucien Broussard, his relationship with his family, and his dedication to solving the abductions of three missing boys, and a high profile murder case that his captain wants his full attention on the murder of an American tourist, which is bad for business. There is a lot going on in this story, and I enjoyed the way everything connected in the end. All in all, it was an enjoyable book, and I'm glad I didn't give up on reading it.
This book took me a minute to get into because I thought the different character changes confusing at first. But as I began to pay closer attention, I realized how everything connected, and I was able to enjoy this title.
The book alternates with "then" and "now" instead of chapters. It is the story of Rob and Ellie, their relationship then and now, and the pasts of both characters. It is also the story of Detective Lucien Broussard, his relationship with his family, and his dedication to solving the abductions of three missing boys, and a high profile murder case that his captain wants his full attention on the murder of an American tourist, which is bad for business. There is a lot going on in this story, and I enjoyed the way everything connected in the end. All in all, it was an enjoyable book, and I'm glad I didn't give up on reading it.
kle105's review
3.0
I think from the summary of the book I was expecting something more, and while this book was still enjoyable it was a little underwhelming. Ellie is a recent newlywed who finds out secrets about her husband the night of her wedding.
This book alternates between her and her husband before and after, alternating to tell just a little more of the story. Ellie comes into contact with murders and other characters along the way and has orders to commit crimes herself. Even with the side story of missing children it lacked a true mystery edge that I was hoping would eventually play out. Overall still enjoyable.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book alternates between her and her husband before and after, alternating to tell just a little more of the story. Ellie comes into contact with murders and other characters along the way and has orders to commit crimes herself. Even with the side story of missing children it lacked a true mystery edge that I was hoping would eventually play out. Overall still enjoyable.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
mmeggann's review
4.0
When I read the description for this book where it says something along the lines of, 'What do you do when you find out the person you love is a killer?' I knew I had to read it. Thankfully, although I don't know that I read any more of the description before deciding to pick it up, I was definitely not disappointed.
Ellie and Rob are a very happy newlywed couple, but they are both filled with secrets. As these secrets begin to reveal themselves, they're both faced with decisions to make. How much can you love someone who has gone out of their way to hide so much? If you both hide things from each other, is it then fair?
All in all I felt that this book was very well written. In alternating "then" and "now" chapters, the story jumps around to different points within their lives to paint a picture of who they are now and why their decisions are so crucial within each moment. I found it relatively easy to follow and I felt the pacing done in this manner made it an even harder book to put down.
What did I think?: I really liked reading this and thought it had a great mix of thriller and romance. Some parts were a bit graphic but never too much so in my opinion.
Who should read it?: If you enjoy thrillers, this is one of the better ones I've picked up in a while. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something fast paced and exciting.
Ellie and Rob are a very happy newlywed couple, but they are both filled with secrets. As these secrets begin to reveal themselves, they're both faced with decisions to make. How much can you love someone who has gone out of their way to hide so much? If you both hide things from each other, is it then fair?
All in all I felt that this book was very well written. In alternating "then" and "now" chapters, the story jumps around to different points within their lives to paint a picture of who they are now and why their decisions are so crucial within each moment. I found it relatively easy to follow and I felt the pacing done in this manner made it an even harder book to put down.
What did I think?: I really liked reading this and thought it had a great mix of thriller and romance. Some parts were a bit graphic but never too much so in my opinion.
Who should read it?: If you enjoy thrillers, this is one of the better ones I've picked up in a while. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something fast paced and exciting.
hlbovard7's review
3.0
Liked the way the book jumped back and forth in time but the ending left a lot to be desired.
carleneinspired's review
2.0
I'm going to be brief, I just didn't like this novel. The writing style didn't work for me and even though I thought the thriller aspect of it seemed entertaining, it fell flat due to writing. On top of that, the main female character is just not smart and I cannot stand a dim-witted woman who follows her husband blindly. It was a miss for me, but one I think others might enjoy.
naomistrange's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
hhm013's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jfrisbie3's review
5.0
Sadowsky, what can I say? She has a special place in my heart. Her writing was cliffhanger after cliffhanger and I still want to know what the second letter said ...