Catch You If You Fall

by Henrik Wilenius

A thrilling, coming-of-age story with a queer protagonist about the power of friendship, overcoming harmful stereotypes, growing up in the shadow of family expectations, and discovering your true self.

High school best friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam must confront real-life issues that loom for Gen-Z today, including the climate crisis, corrupt politics, and racial and gender equity.

When Hashim turns eighteen, he receives a grant from his Mosque that will send him to an Ivy League in New York. His devout Muslim family couldn’t be more proud. And to support their young son on his journey, they arrange a wife for him. There’s only one problem: Hashim is gay.

Hashim’s best friend Alex is struggling with a difficult home life, a non-present father, and financial issues that prove particularly painful when all his friends are planning to go off to college and leave him behind.
Standing confidently alongside these two boys is Maryam, a headstrong Muslim girl who bucks her traditional roots by becoming a vegan activist.

It doesn’t take long until certain evil forces start to draw these three even closer, as their futures and the wellbeing of their community and the world is threatened. They are called to act.

The first book in the Rise Up Trilogy, Catch You If You Fall is a page-turning and suspenseful story as well as a deeply moving ray of hope amidst the hardship and deep loss our youngest generation must face in order to find their place in this world.

Check out Merry Farm next in the series.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Gay, Coming Of Age, Fiction, Queer, Religion

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2023

About the author

As a child, Henrik devoured stories of faraway lands. Through them, he discovered that the pathway to understanding people from different cultures was to look for things they had in common rather than what set them apart, which grew into a passion. In his early teens, he left his safe little bubble in Helsinki and ventured out to the great big world, eventually landing in Paris.

At the age of twenty one, Henrik returned to Finland and enrolled in the Helsinki Business School. Two years later he founded a contemporary art sale and services company, but despite the initial success he had to close down the business after five years when the whole western world fell into a deep recession.

Henrik decided to go back to school to study philosophy. One morning as he was working on an essay on rhetoric, it dawned on him that he was actually writing his first book. It was a philosophical study into his own coming-of-age. End of Restlessness was published by a Finnish publisher (WSOY) and after publishing another book, this time a young adult novel, he switched to English.

The Rise Up Trilogy was inspired by his fifteen-year stint as a volunteer in Helsinki Red Cross Youth Shelter. In a world that is turning into an increasingly hostile place for any minority, what people need is stories that evoke diversity, friendship, human decency, and the courage to listen to one’s heart.

Besides his husband, Henrik loves novels in Russian about the Soviet life, French pop, snowboarding, sampling vegan delights across the world, and spending time with their brazen, eclectic group of friends and family.

Reviews

[Bernard Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henrik Wilenius gave me four good reasons (tropes) to enjoy and like this book: a strong and unbreakable bond of friendship, extreme sports (skateboarding), animal rights (veganism), and human rights (equality and liberation and freedom from religiously imposed rules and dogmas). If you are interested in any of these tropes or causes, you will like Catch You If You Fall.

[P. English Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall by Henrik Willenius is a compelling coming-of-age story that explores what it means to grow up caught between family, faith, and identity. The book takes readers deep into the lives of Hashim, a Muslim teenager navigating his sexuality, and his friends Alex and Maryam as they find their way through the challenges of adolescence and belonging.

Hashim is the emotional center of the novel. His struggle to reconcile his devotion to family and religion with his desire to stand firm in his own truth is written with honesty and pain. He wants to honor his faith and the people he loves, but at the same time, he longs to accept himself fully. Watching him wrestle with these conflicting needs makes his journey both moving and deeply relatable.

Alex, despite his own baggage and struggles, does his best to stand by Hashim in the ways he knows how. Though he sometimes falls short and says or does the wrong thing, his intentions are genuine and it’s clear he cares deeply and wants to help Hashim carry a burden that no friend can ever fully take away.

Maryam, on the other hand, is strong and outspoken. She does not hesitate to speak up where others would rather remain silent. Her ability to challenge not only strangers and authority figures; but her closest friends—particularly when she believes they are avoiding uncomfortable truths—is admirable, and this courage becomes a reminder to Hashim that he deserves to live authentically and without shame.

One of the strengths of the novel which I loved, is its exploration of larger themes such as faith, activism, immigrant communities, and cultural identity. These topics aren’t treated as abstract; but as everyday realities for many people, shaping their fears, friendships, families, and personal choices. The story sheds light on these issues and the ways in which they can intersect.

That said, Catch You If You Fall is not without its flaws. Certain moments, particularly toward the climax, feel abrupt, with emotional shifts that happen too quickly to fully achieve their intended impact. Some plot threads remain unresolved, though this is quite understandable given that the novel is the first in a planned trilogy.

Even with these shortcomings, the book has an undeniable heart. The writing is sharp, the characters feel authentic in their strengths and weaknesses, and the settings are vivid. Catch You If You Fall is a novel that doesn’t give easy answers, and in reading it, you get the sense of what it means to live between expectations and personal dreams and/or desires.

Catch You If You Fall is not a light, feel-good read. It is honest, and it tackles serious issues with sensitivity and nuance. If you’re looking for a Young Adult book that explores the complexities of real life struggles, then this book is definitely worth checking out. It’s a compelling read that will likely resonate with such readers.

[Kim Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to Henrik Wilenius for providing me with his book in ebook format, in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, I was quite hesitant about reading this book, especially after encountering the storyline involving a religious Muslim character who is gay. While I have friends who are gay and lesbian, I couldn't help but feel that this topic is extremely delicate, especially within the Muslim community. On a positive note, I was pleasantly surprised by the author's meticulous research, particularly regarding Islam.

Allow me to introduce you to the main characters: Hashim, Alex, and Maryam. Hashim grapples with his religious beliefs and his hidden homosexuality, struggling to reconcile them due to societal and familial pressures. Despite his imperfections, he eventually finds his true identity. Alex, Hashim's best friend, portrays a cheerful demeanor while concealing his own inner turmoil. It's remarkable how he manages to navigate his personal struggles while being a source of strength for those around him. Lastly, there's Maryam, the rebellious Muslim girl who effortlessly befriends boys. I admire her ability to maintain a balance between her friendships and her unwavering support for her friends.

Moving on to a broader reflection on societal perceptions of Muslims, it’s disheartening to witness the discrimination and generalization that Muslims often face, not only in Western countries but also in Asia. It's troubling how many people form their opinions based solely on what they see on social media and television. This book effectively portrays Muslims as human beings who are capable of making mistakes but also seeking forgiveness. It emphasizes the possibility of peaceful coexistence among different religions within a community, which is a message that resonates deeply with me.

In summary, for readers interested in LGBT, contemporary fiction, or young adult literature, I highly recommend giving this short book a read. It's definitely worth your time.

[Karyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful Novel About the Power of Friendship.

Catch You When You Fall by Henrik Wilenius is one story that deals with some of the contemporary topics of today, which are same sex relationship, devotion to religion and the understanding of marriage. The author takes two unlikely characters—Hashim a devout Muslim and his close friend a strong catholic boy, and brings them together in the most unusual way.
Brief summary of the story: Hashim is homosexual by nature, he understands this and tries so hard to suppress his desires through prayers and piety. When he turns eighteen, with the help of funding from the Muslim Scholarship board, Hashim is set to head to the Ivy League University. On the other hand, his mother plots a secret marriage for him with the niece of the local Muslim strong man.
His friend who is a catholic promise to help and stand by him, but soon things turn out the way both of them list expected. Hashim has only 24 hours to call of the engagement in a way that will not invoke the fury of his mother as well as his fiancés family.
Henrik has managed to put across a story that is centered around some of the most sensitive topics of today while trying as much to stay on the safe side without invoking the wrath of all parties involved. I applaud his ingenuity and find this book very interesting and compelling.

[Nathan PonceEnrile · Rating 5 out of 5]

My impression of the book, me being a tear jerker which cannot be avoided because of the real love parents give their children since birth and up to post teen life as an adult. The challenges faced by Hashim and his parents in the book are relatable even to heterosexuals. It resonates a strong sense of individualism in our modern world where slowly old family traditions and practices are molded, forced also to change and become globalised.

Full and exciting jampacked events for Hashim indeed happened in just a couple of days before, during and after his 18th birthday celebration and it’s so breathtaking. Talking about it’s place in the larger cultural conversation, the book is also very informative of the Muslim culture and it gave me a better understanding of their traditions. There’s even an ancient and historical eye opener...Watch out for it!

The unique story telling of the book is smooth and it will be clear in your imagination. I even moved my hands and head mimicking Hashim’s gestures to experience putting myself in his shoes. At the end of the read, you will get to pluck out compelling morals of the story and it will move your heart the way it did to mine. Super duper recommended! ~ Nathan

[Pudsey Recommends · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall" by Henrik Wilenius is a compelling coming-of-age tale that explores faith, family and friendship . The story revolves around Hashim, a devout Muslim struggling with his hidden homosexuality, who finds himself coerced into an arranged marriage with the niece of the local Imam. This announcement triggers a cascade of introspection, leaving Hashim grappling with challenging questions about his faith and his authentic self.

In a bid to assist his friend, Alex takes it upon himself to support Hashim through this trying time. However, his well-intentioned but misguided efforts lead to a dramatic falling-out between the two friends, setting them on an arduous journey of self-discovery.

"Catch You If You Fall" is a touching literary work specifically crafted for young adults by the talented Willenius. The pace of the narrative is engaging, while the well-developed characters inhabit a world that was mostly unfamiliar to me. Personally, I relished the opportunity to delve deeper into the Islamic faith and its various manifestations. Hashim and his family face the challenge of navigating the extreme beliefs of their new Imam, who lacks the kindness and patience exhibited by ousted Imam Haji Khalil. Instead, the new Imam merely espouses empty words devoid of genuine faith.

At one point, we hear Maryam, one of Hashim's closest friends and a progressive Muslim woman, assert that "the Prophet never punished anybody for homosexual acts." Hashim’s dad explains to Hashim that “The lion’s share of Arab love poetry was about bearded men writing verses to beardless men” and that when the Industrial Revolution happened, “the emerging Arab elite saw the growth in wealth in the West and got inspired. Along with modern ideas came the Victorian morality”. We get various glimpses into the diverse perspectives within the Muslim community, as well as how the Arab world has become so intolerant and prejudiced.

The author's struggles to publish this book in Egypt fill me with sadness and concern. I wholeheartedly agree with his conviction that “our increasingly hostile world demands stories that celebrate diversity, friendship, compassion, and the courage to follow one's heart”.

"Catch You If You Fall" is the first instalment of a trilogy, leaving me eagerly anticipating the arrival of subsequent books. I found this novel to be an enriching and essential read for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of navigating the complexities of the Islamic faith in a progressive world that champions equality, including same-sex relationships. It gets a 4.5 rating from me and a most definite #pudseyrecommends

Thanks to H.R. Wallace Book Marketing and Netgalley for the ARC

[Kasey Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

genre: YA, coming of age, LGBTQ
(note, despite being the beginning of a trilogy, this story feels very complete and does not leave the reader on a weird cliff-hanger. I very much appreciated that)

"Dad had written something at the top of the inside cover page. “Dear Son, all books reveal perfection by what they are or what they are not,” he read out loud. “May you find what you seek in these pages or outside them. In the words of the great poet [Rumi]: ‘I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.’"

Hashim & Alex were best friends and in that moment of life at the end of high school when everything is going to change. Alex, worried about his recovering alcoholic father, isn't sure what life after high school will bring him, but he knows it means Hashim is going away to college without him. Alex is determined to give Hashim one last great night on his birthday, but unfortunately things are going to fall apart. Hashim, meanwhile, is struggling with his own choices. He is a closeted gay boy and a very devout Muslim. His parents don't know, his best friend doesn't know, and he knows coming out will mean being shunned by all of them and his entire community and religion. It's his birthday and he wants things to change, but he can only see it going terribly wrong.

This story was full of heart and devotion. And also filled with terrible feelings of rejection and uncertainty. I worried every moment about how things were going to go. I also learned a lot about the Muslim faith. It made me wonder if the author was Muslim (he is not, but he is gay) and I found out that he had first tried to publish this book in Egypt on the advice of an Arab friend. Unfortunately, the politics of the area did not work out. And so, we are lucky to instead have the book in English. I appreciated that Wilenius applies research, the knowledge of a widely international group of friends and family, and his experience working with troubled youth.

It's an interesting exploration of dogma and freedom and friendship and family. And perhaps most importantly rejection and acceptance in its many forms. I recommend it.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-crafted coming-of-age story...

Catch You If You Fall (The Rise Up Trilogy, Book 1) by Henrik Wilenius is a coming-of-age story about a young, devout, closeted Muslim and a resilient Catholic boy that highlights the power of friendship and the struggles faced by young people in the face of societal and cultural pressures.

As Hashim, a young Muslim, tries to deal with his family's pressure to get married, he finds comfort in his friendship with Alex, a young Catholic boy. However, as Alex's efforts to help become increasingly misguided, their friendship begins to fracture.

The falling-out between the two best friends sends them on a painful path to self-discovery. The young Muslim must confront his own identity and reconcile his religious beliefs with his personal desires, while the Catholic boy comes to understand the limitations of his own understanding and the cultural biases that have influenced his worldview.

Through their struggles, the power of friendship ultimately helps them find the courage to be true to themselves and to stand up against the expectations of others. The story is a testament to the transformative power of friendship and the importance of being true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. Recommended.

[Huda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Catch You If You Fall" by Henrik Wilenius is a powerful coming-of-age story that explores the themes of friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance. The novel tells the story of Hashim, a young,
devout, and closeted Muslim who struggles to reconcile his faith and sexuality in the face of family pressure to enter into a pre-arranged marriage. The author does an excellent job of portraying the challenges and complexities of Hashim's situation, and his
journey to self-discovery is both poignant and inspiring.


One unique aspect of the book is the portrayal of the friendship between Hashim and Alex, a resilient Catholic boy who becomes Hashim's closest confidant. The dynamics of their relationship are
both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as they navigate the challenges of intolerance and ignorance that threaten to tear them apart.


Overall, "Catch You If You Fall" is an emotional and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. The book is well-written, with compelling characters and a powerful message
of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Highly recommended.

[TheRogueWriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall had me at its premise; A Muslim boy (Hashim) and a devout Catholic (Alex) who struggle to overcome the challenges one faith has on internal commitments to traditions and sexual longing. It is undoubtedly a unique and genuine story; authentic in portraying the traditions of Muslim culture and sensitive in displaying Islamic rules (many struggle to understand the difference but Welenius does so perfectly!). I urge many to give this a read as it encapsulates the struggles of identity so well! It is introspective as well as tear-jerking, moving and also a nod to diverse friendships which needs to be more celebrated and understood in today's world. I do not doubt that Hashim's story will be relatable to those who also picked this book up by its premise alone, Catch You If You Fall is the beginning of Muslim representation that is widely needed and should be available to those who need it most. Brilliant from start to finish, Catch You If You Fall is the read of the summer!

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch you if you fall is a very strong and moving book; it talks about very current issues that really affect adolescents in many parts of the world, and much more those who live in very religious and restrictive cultures. It mainly tells the story of Hashim and Alex, Muslim and Catholic respectively; the former who lives a life of lies, where he hides his sexual orientation through prayers and piety.

The plot of this book is the whole adventure that the protagonist has to live to evade an obligation that he has with his family, as in this journey he finds himself with too much pain, indifference and losses. A truly heart-breaking story that leaves you thinking a lot about the reality of many children who are already beginning to ask themselves difficult questions to understand who they are.

The writer finds a way to narrate this story in a super ingenious way, he manages to reach the depths of your feelings to tears. Family issues, friendships and love, I highly recommend it.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book, covering many important topics facing us today, but that especially impact the younger generation. Wilenius did a great job of bringing everything to life before your eyes, making it easy to get caught up in the story. The issues addressed in this book are done well, without skewing into cartoon villain levels of absurd, or feeling too preachy. The plot moves along smoothly, and although the tension level varies, I felt myself drawn through the story. I loved the trio of friends from the start, they're each facing their own unique challenges, but also ones together, and their bond of friendship is strong. Although I wouldn't call them superheroes, in a way they are - they find the strength and courage within themselves to fight back against unfair and oppressive systems, even if it means they only stand with each other. I can't wait to see what the other two books have in store for this trio!

[Marina Lujan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall tells the moving story
of three friends who struggle to maintain their friendship while dealing with the expectations of their respective families and communities. The plot of the novel revolves around a prearranged marriage that Hashim, a young homosexual Muslim, does not wish to contract and the fight he has with his family to cancel it. Hashim is caught in a dilemma that leads him to seek the help of Alex, his best friend, who struggles to find a solution to the situation.

Wilenius' writing is both insightful and entertaining. The characters are well developed, and the dramatic tension pervades the entire story. The author also explores religious and cultural themes and how they influence the characters' decisions, adding depth to the plot.

It's an exciting and well-written novel about friendship, identity, and the journey for personal authenticity.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall by Henrik Wilenius is the first book in The Rise Up Trilogy that has friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam as protagonists.
This short novel presents a very powerful coming-of-age story that explores family, faith, religion, and independence. In this instalment, Hashim has to decide between telling his mother the truth about himself and his feelings or agree to an arranged marriage and the destiny others have prepared for him. Luckily, his friends always stand by his side.
I really enjoyed this read. It transmits the struggles and pains of these three adolescents as they grow up to be wonderful human beings. Their feelings and emotions are portrayed in such a skilful way that it is easy for the reader to empathise with the characters and become eager in reading their stories. I highly recommend it.

[Conscientious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall by Henrik Wilenius is an emotional story of two young people set on a path of self-discovery. Hashim and his best friend Alex are about to get mixed in the matters of extreme struggle that will propel them in the path to face their worst fears or lose what all they hold dear to themselves. As Hashim turns 18, he is all set with a grant for scholarship from an Ivy League university, but his mother has plans for herself, too. She wants to get Hashim married, but Hashim is holding out a secret and confides in his friend Alex. Alex’s help backfires and chaos ensues. This story, for me, highlights the strong friendship that goes above and beyond for a friend in need of help. The author's narration is captivating and strong. A heart-warming read that tells the story of resilience.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have book!

I just finished this wonderful book and let me tell you that it was quite a journey. I was hooked from the beginning with its gripping story and characters that become your best friends, more so if you are someone young like me.

The book and its flowing way of writing makes it very easy to get lost between each page.

The author did an excellent job of balancing suspense and emotion with issues that young people live with every day such as the environment, stereotypes and family expectations.

This book surprised me and opened the door to this world. Plus, the ending left me wanting more. I've already bought the second book and I'll see where the story takes me.

Personally, I highly recommend this book, it is a good combination of mystery, romance and adventure.

[Lucia Maranghello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall by Henrik Wilenius is a coming-of-age story of two young boys that face different challenges from their different religions. On one side, we have Hashim a devoted closeted Muslim who is hiding his homosexuality from his family. On the other side, we got Alex who is a Christian and Hashims best friend.

The story surrounds their friendship and how culture has a significant impact, both positive and negative, on a teenager. And, how as a teen, dealing with such subjects alone, can be quite a solitary road.

As to the writing, like most Young Adult series, it has casual and humorous dialogue. Something I secretly love about books; it makes reading more fun and entertaining! I would highly recommend it!

[Azar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little coming of age story about two young friends, Alex and Hashim. Alex is a budding writer from a poor family, and Hashim is a closeted devout Muslim, struggling to come to terms with his true self, which conflict with his family's traditional expectations. As well, he struggles with feelings of not meeting his internal high standards relating to his religion. The basis of the story is Alex and Hashim's wonderful and supportive friendship, which is really heartwarming.
This young adult novel (you know it's a young adult novel because of all the smirking and shrugging everyone does) is very simply written, easy to understand, and a very quick read. I recommend this book for anyone who doesn't mind the simplistic writing style typical of ya novels.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving novel.

Catch You If You Fall is the first book in The Rise Up Trilogy by Henrik Wilenius. This book develops around Hashim and Alex, a Muslim and a catholic, two are best-friends. Besides facing the coming of age, they must deal with their parents, their religions and with all the things that it implies.
In my opinion, it was a good start and it holds the promise of great future stories; the author definitely has potential for these types of books.
If you are searching for a moving novel, it is the right place. As soon as I read the title, I imagined that it would be an amazing novel. It is not only a good story with an entertaining plot, but it also addresses deep issues such as friendship, love and homosexuality. I honestly enjoyed it!

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall by Henrik Wilenius is the first book of The Rise Up Trilogy. The book tells the story of the power of friendship between a young devout closeted Muslim and a resilient Catholic boy. The former is struggling with the pressing demands of his family to enter a prearranged marriage and the latter is making misguided efforts to help his friend. The story results in a dramatic falling-out that sets the two best friends on a painful path to self-discovery. What I like the most about the book is that the two main characters, Hashim and Alex, are brought to life with vivid detail and an engaging narrative. Through their journey, I could see the struggles of identity, belonging, and acceptance. A wonderful book, 100% recommendable.

[Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when books tackle subjects that are often not discussed in today's society. Catch You If You Fall, written by Henrik Wilenius, is among these books. It highlights two different characters which made such a great friendship and impact to each other's lives along the way. The book was very well-written and well-thought out. Same-sex relationships are not often talked about, as well as arranged marriages. I learned a lot about these topics through this book and how challenging it must be for people who are in these situations in real life, what with the family conflict they are facing and the fear of not being accepted as of who they are and their choices. At some point, my emotions were all over the place with the events happening. It was a story that gave so much impact.

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important story full of faith and love.
I loved Hashim’s storyline. I felt every doubt and desperation. I was really rooting for him, hoping he would find a way to be who he is and still be part of his Muslim family. It was so interesting to see the different aspects of faithful upbringing and higher education and how these two can be combined to form relationships that are based on understanding, forgiveness, and love. There haven’t been many details about Alex’s and Maryams’s struggles, just a glimpse. But this is the first book of a trilogy, so I’m expecting more insights in the following books. If they are as emotional and true to our times as Catch You If You Fall then they promise to be just as great.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch Me if You Fall is not just the first book in a trilogy, but an invitation to analyze and explore those themes that coexist with us every day, and we sometimes do not pay the attention they deserve.
This narrative is not only extremely creative, well-structured and throughout, but a compelling one centered around a young man grappling with his identity, as we all sometimes are in our daily lives.
Overcoming internal conflict, learning to look at things with different eyes, and building new paths for ourselves are only some of the themes explored by the author who invites us to do the same.
After finishing this narrative, I realized that I had discovered a whole new perspective of world-building. Excellent!

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall is book one of The Rise Up Trilogy by Henrik Wilenius which tells the story of Hashim, a devout Muslim, and his best friend, Alex, who is catholic. These friends have to help together when Hashim, who is gay, has to marry a woman in a pre-arranged marriage. On the one hand, this story shows us how difficult it can be for Muslims to deal with their feelings and their religion. and on the other hand, to show us the importance of friendship and how we can face problems when we have people around us who are wise, trustworthy people, and above all who have love. This story is emotional, and electrifying and is coming to touch your heart deeply.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely exciting read that intertwines homosexual love relationships with religion in a sublime way.
I really liked the premise of this book since it’s an actual and pretty interesting topic. Nowadays, there are countless cases like the one of Hashim in different cultures around the world in which people don’t have the possibility to choose.
The whole cast of characters felt so real and authentic that I kept thinking of them and this book for a long time after reading it.
Without any doubts, I’ll be waiting for the next installments of this trilogy since this author, Henrik Wilenius showed me that he is a real talented writer.

[Santiago Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good one

Catch You If You Fall is a book that every teen and young adult should read. I enjoyed it from the very beginning. I think many people can relate to the protagonist's life. It is a coming of age story that highlights friendship and I really liked that.
I think the topics dealt with in the book were well developed.
The characters and the situations they go through seem to be quite real life like and well told. The author has a very good storytelling style that I totally enjoyed from beginning to end. I would read the other books in this series and I recommend reading this first part.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch you if you fall is a story of overcoming and of friendship… or growing up together and understanding others. The author, Henrik Wilenius, has very good writing skills and narrated this story in a way that I felt totally immersed in it.

The cover of the book is not the best part of it really; it is quite simple and I think not so attractive. When I read the description of the book, I decided to read it. I was not mistaken; it is a book that I liked and I would recommend.

The story is not very long but I found some parts to be slower than others. I enjoyed the beginning and the ending the most; the middle one was not my favorite one because of its pace.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Henrik Wilenius and Netgalley for the arc. DNF page 50.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I was excited to read it, as it explored many things I think should be more prominent in young adult literature, like religion and the facets of religious guilt. Especially how it affects those who are queer within those communities. Yet, this book just was not for me. The wording felt strange, and I could not get into it. I decided I would rather move onto reading other books instead, as I knew if I held onto reading this, I would only procrastinate.

Rating this two stars since it could be right for some readers.

[Ivan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch You If You Fall is a coming-of-age story that explores in deep the adversities teenagers go through in this generation. It's a book that highlights important topics, such as gender identity and ethnic heritage, so I consider it fundamental for readers 40+ years old, who sometimes don´t understand this new generation, as well as teenagers who find themselves lost in this problematic society.

Henrik Wilenius does a great job keeping this novel short and interesting along the way. Even though it's fiction, the stories feel so real that I found myself absorbed by them. Definitely recommended for readers who want to open their minds and accept what's happening these days.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Catch You If You Fall”, author Henrik Wilenius captures the lives of 3 friends, Hashim, Alex and Maryam, who must face real-life problems that haunt their generation. All three have to give their all to be able to overcome these problems. Can they overcome the obstacles?
Delving into queer literature such as this book does, not only opens the doors to a greater diversity of themes and stories, but also it serves to transform perceptions, break stereotypes and promote solidarity and empathy.
All in all, I recommend this fiction to all those readers, especially teenagers, who enjoy books where diversity and empathy are common.