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beastreader's review
3.0
This is the first book I have read from this author. I did like it. Although, I found that the story was slow moving. It really picked up in the last third of the book. Up until that point, the story was mainly about the dynamics of family, broken relationships, and forgiveness mixed in with a hint of mystery.
I will admit that Bryn would have been just another person in the crowd or living on her farm if not for the appearance of her nephew, Josh. She became more interesting as the story progressed and I got to know her better. The dynamics between she and Josh was lovely. She really did step up. Instantly, I felt for Josh and his predicament.
Readers who like mystery but without the body count or gore and a step up from cozy mystery, may want to check out this book.
I will admit that Bryn would have been just another person in the crowd or living on her farm if not for the appearance of her nephew, Josh. She became more interesting as the story progressed and I got to know her better. The dynamics between she and Josh was lovely. She really did step up. Instantly, I felt for Josh and his predicament.
Readers who like mystery but without the body count or gore and a step up from cozy mystery, may want to check out this book.
yooooo's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Almost cried at the end. Perfect ending.
samalvarez823's review
5.0
First, a huge thanks goes to Rebecca and Kate Rock at Kate Rock Book Tours. After reading Rebecca’s first book, Wildland, I was beyond excited to read her second book baby.
After taking many ubers, 14 year old Josh ends up at his estranged aunts house in East Tennessee. His Mom, Del has mysteriously disappeared and she told him to find his aunt, Bryn. Josh shows up begging for his estranged aunts help in finding his Mom and then some unwelcome characters find their way into the story threatening Bryn and Josh, as it seems Del has made off with quite a lot of money and pills.
The story is good, starting from the very first page. The suspense builds and keeps you wanting to know what’s next. I really enjoyed this, Rebecca is truly wonderful at her descriptions which fully immerses you into the story. You feel the long ride in the truck, the kayaking and the camping scenes.
I have to give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as it was truly an amazing book. I loved it and highly recommend to anyone wanting a little suspense, mystery, old hurts and family troubles.
After taking many ubers, 14 year old Josh ends up at his estranged aunts house in East Tennessee. His Mom, Del has mysteriously disappeared and she told him to find his aunt, Bryn. Josh shows up begging for his estranged aunts help in finding his Mom and then some unwelcome characters find their way into the story threatening Bryn and Josh, as it seems Del has made off with quite a lot of money and pills.
The story is good, starting from the very first page. The suspense builds and keeps you wanting to know what’s next. I really enjoyed this, Rebecca is truly wonderful at her descriptions which fully immerses you into the story. You feel the long ride in the truck, the kayaking and the camping scenes.
I have to give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as it was truly an amazing book. I loved it and highly recommend to anyone wanting a little suspense, mystery, old hurts and family troubles.
katiehealey's review
3.0
I enjoyed this but I didn’t think the twists or ending were that shocking so it just felt anticlimactic. The characters were really well developed though so overall a good read but not a great one!
kimberlyinthewild's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
eeerrrnnn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
juliwi's review
3.0
Sometimes a cover just pulls you straight in. For me, that was the case with Over the Falls by Rebecca Hodge. It is so vivid and the sense of danger but also temptation is utterly present. The novel itself is not unlike a watery roller-coaster, fraught with danger but also moments that make you go 'what?'. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure whether to attach a mild spoiler alert here, but I did want to discuss one of the major topics of Over the Falls, which could potentially reveal some of the directions the novel goes into. SO consider yourself warned. The opioid crisis is central to some of the storylines in Over the Falls and Hodge doesn't shy away from laying it out rather clearly how much damage it does to a person and their family. Prescription drugs can be a slippery slope for some and the way out of that hole is long and difficult, and those who suffer under it are not always extended the right kind of compassion and help. While Over the Falls cannot address everything, it does try to give it its rightful place without taking over much advantage of the drama it can bring. I think it is important for novels, even thrillers, to engage with social issues like that in a way that is kind but also clear. Drug addiction, whatever form it takes, is a reality for many people and its impact runs deep. As long as novels don't use it as a cheap shot or as an easy way to victim-blame and shame a character, it can be a really valuable experience for a reader who doesn't have direct experience with this themselves. While I can't say Over the Falls goes deeply into the topic, it does provide a glimpse into that life.
Bryn has plenty of things on her mind, like the fact her goat is giving birth and that her friendly relationship with her neighbour has taken an interesting turn. The last thing she needs is her nephew showing up on her doorstep, bringing with him mystery and danger. So she packs up and hits the road with Josh in the search for her trouble-making sister. Along the ride she'll find out more about her own past and her sister's life than she ever bargained for. And maybe, just maybe, she will get back into the whitewater again. Over the Falls is packed to the brim with twists, turns, revelations, and potential disaster. Hodge does her best to balance this with quiet beats, with moments of reflection and bonding. This meant that while I definitely wanted to solve the mystery, I found myself more engaged with the growing relationship between Bryn and Josh, who reach across countless barriers and unspoken traumas to form a strong bond. The rest of the characters, in comparison, feel a little flat although they're perfectly serviceable for the story.
Rebecca Hodge has crafted an interesting novel that uses relatable tropes but introduces new twists and ideas. The whitewater rafting is something that truly ratches up the tension, while tying in nicely with many of the other plot threads. It is, however, one of the few elements of Over the Falls that really stands out. For the rest, many of the elements of the novel are the usual suspects: tense family relationships, a betrayal in the past, a potential love interest a damaged protagonist can't quite embrace yet, a teenager that is too mature for their age, a dangerous man from the past, the end that brings it all together surprisingly neatly. All these elements fit together nicely, which is what makes many thriller and suspense novels such a good time. You know where things are headed, which means that the new and twisty elements really get to surprise you. What bogs down the narrative slightly is the back and forth between Bryn and Josh, in the sense that we get chapters narrated from both sides, yet the two don't entirely trust one another with all the information. It means that there is a lot of repetition of certain things, of characters finding out information way after the reader, which can be fun but can also really slow down the pace of a story. Overall, I found Over the Falls a fun and quick read, with a specifically engaging aunt-nephew relationship at its heart.
Over the Falls is a thrilling read, full of twists and building tension, but with a deep layer of tragedy at its core. Also, maybe I would like a farm as well, with baby goats...
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2022/03/review-over-falls-by-rebecca-hodge.html
I'm not sure whether to attach a mild spoiler alert here, but I did want to discuss one of the major topics of Over the Falls, which could potentially reveal some of the directions the novel goes into. SO consider yourself warned. The opioid crisis is central to some of the storylines in Over the Falls and Hodge doesn't shy away from laying it out rather clearly how much damage it does to a person and their family. Prescription drugs can be a slippery slope for some and the way out of that hole is long and difficult, and those who suffer under it are not always extended the right kind of compassion and help. While Over the Falls cannot address everything, it does try to give it its rightful place without taking over much advantage of the drama it can bring. I think it is important for novels, even thrillers, to engage with social issues like that in a way that is kind but also clear. Drug addiction, whatever form it takes, is a reality for many people and its impact runs deep. As long as novels don't use it as a cheap shot or as an easy way to victim-blame and shame a character, it can be a really valuable experience for a reader who doesn't have direct experience with this themselves. While I can't say Over the Falls goes deeply into the topic, it does provide a glimpse into that life.
Bryn has plenty of things on her mind, like the fact her goat is giving birth and that her friendly relationship with her neighbour has taken an interesting turn. The last thing she needs is her nephew showing up on her doorstep, bringing with him mystery and danger. So she packs up and hits the road with Josh in the search for her trouble-making sister. Along the ride she'll find out more about her own past and her sister's life than she ever bargained for. And maybe, just maybe, she will get back into the whitewater again. Over the Falls is packed to the brim with twists, turns, revelations, and potential disaster. Hodge does her best to balance this with quiet beats, with moments of reflection and bonding. This meant that while I definitely wanted to solve the mystery, I found myself more engaged with the growing relationship between Bryn and Josh, who reach across countless barriers and unspoken traumas to form a strong bond. The rest of the characters, in comparison, feel a little flat although they're perfectly serviceable for the story.
Rebecca Hodge has crafted an interesting novel that uses relatable tropes but introduces new twists and ideas. The whitewater rafting is something that truly ratches up the tension, while tying in nicely with many of the other plot threads. It is, however, one of the few elements of Over the Falls that really stands out. For the rest, many of the elements of the novel are the usual suspects: tense family relationships, a betrayal in the past, a potential love interest a damaged protagonist can't quite embrace yet, a teenager that is too mature for their age, a dangerous man from the past, the end that brings it all together surprisingly neatly. All these elements fit together nicely, which is what makes many thriller and suspense novels such a good time. You know where things are headed, which means that the new and twisty elements really get to surprise you. What bogs down the narrative slightly is the back and forth between Bryn and Josh, in the sense that we get chapters narrated from both sides, yet the two don't entirely trust one another with all the information. It means that there is a lot of repetition of certain things, of characters finding out information way after the reader, which can be fun but can also really slow down the pace of a story. Overall, I found Over the Falls a fun and quick read, with a specifically engaging aunt-nephew relationship at its heart.
Over the Falls is a thrilling read, full of twists and building tension, but with a deep layer of tragedy at its core. Also, maybe I would like a farm as well, with baby goats...
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2022/03/review-over-falls-by-rebecca-hodge.html
readinggrrl's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book from Dreamscape Media through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've listened to by Rebecca Hodge and I will definitely be listening to more. This is a fast paced book as Bryn and her nephew Josh race to find his mother before a criminal from their past finds her.
Bryn lives a solitary existence until her nephew shows up unexpectedly telling her that her estranged sister is missing and he doesn't know where she could be. Struggling with feelings from her past Bryn struggles with helping but ultimately has the choice taken away when someone threatens her farm.
As Bryn and Josh travel the country in search of his mother they are also learning about how their past has influenced their current circumstances. As the bond between Aunt and nephew grows they discover surprises and learn that they are stronger than they believed.
This was a good read and the narrators really nailed the characters. Hodge did a good job of navigating the feelings of a young boy with an addict mother and the responsibility he felt to take care of her. She also did a great job with Bryn and her struggle with intimacy due to a huge betrayal by the people who she loved the most.
This is the first book I've listened to by Rebecca Hodge and I will definitely be listening to more. This is a fast paced book as Bryn and her nephew Josh race to find his mother before a criminal from their past finds her.
Bryn lives a solitary existence until her nephew shows up unexpectedly telling her that her estranged sister is missing and he doesn't know where she could be. Struggling with feelings from her past Bryn struggles with helping but ultimately has the choice taken away when someone threatens her farm.
As Bryn and Josh travel the country in search of his mother they are also learning about how their past has influenced their current circumstances. As the bond between Aunt and nephew grows they discover surprises and learn that they are stronger than they believed.
This was a good read and the narrators really nailed the characters. Hodge did a good job of navigating the feelings of a young boy with an addict mother and the responsibility he felt to take care of her. She also did a great job with Bryn and her struggle with intimacy due to a huge betrayal by the people who she loved the most.
crolovr's review
5.0
Bryn Collins moved to a farm in Tennessee after her fiancé Sawyer left her for her pregnant sister Del.. Sawyer died in a plan crash and Bryn cannot forgive her Del. Fourteen years later Del's son Josh arrives at her farm asking for her help to find his Mom. But Josh is not the only one looking for her sister. Carl, a troublemaker from the past, is also looking for Del. Carl gives them one week to find her or he will burn down her farm.
A cat and mouse game begins. Bryn and Josh travel from Tennessee to Colorado in search of Del. They leave no stone unturned. During the search Bryn relives her past especially a kayaking trip where she almost died. Will they find what happened to Del in time?
Told in alternating chapters between Bryn and Josh. Josh's story is heartbreaking as a son who has always had to take care of his mom. I loved that he had a photographic memory. This story deals with opioid addiction, survival, acceptance and courage. I highly recommend this book.
A cat and mouse game begins. Bryn and Josh travel from Tennessee to Colorado in search of Del. They leave no stone unturned. During the search Bryn relives her past especially a kayaking trip where she almost died. Will they find what happened to Del in time?
Told in alternating chapters between Bryn and Josh. Josh's story is heartbreaking as a son who has always had to take care of his mom. I loved that he had a photographic memory. This story deals with opioid addiction, survival, acceptance and courage. I highly recommend this book.
jillhannaha's review
5.0
I enjoyed this fast pace, heartfelt, intriguing story about two sisters with very different personalities and lifestyles. Bryn likes her solitude, living off the land, and finds herself face-to-face with her sister's son when her sister, Del, goes missing. It wasn't enough that Del stole Bryn's fiancé, her disappearance drags Bryn away from her homestead, and face-to-face with Carl, a man she doesn't dare cross.
The story follows Bryn and her nephew, Josh, to Colorado where they hope to put an end to Carl's threats so they can each go back tot their lives. It was interesting learning about kayaking dangerous rivers, and the story follows a fast-pace, must persevere thread much like kayaking over a falls.
The dynamics and emotions between Josh and Bryn are great, and although the story is written with a suspenseful pace, it also layers the building and reinforcing of emotional relationships between characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this interesting read!
The story follows Bryn and her nephew, Josh, to Colorado where they hope to put an end to Carl's threats so they can each go back tot their lives. It was interesting learning about kayaking dangerous rivers, and the story follows a fast-pace, must persevere thread much like kayaking over a falls.
The dynamics and emotions between Josh and Bryn are great, and although the story is written with a suspenseful pace, it also layers the building and reinforcing of emotional relationships between characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this interesting read!