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Falling into You #1
Falling into You
When Hallie Caldwell, normal girl extraordinaire, perpetual wingwoman, and queen of the friend zone, accepts her college roommate's invitation to spend winter break in New York, she figures it’s a chance to live out her childhood fantasies of a life in the big city. Instead, thrust into a world of glittering parties and oversized bank accounts, she immediately feels like an outsider. Chris Jensen’s Hollywood agent keeps telling him that he’ll be the next big star, just as long as he gets the lead role in the reboot of a classic action franchise. When he returns to New York after a two-year absence, he has other things on his mind—his dying father, an irate sister, and the beautiful, seductive, infuriating, and ruthless Sophia Pearce. He's not exactly thrilled when she asks him to be her roommate's tour guide, but he reluctantly agrees. When Hallie and Chris meet, they're irresistibly drawn to each other. However, Chris’s meteoric rise to stardom and long-suppressed secrets from Hallie’s past threaten to destroy their tenuous connection, and each is forced to examine whether happy endings are nothing but a Hollywood fantasy.
314 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2013
61 people are currently reading
2510 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Abrams
4 books302 followersI'm a total book junkie...and an accidental novelist. One day, I couldn't find a book that I wanted to read, so I started writing Falling into You. I think it's safe to say that I've caught the writing bug--I've been pounding away at my keyboard ever since! I love my family, my friends, writing, a good romance novel, iced coffee, red wine, and trashy TV (not necessarily in that order).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 21, 2013
I really, really loved this book.
Hallie is a "normal girl extraordinaire". She is visiting New York City with her friend from College Sophia, so she doesn’t have to go home and face her best friend, and unrequited love, Ben.
In her mind, she is forever in the “friend zone” , not only with Ben, but with pretty much every guy. Then she meets Chris, handsome, rich, almost-movie star. He’s been obsessed with Sophia for years.
He thinks she’s the coat girl, she thinks he’s a jerk. Love at first sight it’s not….but maybe at second sight.
When they finally talk, Chris is intrigued. Hallie is like no one he’s ever met. She is honest, she says whatever comes into her head. There is no guile in her.
“…it was the way she talked, rather than what she said, that made me stop in my tracks. Words just came bubbling out of her. She spoke with grand sweeping gestures of her arms and torso, every part of her body animated. She’s looking at me dead in the eyes, inviting me into her words, into her thoughts.”
He doesn’t get her name, but when Sophia asks him to show her friend around New York, he hopes it is her. For the first time in years, Sophia isn’t his last thought before he goes to sleep at night.
I had never met anyone who was so comfortable in her own skin, who made me feel like everything I had to say was meaningful and fascinating. There was no pretense to her; it was like she had never thought about being anyone other than her most authentic self. Being with her made me feel like maybe there was and authentic me hiding somewhere inside, too.
You’d think that Chris would be the cautious, cynical one, but he’s not. He falls, hard and fast.
“I’ve never really believed in fate, but the two of us feel absolutely, perfectly right.”
“I think you’re the most extraordinary person I’ve ever met.”
The most beautiful boy in the world, the soon-to-be movie star, is telling me that I’m the most extraordinary person he’s ever met?
. . .
“That’s definitely the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“I think someone should tell you that every day.”
They spend five days in New York together. Hallie doesn’t want to talk about the past or the future, just hold on to the now, because she is sure that there is no way that this can be more than a fling, since soon they will both have to go back to their very different worlds.
“. . .I know that fairy tales aren’t a forever kind of deal. You just hang on as long as you can.”
Oh, but I so wanted that fairy tale for Christ and Hallie. But these things are never that easy are they?
********
I just loved Chris (despite his mess-ups) He loves Hallie so much, and it’s easy to see why. She is so fun, and quirky, and everything that LA and Hollywood are not. The story isn’t perfect, it starts out a little slow, but quickly got and kept my attention. I actually loved Ben too. I have so far refrained from reading the sneak peak for book two. I saw briefly that it is set seven years after the end of book one. I don’t want to break this happy little bubble I’m living in right now with Chris and Hallie. Book two means there is more to the story then “they lived happily ever after”, and if Chris and Haillie don’t end up together it just might kill me.
Highly recommended.
Hallie is a "normal girl extraordinaire". She is visiting New York City with her friend from College Sophia, so she doesn’t have to go home and face her best friend, and unrequited love, Ben.
In her mind, she is forever in the “friend zone” , not only with Ben, but with pretty much every guy. Then she meets Chris, handsome, rich, almost-movie star. He’s been obsessed with Sophia for years.
He thinks she’s the coat girl, she thinks he’s a jerk. Love at first sight it’s not….but maybe at second sight.
When they finally talk, Chris is intrigued. Hallie is like no one he’s ever met. She is honest, she says whatever comes into her head. There is no guile in her.
“…it was the way she talked, rather than what she said, that made me stop in my tracks. Words just came bubbling out of her. She spoke with grand sweeping gestures of her arms and torso, every part of her body animated. She’s looking at me dead in the eyes, inviting me into her words, into her thoughts.”
He doesn’t get her name, but when Sophia asks him to show her friend around New York, he hopes it is her. For the first time in years, Sophia isn’t his last thought before he goes to sleep at night.
I had never met anyone who was so comfortable in her own skin, who made me feel like everything I had to say was meaningful and fascinating. There was no pretense to her; it was like she had never thought about being anyone other than her most authentic self. Being with her made me feel like maybe there was and authentic me hiding somewhere inside, too.
You’d think that Chris would be the cautious, cynical one, but he’s not. He falls, hard and fast.
“I’ve never really believed in fate, but the two of us feel absolutely, perfectly right.”
“I think you’re the most extraordinary person I’ve ever met.”
The most beautiful boy in the world, the soon-to-be movie star, is telling me that I’m the most extraordinary person he’s ever met?
. . .
“That’s definitely the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“I think someone should tell you that every day.”
They spend five days in New York together. Hallie doesn’t want to talk about the past or the future, just hold on to the now, because she is sure that there is no way that this can be more than a fling, since soon they will both have to go back to their very different worlds.
“. . .I know that fairy tales aren’t a forever kind of deal. You just hang on as long as you can.”
Oh, but I so wanted that fairy tale for Christ and Hallie. But these things are never that easy are they?
********
I just loved Chris (despite his mess-ups) He loves Hallie so much, and it’s easy to see why. She is so fun, and quirky, and everything that LA and Hollywood are not. The story isn’t perfect, it starts out a little slow, but quickly got and kept my attention. I actually loved Ben too. I have so far refrained from reading the sneak peak for book two. I saw briefly that it is set seven years after the end of book one. I don’t want to break this happy little bubble I’m living in right now with Chris and Hallie. Book two means there is more to the story then “they lived happily ever after”, and if Chris and Haillie don’t end up together it just might kill me.
Highly recommended.
January 14, 2013
Loved it! I got hooked right from the start. I can't wait for the sequel. The preview to the next book actually took me by surprise, but I actually like that it's giving a new twist to the story. I'm really looking forward to see what happened in the 7 years and how things became what they are.
This book is a mix between Gossip Girl and Between the Lines by Tammara Webber, but it also offers something different.
Fans of Tammara Webber, Abbi Glines, S.C. Stephens, Jamie McGuire and M. Leighton will enjoy this book.
This book is a mix between Gossip Girl and Between the Lines by Tammara Webber, but it also offers something different.
Fans of Tammara Webber, Abbi Glines, S.C. Stephens, Jamie McGuire and M. Leighton will enjoy this book.
February 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book & I'm anxiously awaiting for the release of book 2!! I was really pleased with the ending...BUT that got shot all to hell after reading the sneak peak into book 2! Seriously, I'm not sure I want to read it!! I NEED & WANT a HEA for Hallie & Chris! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! I'm sure that I will be sneaking a peek at the ending of the 2nd book before I actually start to read it! Hurry up with the sequel release!!! I'm needing that HEA!!!! ;)
Great read...couldn't put kindle down!! ;)
Great Characters!!
4.5 STARS!!!
Great read...couldn't put kindle down!! ;)
Great Characters!!
4.5 STARS!!!
April 22, 2013
Wow, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did.
Honestly, the plot is nothing ground breaking and it was easy enough to predict. What surprised me was that I liked Hallie and Chris right from the start. I felt like I had a handle on these characters very quickly, as if I knew them personally. Hallie was such a great character. I found myself able to relate to her and loved her 'verbal diarrhoea'.
These two together were a lot of fun to read. I am glad to have stumbled across this one.
Honestly, the plot is nothing ground breaking and it was easy enough to predict. What surprised me was that I liked Hallie and Chris right from the start. I felt like I had a handle on these characters very quickly, as if I knew them personally. Hallie was such a great character. I found myself able to relate to her and loved her 'verbal diarrhoea'.
These two together were a lot of fun to read. I am glad to have stumbled across this one.
January 31, 2013
Nice one..sure fits my category of books to read!
Waiting for the sequel..the sneak peak is making me squirm..argh i so want to know what happens.
Sri.
Waiting for the sequel..the sneak peak is making me squirm..argh i so want to know what happens.
Sri.
October 15, 2017
I liked certain parts of the book but was never completely sold on the relationship between Hallie and Chris. If I’m being completely honest, I thought it was boring and don’t care to read the continuation of their story.
February 5, 2013
LOVED this book - even though I generally hate books w/ ANY KIND of angst (but don't they all have it!). I also hate cliffhangers. Thankfully this one did not have a cliffhanger, but DARN,what was I thinking reading the sneak peek of the next one!!! Bad, bad, idea. Yes, it has me dying for the next one, but now I'm sooooo tortured wanting to know what the deal is. I am not going to be able to sleep tonight....
