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It All Falls Down
In their own opinions, they were the Windy City’s beautiful, successful, well-kept by their husbands and parents. For Julene Davis, these were the friends who had been chosen for her, but not the friends she would have chosen for herself.
They’d stuck together, however loosely, for most of their lives. They certainly didn’t confide in each other the way real friends would, but, thanks to the streets, they still managed to accumulate plenty of scandalous and intimate information about one another—things they would never discuss openly. And there was one thing they all knew about the despite a little misinformation, there was always some truth to every rumor. The streets were reckless in that way.
When Julene eventually cracks under the pressures of hiding her family’s problems and her own insecurities, while remaining socially acceptable, she vows to leave Chicago and never return. When she learns her parents have stolen her identity and filed for bankruptcy in her name, her plans for independence suddenly become much more complicated.
As her world, built on lies and illusion, becomes increasingly unstable, she wrestles with an unsettling What will she do when it all falls down?
Written with Reed’s signature talent for creating complex characters and compelling storylines, this third book in the Trust series is the captivating look at what happens when we must choose between fitting in and standing out.
Note to The books within the Trust Series can be enjoyed in any order. The first book, Trust, introduces the main characters and highlights the values of sisterhood and friendship. However, each main character has her own story to tell. Therefore, the subsequent books are meant to provide a more intimate view into each woman's life. What has shaped her? What motivates her? What are her secrets?
It All Falls Down shines a light on one character's past and helps us to understand how personal insecurities and family secrets have influenced her choices.
Good Morning Beautiful provides a glimpse into the life of a woman who must master the art of self-love before she can learn to receive love.
These stories of love, friendship, faith, sisterhood, and personal exploration will take you on a journey that will leave you laughing, crying, and reflecting. Looking for stories that will make you think? Looking for stories that will make you feel? Looking for stories that your book club can discuss?
African American book clubs, Black book clubs, Women's book clubs, Booktok, TikTok, Bookstagram, BookTwitter, and Goodreads have enjoyed these Books by Daines. Isn't it time you enjoyed them too?
Order yours today!
They’d stuck together, however loosely, for most of their lives. They certainly didn’t confide in each other the way real friends would, but, thanks to the streets, they still managed to accumulate plenty of scandalous and intimate information about one another—things they would never discuss openly. And there was one thing they all knew about the despite a little misinformation, there was always some truth to every rumor. The streets were reckless in that way.
When Julene eventually cracks under the pressures of hiding her family’s problems and her own insecurities, while remaining socially acceptable, she vows to leave Chicago and never return. When she learns her parents have stolen her identity and filed for bankruptcy in her name, her plans for independence suddenly become much more complicated.
As her world, built on lies and illusion, becomes increasingly unstable, she wrestles with an unsettling What will she do when it all falls down?
Written with Reed’s signature talent for creating complex characters and compelling storylines, this third book in the Trust series is the captivating look at what happens when we must choose between fitting in and standing out.
Note to The books within the Trust Series can be enjoyed in any order. The first book, Trust, introduces the main characters and highlights the values of sisterhood and friendship. However, each main character has her own story to tell. Therefore, the subsequent books are meant to provide a more intimate view into each woman's life. What has shaped her? What motivates her? What are her secrets?
It All Falls Down shines a light on one character's past and helps us to understand how personal insecurities and family secrets have influenced her choices.
Good Morning Beautiful provides a glimpse into the life of a woman who must master the art of self-love before she can learn to receive love.
These stories of love, friendship, faith, sisterhood, and personal exploration will take you on a journey that will leave you laughing, crying, and reflecting. Looking for stories that will make you think? Looking for stories that will make you feel? Looking for stories that your book club can discuss?
African American book clubs, Black book clubs, Women's book clubs, Booktok, TikTok, Bookstagram, BookTwitter, and Goodreads have enjoyed these Books by Daines. Isn't it time you enjoyed them too?
Order yours today!
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2023
226 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 9, 2023
Lies and deceit...
This book tore my nerves up but it's a good book and I enjoyed reading it. Julene's parents taught her how to be conniving and deceitful. She was taught at a very young age to be dishonest or fabricate everything. Because really that's what it boils down to. But then after practically losing everything she finally found some sense. But will her mother draw her back in again...
This book tore my nerves up but it's a good book and I enjoyed reading it. Julene's parents taught her how to be conniving and deceitful. She was taught at a very young age to be dishonest or fabricate everything. Because really that's what it boils down to. But then after practically losing everything she finally found some sense. But will her mother draw her back in again...
October 30, 2023
This book is literally a True piece of work, just like Jayla.
In the opening, we learn Julene is the only daughter of the wealthy couple, Brad and Jayla. As a little girl, she is very close to her Father. They spend time playing fun, challenging games while her Mother loves the idea of Julene being a "Daddy's girl." In the meantime, Jayla spends her time pruning their daughter for the Elite life. Although neither one of her parents realizes Julene is already able to discern how own Father doesn't share the same Adoration for her Mother as she does for him. And, so it Begins…
Trust Series Book #3: Daines L. Reed is beyond any doubt an author I will keep on my list of favorites. Readers can count on her narrative writings for Inspiration along with the Devotional Messages at the same time. I can't even speak enough about her charismatic characters. This time, she put her All in Jayla. She's the "Boss Queen" and this author's writing style really had my skin crawling every time I read a chapter about this character. She Perfected it.
This author also touches on numerous issues that can be addressed during daily lives. I have to say that the relationship between Tristan and his Mother was…Interesting & her personality. Lastly, I just Loved Mrs. Marlene, "I was just being obedient to the Word of God." ✨
The conclusion also made me rethink her words...
"You've got to live a life that you can live with—not anyone else. Whether or not you enjoy your life, that's up to you." - Mrs. Marlene 🥀
I will read a book by Daines L. Reed any time of the day 🧡.
In the opening, we learn Julene is the only daughter of the wealthy couple, Brad and Jayla. As a little girl, she is very close to her Father. They spend time playing fun, challenging games while her Mother loves the idea of Julene being a "Daddy's girl." In the meantime, Jayla spends her time pruning their daughter for the Elite life. Although neither one of her parents realizes Julene is already able to discern how own Father doesn't share the same Adoration for her Mother as she does for him. And, so it Begins…
Trust Series Book #3: Daines L. Reed is beyond any doubt an author I will keep on my list of favorites. Readers can count on her narrative writings for Inspiration along with the Devotional Messages at the same time. I can't even speak enough about her charismatic characters. This time, she put her All in Jayla. She's the "Boss Queen" and this author's writing style really had my skin crawling every time I read a chapter about this character. She Perfected it.
This author also touches on numerous issues that can be addressed during daily lives. I have to say that the relationship between Tristan and his Mother was…Interesting & her personality. Lastly, I just Loved Mrs. Marlene, "I was just being obedient to the Word of God." ✨
The conclusion also made me rethink her words...
"You've got to live a life that you can live with—not anyone else. Whether or not you enjoy your life, that's up to you." - Mrs. Marlene 🥀
I will read a book by Daines L. Reed any time of the day 🧡.
November 28, 2024
The last installment of a three part series. “It All Falls Down” highlights the story of Julene and her complex past. A past filled with a narcissistic, conniving, and mentally unstable mother coupled with a father who was unable to combat the toxicity of his marriage ultimately participating in the disfunction and delusions of grandeur imposed by his wife. Her upbringing started her on a path of deceit from as very young age and created an internal battle of wanting to do better but being unable to. Her inability to live in her truth and face problems head on resulted in her becoming the very thing she despised (her mother and father). After a devastating blow where she looses her job and home due to lies, fraud, and deceit she realizes that if she doesn’t put an end to her way of living she is going to end up becoming her parents.
Her story gave much needed context as to how she became the Julene we are introduced to in the first book. It also gave insight into her children’s father and how he ended up becoming a drug addict. His back story was also intriguing to me. I found it to be a good read and installment into the series.
Her story gave much needed context as to how she became the Julene we are introduced to in the first book. It also gave insight into her children’s father and how he ended up becoming a drug addict. His back story was also intriguing to me. I found it to be a good read and installment into the series.
January 28, 2024
“unaware that by default she’d been groomed to be a liar as well” “She’d play her part as the woman she was groomed to be until she could be the woman she wanted to be”
A book centered around lies, deception, and the lengths a family will go in order to keep up a façade and create a life that certainly doesn’t resemble their reality. This book was a true example of generational curses based on the poor decisions of parents. This book does not have any real trigger warnings and doesn’t present really heavy content. I finished this book in 1 day by audiobook, but I probably would have DNF’d this one if I wasn’t already committed to finishing it. The themes in this book are my style, and I thought the storyline was pretty ok but in my opinion this book dragged out too slowly and did not have real depth. I will say the ending was pretty good and I was glad to see the main character start to change the narrative of a family of deception and lies.
A book centered around lies, deception, and the lengths a family will go in order to keep up a façade and create a life that certainly doesn’t resemble their reality. This book was a true example of generational curses based on the poor decisions of parents. This book does not have any real trigger warnings and doesn’t present really heavy content. I finished this book in 1 day by audiobook, but I probably would have DNF’d this one if I wasn’t already committed to finishing it. The themes in this book are my style, and I thought the storyline was pretty ok but in my opinion this book dragged out too slowly and did not have real depth. I will say the ending was pretty good and I was glad to see the main character start to change the narrative of a family of deception and lies.
April 10, 2025
It all falls down (Trust Book 3)
This book was emotional and inspirational. Julene was the only daughter she raised to be prim and proper among elites. She was best friend with Tristan who's mother was rich. Julene got pregnant still wanted to go to college but her father give her the story of bankruptcy and cannot pay for to attend . She move to live with Tristan She had twin then another baby, end up working with her father's friend . Julene never had a credit it was used by her parents . This story is very good one it's show that abuse is real and parents are messing up their children for their own gain . I was happy when Julene found Marlene who teach, pray and give her the minivan she used to disappear. After five years she found love again had another baby and she is happy. Lovely read
This book was emotional and inspirational. Julene was the only daughter she raised to be prim and proper among elites. She was best friend with Tristan who's mother was rich. Julene got pregnant still wanted to go to college but her father give her the story of bankruptcy and cannot pay for to attend . She move to live with Tristan She had twin then another baby, end up working with her father's friend . Julene never had a credit it was used by her parents . This story is very good one it's show that abuse is real and parents are messing up their children for their own gain . I was happy when Julene found Marlene who teach, pray and give her the minivan she used to disappear. After five years she found love again had another baby and she is happy. Lovely read
May 19, 2024
This is the final book of the series and after reading the first 2 I fell in love with Julene character.
In comparison to the other two the author took another approach with this characters storyline and went very deep and detailed in her background history. However, Julene as an adult in the previous 2 stories was strong and powerful and I wish the author would’ve spent a bit more time in the after the “phone call”. I received the ending as a cliff hanger or a leave it to the readers imagination rather than a conclusion.
As much as I would love to give this final book of a series a 4 star I just didn’t enjoy it and it wasn’t a page turner like the others. I would still love to read more books from the author.
Final rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
In comparison to the other two the author took another approach with this characters storyline and went very deep and detailed in her background history. However, Julene as an adult in the previous 2 stories was strong and powerful and I wish the author would’ve spent a bit more time in the after the “phone call”. I received the ending as a cliff hanger or a leave it to the readers imagination rather than a conclusion.
As much as I would love to give this final book of a series a 4 star I just didn’t enjoy it and it wasn’t a page turner like the others. I would still love to read more books from the author.
Final rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 21, 2024
I can’t decide which of her books in the series is my favorite. The author did an amazing job building the mystery of Julene’s life in the other books. This book was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. Julene’s coming of age story addressed the issue of living a lie and walking away from all that you’ve ever known. I would like to see a part two of her story or maybe even a final novel written in the style of multiple points of view of all the characters in the book club. I wanted to take the journey of Julene finding a safe love with Andrew. We all know how things ended with Tristian from previous books. I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 14, 2024
It Does All Falls Down Eventually!
This book reflects many of our lives. We live to please the world instead of living for ourselves. We don't realize the level of pretense we practice, always praying and waiting with baited breaths for it not to crumble. The author accurately describes the farce and shallowness we carve and play out until it all start to slowly fall apart. I felt every moment of Julene's life...the heart-pounding fears, the strain to keep up appearances, the struggle to not being discovered and the internal battle to let it all go, praying for normalcy. The question is how many readers saw a little of Julene in themselves.
This book reflects many of our lives. We live to please the world instead of living for ourselves. We don't realize the level of pretense we practice, always praying and waiting with baited breaths for it not to crumble. The author accurately describes the farce and shallowness we carve and play out until it all start to slowly fall apart. I felt every moment of Julene's life...the heart-pounding fears, the strain to keep up appearances, the struggle to not being discovered and the internal battle to let it all go, praying for normalcy. The question is how many readers saw a little of Julene in themselves.
March 26, 2024
Trust Not
There was only one trustworthy character in this book - Ms Mary. All the others put on a facade for the world while they lied, cheated and stole to support whatever image they projected. I felt bad for Julene for a while, but she should have opened her eyes long before that last baby shower. Especially with Tristan; what a sorry 'best friend' he was. I don't know why she's running to save her mother either-she bred this whole mess. I would like to know what happened to her father.
There was only one trustworthy character in this book - Ms Mary. All the others put on a facade for the world while they lied, cheated and stole to support whatever image they projected. I felt bad for Julene for a while, but she should have opened her eyes long before that last baby shower. Especially with Tristan; what a sorry 'best friend' he was. I don't know why she's running to save her mother either-she bred this whole mess. I would like to know what happened to her father.
October 19, 2023
Liberated By Marlene
“It All Falls Down (Trust Book 3) was a good read. More so this book’s ending felt disjointed and or incomplete. Thereafter, there’s no comparison between Julene’s story/book three and the other two installments of this series. I’m glad there was a Ms. Marlene to come into Julene’s life to provide wisdom and liberate her from the bondage/manipulation of her parents/family/Tristan/her community etc. However, this story (Julene) needs an update.
“It All Falls Down (Trust Book 3) was a good read. More so this book’s ending felt disjointed and or incomplete. Thereafter, there’s no comparison between Julene’s story/book three and the other two installments of this series. I’m glad there was a Ms. Marlene to come into Julene’s life to provide wisdom and liberate her from the bondage/manipulation of her parents/family/Tristan/her community etc. However, this story (Julene) needs an update.
February 5, 2025
Great read.
This book was a great read. It was very well written, and it puts things in perspective.
It was filled with good days and bad days. Full of many lessons of how to navigate the pit falls of life after falling prey to being naive to reality.
I believe Julene learned that simplicity and honesty with who you are and who you claim to be can sometimes trip you up if you don't have God at the helm.
This book was a great read. It was very well written, and it puts things in perspective.
It was filled with good days and bad days. Full of many lessons of how to navigate the pit falls of life after falling prey to being naive to reality.
I believe Julene learned that simplicity and honesty with who you are and who you claim to be can sometimes trip you up if you don't have God at the helm.
Read
April 29, 20253.5🌟 This book was something else. Filled with lies and deceit from the very people you need to trust most. This poor child was dealing with something at every turn. There were so many things handed to her that would make one want to just throw in the towel but I loved seeing her fight her way out and stand in her complete messed up truth. It shows you how it just takes one individual to impart into someone’s life to make the most significant difference, if the person is willing to accept it.
May 23, 2025
A House of Cards (or clothes pins)
Wow! I enjoyed this book, even more than Book 2. Be thankful if you haven't had to live in a house of "keeping up with the Jones." Image for some can be damaging to one's mental health. They don't even recognize the mental gymnastics to keep an image they have perpetuated. Love Aunt Lucille and Mrs. Marlene, along with their wisdom. I hope Julene will one day return to the home where mentally she really was free.
Wow! I enjoyed this book, even more than Book 2. Be thankful if you haven't had to live in a house of "keeping up with the Jones." Image for some can be damaging to one's mental health. They don't even recognize the mental gymnastics to keep an image they have perpetuated. Love Aunt Lucille and Mrs. Marlene, along with their wisdom. I hope Julene will one day return to the home where mentally she really was free.
August 19, 2023
Complex and Compelling
The title says it all.This was a beautifully written story about mental illness and the masks we as humans so often wear and the lies we create to make us feel better than we actually are. It also addresses the immense and intense freedom that result when the facade finally falls way. The ending predicts another book!
The title says it all.This was a beautifully written story about mental illness and the masks we as humans so often wear and the lies we create to make us feel better than we actually are. It also addresses the immense and intense freedom that result when the facade finally falls way. The ending predicts another book!
November 20, 2023
Julene story was the best story out of this series. I don’t know if I would have went to get my mom though. At first I felt bad for her dad, but after all they did to sabotage this poor child’s life and act like there was nothing wrong with it. I would have told them to kick rocks and left my past in the past. No sense in allowing you to keep messing with my mental health.
December 22, 2023
Not what I expected.
This book was all over the place, it was hard to keep up or to connect with any of the characters. The ending was rushed and we were given a couple of pages to bring all storylines to completion. Would have been a DNF but I was determined to finish what I started.
This book was all over the place, it was hard to keep up or to connect with any of the characters. The ending was rushed and we were given a couple of pages to bring all storylines to completion. Would have been a DNF but I was determined to finish what I started.
January 7, 2024
Julene, is a strong soul!
Julene relationship with Ms . Mary was the one she should have had with her parents.
But, in reality we really don't choose our families we just happened to have rolled the dice then we are left to make the best out of what we got. I loved the story.
Julene relationship with Ms . Mary was the one she should have had with her parents.
But, in reality we really don't choose our families we just happened to have rolled the dice then we are left to make the best out of what we got. I loved the story.
January 8, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book though I was blown by the struggles of such a young lady and the life experiences her parents put her through trying to be better than others. No matter how much her mother tried to be better than others she failed miserably and ruined her daughter's life in the meantime.
April 30, 2024
It All Falls Down (Trust Book 3)
Enjoyed the book, but not as much as book2. Jolene had a lot to deal with because of the way she was raised, her mother had her doing things as if they was better than anyone else. As the title says it all falls down. Her mom needed to get some help. Would love to read more of her books.
Enjoyed the book, but not as much as book2. Jolene had a lot to deal with because of the way she was raised, her mother had her doing things as if they was better than anyone else. As the title says it all falls down. Her mom needed to get some help. Would love to read more of her books.
April 12, 2025
every young adult that fantasizes having everything in life should read this
The book is fully engaging and the story true to life. There are so many pearls of wisdom and lessons that can be learned reading this book. I enjoy the book and plan to pass it on to my two adult daughters.
The book is fully engaging and the story true to life. There are so many pearls of wisdom and lessons that can be learned reading this book. I enjoy the book and plan to pass it on to my two adult daughters.
August 12, 2023
New Start
Definitely need a Part 2 , I need to know to know more about Julene and Layla. I love that this book gave a complete back story but I'm inquisitive so I need more . If you don't know where your coming from , how can you go ? J
Definitely need a Part 2 , I need to know to know more about Julene and Layla. I love that this book gave a complete back story but I'm inquisitive so I need more . If you don't know where your coming from , how can you go ? J
September 18, 2023
Very interested 👌🏾 😊
It was so confusing at the beginning than it picked up. Poor child. I am glad she made a new for her and her children ❤️ her mom and dad were deadbeats and very conniving.
It was so confusing at the beginning than it picked up. Poor child. I am glad she made a new for her and her children ❤️ her mom and dad were deadbeats and very conniving.
September 19, 2023
Free yourself to be happy
Suspenful and unpredictable. Definitely a must read. An opportunity to look at what's really important for true happiness to live your best life and not the life you want others to see
Suspenful and unpredictable. Definitely a must read. An opportunity to look at what's really important for true happiness to live your best life and not the life you want others to see
October 1, 2023
Riveting
The characters in this book were very well drawn, and the fact that they were African American was secondary. The ending caused a bit of anxiety. There was never a dull moment in this book.
The characters in this book were very well drawn, and the fact that they were African American was secondary. The ending caused a bit of anxiety. There was never a dull moment in this book.
April 16, 2024
loved it!
This has been my favorite book of the series! Julene was portrayed amazingly and I loved everything about the book. Her life was so vague throughout the first two books it made me desperate to know what happened and once I found out I was not disappointed in the lest
This has been my favorite book of the series! Julene was portrayed amazingly and I loved everything about the book. Her life was so vague throughout the first two books it made me desperate to know what happened and once I found out I was not disappointed in the lest
June 15, 2024
Too much
As with the first 2 books it was just too much and then ended so abruptly. I was really disappointed with this as with the second one. I rarely give unfavorable nook reviews but I just didn't really care much for this series of books.
As with the first 2 books it was just too much and then ended so abruptly. I was really disappointed with this as with the second one. I rarely give unfavorable nook reviews but I just didn't really care much for this series of books.
June 15, 2024
This book was a piece of work. Full of lies, deceit, and ver predictable. I see now how it all came together and how sins of the parents can play over into the children. You could almost predict the outcome here. This wasn’t my favorite series but this book was better than the second one.
April 15, 2025
Baby!!! It all falls down!!!
The starts off kind of slow and it speeds up and then I can’t put it down. I read Trust, which is just as good. Got to read this next one “Good Morning Beautiful”
The starts off kind of slow and it speeds up and then I can’t put it down. I read Trust, which is just as good. Got to read this next one “Good Morning Beautiful”
December 7, 2025
Although this book didn’t resonate with me the way the first two did, it still offered a meaningful reminder: I am the author of my own path, and I can’t allow anyone else’s doubts or actions to pull me away from the future I feel called to pursue
August 11, 2023
Different and Interesting
I enjoyed this book. It was different and constantly changing. I love that it was unpredictable. I would recommend it
I enjoyed this book. It was different and constantly changing. I love that it was unpredictable. I would recommend it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews