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Free Fall
Ellie is feeling alone and unhappy in her marriage. Her husband no longer shows any interest in her and is constantly travelling for work. So, when Saul, a handsome stranger, offers her everything she’s been missing, what starts as a harmless flirtation quickly grows into something deeper.
Before it can go too far, however, Ellie comes to her senses and ends the burgeoning relationship. It’s over – or is it?
A series of unexplained and sometimes threatening events soon lead Ellie to believe that maybe Saul isn’t as out of her life as she’d thought.
The latest book from the author of the best selling ‘Hypnotic’ once again keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Before it can go too far, however, Ellie comes to her senses and ends the burgeoning relationship. It’s over – or is it?
A series of unexplained and sometimes threatening events soon lead Ellie to believe that maybe Saul isn’t as out of her life as she’d thought.
The latest book from the author of the best selling ‘Hypnotic’ once again keeps readers guessing until the very end.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2023
24 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Hostler
5 books10 followersSherry is the author of the psychological thrillers ‘Hypnotic’, 'Free Fall' and 'The Last Train Home' Before this she spent many years ‘living the dream’ in various jobs which have given her plenty to write about.
Sherry enjoys a bit of 90’s dance music and thinks she does her best writing (and dancing) after a few glasses of Rioja but this is possibly not the case. She loves her home in the rural south east of England with her husband and dog, but often hankers for the sunny beaches of Australia where she used to live.
Her short fiction and non-fiction articles have been featured in Writers Forum, Hertfordshire Life, Vale Life, Dogs Monthly and various Cake magazines.
For more info and to follow her blog visit https://sherryhostler.com
Facebook: @sherryhostlerwriter
Insta: @adropofsherry
Twitter: @sherryhostler
Sherry enjoys a bit of 90’s dance music and thinks she does her best writing (and dancing) after a few glasses of Rioja but this is possibly not the case. She loves her home in the rural south east of England with her husband and dog, but often hankers for the sunny beaches of Australia where she used to live.
Her short fiction and non-fiction articles have been featured in Writers Forum, Hertfordshire Life, Vale Life, Dogs Monthly and various Cake magazines.
For more info and to follow her blog visit https://sherryhostler.com
Facebook: @sherryhostlerwriter
Insta: @adropofsherry
Twitter: @sherryhostler
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 12, 2023
Okay I have to admit, I thought it was so obvious who the stalker was but the ending revealed it was her husband! W T F ! My heart really did break for Alex, when she found his suicide note I couldn’t help myself but in my head I said B$@CH !!! Through out the whole book, while she is describing how Saul was talking to her and basically telling her to drop her husband and be with him, to have his babies just made me laugh out loud. How can an idiot really fall for that? The man had major red flags but I knew once she wasn’t getting attention from her husband and things were going south, she needed that male attention and he was saying all the right things. But I wondered who keyed her car? Did I miss something? If Saul didn’t do all the other things and it was Alex, was he responsible as well for that?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2024
This is a fast paced domestic thriller that is more than believable to happen to any of us.
Ellie is married to Alex but their marriage is strained and Ellie is struggling to put things on the right track. Her personal life begins affecting her home life and her close friends try to intervene as she spirals.
This was a quick read but there was far too much talk of the cat “mr jones” for me. I feel like we knew every meal, every time he went in or out, where he slept etc , apart from that this was a good overall book.
Ellie is married to Alex but their marriage is strained and Ellie is struggling to put things on the right track. Her personal life begins affecting her home life and her close friends try to intervene as she spirals.
This was a quick read but there was far too much talk of the cat “mr jones” for me. I feel like we knew every meal, every time he went in or out, where he slept etc , apart from that this was a good overall book.
December 3, 2025
my review will follow soon....
August 8, 2023
A slow burner that holds you captive to the very last page where nothing is as it seems!
Nothing in Ellie’s life is going to plan, her job is on the mundane side and now the company have put her forward to attend a tedious conference for a small business networking group as the representative of the company she works for, Pasternacki & Co, Solicitors.
Her job is a PA and doesn’t feel like the right person to be representing and drumming up business with other bored small business representatives, but as hard as she tried, she got the honours regardless of her hesitations.
As well as having to attend the conference, her husband Alex is away yet again on a much more glamorous business trip leaving her home alone with just her cat for company.
The conference is as boring as she was expecting and finds herself nodding off to sleep during one of the many presentations and then she feels a nudge in her side. The handsome Saul, joking about her snoring!
The two hit it off from the very start and what starts as chats at the conference leads to meeting up for coffee and the flirtations begin.
Ellie is flattered by the attention, attention she has sorely been missing at home, even when her husband wasn’t away on one of his countless business trips and the attraction between Ellie and Saul increases.
As Saul makes his feelings towards her known and that he wants to be with her, treat her how she deserves and wants to be treated Ellie finds her head being turned and a decision to be made before things go too far and cannot be undone.
Sense prevails and she cuts things off with Saul before things go any further and as far as she is concerned, that is that. But not for Saul. He won’t let Ellie go that easy.
And then strange things begin to happen. Is someone outside her house in the dark watching her? Is the feelings of being watched real?
There is only one way of finding out the truth and what is really happening to Emily – you will have to read the book to find out for yourself 😹
But it’s worth the read!
Free Fall by Sherry Hostler is out now so you can get reading straight away, it is even free to read with Kindle Unlimited! You can grab yourself a copy now from your local bookshop, library
Nothing in Ellie’s life is going to plan, her job is on the mundane side and now the company have put her forward to attend a tedious conference for a small business networking group as the representative of the company she works for, Pasternacki & Co, Solicitors.
Her job is a PA and doesn’t feel like the right person to be representing and drumming up business with other bored small business representatives, but as hard as she tried, she got the honours regardless of her hesitations.
As well as having to attend the conference, her husband Alex is away yet again on a much more glamorous business trip leaving her home alone with just her cat for company.
The conference is as boring as she was expecting and finds herself nodding off to sleep during one of the many presentations and then she feels a nudge in her side. The handsome Saul, joking about her snoring!
The two hit it off from the very start and what starts as chats at the conference leads to meeting up for coffee and the flirtations begin.
Ellie is flattered by the attention, attention she has sorely been missing at home, even when her husband wasn’t away on one of his countless business trips and the attraction between Ellie and Saul increases.
As Saul makes his feelings towards her known and that he wants to be with her, treat her how she deserves and wants to be treated Ellie finds her head being turned and a decision to be made before things go too far and cannot be undone.
Sense prevails and she cuts things off with Saul before things go any further and as far as she is concerned, that is that. But not for Saul. He won’t let Ellie go that easy.
And then strange things begin to happen. Is someone outside her house in the dark watching her? Is the feelings of being watched real?
There is only one way of finding out the truth and what is really happening to Emily – you will have to read the book to find out for yourself 😹
But it’s worth the read!
Free Fall by Sherry Hostler is out now so you can get reading straight away, it is even free to read with Kindle Unlimited! You can grab yourself a copy now from your local bookshop, library
August 23, 2023
I was never in doubt, from the minute I saw this dark and inviting cover, that I was going to love my first read by this author.
I'm always drawn in by these dark and atmospheric covers and can now spot a great psychological thriller from afar.
When I followed this with the blurb, I was already hooked!
Ellie is married but her husband is often away and she's terribly lonely. Even when he's home, he's distant and uninterested.
When at a conference at work, she meets Saul, she finds a connection and begins to open up about her life and they become closer over time. But at the last minute, Ellie comes to her senses and ends the affair before it could really start.
Events take a sinister turn then and she realises that maybe Saul hasn't taken the break so well after all.
I loved Ellie and she made a great main character, but struggled too much to be empathetic or sympathetic.
I absolutely do not condone being unfaithful, but this literally could be the life of so many women.
She was swayed by kindness and someone who was paying her some attention for a change as she'd been so worn down. But at least she didn't take it too far!
I felt for Alex, her husband though, as he clearly needed help to overcome the effects of his accident which had ruined his career originally. Filling his life with work was his way of coping but neither he nor Ellie realised he really just needed help.
I was totally invested in this story and found all the characters to be relatable and realistic.
The writing style was engaging right from the start and the short chapters meant that I flew through this as I just kept saying one more chapter ....
I loved the twists and the unexplained events that kept me on edge throughout and couldn't wait to find out the ending - and what a shocker it was!
This fast-paced thriller was a quick and easy read for me and I loved it. I'll be grabbing Sherry's first book asap and definitely looking out for more to come.
I'm always drawn in by these dark and atmospheric covers and can now spot a great psychological thriller from afar.
When I followed this with the blurb, I was already hooked!
Ellie is married but her husband is often away and she's terribly lonely. Even when he's home, he's distant and uninterested.
When at a conference at work, she meets Saul, she finds a connection and begins to open up about her life and they become closer over time. But at the last minute, Ellie comes to her senses and ends the affair before it could really start.
Events take a sinister turn then and she realises that maybe Saul hasn't taken the break so well after all.
I loved Ellie and she made a great main character, but struggled too much to be empathetic or sympathetic.
I absolutely do not condone being unfaithful, but this literally could be the life of so many women.
She was swayed by kindness and someone who was paying her some attention for a change as she'd been so worn down. But at least she didn't take it too far!
I felt for Alex, her husband though, as he clearly needed help to overcome the effects of his accident which had ruined his career originally. Filling his life with work was his way of coping but neither he nor Ellie realised he really just needed help.
I was totally invested in this story and found all the characters to be relatable and realistic.
The writing style was engaging right from the start and the short chapters meant that I flew through this as I just kept saying one more chapter ....
I loved the twists and the unexplained events that kept me on edge throughout and couldn't wait to find out the ending - and what a shocker it was!
This fast-paced thriller was a quick and easy read for me and I loved it. I'll be grabbing Sherry's first book asap and definitely looking out for more to come.
August 27, 2023
This is every person’s nightmare. You think you know someone, maybe even start to think you care deeply for them. Then, when things end you start to see a side of them you never thought possible. Or maybe, like our main character, you just have things that start happening to you or those round you. Something is not right and is actually really scary.
The author does an excellent job really creating a believable story, especially as it is one that can so often, horrifically, be true. We are given lots of moments where things just seem to be off and the main character suspects and then starts to see the whole truth.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very engaging. It was exciting and really kept my attention throughout. I loved the overall storyline and the way the author depicted it. I would highly recommend it to psychological thriller lovers.
The author does an excellent job really creating a believable story, especially as it is one that can so often, horrifically, be true. We are given lots of moments where things just seem to be off and the main character suspects and then starts to see the whole truth.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very engaging. It was exciting and really kept my attention throughout. I loved the overall storyline and the way the author depicted it. I would highly recommend it to psychological thriller lovers.
November 19, 2024
Having read Hypnotic, I thought I would read Sherry's second novel. Had I read this first, I might not have been so keen to read her other book, That said I did enjoy it - eventually! It is a slow burner, sometimes looking as though it will fizzle out, sometimes glowing red, sometimes orange but never white hot. However, at the end of the fuse is quite a spectacular explosion, not at all the damp squib I was worried we might get. I did have vague suspicions (I had many vague suspicions) but the finalé is the reward for patience. An excellent and well observed/researched piece. The strands come together.
It is a linear book from a single personal perspective.Tuesday follows Monday which, in turn, followed Sunday. There are no great flashbacks or historic infills. There are no "other people's stories". There are some beautifully realised doubts and fears as well as some self introspection. The book redeemed itself in the end but I would recommend reading Hypnotic more.
It is a linear book from a single personal perspective.Tuesday follows Monday which, in turn, followed Sunday. There are no great flashbacks or historic infills. There are no "other people's stories". There are some beautifully realised doubts and fears as well as some self introspection. The book redeemed itself in the end but I would recommend reading Hypnotic more.
August 9, 2023
Ellie Thompson is in her late thirties, living with her husband Alex in Buckinghamshire. Even though she's married, she's not happy anymore. Alex is never home, since he had a career change after his accident. When Ellie meets Saul she's craving for some attention. Saul is handsome, friendly and funny. Everything changes when Ellie decides to stop the burgeoning relationship with Saul.
This could be for real, not just in a book, which shows just how good a writer Sherry is. You are pulled along by the characters and become invested in the relationship between them. Just when you think that's it, Sherry throws something else at you. The end wasn't what I expected and that's what I loved about the book, nothing is what you expect.
This could be for real, not just in a book, which shows just how good a writer Sherry is. You are pulled along by the characters and become invested in the relationship between them. Just when you think that's it, Sherry throws something else at you. The end wasn't what I expected and that's what I loved about the book, nothing is what you expect.
September 1, 2023
This took an unexpected direction and I enjoyed it.
I love how things can seem one way then instantly turn on it's head - how people can show their true colours. I was glad Ellie looked in the mirror a bit too and listened to her friends. I was not suckered in by Saul, he seemed too much - but then I also wasn't in the position Ellie was in.
I did have some suspicions about Alex but not quite what played out. There were a few frustrating moments when I thought a sensible person would have acted differently.
Overall, a great thriller mixed with psychological and family drama elements.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I love how things can seem one way then instantly turn on it's head - how people can show their true colours. I was glad Ellie looked in the mirror a bit too and listened to her friends. I was not suckered in by Saul, he seemed too much - but then I also wasn't in the position Ellie was in.
I did have some suspicions about Alex but not quite what played out. There were a few frustrating moments when I thought a sensible person would have acted differently.
Overall, a great thriller mixed with psychological and family drama elements.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 3, 2024
‘Free Fall’ by Sherry Hostler makes for easy and quick reading. In other words, my kind of book. It is about Ellie, whose marriage with Alex is practically on the rocks. Alex is always out on work tours, and when he comes back, he only wants to sleep. Lonely as Ellie is, she somehow falls into a kind of relationship with Saul, all charm and brightness. But things soon go awry when the men in her life prove to be very unlike what they seem.
While I liked the book I found the resolution of the mystery less than exciting.
While I liked the book I found the resolution of the mystery less than exciting.
February 19, 2024
I look forward to reading the author's other novel. I liked this one, but I'm not sure if the 'twist at the end was for me - it kept me guessing and entertained but the affair that 2 characters get themselves into is 100% both on them...not just the guy, as is suggested. Main character is a little self absorbed and self-depricating....like, girl get a hobby, damn!
December 28, 2025
A good read.
August 8, 2023
I dove into this on the day I received it and I didn't put it down until I'd finished turning the last page it was that good.
Free Fall is an addictive pacy read and in this instance you'd better not call Saul because he's a psychotic nut job of epic proportions as Ellie soon begins to find out. The plot is plausible and the characters could well be real.
Infatuation, obsession or unrequited love?
This is the second book I've read by Hostler and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Free Fall is an addictive pacy read and in this instance you'd better not call Saul because he's a psychotic nut job of epic proportions as Ellie soon begins to find out. The plot is plausible and the characters could well be real.
Infatuation, obsession or unrequited love?
This is the second book I've read by Hostler and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews