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Falling in '96
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 19, 2026
As soon as I heard Jay and Michaela were getting their book, I jumped at the chance to read! Thank you to the author for an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I graduated high school in the early nineties and began college right after. In so many ways this story was so nostalgic. I wish I had stories like this, wonderfully written, although I did find some fanfic based off a show I liked ;).
Omg, this group of stories just keeps getting better and better. That’s saying something since the first two were amazing. This story is set at Berkeley during a very different time. I appreciated the location for what it could ‘allow’ as the characters navigated their truths.
Jay and Michaela came from different backgrounds and tackled experiences in different ways such as for survival verses acceptance and confidence.
Found family is a them that continues in this story. I loved the support each found not only in each other and being trans but also for themselves in new environments and experiences.
Poignant, sincere, emotional, healing and grounding, Falling in ‘96 is a story everyone should read. Highly recommend!!
I graduated high school in the early nineties and began college right after. In so many ways this story was so nostalgic. I wish I had stories like this, wonderfully written, although I did find some fanfic based off a show I liked ;).
Omg, this group of stories just keeps getting better and better. That’s saying something since the first two were amazing. This story is set at Berkeley during a very different time. I appreciated the location for what it could ‘allow’ as the characters navigated their truths.
Jay and Michaela came from different backgrounds and tackled experiences in different ways such as for survival verses acceptance and confidence.
Found family is a them that continues in this story. I loved the support each found not only in each other and being trans but also for themselves in new environments and experiences.
Poignant, sincere, emotional, healing and grounding, Falling in ‘96 is a story everyone should read. Highly recommend!!
September 15, 2026
The BEST 90s college romance ever!!
ARC Review
As I was reading the final few chapters of this book, I kept thinking about how much I wish I'd had access to books like this as a teen in the 2000s. How much I could have learned taking cues from Michaela reading whatever she could get her hands on, the works of Butler and Feinberg and the other titans of gender and queer studies would have been as necessary and revolutionary for my younger self as they were for Michaela. Michaela and Jay are so vibrant and beautiful, they practically jump off the pages their voices are so clear. Having seen them as they are in the present day in book two of the Fall series (Falling Forward), it was a joy to see their younger selves blossom. Every victory felt like a step closer to the ladies as we know them now, every struggle a crucible that shaped them.
It made me think back on my own college experience of being around a real queer community for the first time and all the learning and growing up I did in my own first year of college. The comparison trap with others on their own self-discovery journeys, the pressure you put on yourself to figure everything out immediately and "catch up" with the cool, sophisticated queer people around you. The world is rich with details that ground it in time, the tastes and trends and movies and books and queer theory discussions, they all felt so perfectly placed. Holiday knocked it out of the park with this one, a rich tapestry of trans and queer experiences that felt faithful and real, as did the friendships and challenges.
I am so deeply glad this book exists, it feels like Simone Holiday is holding onto us with one hand and reaching back to 1996 with the other, bringing us closer to our ancestors, our mothers, and our incredible legacy as a community. It is a reminder that joy is protest, that living is a victory, and that we must hold each other tightly as we deserve.
And on a more tropey note: FINALLY, A COLLEGE ROOMMATES TO LOVERS ROMANCE WHERE THEY PUSH THEIR BEDS TOGETHER INSTEAD OF JUST HAVING SEX ON ONE TWIN BED AND SLEEPING CRAMPED ON THE OTHER; FINALLY, SOME CHARACTERS WITH SENSE. WOMEN IN STEM (Simply Togethering Everybody's Mattress). These ladies know what they're doing.
ARC Review
As I was reading the final few chapters of this book, I kept thinking about how much I wish I'd had access to books like this as a teen in the 2000s. How much I could have learned taking cues from Michaela reading whatever she could get her hands on, the works of Butler and Feinberg and the other titans of gender and queer studies would have been as necessary and revolutionary for my younger self as they were for Michaela. Michaela and Jay are so vibrant and beautiful, they practically jump off the pages their voices are so clear. Having seen them as they are in the present day in book two of the Fall series (Falling Forward), it was a joy to see their younger selves blossom. Every victory felt like a step closer to the ladies as we know them now, every struggle a crucible that shaped them.
It made me think back on my own college experience of being around a real queer community for the first time and all the learning and growing up I did in my own first year of college. The comparison trap with others on their own self-discovery journeys, the pressure you put on yourself to figure everything out immediately and "catch up" with the cool, sophisticated queer people around you. The world is rich with details that ground it in time, the tastes and trends and movies and books and queer theory discussions, they all felt so perfectly placed. Holiday knocked it out of the park with this one, a rich tapestry of trans and queer experiences that felt faithful and real, as did the friendships and challenges.
I am so deeply glad this book exists, it feels like Simone Holiday is holding onto us with one hand and reaching back to 1996 with the other, bringing us closer to our ancestors, our mothers, and our incredible legacy as a community. It is a reminder that joy is protest, that living is a victory, and that we must hold each other tightly as we deserve.
And on a more tropey note: FINALLY, A COLLEGE ROOMMATES TO LOVERS ROMANCE WHERE THEY PUSH THEIR BEDS TOGETHER INSTEAD OF JUST HAVING SEX ON ONE TWIN BED AND SLEEPING CRAMPED ON THE OTHER; FINALLY, SOME CHARACTERS WITH SENSE. WOMEN IN STEM (Simply Togethering Everybody's Mattress). These ladies know what they're doing.
September 22, 2026
Falling in '96 is a dual POV story set in Berkley Californian the 90's, following Jay and Michaela. It was a very different time back then and had the geographic setting been anywhere else this would have been an entirely different story. The author handles the context of the time period very well, acknowledging the both lasting impact of the AIDS pandemic and its tragic impact on the LGBTQ+ community both from the health as well as the increased stigma and discrimination that came with it.
Jay and Michaela come together as very different people from very different backgrounds. Michaela was rejected by her family for being queer, as many were back then and still are today. This led to her making decisions based purely on survival. Jay's parents were accepting, focusing on their wish for their child to be happy, no matter what that looks like, which was less common especially back then and sadly not common enough even now. Michaela's dysphoria was heartbreaking and in many ways relatable to me as I am trans myself. But the support of her found family and Jay helped her and was a poignant reminder of how acceptance and kindness goes a long way in self acceptance, healing and confidence.
There is so much about this book that I love. So many small details that painted the setting just right - 90's fashion, slang, music and the Brandy Cinderella line was just so fun.
The friend group that quickly becomes found family to both Jay and Michaela, how all of them learn from each other and support each other. Being trans can be such a lonely experience, but finding your people can be so healing and offer so much hope.
The conversations around consent were important to this story, as was the positive, un cliched portrayal of sex workers.
The setting - as a Midwest transplant I love the SF Bay area and Berkley has a special place in my heart.
The character growth - We see the characters become more of themselves. They learn and grow and become more confident as they heal and its just so beautiful to see.
So many important conversations were had in this book and I am so glad it exists as a reminder of times that were, and as evidence that trans people can and do get to have a great love story. Stories that are hopeful and remind trans people that the world is a better place with us.
The scene at San Francisco Pride brought tears to my eyes for so many reasons mostly because just a few years ago SF Pride was my first Pride event. While yes a lot of Pride events have become over commercialized and capitalized on, for me as queer person who wasn't able to come out until my early 30's and spent most of my life in homophobic small towns, seeing so many queer people celebrating in one place is such an indescribable feeling. It's joy, pride, melancholy and so many other strong emotions because I am reminded that I am not alone, and that queer people have and always will be here. That to me that is hope in spite of everything right now.
Jay and Michaela are characters that I will be thinking about for a long time.
I only discovered author Simone Holiday earlier this year and she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The pictures she paints with her stories are just beautiful while maintaining realism and relatability.
This is the fourth of their books I've read and somehow I find something relatable and emotional in every book despite how different the characters and setting are in each. I highly recommend Falling in '96 to anyone who appreciates emotional, hopeful queer stories.
Jay and Michaela come together as very different people from very different backgrounds. Michaela was rejected by her family for being queer, as many were back then and still are today. This led to her making decisions based purely on survival. Jay's parents were accepting, focusing on their wish for their child to be happy, no matter what that looks like, which was less common especially back then and sadly not common enough even now. Michaela's dysphoria was heartbreaking and in many ways relatable to me as I am trans myself. But the support of her found family and Jay helped her and was a poignant reminder of how acceptance and kindness goes a long way in self acceptance, healing and confidence.
There is so much about this book that I love. So many small details that painted the setting just right - 90's fashion, slang, music and the Brandy Cinderella line was just so fun.
The friend group that quickly becomes found family to both Jay and Michaela, how all of them learn from each other and support each other. Being trans can be such a lonely experience, but finding your people can be so healing and offer so much hope.
The conversations around consent were important to this story, as was the positive, un cliched portrayal of sex workers.
The setting - as a Midwest transplant I love the SF Bay area and Berkley has a special place in my heart.
The character growth - We see the characters become more of themselves. They learn and grow and become more confident as they heal and its just so beautiful to see.
So many important conversations were had in this book and I am so glad it exists as a reminder of times that were, and as evidence that trans people can and do get to have a great love story. Stories that are hopeful and remind trans people that the world is a better place with us.
The scene at San Francisco Pride brought tears to my eyes for so many reasons mostly because just a few years ago SF Pride was my first Pride event. While yes a lot of Pride events have become over commercialized and capitalized on, for me as queer person who wasn't able to come out until my early 30's and spent most of my life in homophobic small towns, seeing so many queer people celebrating in one place is such an indescribable feeling. It's joy, pride, melancholy and so many other strong emotions because I am reminded that I am not alone, and that queer people have and always will be here. That to me that is hope in spite of everything right now.
Jay and Michaela are characters that I will be thinking about for a long time.
I only discovered author Simone Holiday earlier this year and she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The pictures she paints with her stories are just beautiful while maintaining realism and relatability.
This is the fourth of their books I've read and somehow I find something relatable and emotional in every book despite how different the characters and setting are in each. I highly recommend Falling in '96 to anyone who appreciates emotional, hopeful queer stories.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Falling in ’96 by Simone Holiday - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was lucky enough to receive this eARC as a member of @authorsimoneholiday’s street team! 🥹🫶
Simone Holiday, you’ve done it again 😭💕🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✨
I LOVE Simone’s books, and I absolutely adore the Fall Series. Older queer characters getting to have their own romances? YES. Polyamory? YES. Queer characters getting to be messy, complicated, romantic, and sexy at every stage of life? YES YES YES.
Falling in ’96 follows Jay Flores as she leaves home for college across the country, leaving behind a childhood love and stepping into a whole new chapter of her life. Between figuring out who she is, what she wants, and what love looks like for her now, Jay has plenty to navigate—and I loved watching her find her way.
And the POLY ROMANCE!!! 👀 I will never get tired of Simone writing relationships that feel lived-in and genuine. There’s so much tenderness, communication, vulnerability, and figuring things out together, and I just really loved watching these characters build something that works for THEM.
I also loved the ’90s setting and the way this book connects these characters’ personal stories to the larger history of the queer community. The ending reflecting on how Pride grew from the hundreds of thousands who gathered in San Francisco in the ’90s to the millions who attend today honestly got me. There’s something really beautiful about seeing how much has changed while remembering how much people had to fight for that change.
And ultimately, that’s what this book felt like to me: queer people finding each other, building community, falling in love, and choosing each other again and again. 🥹
I adore this series, and Falling in ’96 was such a lovely addition. Simone, I’ll happily read whatever you write next! 💖 (and you— yes, you, reading this!— should too!)
#FallingIn96 #simoneholiday #fallseries #queerromance #bookstagram
I was lucky enough to receive this eARC as a member of @authorsimoneholiday’s street team! 🥹🫶
Simone Holiday, you’ve done it again 😭💕🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✨
I LOVE Simone’s books, and I absolutely adore the Fall Series. Older queer characters getting to have their own romances? YES. Polyamory? YES. Queer characters getting to be messy, complicated, romantic, and sexy at every stage of life? YES YES YES.
Falling in ’96 follows Jay Flores as she leaves home for college across the country, leaving behind a childhood love and stepping into a whole new chapter of her life. Between figuring out who she is, what she wants, and what love looks like for her now, Jay has plenty to navigate—and I loved watching her find her way.
And the POLY ROMANCE!!! 👀 I will never get tired of Simone writing relationships that feel lived-in and genuine. There’s so much tenderness, communication, vulnerability, and figuring things out together, and I just really loved watching these characters build something that works for THEM.
I also loved the ’90s setting and the way this book connects these characters’ personal stories to the larger history of the queer community. The ending reflecting on how Pride grew from the hundreds of thousands who gathered in San Francisco in the ’90s to the millions who attend today honestly got me. There’s something really beautiful about seeing how much has changed while remembering how much people had to fight for that change.
And ultimately, that’s what this book felt like to me: queer people finding each other, building community, falling in love, and choosing each other again and again. 🥹
I adore this series, and Falling in ’96 was such a lovely addition. Simone, I’ll happily read whatever you write next! 💖 (and you— yes, you, reading this!— should too!)
#FallingIn96 #simoneholiday #fallseries #queerromance #bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from Author
Simone is absolutely one of my favorite sapphic authors and every book just blows me away. But Michaela and Jay will be on my mind for a long time.
After meeting them initially, I knew I was going to love their story but their story is more than just a romance book. Their story tells the story of LGBTQ history in the 90s and really puts in perspective how things were for the LGBTQ community then. Jay was so outgoing and seemed so secure in who she was but outward appearances aren’t always what they seem. And we see that with her even though she wasn’t at the beginning of her journey. Michaela, on the other hand, was just starting to figure herself out and figuring out who she was. We get to see her figuring out what she likes and dislikes & we see her fall in love with herself while falling in love with Jay. I adored these two so much and it felt like I was actually reading someone’s real life story.
The found family of the collective was absolutely beautiful and I love how even in the epilogue, years later, they are still a friend group. I really love how open Michaela was to Diana being apart of their relationship but also how she wanted to close the physical aspect of the relationship once they graduated so that her and Jay could have something that was just theirs. It was beautiful to see Jay’s POV after leaving Diana.
I have so much more I could say about this book but truly, I feel like everybody needs to pick it up. The story is just absolutely stunning and Simone does a beautiful job. This is absolutely one of my top reads of the year. I got goosebumps just writing this review and thinking back on parts of the book that were so astounding and meaningful.
After meeting them initially, I knew I was going to love their story but their story is more than just a romance book. Their story tells the story of LGBTQ history in the 90s and really puts in perspective how things were for the LGBTQ community then. Jay was so outgoing and seemed so secure in who she was but outward appearances aren’t always what they seem. And we see that with her even though she wasn’t at the beginning of her journey. Michaela, on the other hand, was just starting to figure herself out and figuring out who she was. We get to see her figuring out what she likes and dislikes & we see her fall in love with herself while falling in love with Jay. I adored these two so much and it felt like I was actually reading someone’s real life story.
The found family of the collective was absolutely beautiful and I love how even in the epilogue, years later, they are still a friend group. I really love how open Michaela was to Diana being apart of their relationship but also how she wanted to close the physical aspect of the relationship once they graduated so that her and Jay could have something that was just theirs. It was beautiful to see Jay’s POV after leaving Diana.
I have so much more I could say about this book but truly, I feel like everybody needs to pick it up. The story is just absolutely stunning and Simone does a beautiful job. This is absolutely one of my top reads of the year. I got goosebumps just writing this review and thinking back on parts of the book that were so astounding and meaningful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a masterpiece! This storyline was graphic and truthful (had me clutching my invisible perals!) This storyline was interesting and funny. "The Collective" storyline was very sexy,educational, thought provoking, sad and at some no most moments extremely vulnerable all wrapped into our wonderful world of fantastic queerness! This was a master class, a TED Talk with every wonderful character from beautiful Trans Major to All the above Minor characters was crafted with diversity up the wall and done so well especially in the era of the 90s. I was born in 85 so I grew up in the 90s but I was sheltered from the world. What I was showed on TV was the death and pain and "terrible gay life" and although I love/Loved her with all of me she was a very religious grandmother and she tried to/succeeded to drill all these negative ideas into me at a young age when she found out I was gay. I grew up scared and hating myself because I didn't want to be who I was/am. This made me cry so hard when Jay and especially Michaela were slowly given the right to love and accept themselves through people who taught them that it was definitely okay to be whoever they were and to have that protection from their chosen family was a physical gasp cry reaction. Then not only did you give me this amazing book you gave me not one epilogue you gave two! My heart bursts with pride and overwhelming joy! WE ARE HERE AND WE DESERVE OUR STORIES TO BE HEARD, READ AND SEEN! This was my first book by this author and Ms. Holiday hunty you are the G.O.A.T! I'm so proud! Take all my money! 5 🌟's plus 1 MII 🌟's 10s across the board!
September 15, 2026
ARC Reader**
This book was such a wonderful celebration of queer POC joy that I didn’t know I needed. I laughed, I cried and I cried again cause I’m sensitive.
Jay and Michaela’s love story warmed my heart, seeing them finding their people and exploring everything about themselves in a new space was stressful, comforting and heart warming.
I personally can’t relate to every struggle but hearing others stories and perspectives, really hearing it can wonders for all of us.
These struggles and try to understand the fluidity of sexuality need to be talked about and shown in media so that people can learn and understand more about ourselves and others as well as not treat it like some it’s something to be shamed about. Love is love and that shouldn’t have some sort of qualifier. Especially in the times we are going through right now finding love in anyway you can through art and story means so much.
This is a sweet love story between two beautiful black and brown trans women coming into themselves. Reading the other two books I think is needed to really be able to enjoy this book to the fullest. Thank you Simone for this wonderful series.
This book was such a wonderful celebration of queer POC joy that I didn’t know I needed. I laughed, I cried and I cried again cause I’m sensitive.
Jay and Michaela’s love story warmed my heart, seeing them finding their people and exploring everything about themselves in a new space was stressful, comforting and heart warming.
I personally can’t relate to every struggle but hearing others stories and perspectives, really hearing it can wonders for all of us.
These struggles and try to understand the fluidity of sexuality need to be talked about and shown in media so that people can learn and understand more about ourselves and others as well as not treat it like some it’s something to be shamed about. Love is love and that shouldn’t have some sort of qualifier. Especially in the times we are going through right now finding love in anyway you can through art and story means so much.
This is a sweet love story between two beautiful black and brown trans women coming into themselves. Reading the other two books I think is needed to really be able to enjoy this book to the fullest. Thank you Simone for this wonderful series.
September 17, 2026
This story on how things started for Jay and Michaela, who show up on books 1 and 2 in this series gave me everything: laughs, real heart, and deep moments that made it hard to put down. Their story takes us to the 90s, with the AIDS epidemic still very present in the community's mind, this read takes us to how they learned to be themselves and in the end, love each other. The focus on consent was handled wonderfully with checking in constantly and considering all of the characters' feelings. I just adored this aspect of the story.
Even when the characters' experiences are completely different from my own, the story pulled me in and it will help you appreciate how someone else finds joy and happiness.
You can read these as standalones, but starting from the first book in the series adds to the whole experience. I love this author's voice and will definitely pick up whatever comes out next.
Even when the characters' experiences are completely different from my own, the story pulled me in and it will help you appreciate how someone else finds joy and happiness.
You can read these as standalones, but starting from the first book in the series adds to the whole experience. I love this author's voice and will definitely pick up whatever comes out next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Simone for the arc opportunity!
I absolutely adored this story. I was so excited when I first heard about it and Simone absolutely delivered on another masterpiece.
Jay and Michaela are absolutely perfect characters with flaws and imperfections, but also are so full of life and love. It felt like reading about my friends honestly, I was able to connect with both characters and that is so rare, for me at least, when I'm reading.
The writing was beautifully done with an intriguing plot, impeccable pacing and an overarching storyline that will draw you in right from the beginning. The diversity and focal point of the real experiences that people like Jay and Michaela face every day were done beautifully and with so much care.
An absolute must read.
I absolutely adored this story. I was so excited when I first heard about it and Simone absolutely delivered on another masterpiece.
Jay and Michaela are absolutely perfect characters with flaws and imperfections, but also are so full of life and love. It felt like reading about my friends honestly, I was able to connect with both characters and that is so rare, for me at least, when I'm reading.
The writing was beautifully done with an intriguing plot, impeccable pacing and an overarching storyline that will draw you in right from the beginning. The diversity and focal point of the real experiences that people like Jay and Michaela face every day were done beautifully and with so much care.
An absolute must read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews