What do you think?
Rate this book
We Could Fall
We Could Fall begins on a September morning when 42-year old Emmy Halperin receives two unexpected pieces of news. Jack, her husband of 22 years, wants to call off their long-planned divorce. Duncan Grier, a famous actor, wants to be her therapy client.
“I’m guessing it could be more complicated seeing me than with your other clients,” is what Duncan says in his first voicemail to Emmy.
It is, indeed, more complicated. In the four short weeks that follow, Emmy must wrestle with her professionalism, her desire and her marriage as she ultimately decides who and what should hold her trust.
“I’m guessing it could be more complicated seeing me than with your other clients,” is what Duncan says in his first voicemail to Emmy.
It is, indeed, more complicated. In the four short weeks that follow, Emmy must wrestle with her professionalism, her desire and her marriage as she ultimately decides who and what should hold her trust.
424 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2015
268 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
Kate Moschandreas
2 books17 followersKate Moschandreas has a masters in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School and a masters in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School. She has worked as a federal investigator, business consultant and Internet entrepreneur before finally finding her calling as a writer and therapist. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 9, 2015
Rarely have I encountered and read a book which gets into the minds and hearts of the characters as well as this one. I am in awe of the author's skill in laying out an intricate and sensitive plot in which the characters are likable in spite of their obvious flaws.
The character of Jack, the husband, is well drawn and strangely sympathetic when the back story reveals that he and Emmy have been trapped by their circumstances when they were too young to cope.That Jacks' solution and the result forces Emmy stand up for herself and fight for her marriage made me hate Jack for bailing out in such a manner - no spoilers!
However, in spite of the bad light in which this places Jack, the situation has resolved itself by the time we meet the couple and the gorgeous, supposedly laid-back Duncan Grier. Duncan has his own demons to put to rest, not the least of which is the restriction he feels in his personal, social and professional life. Wanting to break out of the mold into which he has settled is bringing Duncan's past to light, something with which he cannot cope without help - Emmy's help.
The ending, where Emmy makes her choice, is dramatic and ultimately satisfying :)
I couldn't put this novel down and would love to read more by this author.
Congratulations, and very well done indeed!!!
May 1, 2015
A well-written romance with heart and depth, but one motif rankles:
I'm conflicted about this book. Kate Moschandreas is clearly an excellent writer and this story has a depth not necessarily typical in what's considered a romance; in fact, "literary love story" is quite an apt description!
I enjoyed Emmy, the main character; her travails, her confusions. Her challenges in a challenged marriage were real, as were the complexities of her particular story as a young wife and mother. The roller coaster nature of her relationship with Jack, her husband, was fascinating and often cringe-worthy, and other than his having a somewhat "villainous" edge that occasionally veered toward cartoonish (as did the stepdaughter from time to time), he, too, felt human and real. Duncan, the movie star at the center of the story, is complicated and vulnerable enough to not fall into "movie star" stereotype.
The problem for me, however, was the though-line of a professional therapist (Emmy) repeatedly, and with a certain impunity, crossing professional boundaries and ethical lines (with Duncan) in a way that became distracting, even disturbing. Reference is made (often) to her quarreling with herself over her flouting of ethical codes every therapist is bound by, but too often she rationalizes those breaches like a starry-eyed teenager in the thrall of love. She repeatedly succumbs to the seductions of this man, as well as her own craving for warmth and attention, and, in some respects, we get it—who wouldn't want warmth and connection after spending so many years with a husband like Jack?!—but the ethical dilemma feels like it's given short shrift, as Emmy makes and remakes resolutions, only to cross another line with each subsequent meeting.
We're clearly meant to see past all that; we're meant to cheer for her, meant to cheer for the Emmy/Duncan relationship. But having many professional therapists within my circle of friends and colleagues, and knowing well the myriad issues related to "transference" and the dangers of crossing boundaries with patients, it was difficult to reconcile the motif with its ultimate lack of consequence.
But likely some/many readers will be able to push that aside to just enjoy the elements of well-written mid-life romance; from that focal the book is a satisfying tale.
I'm conflicted about this book. Kate Moschandreas is clearly an excellent writer and this story has a depth not necessarily typical in what's considered a romance; in fact, "literary love story" is quite an apt description!
I enjoyed Emmy, the main character; her travails, her confusions. Her challenges in a challenged marriage were real, as were the complexities of her particular story as a young wife and mother. The roller coaster nature of her relationship with Jack, her husband, was fascinating and often cringe-worthy, and other than his having a somewhat "villainous" edge that occasionally veered toward cartoonish (as did the stepdaughter from time to time), he, too, felt human and real. Duncan, the movie star at the center of the story, is complicated and vulnerable enough to not fall into "movie star" stereotype.
The problem for me, however, was the though-line of a professional therapist (Emmy) repeatedly, and with a certain impunity, crossing professional boundaries and ethical lines (with Duncan) in a way that became distracting, even disturbing. Reference is made (often) to her quarreling with herself over her flouting of ethical codes every therapist is bound by, but too often she rationalizes those breaches like a starry-eyed teenager in the thrall of love. She repeatedly succumbs to the seductions of this man, as well as her own craving for warmth and attention, and, in some respects, we get it—who wouldn't want warmth and connection after spending so many years with a husband like Jack?!—but the ethical dilemma feels like it's given short shrift, as Emmy makes and remakes resolutions, only to cross another line with each subsequent meeting.
We're clearly meant to see past all that; we're meant to cheer for her, meant to cheer for the Emmy/Duncan relationship. But having many professional therapists within my circle of friends and colleagues, and knowing well the myriad issues related to "transference" and the dangers of crossing boundaries with patients, it was difficult to reconcile the motif with its ultimate lack of consequence.
But likely some/many readers will be able to push that aside to just enjoy the elements of well-written mid-life romance; from that focal the book is a satisfying tale.
April 15, 2015
This compelling story centers on three people re-examining their lives as events over the course of a month force them to make life-shaping decisions. It's a variety of love stories intertwined,from new romantic love, to friendship, to parental love, to love that holds the heart of a marriage. The characters came to life through dialogue that pulled me into their stories and at various points made me gasp with its pain. Gulped down in a few days--a very good read!
July 10, 2016
The book would have been improved by more showing, less exposition. I felt that I was inside too many people's heads at once and became more and more impatient with the characters — esp.. Emmy and her rather unethical choices. I got to the end, but felt exhausted. Some odd/incorrect grammatical constructions and affect/effect confusion.
April 5, 2015
Such a moving and complex read! it's a love story with development, real world relationship issues and experiences, and dynamic characters. Kate Moschandreas is a new favorite.
May 4, 2015
We Could Fall is a story about a woman in transition. At 40-something years old, psychiatrist Emmy Halperin is at a crossroads. Her last child has just left for college, and Emmy is deciding if she should finally end her unfulfilling (albeit complicated) marriage to her disagreeable husband, Jack. Enter Duncan Grier, a charming and misunderstood Hollywood heartthrob who suddenly and unexpectedly requests Emmy to be his counselor for a few weeks of intensive therapy while he shoots his latest movie.
I knew I was going to like this book pretty much immediately. We Could Fall is quirky and unique, but believable. Moschandreas delivers great dialogue and interesting, complicated characters. I was especially impressed that she was able to make the "dreamy movie star" so complex and relatable. She didn't romanticize him as much as I thought she was going to, and I appreciated that. The book is a bit long, but I was never bored. There were a few scenes here and there that could have been edited, but, overall, there was a really nice pace to the story.
I do have one complaint. I am not a psychiatrist, but I do have a Master's in Social Work. I can say unequivocally that Emmy violates some MAJOR ethical rules in her relationship with Duncan Grier. I mean, we are talking "kiss my career goodbye" type violations. It is one of the first big rules that you learn in school: DO NOT act on romantic feelings for clients. If you feel yourself going somewhere emotionally that you shouldn't be, stop! Talk to a supervisor or coworker, try to process your feelings and get in a better place. And if that doesn't work, refer the client to someone else--like, STAT. The potential consequences of romanticizing the therapist-client relationship are just way too great. So while I knew I was supposed to side with Emmy and wish for her happiness, etc., etc., I just couldn't. Not completely anyway.
Regardless, I did really enjoy reading this book. If you can get past the ethical violations, We Could Fall is actually a very smart, fun read.
I knew I was going to like this book pretty much immediately. We Could Fall is quirky and unique, but believable. Moschandreas delivers great dialogue and interesting, complicated characters. I was especially impressed that she was able to make the "dreamy movie star" so complex and relatable. She didn't romanticize him as much as I thought she was going to, and I appreciated that. The book is a bit long, but I was never bored. There were a few scenes here and there that could have been edited, but, overall, there was a really nice pace to the story.
I do have one complaint. I am not a psychiatrist, but I do have a Master's in Social Work. I can say unequivocally that Emmy violates some MAJOR ethical rules in her relationship with Duncan Grier. I mean, we are talking "kiss my career goodbye" type violations. It is one of the first big rules that you learn in school: DO NOT act on romantic feelings for clients. If you feel yourself going somewhere emotionally that you shouldn't be, stop! Talk to a supervisor or coworker, try to process your feelings and get in a better place. And if that doesn't work, refer the client to someone else--like, STAT. The potential consequences of romanticizing the therapist-client relationship are just way too great. So while I knew I was supposed to side with Emmy and wish for her happiness, etc., etc., I just couldn't. Not completely anyway.
Regardless, I did really enjoy reading this book. If you can get past the ethical violations, We Could Fall is actually a very smart, fun read.
January 3, 2017
Quick good read.
July 9, 2015
Sometimes you come across an author who creates such rounded characters, that you find yourself thinking about them even when you are not reading the story. And you are surprisingly melancholy when the story ends because you will not be able to spend more time with them, like good friends leaving after a nice vacation together. So it is with Kate Moschandreas’ novel We Could Fall.
As a fellow author I fully understand how difficult that task is. The first rule of storytelling: make me care. The bookshelves are crowded with less successful attempts to write interesting love stories. Emmy and Duncan are flawed, but very human and we come to care about them deeply, and how their lives will work out. A fine read. I will look forward to more from Kate Moschandreas.
As a fellow author I fully understand how difficult that task is. The first rule of storytelling: make me care. The bookshelves are crowded with less successful attempts to write interesting love stories. Emmy and Duncan are flawed, but very human and we come to care about them deeply, and how their lives will work out. A fine read. I will look forward to more from Kate Moschandreas.
March 8, 2015
I really loved this book. On the one hand, it's not just a lightweight romance, but rather an intelligent story with fantastic character development that makes you think. On the other hand, this is not some over-the-top-literary slog that forces 20 pages of description on us for each page of plot development. It's a fun, thoughtful, page-turner about the complexity of marriage, love, and happiness.
May 18, 2015
I won this book through a goodreads First read giveaway.
The author was able to portray the tension and frustrations of a bad marriage very well. She also described the feelings of temptation and confusion about relationships in an accurate way. I enjoyed the book and the length of it and time needed to read it was just right. It would have been nice if the son's characters had been expanded more instead of just learning about the one stepdaughter.
The author was able to portray the tension and frustrations of a bad marriage very well. She also described the feelings of temptation and confusion about relationships in an accurate way. I enjoyed the book and the length of it and time needed to read it was just right. It would have been nice if the son's characters had been expanded more instead of just learning about the one stepdaughter.
April 14, 2015
I won this from a good reads first reads giveaway.
This was fantastic.
I will be getting more from this author. For sure.
I think the idea of making a book from the life of an older woman ( as opposed to the younger girls) is great. She has to choose from between the man she spent her life with who is back, and this new client. The end will reallly have you on stilts.
This was fantastic.
I will be getting more from this author. For sure.
I think the idea of making a book from the life of an older woman ( as opposed to the younger girls) is great. She has to choose from between the man she spent her life with who is back, and this new client. The end will reallly have you on stilts.
January 4, 2016
A complex story with strong characters.
I am in two minds about this book as Emily overstepped her professional boundaries as therapist time and time again, whilst she takes her time to sort through her issues.
Everybody in this story has lots of emotional issues which influence the decisions they make and the way they react.
I am in two minds about this book as Emily overstepped her professional boundaries as therapist time and time again, whilst she takes her time to sort through her issues.
Everybody in this story has lots of emotional issues which influence the decisions they make and the way they react.
December 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I don't remember how I stumbled upon the author or the book, but I will definitely be looking up more by this author. It was a breeze to read. I felt the characters were believable and the idea of a "star" falling for a non-celebrity was believable in this book based on how the characters were developed.
December 26, 2016
Captivating story
Interesting way to look at this relationship from the eyes of all involved. A story about making hard choices where it might have been easier to not change. Marriage, children, respect,love - a lot to sort out. Well done!
Interesting way to look at this relationship from the eyes of all involved. A story about making hard choices where it might have been easier to not change. Marriage, children, respect,love - a lot to sort out. Well done!
August 14, 2015
Insightful book
This book was very insightful about the psychological aspects of a good marriage. I thought it was extremely sad at times, but I liked the ending.
This book was very insightful about the psychological aspects of a good marriage. I thought it was extremely sad at times, but I liked the ending.
September 10, 2016
Well written story of mid life love.
March 9, 2020
I checked out this book from Prime Reading because I thought it looked like one I might like. I was a bit put off though, as the subject matter was undesirable to me. The behavior of some of the characters was just really hard to justify. I also was not a fan of the third person narrative when the story was switching between two main characters. It made it a bit hard to follow. I'm sure other readers might enjoy the book, it was well written and there were parts that did touch me or make me stop and think. It just wasn't really the book for me.
*spoiler warning*
The main thing that bothered me was the cheating aspect.
*spoiler warning*
The main thing that bothered me was the cheating aspect.
October 18, 2018
We Could Fall Has Great Characters!
This book covers the movement, actions, and attitudes of several well-developed characters. The reader finds out how these dissimilar characters are bound together by their interconnecting realistic stories. A great read!
This book covers the movement, actions, and attitudes of several well-developed characters. The reader finds out how these dissimilar characters are bound together by their interconnecting realistic stories. A great read!
June 18, 2018
I enjoyed the unique format of the story and the way it unfolded. I never could bring myself to really like any of the characters. Decent read.
June 21, 2018
I absolutely loved this book.
August 16, 2018
I didn't know what to expect when I started We Could Fall, but it wasn't this. I really loved the book. I loved the struggle and the characters.
September 22, 2018
Kept me reading!
I liked the interplay between the interesting characters. The author kept me guessing...will they, won’t they, should they, could they?
I liked the interplay between the interesting characters. The author kept me guessing...will they, won’t they, should they, could they?
October 13, 2018
Good love and divorce story
I enjoyed getting the perspective of both the female and a male how the marriage dissolved. Plus it had a good love story to make a happy ending
I enjoyed getting the perspective of both the female and a male how the marriage dissolved. Plus it had a good love story to make a happy ending
October 19, 2018
Charming!
This was s different sort of love story that will keep you guessing until the end. I highly recommend it!
This was s different sort of love story that will keep you guessing until the end. I highly recommend it!
September 29, 2016
Reviewed on behalf of The Review Board by Harmony Kent.
I received a free PDF copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
One September morning, with a long-planned divorce looming, forty-two-year-old Emily Halperin receives two pieces of news: one, her husband seems to have changed his mind on the divorce thing, and two, a famous actor wants her to work as his therapist. The ensuing weeks see her world turned on its head, and romance wafts on the summer breeze. What choice will Emily make? Stay with her husband? Or run to Duncan? And what about all those ethical considerations between client and therapist?
The book cover attracted me right away, as did the title, which intrigued. I looked forward to this read; unfortunately, though, the extremely passive writing style (lots of wases, weres, etc.) put me off:
‘Jack was ignoring her questions. “Do you know where the remote is?” He was looking under the couch pillows.’
With the whole book like this, it grows tedious quickly. Add to that all the filter words (she felt, knew, heard, etc.) and the chronic head hopping (so you don’t know which character’s head you’re in half the time), and the unnecessary delaying of the action with ‘began to’ and ‘started to’, and it makes for an arduous read.
This is a lengthy novel, and I feel that it could have gotten cut down somewhat without losing flow and, perhaps, even gaining pace. I also struggled with the apparent total disregard of the therapist’s ethical boundaries with clients. The main character’s rationalisations in this regard didn’t carry enough weight to feel authentic, and some felt juvenile at times, putting her nearer to 14 instead of 42.
The scene setting is done well and feels realistic. The dialogue and tension between the characters feel authentic, and the characters are well drawn. The ending is well rounded but open enough for a possible sequel.
If you’re a fan of literary fiction, and especially of the romantic ilk, then you are likely to enjoy this book. And though the many editorial hiccups diminished the experience for me, you may be the kind of reader for whom this doesn’t matter at all. In that case, I would say give it a go.
It gets 7 out of 10 TRB stars from me, which means it’s all right despite several flaws, and equates to 3.5 out of 5 stars on other rating scales. I feel unable to round this one up, as it’s nearer a 3 than a 4, but still well worth a shot.
I received a free PDF copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
One September morning, with a long-planned divorce looming, forty-two-year-old Emily Halperin receives two pieces of news: one, her husband seems to have changed his mind on the divorce thing, and two, a famous actor wants her to work as his therapist. The ensuing weeks see her world turned on its head, and romance wafts on the summer breeze. What choice will Emily make? Stay with her husband? Or run to Duncan? And what about all those ethical considerations between client and therapist?
The book cover attracted me right away, as did the title, which intrigued. I looked forward to this read; unfortunately, though, the extremely passive writing style (lots of wases, weres, etc.) put me off:
‘Jack was ignoring her questions. “Do you know where the remote is?” He was looking under the couch pillows.’
With the whole book like this, it grows tedious quickly. Add to that all the filter words (she felt, knew, heard, etc.) and the chronic head hopping (so you don’t know which character’s head you’re in half the time), and the unnecessary delaying of the action with ‘began to’ and ‘started to’, and it makes for an arduous read.
This is a lengthy novel, and I feel that it could have gotten cut down somewhat without losing flow and, perhaps, even gaining pace. I also struggled with the apparent total disregard of the therapist’s ethical boundaries with clients. The main character’s rationalisations in this regard didn’t carry enough weight to feel authentic, and some felt juvenile at times, putting her nearer to 14 instead of 42.
The scene setting is done well and feels realistic. The dialogue and tension between the characters feel authentic, and the characters are well drawn. The ending is well rounded but open enough for a possible sequel.
If you’re a fan of literary fiction, and especially of the romantic ilk, then you are likely to enjoy this book. And though the many editorial hiccups diminished the experience for me, you may be the kind of reader for whom this doesn’t matter at all. In that case, I would say give it a go.
It gets 7 out of 10 TRB stars from me, which means it’s all right despite several flaws, and equates to 3.5 out of 5 stars on other rating scales. I feel unable to round this one up, as it’s nearer a 3 than a 4, but still well worth a shot.
May 11, 2015
I received this book through the First Reads giveaway program. For the past two years Emmy and Jack had a plan to end their marriage after their last kid graduates from high school. Jack seems to change the plan by making plans for future trips and dinners, that same day Emmy gets a voicemail from a movie star seeking her help for therapy. Duncan is a professional at showing whatever emotion he wants to portray. The story dances around a Mrs. Robinson theme from the Graduate, and whether or not they will act on their attraction. Jack is cold and unemotional with a little bit of hostile aggression so you want Emmy to seize her own happiness. I wish the book would have been edited down a bit but overall the story moved quickly.
Read
June 11, 2015I Fell For This Book!
This beautifully written debut novel was highly recommended by author Natasha Boyd and I'm so glad I read it. I don't want to give too much away, but I'm happy with the ending and hope to see more from this author.
This beautifully written debut novel was highly recommended by author Natasha Boyd and I'm so glad I read it. I don't want to give too much away, but I'm happy with the ending and hope to see more from this author.
October 11, 2016
I think I was in the mood for a soppy love story. I enjoyed the characters and the observations about life and relationships. I think the character of the therapist was done very realistically. It wasn't a remarkable book but very enjoyable.
March 4, 2015
this was heavy and at times melodramatic but I really enjoyed it.
April 20, 2015
So long-winded. So drawn out. An interesting read, but honestly I was really glad when I finally reached the pinnacle. All I could think was Finally!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews