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The Falling of Leaves
Jackson Corden is running out of time. Meanwhile, Evelyn Greene, his soon-to-be ex-wife, holds the timer.
For Jackson, things never seemed to pan out the way he thought it would. That is, until he met Evelyn; until the puzzle pieces of his life seemingly clicked into place. But then, tragedy hit, and those same pieces came crumbling apart.
Now, after eleven years together, Jackson finds himself in the midst of their divorce proceedings. Granted only one more day to see Evelyn, to set things right, he struggles to hold onto his fading past: Raging against the inevitable, Jackson writes to her in one last attempt to save the life they made and destroyed. But that's just it with tragedy: it can either bring two people together, or completely tear them apart.
Will Jackson be able to get through to Evelyn? Or has his fate already been decided? Can someone really fix the mistakes of their past?
For Jackson, things never seemed to pan out the way he thought it would. That is, until he met Evelyn; until the puzzle pieces of his life seemingly clicked into place. But then, tragedy hit, and those same pieces came crumbling apart.
Now, after eleven years together, Jackson finds himself in the midst of their divorce proceedings. Granted only one more day to see Evelyn, to set things right, he struggles to hold onto his fading past: Raging against the inevitable, Jackson writes to her in one last attempt to save the life they made and destroyed. But that's just it with tragedy: it can either bring two people together, or completely tear them apart.
Will Jackson be able to get through to Evelyn? Or has his fate already been decided? Can someone really fix the mistakes of their past?
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2025
Now that this masterpiece is out in the world, I can give my full review!! Salina has written a heartbreaking & beautiful story surrounded by second chances and letting go.
The tone is so different than her previous book (a YA mystery), but I truly believe she’s found her rhythm as a writer. Her ability to connect you to these messy characters while also rooting for their relationship is INSANE!!
I could NOT put this down. The past and present storytelling added to the urgency of what will happen next and WOW IT HURT WHEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER!! And in the form of a letter from Jackson to Evelyn…CHEFS KISS!
Jackson, the MMC, had such a tender view on love. He adores Evelyn. He pushes her out of her comfort zone but does so in a way that is seeped in pure adoration. I loved getting to know the perspective of a more emotionally in-tune male character.
The dynamics of Jackson and Evelyn WERE SO REAL! Different ways of coping and different ways of healing. I legit felt like I was reading a memoir of someones actual story because of how authentic it felt! Salina has written two very different characters with so much care that you can’t help but love and grieve for them both as they go through some of life’s hardest experiences.
This book is for anyone that needed a second chance, was given a second chance, or wish they had a second chance. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s phenomenal.
I would recommend to anyone who loves a book with:
🍂Past & Present timelines
🍂Complex Family Dynamics
🍂A letter format of storytelling
🍂Second chances
🍂Marriage and divorce
There are some heavier topics discussed, so without major spoilers, just be mindful of grief, loss, divorce, and traumatic childbirth.
Content: will update after comparing e-book to physical copy pages!!!
The tone is so different than her previous book (a YA mystery), but I truly believe she’s found her rhythm as a writer. Her ability to connect you to these messy characters while also rooting for their relationship is INSANE!!
I could NOT put this down. The past and present storytelling added to the urgency of what will happen next and WOW IT HURT WHEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER!! And in the form of a letter from Jackson to Evelyn…CHEFS KISS!
Jackson, the MMC, had such a tender view on love. He adores Evelyn. He pushes her out of her comfort zone but does so in a way that is seeped in pure adoration. I loved getting to know the perspective of a more emotionally in-tune male character.
The dynamics of Jackson and Evelyn WERE SO REAL! Different ways of coping and different ways of healing. I legit felt like I was reading a memoir of someones actual story because of how authentic it felt! Salina has written two very different characters with so much care that you can’t help but love and grieve for them both as they go through some of life’s hardest experiences.
This book is for anyone that needed a second chance, was given a second chance, or wish they had a second chance. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s phenomenal.
I would recommend to anyone who loves a book with:
🍂Past & Present timelines
🍂Complex Family Dynamics
🍂A letter format of storytelling
🍂Second chances
🍂Marriage and divorce
There are some heavier topics discussed, so without major spoilers, just be mindful of grief, loss, divorce, and traumatic childbirth.
Content: will update after comparing e-book to physical copy pages!!!
June 17, 2025
Well wasn’t this quite the rollercoaster of events.
To start, I didn’t annotate anything while I was reading because i was too preoccupied with holding the darn book that I’d forgotten to write down everything that stood out to me!! How silly!! So consider this review as an unorganized, semi (but-not-close-to) rant :))
I’d like to say that I came into this book blindly; I met the author at a book fest and she was so, so sweet and i got a signed copy!! I wish the best in her journey! After gaining knowledge that the book was something along the lines of mystery I decided to give it a shot. The beginning of the book was crafted so beautifully, I liked the pacing and I liked how we were immediately immersed into the conflict on the first page. The MMC — Jackson Corden — had an even and thorough voice, and I adored how it fit the prose (the language was one of the things I loved about this book, especially in the beginning and latter half). Like there were some descriptions that just took my heart and twisted it, man. Not even exaggerating.
I also appreciated how different the MMC had reacted to love; as opposed to many others where their motives are driven by more of a lustful approach. Like, not in one part of this book (even when they were married) did he sexualize Evelyn! It was great, loved reading it, to the point that I would’ve shed a tear knowing that they were going to get a divorce in the future anyway. It felt raw and real, and his yearning was done in such a realistic way I literally struggled putting the book down. The way he prioritized Evelyn’s wants and needs over his own was so heartbreaking. Like omg. Go Jax. And then, unfortunately, as the book continued, his and Evelyn’s plights were too realistically unrealistic that perhaps it became a bit cumbersome to read.
At times I found their back and forth (nearing the end) almost annoying. And then after he cheated I stopped rooting for Jax! 😭 I was like come on man! Like my brain shut off as the book was beginning to end. And I understand that he was just so mentally exhausted and the relation was already kinda crumbling and he was weak and yadda yadda but still! Pls never resort to cheating, it’s so sad 😭I’m not usually the type to read redemption arc tropes — especially cheating cus it’s such a vibe killer — but because of how much I loved the writing I decided to give it some grace (hence why I decided to give it 4 stars).
Evelyn Greene was an alright character . I was absolutely ruined when I read about her miscarriage. Don’t even get me started about how much she wanted a child, like what, my heart ached.
In the first half, her character had so much depth; from her striving to be a lawyer to her being tenacious, then describing how much thick skin she’d accumulated from her childhood, then her anticipation with becoming a mother, I thought it was great. The slowly, after she’d gone through her miscarriage (not during), her anger toward Jax had been annoyingly perpetual. And I understood where it all came from, of course (her father subjecting her to a belittling title that women are only made for being a mother and having children and her believing that she’d failed), but the way it had been weaved into the story made me want to chew a hole into my phone 😭 it was slightly aggravating, and although I believe that was probably the point because we were in Jax’s POV, it still doesn’t take away that fact that it was slightly hard to get through, especially with everything Jax was trying to do to mitigate her grief.
And then some of the things she said to him had my jaw dropped. Like ain’t no way girl lol. And then to get with the man’s brother is crazy, I actually cackled out of shock.
Nearing the ending, their interactions were just a whole discombobulated mishap of miscommunication, and it was only until the last chapter that we got a decent conversation between the both of them but by that time my brain was already off and I was already working off of autopilot. 😭
I’m currently still processing everything that I’ve read cus I literally just finished — I didn’t lie when I said I couldn’t put it down — but I’ve got a few more words to say before I end the review.
Count your days Wren.
Anyway, aside from all of that, I actually enjoyed reading this book. The prose was lovely and the pacing was great.
To start, I didn’t annotate anything while I was reading because i was too preoccupied with holding the darn book that I’d forgotten to write down everything that stood out to me!! How silly!! So consider this review as an unorganized, semi (but-not-close-to) rant :))
I’d like to say that I came into this book blindly; I met the author at a book fest and she was so, so sweet and i got a signed copy!! I wish the best in her journey! After gaining knowledge that the book was something along the lines of mystery I decided to give it a shot. The beginning of the book was crafted so beautifully, I liked the pacing and I liked how we were immediately immersed into the conflict on the first page. The MMC — Jackson Corden — had an even and thorough voice, and I adored how it fit the prose (the language was one of the things I loved about this book, especially in the beginning and latter half). Like there were some descriptions that just took my heart and twisted it, man. Not even exaggerating.
I also appreciated how different the MMC had reacted to love; as opposed to many others where their motives are driven by more of a lustful approach. Like, not in one part of this book (even when they were married) did he sexualize Evelyn! It was great, loved reading it, to the point that I would’ve shed a tear knowing that they were going to get a divorce in the future anyway. It felt raw and real, and his yearning was done in such a realistic way I literally struggled putting the book down. The way he prioritized Evelyn’s wants and needs over his own was so heartbreaking. Like omg. Go Jax. And then, unfortunately, as the book continued, his and Evelyn’s plights were too realistically unrealistic that perhaps it became a bit cumbersome to read.
At times I found their back and forth (nearing the end) almost annoying. And then after he cheated I stopped rooting for Jax! 😭 I was like come on man! Like my brain shut off as the book was beginning to end. And I understand that he was just so mentally exhausted and the relation was already kinda crumbling and he was weak and yadda yadda but still! Pls never resort to cheating, it’s so sad 😭I’m not usually the type to read redemption arc tropes — especially cheating cus it’s such a vibe killer — but because of how much I loved the writing I decided to give it some grace (hence why I decided to give it 4 stars).
Evelyn Greene was an alright character . I was absolutely ruined when I read about her miscarriage. Don’t even get me started about how much she wanted a child, like what, my heart ached.
In the first half, her character had so much depth; from her striving to be a lawyer to her being tenacious, then describing how much thick skin she’d accumulated from her childhood, then her anticipation with becoming a mother, I thought it was great. The slowly, after she’d gone through her miscarriage (not during), her anger toward Jax had been annoyingly perpetual. And I understood where it all came from, of course (her father subjecting her to a belittling title that women are only made for being a mother and having children and her believing that she’d failed), but the way it had been weaved into the story made me want to chew a hole into my phone 😭 it was slightly aggravating, and although I believe that was probably the point because we were in Jax’s POV, it still doesn’t take away that fact that it was slightly hard to get through, especially with everything Jax was trying to do to mitigate her grief.
And then some of the things she said to him had my jaw dropped. Like ain’t no way girl lol. And then to get with the man’s brother is crazy, I actually cackled out of shock.
Nearing the ending, their interactions were just a whole discombobulated mishap of miscommunication, and it was only until the last chapter that we got a decent conversation between the both of them but by that time my brain was already off and I was already working off of autopilot. 😭
I’m currently still processing everything that I’ve read cus I literally just finished — I didn’t lie when I said I couldn’t put it down — but I’ve got a few more words to say before I end the review.
Count your days Wren.
Anyway, aside from all of that, I actually enjoyed reading this book. The prose was lovely and the pacing was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
My first read from Salina R Cruz and WOW
it’s the heaviest story I’ve read in awhile and typically prefer to space those out throughout the year for my own mental health. The authors note at her beginning is necessary, and I’ll reiterate that this story is one where a couple is going through a divorce after miscarrying.
The way this is written is actually beautiful. The main character, Jackson, has you going down his thought rabbit holes with him. We learn about the situation he’s in as he recounts them and takes us through numerous flashbacks and dark memories of what lead him to where they’re at now. What a clever and unnerving way to learn about the characters and their motives.
I’m excited for more from Salina, and will likely need to reread this to truly appreciate all the information that was packed into the story that I might have missed.
WOW WOW WOW
it’s the heaviest story I’ve read in awhile and typically prefer to space those out throughout the year for my own mental health. The authors note at her beginning is necessary, and I’ll reiterate that this story is one where a couple is going through a divorce after miscarrying.
The way this is written is actually beautiful. The main character, Jackson, has you going down his thought rabbit holes with him. We learn about the situation he’s in as he recounts them and takes us through numerous flashbacks and dark memories of what lead him to where they’re at now. What a clever and unnerving way to learn about the characters and their motives.
I’m excited for more from Salina, and will likely need to reread this to truly appreciate all the information that was packed into the story that I might have missed.
WOW WOW WOW
June 17, 2025
Heartbreaking but so beautiful.
October 24, 2025
I finish this book so quick !!!!
This book was a little different that I usually read. It was very unique to me on the style that the author use. Evelyn and Jackson, I love how their character grew and how they love story begin to flourish. I quite enjoy their growth in their relationship and their point of view and their feelings. I really enjoyed both characters, but Evelyn was hard to enjoy. It was hard for me to understand her sometimes, and I felt for her when she miscarriage her baby and what she was going through and the anger and the sadness that she has to go through and I felt for Jackson because he felt helpless on helping her, which made me really sad and cry a bit that was so heartbreaking her wanting a child so bad hits home for me which I love this book. I never have read a book that talked about the point of view of wanting a child so bad and coming to terms about probably never having children and then he cheated on her which pissed me off like what the hell!!! So many heartbreaks and one book! the ending on the story was quite sad for me. I wish there was closure a bit, but I totally love this book. It was such a good read.
This book was a little different that I usually read. It was very unique to me on the style that the author use. Evelyn and Jackson, I love how their character grew and how they love story begin to flourish. I quite enjoy their growth in their relationship and their point of view and their feelings. I really enjoyed both characters, but Evelyn was hard to enjoy. It was hard for me to understand her sometimes, and I felt for her when she miscarriage her baby and what she was going through and the anger and the sadness that she has to go through and I felt for Jackson because he felt helpless on helping her, which made me really sad and cry a bit that was so heartbreaking her wanting a child so bad hits home for me which I love this book. I never have read a book that talked about the point of view of wanting a child so bad and coming to terms about probably never having children and then he cheated on her which pissed me off like what the hell!!! So many heartbreaks and one book! the ending on the story was quite sad for me. I wish there was closure a bit, but I totally love this book. It was such a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2025
This was a pretty solid book! It talks about the story between Jackson and Evelyn and the slow downwards fall of their relationship and what inevitably ended it. This is not a bad story whatsoever, the only reason why it’s a 3 and not higher is just because, I just couldn’t get too invested in their story and found myself slightly irritated with the miscommunication they always had. The ending was wonderfully written, and it makes you understand why they did what they did and really just answers the question of why some people are better separated than together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2025
I stumbled upon the author at a small market in my neighborhood and bought this book without even reading the description, just to support a small local author and fucking WOW. This book ripped my heart out of my chest. It’s so incredibly well written and a beautiful testament about love and loss. Euphoria and tragedy. Coming out on the other side of big moments that feel like the end of the world. I devoured this and can’t wait to read more of her work!
January 12, 2026
What a beautifully, tragically written story! I came across this author at a local market and bought both of her books (and she signed them!!!). She is so very kind and sweet!
This story is full of rich vocabulary and descriptions that make your gut twist right along with the characters. I’m not usually a reader of “sad” books but this one was wonderful to read.
This story is full of rich vocabulary and descriptions that make your gut twist right along with the characters. I’m not usually a reader of “sad” books but this one was wonderful to read.
November 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It was soo gut wrenching but in a good way. I don’t normally read books like this but I’m so glad I picked this one up. This is a beautifully written story about loss and divorce. I definitely recommend reading this with a box of tissues nearby.
July 9, 2025
This was so beautifully written and so real! I seriously could not put this book down once I started it.
October 31, 2025
The writing was great. The characters were very believable and emotionally engaging
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews