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FATE FELL SHORT: THE HILARIOUS AND MOVING SEQUEL TO UNHINGE
Alfie Anderson is certain he’s done the hard part.
He’s faced the ghosts. He’s rebuilt his life. He has the people who matter around him, and for the first time in years, things feel steady.
But steady isn’t the same as healed.
Because the past doesn’t disappear just because you’ve decided to move on. And when old wounds resurface in ways Alfie didn’t expect, he’s forced to confront an uncomfortable you can’t build a future on foundations you’ve never fully repaired.
As relationships deepen and pressure mounts, Alfie must decide whether he’s truly ready to live in the present or whether he’s still defined by the man he used to be.
FATE FELL SHORT is the powerful second chapter in the Alfie Anderson trilogy — a story about love, responsibility, and the cost of refusing to let go.
He’s faced the ghosts. He’s rebuilt his life. He has the people who matter around him, and for the first time in years, things feel steady.
But steady isn’t the same as healed.
Because the past doesn’t disappear just because you’ve decided to move on. And when old wounds resurface in ways Alfie didn’t expect, he’s forced to confront an uncomfortable you can’t build a future on foundations you’ve never fully repaired.
As relationships deepen and pressure mounts, Alfie must decide whether he’s truly ready to live in the present or whether he’s still defined by the man he used to be.
FATE FELL SHORT is the powerful second chapter in the Alfie Anderson trilogy — a story about love, responsibility, and the cost of refusing to let go.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2025
About the author
Craig Scoular
4 books17 followersHi,
I have been writing now for around 16 months (as of end of December 25)
I have written four books. UNHINGE, FATE FELL SHORT and NOT MIDNIGHT YET are part of a trilogy, while 49 THINGS TO DO WITH DAD BEFORE HE DIES is a standalone story.
I am a teacher of politics to trade at a high school just outside of Glasgow. It is a job I love and have done for close to twenty years, which is scary to write down!
My spare time is spent writing, watching football and going to the movies. However, my favourite thing to do is spend time/argue/ with my daughter, Sophie.
I do love a holiday (they are my vice) and I try to get abroad four or five times a year. I love the Canary Islands and have recently discovered Virgin Cruises, which has been bad for my bank balance.
I hope you enjoy reading my work. I try to write about real life in a way that is relatable, with some humour and leave the reader with something to think about.
C x
I have been writing now for around 16 months (as of end of December 25)
I have written four books. UNHINGE, FATE FELL SHORT and NOT MIDNIGHT YET are part of a trilogy, while 49 THINGS TO DO WITH DAD BEFORE HE DIES is a standalone story.
I am a teacher of politics to trade at a high school just outside of Glasgow. It is a job I love and have done for close to twenty years, which is scary to write down!
My spare time is spent writing, watching football and going to the movies. However, my favourite thing to do is spend time/argue/ with my daughter, Sophie.
I do love a holiday (they are my vice) and I try to get abroad four or five times a year. I love the Canary Islands and have recently discovered Virgin Cruises, which has been bad for my bank balance.
I hope you enjoy reading my work. I try to write about real life in a way that is relatable, with some humour and leave the reader with something to think about.
C x
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2026
If you enjoyed UNHINGE, then you'll just love this sequel (at least I hope you do!)
C x
C x
April 5, 2025
Fate might have fallen short ... for now, I hope ... there is a 3rd book, right?
Craig's second book definitely didn’t fall short and exceeded all expectations! Such a powerful book that had me laughing out loud and using the entire box of tissues by the end. There is definitely more than one moment in which you'll need them. I said in my review of 'Unhinge' that I wanted to give Alfie a hug and I still do, although he may need a shake too 😂
'Fate Fell Short' follows on brilliantly from 'Unhinge' not from the exact ending of the first book into the second but in a very clever way, that had me rather puzzled to begin with and I definitely re-read the first few pages several times. Craig develops the characters in a way that makes you feel more connected to them and it feels like you've known them a long time. Without giving too much away there are lots of emotional connections and deep moments between Alfie and the other characters that are so life like and far flung from dating app dramas though there are still a few of those that definitely made me laugh.
Another fantastic book Craig Scoular! What more can I say other than I love it! Maybe even more than 'Uninge' though you definitely need the 1st book to appreciate the full depth of 'Fate Fell Short'.
Make sure you read to the end everyone for the links to the fantastic podcast.
Craig's second book definitely didn’t fall short and exceeded all expectations! Such a powerful book that had me laughing out loud and using the entire box of tissues by the end. There is definitely more than one moment in which you'll need them. I said in my review of 'Unhinge' that I wanted to give Alfie a hug and I still do, although he may need a shake too 😂
'Fate Fell Short' follows on brilliantly from 'Unhinge' not from the exact ending of the first book into the second but in a very clever way, that had me rather puzzled to begin with and I definitely re-read the first few pages several times. Craig develops the characters in a way that makes you feel more connected to them and it feels like you've known them a long time. Without giving too much away there are lots of emotional connections and deep moments between Alfie and the other characters that are so life like and far flung from dating app dramas though there are still a few of those that definitely made me laugh.
Another fantastic book Craig Scoular! What more can I say other than I love it! Maybe even more than 'Uninge' though you definitely need the 1st book to appreciate the full depth of 'Fate Fell Short'.
Make sure you read to the end everyone for the links to the fantastic podcast.
February 20, 2025
This was as raw and heartbreaking as the first book as I said before this is Scotlands answer to Bridget Jones with equal parts humour and heartbreak I feel this book has something for everyone.
You can’t help but root for Alfie you want him to experience happiness so much and he does but there is always something not quite perfect and the author does very well to keep you in that state of being happy for Alfie but knowing he could be happier
I won’t divulge anything other than it ends you wanting more not so much a cliffhanger as dangling from a rope on a thread that’s about to snap!
This book is a masterclass on how to toy with the emotions of a reader and o am happily recommending that these books be read back to back
You can’t help but root for Alfie you want him to experience happiness so much and he does but there is always something not quite perfect and the author does very well to keep you in that state of being happy for Alfie but knowing he could be happier
I won’t divulge anything other than it ends you wanting more not so much a cliffhanger as dangling from a rope on a thread that’s about to snap!
This book is a masterclass on how to toy with the emotions of a reader and o am happily recommending that these books be read back to back
May 14, 2026
Omg! Even better than the first book, laughed and cried all over again. I am so invested in Alfie and his story. Craig Scoular has such a brilliant way of telling a story with passion and humour. Dancing around such difficult topics with so much love and tenderness. I'm away to buy the third book in the series and you better believe it's going to trump everything else in my TBR pile as I just HAVE to know how Alfie's story ends.
June 30, 2026
I really enjoyed part two in this series. I'm particularly enjoying reading about all my local places (I didn't know it was set there before I picked it up). I'm straight onto book 3 and have also downloaded the other new one to start after that. Thank you for these great books. The humour is second to none.
April 3, 2025
I read unhinge and this book in 3 days and it was just what I needed. Light hearted, easy to read, funny but with some parts that really make you think about life. However (spoiler alert) if there is another book and Alfie doesn’t end up with Niamh I will throw the book out the window
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Craig, please don't leave it long for the 3rd and final book! This book blew me away as much as unhinge! Love Alfie and the Anderson 'family'. You kept me hooked all the way through!! ❤️
May 12, 2026
Fuming at Alfie! 🙈🫢🙈
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
best book ever
Absolutely fantastic series that has you laughing out loud one minute , then crying the next . I’m so hooked and can’t wait to start the final book .
Absolutely fantastic series that has you laughing out loud one minute , then crying the next . I’m so hooked and can’t wait to start the final book .
June 28, 2026
Fantastic
Great sequel to the first novel, brilliant and loveable characters who keep you engrossed. Dreading starting book 3 as I don't want them to end.
Great sequel to the first novel, brilliant and loveable characters who keep you engrossed. Dreading starting book 3 as I don't want them to end.
July 2, 2026
Brilliant
Loved this book just as much as the first, now into the final one which I'm sure will be just as good.
Loved this book just as much as the first, now into the final one which I'm sure will be just as good.
March 20, 2026
This is the second book in the series and guys if you haven’t started it then I advised you to do so!
Based in Glasgow, following Alfie navigating his dating life and trying to move on was a whirlwind.
I was super excited to read this book as I had so much fun with all the characters in the first book.
This one had a grip on me, emotionally, mentally and physically ( no joke ) I was so attached to all the characters as they reminded me of people in my life, in so many different ways! I loved seeing this family grow, a little dysfunctional but whose family isn’t?
This showed me the true power of the love from friends, and the difference you can make in someone’s life without even known it! I loved this and the ENDING oh my days I was crying.
It’s real, it’s raw and it’s a rare chance you get a good story like this with so much going on!
5 stars all the way!
Based in Glasgow, following Alfie navigating his dating life and trying to move on was a whirlwind.
I was super excited to read this book as I had so much fun with all the characters in the first book.
This one had a grip on me, emotionally, mentally and physically ( no joke ) I was so attached to all the characters as they reminded me of people in my life, in so many different ways! I loved seeing this family grow, a little dysfunctional but whose family isn’t?
This showed me the true power of the love from friends, and the difference you can make in someone’s life without even known it! I loved this and the ENDING oh my days I was crying.
It’s real, it’s raw and it’s a rare chance you get a good story like this with so much going on!
5 stars all the way!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews