Scan barcode
A review by donnaeve
Over the Falls by Rebecca Hodge
5.0
Rebecca Hodge knows how to keep a reader flipping the pages. In her sophomore novel following her debut Wildland, another page turner, Hodge brings a story of intrigue and suspense. In Over the Falls, (perfect title) the main character, Bryn Collins has created a safe haven for herself, and has been living a peaceful life for fourteen years, although memories of her past still pervade. A past where the future she'd envisioned disappeared because of the unexpected betrayal by her fiancee, Sawyer, with her sister, Del.
Bryn is settled, has a good job she does remotely (coding), tends to her garden - she's vegan - and has a good solid friendship in her dependable neighbor, Landon, who would like more than friendship, but Bryn has nipped that in the bud. She has trust issues, and for good reason, don't you think?
When we meet Bryn, she's on her way to look for one of her pet goats, Thistle, who is pregnant and missing. For those of you old enough to remember, this is the moment in the story when you hear the needle on the vinyl suddenly scraping off track. Why? Because while she's in the middle of this goat rescue, who shows up but a young teenage boy who happens to be the spitting image of . . . Sawyer. Meet Josh, Bryn's nephew, and Del's son. Soon, one thing becomes very clear, and that is, Del is in some kind of serious trouble. She's missing, and Josh has no one to turn to except his closest family member. That would be his Aunt Bryn.
But, Bryn doesn't want her life disrupted by her selfish, thoughtless sister - again. She looks at Josh, and her empathetic side wins over. She knows how it is to be in Del's world. Josh is only fourteen, and has no one else. No matter what Bryn wants, the stakes are heightened when a character named Carl shows up out of nowhere. Bryn is familiar with bad boy Carl. Considering Del's lifestyle, it's not surprising to Bryn Del has found herself somehow entangled with such a loser. His penchant for troublemaking is evident, and he demands Bryn find her sister because she owes him money. As the title suggests, Bryn's decision is momentous, because now made, there's no turning back - even though Bryn doesn't realize this at the time.
Hodge continues to build the momentum, dropping little plot bombs like cookie crumbs along the way. For every twist, there's a turn, for every tidbit of resolution, a bigger, more troubling problem arises. Bryn and Josh make a good team, even though it takes the both of them a while to notice. They are each guarding their hearts, which will be hurt again, more than a few times, as the story progresses.
Hodge takes the time to show us her characters fully. We understand their dilemmas and their troubles. They are relatable, and likeable. This is an engrossing and irresistible story with a riveting plot that will keep readers turning pages well into the night.
The book will be available September 7, 2021. I would like to thank the author for the copy of the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Bryn is settled, has a good job she does remotely (coding), tends to her garden - she's vegan - and has a good solid friendship in her dependable neighbor, Landon, who would like more than friendship, but Bryn has nipped that in the bud. She has trust issues, and for good reason, don't you think?
When we meet Bryn, she's on her way to look for one of her pet goats, Thistle, who is pregnant and missing. For those of you old enough to remember, this is the moment in the story when you hear the needle on the vinyl suddenly scraping off track. Why? Because while she's in the middle of this goat rescue, who shows up but a young teenage boy who happens to be the spitting image of . . . Sawyer. Meet Josh, Bryn's nephew, and Del's son. Soon, one thing becomes very clear, and that is, Del is in some kind of serious trouble. She's missing, and Josh has no one to turn to except his closest family member. That would be his Aunt Bryn.
But, Bryn doesn't want her life disrupted by her selfish, thoughtless sister - again. She looks at Josh, and her empathetic side wins over. She knows how it is to be in Del's world. Josh is only fourteen, and has no one else. No matter what Bryn wants, the stakes are heightened when a character named Carl shows up out of nowhere. Bryn is familiar with bad boy Carl. Considering Del's lifestyle, it's not surprising to Bryn Del has found herself somehow entangled with such a loser. His penchant for troublemaking is evident, and he demands Bryn find her sister because she owes him money. As the title suggests, Bryn's decision is momentous, because now made, there's no turning back - even though Bryn doesn't realize this at the time.
Hodge continues to build the momentum, dropping little plot bombs like cookie crumbs along the way. For every twist, there's a turn, for every tidbit of resolution, a bigger, more troubling problem arises. Bryn and Josh make a good team, even though it takes the both of them a while to notice. They are each guarding their hearts, which will be hurt again, more than a few times, as the story progresses.
Hodge takes the time to show us her characters fully. We understand their dilemmas and their troubles. They are relatable, and likeable. This is an engrossing and irresistible story with a riveting plot that will keep readers turning pages well into the night.
The book will be available September 7, 2021. I would like to thank the author for the copy of the ARC. All opinions are my own.