I liked how each chapter went back and forth from Hallie to Chris's POV. With so many books being written in strictly first person these days, I'm glad to see what the other is thinking and feeling.
I wish Lauren Abrams well! This is her first of many great books, I'm sure!! I'll definitely recommend this to my friends!! I will be watching for future books by you, Lauren. And will blame you tonight when I can't go to sleep for thinking about the next book and what it means....
I liked how each chapter went back and forth from Hallie to Chris's POV. With so many books being written in strictly first person these days, I'm glad to see what the other is thinking and feeling.
I wish Lauren Abrams well! This is her first of many great books, I'm sure!! I'll definitely recommend this to my friends!! I will be watching for future books by you, Lauren. And will blame you tonight when I can't go to sleep for thinking about the next book and what it means....
May 30, 2013
Holy Shizballs I loved this book.
Loved. This. Book.
I loved the writing. It was crisp and pulled me through the story.
I loved the characters and how they were developed. I wasn't "told" information, I was "shown." These were real people and it easily could've gone the direction of the previous book I just read (one star), but it didn't.
I was so happy with the ending and then I find out there is a sequel? W.T.F.????????!!!
So guess what I'll be doing today... :)
My only complaint was the use of the word "anyways." I don't know why it bothered me, but it did.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
Loved. This. Book.
I loved the writing. It was crisp and pulled me through the story.
I loved the characters and how they were developed. I wasn't "told" information, I was "shown." These were real people and it easily could've gone the direction of the previous book I just read (one star), but it didn't.
I was so happy with the ending and then I find out there is a sequel? W.T.F.????????!!!
So guess what I'll be doing today... :)
My only complaint was the use of the word "anyways." I don't know why it bothered me, but it did.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
May 4, 2013
I can't believe I took so long to start reading this book! There are few books I've read that have had such amazing dialogue. I loved the characters and Hallie has easily become one of my favorite heroines. Wonderfully written. One of those books that easily made me feel like I was walking the streets of NY with the characters. I devoured this in one day! Just had to know what happened with Hallie and Chris.
January 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It is a fun read for anyone who enjoys the regular girl/famous guy romances, a la Love Unscripted or Thoughtless/Effortless. But be forewarned: the sneak peak of book #2 included in the end completely ruined the ending!
October 13, 2014
I should have known better.
The book I read prior to this was a brain bender so I was looking for something light to cleanse my palate. I definitely found it here, but not in a good way. This review will be short because I don't have much to say about this book.
It was terrible.
I have never read a book more trope heavy than this one. EVER.
The book I read prior to this was a brain bender so I was looking for something light to cleanse my palate. I definitely found it here, but not in a good way. This review will be short because I don't have much to say about this book.
It was terrible.
I have never read a book more trope heavy than this one. EVER.
April 28, 2013
Semi Buddy Read with my BBG...we are probably overlapping at least :)
4.5★'s - Whew, that ending just about did me in. I mean, like I couldn't even keep reading but then I couldn't stop. Whew...This was a really good book. Love at first sight at it's finest. Chris is being labeled as a bad boy, I guess I can see that somewhat. I don't know, what we mostly got of him wasn't really that bad. I guess it was his past. Past though? I think he's like 19 or something. I guess we are supposed to picture the super rich kids like we see on TV, where age really doesn't factor in. I guess when we are first introduced to him he comes across a little bit bad. Maybe shallow and vindictive but not so much and that's just a bit. Anyway...This book wouldn't have worked if Hallie and Sophia weren't friends but really, it made no sense to me how they were ever friends at all. How even outside of NY they could have had ANYTHING in common is just beyond me. Why Sophia was even at that school is another freaking weird thing. I guess that was the hook. I loved Hallie and her diarrhea mouth. She was so alive and I could just see how she radiated light while I was reading about her. I loved getting the dual POV's. It helped so much and getting inside of Chris's head was just perfect. I thought I had the ending figured out, I mean, with what happened it was inevitable but I was blown away by the twist. Who knew? Great job Lauren Abrams! I am not sure if it was the right thing to happen or not but I did feel a whole Hell of a lot better then I did a few pages before. There wasn't much I didn't like about this story and I will be jumping right in to the next one!
4.5★'s - Whew, that ending just about did me in. I mean, like I couldn't even keep reading but then I couldn't stop. Whew...This was a really good book. Love at first sight at it's finest. Chris is being labeled as a bad boy, I guess I can see that somewhat. I don't know, what we mostly got of him wasn't really that bad. I guess it was his past. Past though? I think he's like 19 or something. I guess we are supposed to picture the super rich kids like we see on TV, where age really doesn't factor in. I guess when we are first introduced to him he comes across a little bit bad. Maybe shallow and vindictive but not so much and that's just a bit. Anyway...This book wouldn't have worked if Hallie and Sophia weren't friends but really, it made no sense to me how they were ever friends at all. How even outside of NY they could have had ANYTHING in common is just beyond me. Why Sophia was even at that school is another freaking weird thing. I guess that was the hook. I loved Hallie and her diarrhea mouth. She was so alive and I could just see how she radiated light while I was reading about her. I loved getting the dual POV's. It helped so much and getting inside of Chris's head was just perfect. I thought I had the ending figured out, I mean, with what happened it was inevitable but I was blown away by the twist. Who knew? Great job Lauren Abrams! I am not sure if it was the right thing to happen or not but I did feel a whole Hell of a lot better then I did a few pages before. There wasn't much I didn't like about this story and I will be jumping right in to the next one!
February 5, 2013
The characters of Hallie and Chris, and even Sophia, are very well developed. Unlike so many love at nearly first sight stories, you actually understand what each sees in the other. Some of the reactions to the complications were a little far fetched, but not so much as to detract from the story.
I did have issue with some of the language. Bad language doesn't bother me if it fits the characters, but Hallie begins cussing horrendously after Chris mentioned earlier that she flinched at his language use. Seemed a little inconsistent with her character. Also, his use of the f word was a little gratuitous.
If I understand the About the Author note correctly, Ms. Abrams is a high school English teacher. Given that, I would have hoped for a better editing job. It wasn't filled with horrible grammar or anything (like so many self pubbed books), but there were lots of left out words and several typos...enough that I was aware of having to fill in the blanks. Proper editing is what refer to with my own students as "gifts to the reader." Regardless, the story and the characters were good enough to help me look past this for the most part.
I also read the sneak peek of the follow up, and I'm kind of scared to read it now. Not sure I'll be happy with the direction it takes! (But, of course, I will read it!!)
I did have issue with some of the language. Bad language doesn't bother me if it fits the characters, but Hallie begins cussing horrendously after Chris mentioned earlier that she flinched at his language use. Seemed a little inconsistent with her character. Also, his use of the f word was a little gratuitous.
If I understand the About the Author note correctly, Ms. Abrams is a high school English teacher. Given that, I would have hoped for a better editing job. It wasn't filled with horrible grammar or anything (like so many self pubbed books), but there were lots of left out words and several typos...enough that I was aware of having to fill in the blanks. Proper editing is what refer to with my own students as "gifts to the reader." Regardless, the story and the characters were good enough to help me look past this for the most part.
I also read the sneak peek of the follow up, and I'm kind of scared to read it now. Not sure I'll be happy with the direction it takes! (But, of course, I will read it!!)
April 27, 2013
Wow this was really good!!! Review to follow.....=)
I'll make a short review for this. I don't know but when I started reading this one I felt the similarities with Between the Lines by Tammara Webber I dunno the vibe I had while reading that one I felt as well when reading Falling Into You. Don't get me wrong the story is not the same with the first book mentioned but I liked this one as well. Though I would say that I LOVE HALLIE!!! She's my kinda girl. And I love Chris as well they were perfect for each other. There were no cliffhangers in this one (which I liked) and I'm really looking forward to reading book 2 since it's seven years later...... now that would be interesting.
I'll make a short review for this. I don't know but when I started reading this one I felt the similarities with Between the Lines by Tammara Webber I dunno the vibe I had while reading that one I felt as well when reading Falling Into You. Don't get me wrong the story is not the same with the first book mentioned but I liked this one as well. Though I would say that I LOVE HALLIE!!! She's my kinda girl. And I love Chris as well they were perfect for each other. There were no cliffhangers in this one (which I liked) and I'm really looking forward to reading book 2 since it's seven years later...... now that would be interesting.
May 9, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Felt the emotion and heartfelt moments within myself. Moments of this book broke my heart and I had to put it down to compose myself. I loved Hallie! She has the purest heart despite many moments growing up that should have broken her. Ben is a true friend. I never understood the friendship with Sophie but after all the circumstances that happen in New York, she actually fit into the story well. The ending brought a huge smile to my face and I wet immediately to download book 2...
August 20, 2013
Down to earth Hallie Caldwell goes to New York to spend a winter break in with her rich/spoilt school friend Sophie. Goes to a party and is out of her depth - meets Chris Jensen who is an up and coming Hollywood star. Sophie is jealous of Hallie and does her best to deter Chris and Hallie having a relationship. Hallie is in awe of Chris - this is the story of Hallie, Chris and Hallie's best friend Ben. Will Hallie and Chris have a relationship and will it survive the Hollywood lifestyle? Will Ben realise his feelings for Hallie?
May 9, 2013
its cute.its a teeny boppy story whch has its moments.some twists that make the story towards the end dramatic.
the sequel sounds more interesting and I read the sneak peak in this version.now I just to read it to figure out wats up with chris n hallie.
the sequel sounds more interesting and I read the sneak peak in this version.now I just to read it to figure out wats up with chris n hallie.
July 4, 2013
Whoa! This book came out of no where. I LOVED IT! Gossip Girl meets Cruel Intentions meets Notting Hill.
I was really happy with the ending until .... I read the Epilogue! Now I want Book 2 and I mean Now. Now. Now. Now!
I was really happy with the ending until .... I read the Epilogue! Now I want Book 2 and I mean Now. Now. Now. Now!
March 25, 2013
4.5 stars.
January 29, 2013
4 1/2 stars. Not even a hint of book 2 release date?? You're killing me here!
January 30, 2013
As stories go, this one's a total charmer. Hallie & Chris hooked me right away. Thrilled to hear there will be a sequel. I wouldn't mind spendiing more time with these lovely characters :)
February 3, 2017
Boo! This book did not live up to my expectations or the description.
"Falling Into You" popped up on a "new adult" romance list and, after seeing the average rating and reading a few reviews I dove in head-first. Hallie is a 19 year old self proclaimed klutz with zero (and yes, I do mean ZERO) fashion sense. She's in New York to avoid her male best friend (whom she is interested in alas her affections are unrequited). Hallie's character comes across has very naïve and immature. She doesn't show any emotional growth or maturity in her decisions or interactions with ANY of the other characters. For example, she has pined after Ben for years but has never verbalized or approach the situation as a mature adult. It's a grade school crush by a college-aged character and not an attractive feature. Furthermore, after thoroughly describing her romantic debacle with Ben it's only mentioned briefly throughout the rest of the book. Weird. I would definitely classify this as more of a young adult book with a few more mature romantic scenes sprinkled throughout.
Also, it's a minor complaint but I do want to mention that Hallie prefers wearing flip-flops due to her klutzy tendencies yet somehow transformers into a sexy & talented dancer when the music turns on. I'm not buying it.
So there you have it! I'd recommend this book to high school girls with romantic notions of fame and limited understanding of adult relationships.
Now I'm off to discover new books that will hook my interest! Ciao friends!
"Falling Into You" popped up on a "new adult" romance list and, after seeing the average rating and reading a few reviews I dove in head-first. Hallie is a 19 year old self proclaimed klutz with zero (and yes, I do mean ZERO) fashion sense. She's in New York to avoid her male best friend (whom she is interested in alas her affections are unrequited). Hallie's character comes across has very naïve and immature. She doesn't show any emotional growth or maturity in her decisions or interactions with ANY of the other characters. For example, she has pined after Ben for years but has never verbalized or approach the situation as a mature adult. It's a grade school crush by a college-aged character and not an attractive feature. Furthermore, after thoroughly describing her romantic debacle with Ben it's only mentioned briefly throughout the rest of the book. Weird. I would definitely classify this as more of a young adult book with a few more mature romantic scenes sprinkled throughout.
Also, it's a minor complaint but I do want to mention that Hallie prefers wearing flip-flops due to her klutzy tendencies yet somehow transformers into a sexy & talented dancer when the music turns on. I'm not buying it.
So there you have it! I'd recommend this book to high school girls with romantic notions of fame and limited understanding of adult relationships.
Now I'm off to discover new books that will hook my interest! Ciao friends!
May 26, 2013
Overall just an eh book. I'm not quite sure how so many people have it five stars to be completely honest.
From the beginning I was never drawn to Chris. He wasn't a stand out character and Hallie just never made sense to me. Top that off with the fact that I still don't know if Sophia actually was or wasn't a good person and I'm left just bored by all the characters.
Lets start with Sophia...
She's beautiful and manipulative. Got it. But if that was the role that the author wanted her to portray, then why offer us the few scenes and mentions of how good a friend she was, and how she showed a genuine heart/emotion at times? And why did she just disappear?? You make a manipulative choice and then feel bad about it, try to make it better but then drop out of your friend's life completely? And then quit school? Umm no...not making sense thanks
Next Chris...
His father is dying. Here is an opportunity for him to show he has a heart and loves beyond himself. He has an opportunity to show forgiveness, since ironically enough that's exactly what he needs by the end of this book, but yet he stays cold and never gives us his heart. He "loves" Hallie, but thinks low enough of her that she would carry on a fling with him for however long while being in a relationship with someone else? That isn't love. If he really thought she was that type of person then he would have never wanted to stay with her for the long run, thus saying he was only in LUST with her, not love. I never felt the family connection it claimed he had with his sister, and overall I just never saw him as a guy I wanted to read about.
Now Hallie...
Where do I even start? Her character bored me more than any other. She loves Ben, she has this traumatic past, she thinks of Sophia as one of her absolute best friends, and yet she is willing to spend an entire week with a guy she just met even though she doesn't believe in love at first sight or any of that. Does that make sense to you? To me, it sounds as if the author had to many directions she wanted to go with her lead character, and rather than split them into different characters for different books, she just piled them all in the first book and made a character that makes no sense. If Hallie truly had this traumatic past, then there would be very little way that she would be as free and open with her life at all. It makes me think the author has no true experience with any trauma and so she doesn't know how to write a character with some. It felt as if it was just believed Hallie needed to have that darkened past because that makes for good books, but that's where I so strongly disagree. I feel like if Hallie had truly just been a good girl with no darkened past this book would have actually been much better. The party scene/memory just felt like a forced after thought and really did absolutely NOTHING to enhance the plot. Basically, I never connected to Hallie and really wasn't interested in her story.
Quickly Ben...
This is the only character I actually liked. He felt warm, and genuine and like he truly loved her. It was clear there was more to his story than we were given and that is unfortunate since he was the only character that had a good foundation to like. And if its heading where I think it's heading in book two (based on the small preview of that book) I am not going to be happy with the outcome of his character...lets just say, you better not kill off your best written character.
And finally the writing in general...
I had NO idea what was going on half the time. I struggled with following if the story was talking about present time or a flashback of some sort. It would switch in the middle of paragraphs at times and I just couldn't figure it out. I already expressed my feelings on the overall story line, so I don't think I need to rehash that one. I found a number of typos or general errors throughout. I also found this highly ironic since the beginning of the book references the use of correct grammar and punctuation in writing. This idea was clearly only in reference to the fictional story though since the author failed to use correct sentence or paragraph structure throughout the book. There were many punctuation errors, and the dialogue was often very confusing due to the way it was written.
After all is said and done, I really don't want to read the second book because I am certain I won't be happy with the story line, and since I never felt any emotion towards the characters. I am going to give it a chance, but I don't foresee the best outcome. I just didn't like this book. Clearly I am in the minority though based on the overall rating and previous reviews, but I just can't wrap my head around this story to see it in a positive way. This is a book I'm sure I'll forget about quickly, and that to me says everything about books. When I wake up days later still thinking about a book character or story plot that's when I know it's a good book. When I can cry with or for a character, even days after I finish reading, then I know the author wrote something worth reading. When I can't even remember the character's names a few hours after I finish a book, or I have to go back to my own review to try to remember my thoughts on a book, that's when I know that there were serious flaws in the book. This is a forgettable story unfortunately. I'm sorry to those who don't agree with me, but it's my opinion and that's all I can offer you.
From the beginning I was never drawn to Chris. He wasn't a stand out character and Hallie just never made sense to me. Top that off with the fact that I still don't know if Sophia actually was or wasn't a good person and I'm left just bored by all the characters.
Lets start with Sophia...
She's beautiful and manipulative. Got it. But if that was the role that the author wanted her to portray, then why offer us the few scenes and mentions of how good a friend she was, and how she showed a genuine heart/emotion at times? And why did she just disappear?? You make a manipulative choice and then feel bad about it, try to make it better but then drop out of your friend's life completely? And then quit school? Umm no...not making sense thanks
Next Chris...
His father is dying. Here is an opportunity for him to show he has a heart and loves beyond himself. He has an opportunity to show forgiveness, since ironically enough that's exactly what he needs by the end of this book, but yet he stays cold and never gives us his heart. He "loves" Hallie, but thinks low enough of her that she would carry on a fling with him for however long while being in a relationship with someone else? That isn't love. If he really thought she was that type of person then he would have never wanted to stay with her for the long run, thus saying he was only in LUST with her, not love. I never felt the family connection it claimed he had with his sister, and overall I just never saw him as a guy I wanted to read about.
Now Hallie...
Where do I even start? Her character bored me more than any other. She loves Ben, she has this traumatic past, she thinks of Sophia as one of her absolute best friends, and yet she is willing to spend an entire week with a guy she just met even though she doesn't believe in love at first sight or any of that. Does that make sense to you? To me, it sounds as if the author had to many directions she wanted to go with her lead character, and rather than split them into different characters for different books, she just piled them all in the first book and made a character that makes no sense. If Hallie truly had this traumatic past, then there would be very little way that she would be as free and open with her life at all. It makes me think the author has no true experience with any trauma and so she doesn't know how to write a character with some. It felt as if it was just believed Hallie needed to have that darkened past because that makes for good books, but that's where I so strongly disagree. I feel like if Hallie had truly just been a good girl with no darkened past this book would have actually been much better. The party scene/memory just felt like a forced after thought and really did absolutely NOTHING to enhance the plot. Basically, I never connected to Hallie and really wasn't interested in her story.
Quickly Ben...
This is the only character I actually liked. He felt warm, and genuine and like he truly loved her. It was clear there was more to his story than we were given and that is unfortunate since he was the only character that had a good foundation to like. And if its heading where I think it's heading in book two (based on the small preview of that book) I am not going to be happy with the outcome of his character...lets just say, you better not kill off your best written character.
And finally the writing in general...
I had NO idea what was going on half the time. I struggled with following if the story was talking about present time or a flashback of some sort. It would switch in the middle of paragraphs at times and I just couldn't figure it out. I already expressed my feelings on the overall story line, so I don't think I need to rehash that one. I found a number of typos or general errors throughout. I also found this highly ironic since the beginning of the book references the use of correct grammar and punctuation in writing. This idea was clearly only in reference to the fictional story though since the author failed to use correct sentence or paragraph structure throughout the book. There were many punctuation errors, and the dialogue was often very confusing due to the way it was written.
After all is said and done, I really don't want to read the second book because I am certain I won't be happy with the story line, and since I never felt any emotion towards the characters. I am going to give it a chance, but I don't foresee the best outcome. I just didn't like this book. Clearly I am in the minority though based on the overall rating and previous reviews, but I just can't wrap my head around this story to see it in a positive way. This is a book I'm sure I'll forget about quickly, and that to me says everything about books. When I wake up days later still thinking about a book character or story plot that's when I know it's a good book. When I can cry with or for a character, even days after I finish reading, then I know the author wrote something worth reading. When I can't even remember the character's names a few hours after I finish a book, or I have to go back to my own review to try to remember my thoughts on a book, that's when I know that there were serious flaws in the book. This is a forgettable story unfortunately. I'm sorry to those who don't agree with me, but it's my opinion and that's all I can offer you.
December 3, 2017
At 1st I thought the main character was trying way too hard to be quirky but she grew on me. I didn't like how the characters didn't talk and weren't open with each other. Will not keep reading more since it's seems like there's going to be more of that in the next book and it was frustrating. Why can't they just talk it out like adults?
January 1, 2018
this book was just fine. cant say i loved the characters but cant say i hated them either
August 6, 2019
3.5 Stars
April 11, 2021
3.5 stars
Fortunately, the sequel is better
Fortunately, the sequel is better
June 23, 2015
2 Stars
This is one of those books that is very difficult to review. For lack of a better phrase, it "looks good on paper." But really? It has zero meat to it. All you have to do is look even a fraction under the surface and there is nothing to it.
I got to about page 160 and then I started skimming. The reason I feel okay reviewing this despite my half-hearted reading by that point is because half the problem was the writing itself. Yes, I probably skipped some parts, but it was the writing that made reading Falling Into You seem like actual work.
It was so hard to picture anything that was happening. Let me put it like this: Remember in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (and yes, I am making a Harry Potter reference because HP is everything), when Dumbledore shows Harry the memories in the sieve, and it's really cloudy and the picture is distorted and there is very little in the periphery? Well, this is the kind of imagery I got from this book. I mean there was literally not an ounce of atmospheric quality, yet there were so many different settings. Prague for example. Hallie and Chris spend portions of the book here in flashbacks. Honestly though? They mind as well have been stateside. It makes these extravagant settings seem arbitrary, as if their only purpose was to illustrate how rich and limitless Chris's financial comforts reached. It just seemed shallow. Prague was never even described in any way, along with the name dropping of the countless other vacation destinations these two travelled.
On top of this, the writing itself was hard to get through. Sorry, but no one has ENTIRE conversations in diatribe form. I mean there was no banter, no back and forth--just constant, wordy declarations of some kind or another. It got boring. It again seemed like it served a shallow purpose rather than contributing to the story. In fact, it almost seemed self-indulgent b the author, as if she needed to demonstrate her ability at creating very complex sentences, one after another.
Character development was also a problem. In short, every single character was the exact same. They spoke the same, cursed the same, had sex the same (if you could call it that), socialized the same, etc. I couldn't ground any sense of a voice throughout the entire story.
Overall, I was so bored by this book that I don't even have it in me to relay even half of the notes I took while reading it. This wasn't an absolutely terrible book, I just couldn't wait for it to be over. The grammar was okay, barring several typos. The editing was okay, the continuity was okay, the delivery didn't show any lack of knowing how to put a pen to paper so to speak, but on every count where there was something vital, like a flashback for example, Abrams just missed the mark completely. Even the love scenes were ridiculous. They just seemed to not make sense for the purpose any device served. In all honesty, each part of this book seemed random as Hell, and the only purpose each part served was to demonstrate a moderately understandable timeline.
This book just didn't do it for me, and as I finish this review, I've already begun to forget the characters' names.
I will say though, to be fair, that the ONLY reason I read it was because the second book has the same title as the second book in another series, so when I went to buy the one I wanted, I accidentally bought the second book to this series. And I am literally INCAPABLE of starting anything in the middle, so I bought the first one because now I feel obligated to read the second one since I spent the money. That being said, despite how I felt about this book, I hate to waste a buck, so onto the second one I go.
Happy Reading!
August 9, 2013
Once I got toward the middle of the book I was hooked. Still irritating though to have to stop the books momentum because of silly typos. Overall good read.
Noteworthy quotes from book:
"I like stories, you know? It's nice to escape and pretend that you're a character in them. You can forget about everything else for a couple of hours and just imagine that you're stuck in the middle of some impossible situation. I'm a total sucker for a good movie."
"He just finds these moments that exist in real life. The moments when you can never seem to find the right words-he gets them all on paper. He can say what everyone else is always thinking, but he says it better. I mean, he writes about vampires and zombies and all of that fantasy stuff, but what he's really talking about is how people connect to each other, how they talk to each other, how they try to make their way in the world. There have been a million times when I've read his stories and I've said to myself, I've had that thought. And he said it better than I thought it. That's real talent. I couldn't do anything like that."
I have to believe that love is bigger than a jolt of electric chemistry, that it involves history and memories and shared experience.
"We're all freaks," I say, covering my mouth quickly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you a freak. I just, I have this theory that everyone is a secret dork and that we all just need the opportunity to let our freak flags fly sometimes. I think it's really cool. You shouldn't feel like that's something you should be embarrassed about, I mean, especially as an actor..."
"I don't know if it's possible to ever be who you really are. It seems to me that the characters you play are just as much a part of you as anything else."
"So maybe we're always defining ourselves in terms of what we are to other people."
"Maybe we're just trying to cobble together pieces of ourselves from scattered moments. Maybe we're always trying to be ourselves for someone else."
"I don't think anyone's ever sure of who they really are. It changes every day, because of the people you meet and the things you say and the experiences you have."
I kiss his soft, pliable lips and bury my face in his chest, willing him not to say another word. I want to stay in this moment, to live and breathe and feel it, to take a picture in my mind so that I can look back a thousand times, a million times. Because I know that fairy tales aren't a forever kind of deal. You just hang on as long as you can.
"It's just not way things are. We've both seen enough of the world to know that's just not how it works. People will act out of self-interest. Period. There are no ifs or buts about that one that meets their needs without considering if right or wrong even matter."
I am going to be okay. I don't know whether I believe happiness is a choice or not, whether you're exactly as happy as you make up your mind to be or not. I believe that there's something like luck, but despite the awful memory creeping in my consciousness, I've been pretty damn lucky.
And that's all we're trying to do on this earth-find someone and something that helps us all figure out who we are.
Noteworthy quotes from book:
"I like stories, you know? It's nice to escape and pretend that you're a character in them. You can forget about everything else for a couple of hours and just imagine that you're stuck in the middle of some impossible situation. I'm a total sucker for a good movie."
"He just finds these moments that exist in real life. The moments when you can never seem to find the right words-he gets them all on paper. He can say what everyone else is always thinking, but he says it better. I mean, he writes about vampires and zombies and all of that fantasy stuff, but what he's really talking about is how people connect to each other, how they talk to each other, how they try to make their way in the world. There have been a million times when I've read his stories and I've said to myself, I've had that thought. And he said it better than I thought it. That's real talent. I couldn't do anything like that."
I have to believe that love is bigger than a jolt of electric chemistry, that it involves history and memories and shared experience.
"We're all freaks," I say, covering my mouth quickly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you a freak. I just, I have this theory that everyone is a secret dork and that we all just need the opportunity to let our freak flags fly sometimes. I think it's really cool. You shouldn't feel like that's something you should be embarrassed about, I mean, especially as an actor..."
"I don't know if it's possible to ever be who you really are. It seems to me that the characters you play are just as much a part of you as anything else."
"So maybe we're always defining ourselves in terms of what we are to other people."
"Maybe we're just trying to cobble together pieces of ourselves from scattered moments. Maybe we're always trying to be ourselves for someone else."
"I don't think anyone's ever sure of who they really are. It changes every day, because of the people you meet and the things you say and the experiences you have."
I kiss his soft, pliable lips and bury my face in his chest, willing him not to say another word. I want to stay in this moment, to live and breathe and feel it, to take a picture in my mind so that I can look back a thousand times, a million times. Because I know that fairy tales aren't a forever kind of deal. You just hang on as long as you can.
"It's just not way things are. We've both seen enough of the world to know that's just not how it works. People will act out of self-interest. Period. There are no ifs or buts about that one that meets their needs without considering if right or wrong even matter."
I am going to be okay. I don't know whether I believe happiness is a choice or not, whether you're exactly as happy as you make up your mind to be or not. I believe that there's something like luck, but despite the awful memory creeping in my consciousness, I've been pretty damn lucky.
And that's all we're trying to do on this earth-find someone and something that helps us all figure out who we are.
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