Freefalling

by J.L. Burrows

Under the Dome, peace reigns ... forcefully.

One hundred and eighty years in the future, the U.S. government eradicates warfare and violence.

Serenity should feel safe, but she doesn’t.

Serenity Knowles knows two things for certain. Finishing her government assigned community service as a teacher is mandatory in order to start her adult life. And stopping those in power from reconditioning two of her favorite students will ruin her chances at a future and a life.

Everything she thought she once knew to be true, suddenly is now in question after her typically peaceful girls fight in plain view of everyone at school. The Federal Bureau of Acceptance storms in and collects them both for reconditioning—chemical brain washing. With no one to help, Serenity is driven into a wild rescue and escape plan. The girls can’t be made into shadow children, brainwashed and limited to a menial future.

All that stands between the overreaching government and her girls is Serenity’s budding faith, a furry beast companion, her modified illegal AI, and a ragtag group of men and women set against the use of cutting edge technology and genetically modified bio-weapons on citizens under the Dome. If any of them get caught, they will be reconditioned. If they don’t move fast enough, the girls will be lost. If she doesn’t become a hero, any hope of a real future will be forfeit.

In her transformation from a teacher with a broken family to a radical defector leading a team of rebels, Sere discovers America’s deadliest threat—its own government.

Genres: Christian Fiction

443 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

J. L. Burrows has a master's degree in education and has taught English for nearly twenty years. She is a member of ACFW, an editor for Scrivenings Press, a columnist and reviewer for Clean Fiction Magazine, and co-leader for Charis, a local writing group, and sponsor for her high school's Creative Writing Club. She’s been writing about the connection of God’s love to human conflict and pain for over twenty years, weaving stories designed to help people find Truth, faith, and love. When she's not enjoying quiet time with her husband or helping her daughter and son, she's taking care of her sweet Shiapoos who require miles of tender love and care. And when the sun is set and the day is done, you'll find her living the thrills of a hundred lifetimes with a thousand characters. Learn more about the things she’s written at jlburrows.com.

Reviews

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I know people say they don't like dystopians because they're so hopeless, but to me, they scream HOPE. Hope that there will always be someone willing to fight the powers that be. Hope that Someone bigger is in charge. Hope that one person can make a difference.

This book embodies all of those things.

I was on the edge of my seat, I was rooting for the underdogs, I was furious with the complacency, and I was filled with hope. I wanted to join in the fight. And all it took was one person to stand up.

One person can truly make a difference.

My only issue is the same one I have with most dystopians: one girl, with no experience with ANYTHING is all of a sudden the one everyone else looks to. I will say that Burrows does a great job of balancing this out for the most part, but there are several of those instances. Having said that, I truly look forward to the next installment of this series.

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~

[Aryauna Valdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. I definitely recommend this book. It’s Very action packed. I enjoyed Sere and Mack’s relationship and Sasha 🩷
This book was Definitely giving The Giver vibes!

Ok, me liking this book Might be bc I’m a “little” obsessed with Dystopians….. Especially CHRISTAIN Dystopian! Thank you for writing this book!!! So so so good!! 😍

I just can’t believe the second one ISN’T OUT YET! 😭😂

This is a Christian dystopian read

🧪 Sci-if/ Dystopian
🧪 Faith
🧪 Found family
🧪Romance
🧪 Drones
🧪 Clean fiction

#launchteammember

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fast-paced story that will keep your attention from page 1! It just goes to show how things really do work out for good when one steps out in faith. Very well done!!!

[Mary Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the setup of this book. The whole concept of reconditioning was outrageous--and kept me reading. The characters were, for the most part, enjoyable except for a really nasty villain. The plot kept up a relentless onslaught but stayed sustainable. Loved the technology and the drones seemed to take on a life of their own. Looking forward to the second book of the series.

[Amy Anguish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Brace yourself because this book takes you for a ride. Burrows does an excellent job building a world that seems great until you look deeper. There, in the details, you find a horrible government and a lack of real truth. Following Sere and the ragtag group of friends she gathers along her journey makes you want to swing at some drones right along with them. This story leaves you breathless, angry at the bad guys, rooting for the good guys, and, most-importantly, full of hope. This is a great start to the series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I was given an early copy to read, but all opinions expressed here are my own and freely given.

[James Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

FreeFalling by J.L Burrows is an excellent dystopian novel about life in a US metropolis that exists under a Dome almost 200 years into the future. It is a time when wars and local violence are a thing of the past. The tradeoff, however, is an ordered society in which personal freedoms are few. Sure, the essentials of life are freely available, but strict adherence to government rules and regulations must be accepted without question. Rule breaking is punishable by a reconditioning procedure that is similar to a lobotomy and assures the recipient a less-than-ideal future.
It is the story of a woman named Serenity who is a rule follower; that is, until she isn’t, and she becomes an enemy of the state. Her salvation is when she meets up with a group of street folk with similar ideologies to hers, and this is when the action begins and it becomes a race to save their lives and to fight against government oppression.
This storyline has it all: a wonderful message of hope and survival, lots of action and tension-filled scenes, a love story that is truly moving, and descriptions of amazing technology throughout.
The last third of the book was so action packed that I was holding my reading tablet with white knuckles. I loved the story. It was developed so wonderfully that Serenity’s life starts off with her content with her simple life, but it evolves seemlessly into a high stakes game of survival against a villainous government and draconian laws.
I gladly gave this book five stars.

[Jillian Sevilla-Sales · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: 3/25
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Dystopian
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: It's eight p.m., Sere. Your body requires sustenance.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"Until chains bound my feet, I'd run"


This is the first J.L.Burrows book I have read and I pretty enjoyed it. Literally gave me goosebumps and a little bit of creepiness because of some of the characters.
This book is more on the slow paced one - I'm more on the fast paced reader - since it gives more of the MC's feeling about her surroundings, and of course, the world building. I love how the christian faith is woven in this story, and how it gives you hope in everything.

It was such a fun read and kept me awake all night, turning pages just to know what will happen next. 😁
Definitely not my last J.L. Burrows book.
Good thing I already have her fantasy ones. Can't wait to start them soon!



𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌.

[Erin Dydek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action-packed and Suspenseful

No one is safe in a dystopian world, and Serenity must find a way to free her students from unjust punishment, no matter the cost! On the run, this passionate teacher learns what it means to be free, how to trust in a world gone wrong, and how to find faith to fight for truth. Delivered with plenty of suspense, a bit of swoony slow-burn romance, and lots of action, FreeFalling will leave you reeling and readily anticipating the sequel.

There were a few things that occasionally made it difficult to suspend my disbelief, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out what happens next.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this being book one in The Reconditioning series, I can’t even fathom what could top it! But having read several books by this author, she will! Although this is in the SciFi genre, it is like reading the current world news, as if tuning in to the local channel or picking up a copy of the most recent newspaper. So many parallels, so very relevant, an absolute edge of your seat story with an ever present sense and knowing that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Exceptional work of heart!

[Liliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Dystopian Story!

If you are looking for a great dystopian story, FreeFalling is the one! I loved this story! It was very well written. The main character, Serenity, is a strong heroine who will stop at nothing to save her girls from the government’s clutches.

I am a huge fan of science fiction and dystopian stories. FreeFalling hit everything I love about this genre. Serenity reminded me of Trish from Divergent. She was selfless, a fighter, curious, and not afraid to find out the truth. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books from this series.

[Sarah Anthem · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. L. Burrows has written a lovely Christian dystopian story with a youthful vibe. Her lyrical prose lead readers from the start where she portrays a pristine false utopian society, to the end of the book where everything has crumbled around the posse of fugitives on the run.

The best part of the story, for me, was the witty banter between the main character, Sere, and her AI companion. Many prayers are prayed as Sere fights to rescue those she loves and Sere learns to trust her inner-voice regardless of what her AI is warning.

Drones! Drones everywhere! At times I felt the book could have been tightened up to increase the pace, and then Burrows introduced the bioengineered insect army, and that worked well to change things up.

I received a free book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Humes · Rating 5 out of 5]

FreeFalling is an action packed fiction. J.L. Burrows has her readers turning with this fast paced moving and sometimes gritty novel. There is a thread of hope which ties all of the action together, along with a touch of romance, this book, with a distinctly YA flavor is excellent for dystopian fiction fans.

[Beth Westcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A futuristic tale of life under The Dome, in a society under the control of a dictator, A1, Enforcers, and drones. Plenty of action, with twists and turns, and you never know what’s around the corner. The fight for freedom sometimes demands difficult life or death choices, and you must count the cost. Serenity has to learn that, no matter how noble her cause, she sometimes needs to listen to and depend on others to achieve her goals, especially when she becomes public enemy #1.

[Sarah Heatwole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Action packed book. JL Burrows created a world I never had imagined before. Sere and Shea were strong characters with high stakes. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Sarah Heatwole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced - crazy world that had me curious- I was along for the wild ride - can't wait to see what life is like outside the dome. Enjoyed!

[Julia Casselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.L.Burrows is a troublemaker, and I mean that with the best of intentions. She makes her MC struggle! But Serenity is tough, determined (dare I say stubborn), and has a family legacy of relying on the All-Powerful One through prayer.

I love the name Serenity, though she’s anything but serene. Her opening frustration with what is done to children in the name of education turns to anger, then outright defiance of the government where leaders have gained too much power and individuals’ choices and freedoms are restricted—in the name of a perfect society. Clearly, that is impossible for ‘man’ to create.

The action is intense. I was grateful for every time in the story I was allowed to breathe.

I’ll adapt the nursery rhyme my mom always used to say to me since the FMC and I both have curly hair.

There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead.
When things go well, they go really, really well, but when they go bad they are horrid.

My favorite line is when she was processed and sent to her three second shower at the containment center. Angry and scared, but choosing not to let them see it, she remarks to the guard: You’re out of conditioner.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking look at what it would be like to live in a world where every move you make is under surveillance and the slightest step out of line could land you in “reconditioning.” Freefalling was nigh compelling and terrifying, with an intriguing cast of characters and lots of unexpected twists in the action. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!

I received an advanced copy of this story from the authors. All thoughts are my own.