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Middle Falls Time Travel #8
The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins
Cassandra Collins is forced to make a choice. Do what she's told and have a safe, protected life. Or, strike out on her own and make her own way.
Cassandra chooses the easy path and regrets it her whole life.
Until she dies and wakes up in her eighteen year old body, on the cusp of that same decision.
What would you do, if you could do it all again?
The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins is the eighth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series, but can be read as a standalone novel.
Cassandra chooses the easy path and regrets it her whole life.
Until she dies and wakes up in her eighteen year old body, on the cusp of that same decision.
What would you do, if you could do it all again?
The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins is the eighth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series, but can be read as a standalone novel.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 3, 2020
Now at book eight of the series, reading these books feels like slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes. They are familiar and the style of writing is easy to get absorbed in to. This is one of the longest series’ that I have read recently and I must say, the enthusiasm is still there to keep going until the end! (Which, as it currently stands, is only three more books remaining.)
However, despite my generally positive experience reading these novels, this instalment failed to strike a chord with me. Focusing mostly on the ‘Swinging Sixties’ and America, I struggled to engage with the narrative. It is not a time period that resonates with me and one that I have little interest in reading more about. I’m aware of the communes, the free love and loose drug-taking so, when Cassandra’s story moves from familiar Middle Falls to California, so did the plot. Whilst she finds life-long friends, I was disengaged with the descriptions of the protest movements and her subsequent progression into folk music and then a commune. I didn’t quite get it and found that I was bored. Maybe a reader of that generation or with an interest in this period of history would appreciate it far more.
Like previous novels, Inmon provides plenty of pop culture references. With the majority going straight over my head, there were some I appreciated. All in all, I think it helps make the novel even more believable, especially with the concept of someone being reincarnated with a chance of living again.
Unlike some of the previous books of this series, Cassandra does not live multiple lives. She is “reset” just the once and then chooses to live a different life compared to her first “attempt”. I admired her fighting spirit and determination at leading a life that is independent of her parents. Her first life was felt rather lonely and depressing so her resilience was even more admirable as a result.
This was a pretty good read but not one of my favourites from the series. I was excited to read about a female protagonist for a change, as the majority are male, but I was not overly on the topic or time period. I hope the next book of the series is more to my liking.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However, despite my generally positive experience reading these novels, this instalment failed to strike a chord with me. Focusing mostly on the ‘Swinging Sixties’ and America, I struggled to engage with the narrative. It is not a time period that resonates with me and one that I have little interest in reading more about. I’m aware of the communes, the free love and loose drug-taking so, when Cassandra’s story moves from familiar Middle Falls to California, so did the plot. Whilst she finds life-long friends, I was disengaged with the descriptions of the protest movements and her subsequent progression into folk music and then a commune. I didn’t quite get it and found that I was bored. Maybe a reader of that generation or with an interest in this period of history would appreciate it far more.
Like previous novels, Inmon provides plenty of pop culture references. With the majority going straight over my head, there were some I appreciated. All in all, I think it helps make the novel even more believable, especially with the concept of someone being reincarnated with a chance of living again.
Unlike some of the previous books of this series, Cassandra does not live multiple lives. She is “reset” just the once and then chooses to live a different life compared to her first “attempt”. I admired her fighting spirit and determination at leading a life that is independent of her parents. Her first life was felt rather lonely and depressing so her resilience was even more admirable as a result.
This was a pretty good read but not one of my favourites from the series. I was excited to read about a female protagonist for a change, as the majority are male, but I was not overly on the topic or time period. I hope the next book of the series is more to my liking.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2022
I listened on audible and I still can't decide if the narrator ruined it for me (what an annoying voice, how does someone like that even get voice over work??) or if this story really just fell flat. It almost felt like a "filler episode" ... something to release to he would have time to write something worth while.
If I ever listen to this series again I will be skipping this one.
If I ever listen to this series again I will be skipping this one.
November 14, 2020
I really loved this charming book, part of a series of which I have only read 3. This one was set in 1966 an era I loved. The music, the pop groups and it even mentions in the book my all time favourite group The Monkees, which, after 54 years!!!! I still love them today. No, I not ashamed to admit that as I’m one of many. Anyway, this book carried me back to those years. It had all the elements that I love time travel, warmth and nostalgia. I will be happy to read more of this series in the future.
July 27, 2020
*Read for free with Kindle Unlimited*
May 3, 2024
The grumpus23 (23-word commentary)
Book 8 of 12. Outstanding author, wonderful characters, fantastic narrators, and amazing stories. Keep thinking what an amazing movie series this would make.
Book 8 of 12. Outstanding author, wonderful characters, fantastic narrators, and amazing stories. Keep thinking what an amazing movie series this would make.
December 11, 2023
12/11/23 Notes:
On Audible + until 12/31
Of all the stories, this was the least believable in the series. Suspension of belief was torn apart upon reset. Cassie is like play dough. The base characteristics is play dough, and the rest seemed to morph into whatever would fit the flat plot.
On Audible + until 12/31
Of all the stories, this was the least believable in the series. Suspension of belief was torn apart upon reset. Cassie is like play dough. The base characteristics is play dough, and the rest seemed to morph into whatever would fit the flat plot.
January 10, 2019
The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins - Middle Falls Time Travel Book 8 - Written by Shawn Inmon
Life gives us choices; how do we know which one is RIGHT????
Cassandra Collins is forced to make a choice. Do what she's told and have a safe, protected life. Or, strike out on her own and make her own way. Cassandra chooses the easy path and regrets it her whole life. Until she dies and wakes up in her eighteen-year-old body, on the cusp of that same decision. What would you do, if you could do it all again? The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins is the eighth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series but can be read as a standalone novel.
What did I like? I guess you can tell I love time travel in any form, but this series has been great. I have enjoyed each and every one of them, but each new book becomes my favorite. I think that happens to all of us with some of the books that we read. It is so hard to pick a favorite when they are all so great and enjoyable to read more than once.
What will you like? Another adventure in the life of a reset that will make you think about all the choices that you have made in your own life. Did I make the right one or not, what if??? What if?? I especially liked Cassandra due to the fact she reminded me a little of myself. Sure, she took the easy way but was it really? The chance to do it over seems appealing but as Cassandra found maybe it isn’t. Guess you’re just going to have to read it yourself and make that decision. I loved it and look forward to the next one.
Life gives us choices; how do we know which one is RIGHT????
Cassandra Collins is forced to make a choice. Do what she's told and have a safe, protected life. Or, strike out on her own and make her own way. Cassandra chooses the easy path and regrets it her whole life. Until she dies and wakes up in her eighteen-year-old body, on the cusp of that same decision. What would you do, if you could do it all again? The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins is the eighth book in the Middle Falls Time Travel series but can be read as a standalone novel.
What did I like? I guess you can tell I love time travel in any form, but this series has been great. I have enjoyed each and every one of them, but each new book becomes my favorite. I think that happens to all of us with some of the books that we read. It is so hard to pick a favorite when they are all so great and enjoyable to read more than once.
What will you like? Another adventure in the life of a reset that will make you think about all the choices that you have made in your own life. Did I make the right one or not, what if??? What if?? I especially liked Cassandra due to the fact she reminded me a little of myself. Sure, she took the easy way but was it really? The chance to do it over seems appealing but as Cassandra found maybe it isn’t. Guess you’re just going to have to read it yourself and make that decision. I loved it and look forward to the next one.
December 16, 2018
Disclosure: I downloaded this book for free, have purchased four previous books by the author, and am posting an honest review of this work.
I very much liked all Inmon's earlier novels in this time-travel series, and this may be his best one yet—right up there with The Redemption of Michael Hollister. Amazingly, Inmon wrote 75% of this novel in only two weeks!
Cassandra Collins is from the richest family in town, graduates high school, and marries her boyfriend (instead of going off to college to study art and music). This "first life" is unfulfilling. In her "second life" she decides to do things quite differently, but not everything goes according to plan.
The novel is moving and very real, with great detail about California in the 1960s, with Vietnam War protests, music concerts, and the drug culture of the period emphasized.
The story is heartwarming (as are all of Inmon's novels), and I wanted very much for Cassandra to find love and happiness.
Inmon has kept this series going well, with each new work fresh and entertaining. I look forward to his future novels!
February 10, 2021
Preferred this second time around. Last time I was comparing it to the someone more exciting lives of Scott McKenzie so found it full. This time I had more appreciation of the Cassandra Collins tale and how she wanted to have much more in her life second time around. She most certainly did but it wasn't an easy journey, however it was much more fulfilling for her.
October 2, 2022
Still a good series but this wasn’t as good as the others.
June 21, 2021
I finished this book a couple of days ago, but put off on reviewing it because I was dreading it. While Shawn Inmon has become one of my favorite authors, Cassandra Collins is definitely one of my least favorite characters. I really hate admitting that since her character was in honor of Mr. Inmon's late sister. Of the eight books in this series that I have read, there have only been two that I would rate low. And these two will not deter me from continuing this amazing series.
Cassandra is a spoiled rich girl that gets married to a man she does love, but then proceeds to do nothing with her life. No children. No accomplishments. No major life altering bad decisions. I didn't really see where she deserved a do-over. But then when she is blessed with one, she does nothing with it. It was almost like she did it backwards...started with a half-way decent life, and then, given a second chance, makes all the wrong, stupid decisions thereby ruining her life.
But....I should have had more faith in Mr. Inmon. Even though I found Cassandra annoying and never really felt a connection with her, or even cared about her, the author knew what he was doing. In the end, I was satisfied. But I really struggled to finish the book through the middle. If you decide to skip this book, it will be okay. While there are little tidbits connecting each story and each character, nothing major happens in this book. If you're into the hippy scene...free love, art, drugs, etc., this would be a book for you. That whole scene never interested me.
Cassandra is a spoiled rich girl that gets married to a man she does love, but then proceeds to do nothing with her life. No children. No accomplishments. No major life altering bad decisions. I didn't really see where she deserved a do-over. But then when she is blessed with one, she does nothing with it. It was almost like she did it backwards...started with a half-way decent life, and then, given a second chance, makes all the wrong, stupid decisions thereby ruining her life.
But....I should have had more faith in Mr. Inmon. Even though I found Cassandra annoying and never really felt a connection with her, or even cared about her, the author knew what he was doing. In the end, I was satisfied. But I really struggled to finish the book through the middle. If you decide to skip this book, it will be okay. While there are little tidbits connecting each story and each character, nothing major happens in this book. If you're into the hippy scene...free love, art, drugs, etc., this would be a book for you. That whole scene never interested me.
May 26, 2021
By far the most boring book of the series so far. I mean they started losing charm from Veronica McAllister's story. I mean a so called action packed Vigilante's story was also not that exciting. But this was downright boring. I somehow managed to finish it.
I'm not looking forward to rest of the middle falls stories. But I think I'm going to persevere the next one, it being whodunit. Lets see what happens after that.
I'm not looking forward to rest of the middle falls stories. But I think I'm going to persevere the next one, it being whodunit. Lets see what happens after that.
October 17, 2020
Spoilers for “The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins.”
I love this series. There’s been one slight miss with Nathaniel Moon and I thought Joe Hart didn’t quite hit the highs of some of the earlier books, and my feelings from this one is it’s a very solid four star read.
This is the story of Cassandra Collins, the youngest child from a well-to-do family who faces a literal fork in the road and chooses stability, marrying boyfriend Jimmy (Johnny...no Jimmy?) right out of college, a marriage that has as much impact on her as his name did on me. She plods through life, without strong friendships, save from sister-in-law Veronica McCallister, and dies alone and without fanfare.
Her reset is early on in the story, and it’s the only one she has. She reverses her decision at the fork, lets her boyfriend go, and decides to live the life of her dreams and go to Berkeley to become an artist.
The path from there isn’t what I expected. She quickly flunks out of school, leaves behind her girlfriends and roommates, moves in with her new boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend, joins a band, starts doing hard drugs, peters out and fails, joins a commune, is nearly murdered, and ends her life happily married to her ex-hippie boyfriend who once betrayed her but made up for that mistake, slowly but surely. In the end, she surpasses her original death, happy and moving forward.
Mr. Inmon puts in a lot of red herrings. You never know who is going to be important to the story, or perhaps a time traveler deserving of a future book. I thought Ethan would be the love interest, but he quickly dropped off the map, although I do love how he ended up, right where we left him. I swore the brainiac in her literature class would play further info it, but it didn’t seem to be in the cards. I say this. Maybe she will.
I felt a similar vein with Joe Hart, where he was trying to figure out what to do with life. He tried living for other people, but had to live for himself. Scott McKenzie had to make adjustments as well and invest within. Cassy was trying to find something, and what I feel it came to was to stop trying, be happy with what you have, and stop being so damned picky, and great things will happen. I’ll admit I was still pissy with Curley so the ending didn’t nail me, although like all Shawn Inmon books I feel like I went on a hell of a journey in 250 pages.
One interesting bit. We frequently have those reliving lives interact with each other, usually repeating what we saw from their interactions in previous books. Here we see Veronica encounter Cassandra in two timelines. I’m aware that not every timeline is successive for everyone, and I do recall that DJ and Veronica were afraid at one point that they would both reset and not be the same versions of themselves. I’m quite curious about the meeting at Artie’s in Cassy’s second timeline. Was this the Veronica that if memory serves ends up with DJ, who knows Cassy is aware of their previous life, like Joe Hart before her, or is she, for lack of a better term, plain old Veronica living a normal life wondering who this woman is?
Great food for thought!
I love this series. There’s been one slight miss with Nathaniel Moon and I thought Joe Hart didn’t quite hit the highs of some of the earlier books, and my feelings from this one is it’s a very solid four star read.
This is the story of Cassandra Collins, the youngest child from a well-to-do family who faces a literal fork in the road and chooses stability, marrying boyfriend Jimmy (Johnny...no Jimmy?) right out of college, a marriage that has as much impact on her as his name did on me. She plods through life, without strong friendships, save from sister-in-law Veronica McCallister, and dies alone and without fanfare.
Her reset is early on in the story, and it’s the only one she has. She reverses her decision at the fork, lets her boyfriend go, and decides to live the life of her dreams and go to Berkeley to become an artist.
The path from there isn’t what I expected. She quickly flunks out of school, leaves behind her girlfriends and roommates, moves in with her new boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend, joins a band, starts doing hard drugs, peters out and fails, joins a commune, is nearly murdered, and ends her life happily married to her ex-hippie boyfriend who once betrayed her but made up for that mistake, slowly but surely. In the end, she surpasses her original death, happy and moving forward.
Mr. Inmon puts in a lot of red herrings. You never know who is going to be important to the story, or perhaps a time traveler deserving of a future book. I thought Ethan would be the love interest, but he quickly dropped off the map, although I do love how he ended up, right where we left him. I swore the brainiac in her literature class would play further info it, but it didn’t seem to be in the cards. I say this. Maybe she will.
I felt a similar vein with Joe Hart, where he was trying to figure out what to do with life. He tried living for other people, but had to live for himself. Scott McKenzie had to make adjustments as well and invest within. Cassy was trying to find something, and what I feel it came to was to stop trying, be happy with what you have, and stop being so damned picky, and great things will happen. I’ll admit I was still pissy with Curley so the ending didn’t nail me, although like all Shawn Inmon books I feel like I went on a hell of a journey in 250 pages.
One interesting bit. We frequently have those reliving lives interact with each other, usually repeating what we saw from their interactions in previous books. Here we see Veronica encounter Cassandra in two timelines. I’m aware that not every timeline is successive for everyone, and I do recall that DJ and Veronica were afraid at one point that they would both reset and not be the same versions of themselves. I’m quite curious about the meeting at Artie’s in Cassy’s second timeline. Was this the Veronica that if memory serves ends up with DJ, who knows Cassy is aware of their previous life, like Joe Hart before her, or is she, for lack of a better term, plain old Veronica living a normal life wondering who this woman is?
Great food for thought!
January 20, 2024
------------Second reading review-------------
It's still equally boring. No wonder I had forgotten so much of this story, except very few select highlights. I thought the way her second life was going (utterly boring, uninteresting except the brief music career) I just wanted it to be over and the third to start. I even sped up the reading speed of the audiobook for it to get over quickly. That way Shawn Inmon seem to have heard my comment about how we change in a decade worth of time and how we don't have to outlive one life and start another to make amends for the miskates we made and or to stop walking the wrong path we're walking. Where this book goes wrong, is that the wrong path she walks is almost 80% of the story, and the end is so short and quick, that it hardly registers.
I wondered in my first as well as this reading, who actually wrote "Not for marching" song? It's nice enough to make me think that Shawn couldn't have written it (sorry for my judgement Shawn, I know I may be wrong) and seem amateur enough to think he did.
The narration is fine. Nothing bad our outstanding. But in the world of "Storytel" and "Liverivox" audiobooks, it's good. It's just that in the world of Audible there are a few very good narrators, including Tamara Marston, who read The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister.
This is my second least liked book of the series after The Final Life of Nathaniel Moon.
Note to self: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AGAIN
It's still equally boring. No wonder I had forgotten so much of this story, except very few select highlights. I thought the way her second life was going (utterly boring, uninteresting except the brief music career) I just wanted it to be over and the third to start. I even sped up the reading speed of the audiobook for it to get over quickly. That way Shawn Inmon seem to have heard my comment about how we change in a decade worth of time and how we don't have to outlive one life and start another to make amends for the miskates we made and or to stop walking the wrong path we're walking. Where this book goes wrong, is that the wrong path she walks is almost 80% of the story, and the end is so short and quick, that it hardly registers.
I wondered in my first as well as this reading, who actually wrote "Not for marching" song? It's nice enough to make me think that Shawn couldn't have written it (sorry for my judgement Shawn, I know I may be wrong) and seem amateur enough to think he did.
The narration is fine. Nothing bad our outstanding. But in the world of "Storytel" and "Liverivox" audiobooks, it's good. It's just that in the world of Audible there are a few very good narrators, including Tamara Marston, who read The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister.
This is my second least liked book of the series after The Final Life of Nathaniel Moon.
Note to self: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AGAIN
March 24, 2024
Something bad always happens on graduation night. It was 1966 and Cassandra Collins was looking forward to her future and her freedom. Instead, she gets a shocking marriage proposal. The next day, she gets accepted to the University of Berkley to study the arts. Her father wants her to marry her long-time boyfriend to be set for life. If she chooses to go to Berkley, she was on her own. What to do? Well, in this case, the choice was easy: marry the boyfriend. A year later, she starts to wonder what if she had made a different choice. By 2018, decades later, Cassandra was bitter and alone. That night, after she dies, she wakes up back to the day after grad night in 1966—for a chance to do it all over…and differently.
Before heading off to college this time, Cassie had to work and save money. Can a spoiled, rich girl succumb to scrubbing dingy toilets? After arriving in California, she realizes that life on her own and school weren’t what she thought they’d be and she couldn’t quite get a handle on them. Cassie experienced things in the 60’s like protests, sit-ins, sex, drugs, and even an arrest. Even though college didn’t work out they way she thought (she flunked out,) Cassie learns what it’s like to be independent and free. Cassie’s reset life had its ups and downs along with surprises and challenges, but it was nice.
An interesting trek through the musical 60’s. A fascinating read!
Before heading off to college this time, Cassie had to work and save money. Can a spoiled, rich girl succumb to scrubbing dingy toilets? After arriving in California, she realizes that life on her own and school weren’t what she thought they’d be and she couldn’t quite get a handle on them. Cassie experienced things in the 60’s like protests, sit-ins, sex, drugs, and even an arrest. Even though college didn’t work out they way she thought (she flunked out,) Cassie learns what it’s like to be independent and free. Cassie’s reset life had its ups and downs along with surprises and challenges, but it was nice.
An interesting trek through the musical 60’s. A fascinating read!
March 1, 2019
The Reset Life of Cassandra Collins
In Middle Falls where Cassandra Collins was graduating from high school was going to be a high party afterwards. Cassandra’s parents were throwing it and they were the richest people there. Cassandra’s boyfriend asked her to marry him. She wasn’t ready because she wanted to go to college far away. Her father was very upset and wanted her to accept because if she didn’t stay around he wouldn’t help her with any money. She stayed and married. It was a comfortable life with no children. From 1966 to 2018. She passed away. Woke back up in 1966. She went away this time to the college she wanted. She struggled and flunked out of college. She was working and staying with some college girls. Then she met Floyd Curlee nick name Curlee. They hit it off but struggled until she ended back home leaving Curlee. Curlee found her and they married and Curlee worked for Casssandra’s father. They had a wonderful marriage and when 2018 came around again they were still very happy.
In Middle Falls where Cassandra Collins was graduating from high school was going to be a high party afterwards. Cassandra’s parents were throwing it and they were the richest people there. Cassandra’s boyfriend asked her to marry him. She wasn’t ready because she wanted to go to college far away. Her father was very upset and wanted her to accept because if she didn’t stay around he wouldn’t help her with any money. She stayed and married. It was a comfortable life with no children. From 1966 to 2018. She passed away. Woke back up in 1966. She went away this time to the college she wanted. She struggled and flunked out of college. She was working and staying with some college girls. Then she met Floyd Curlee nick name Curlee. They hit it off but struggled until she ended back home leaving Curlee. Curlee found her and they married and Curlee worked for Casssandra’s father. They had a wonderful marriage and when 2018 came around again they were still very happy.
July 10, 2023
In her first life Cassandra takes the easy choice of marrying the son of the second wealthiest family in town, hers being the first. It meant giving up on her dream of going to Berkeley and even though she didn't have any regrets she always wondered what could have been. When she dies and wakes up the morning after high school graduation this time she tells Jimmy "no" to his marriage proposal, and instead heads to college. When she finally finds a place to stay she makes friends with her roommates, finds Ethan who likes to paint, gets caught up in protests, joins a band with Curlee, falls for him, feels betrayed and has to leave.
Fun fast read, here Cassandra has a first life of ease and her second one was filled with hardships and none of the luxuries, yet it was more fulfilling. 4.7 stars. Side note: in Cassandra's first life she meets Veronica McAllister (Middle Falls #5). Cassie married Jimmy and Ronnie was married to his older brother Danny. Not too integral to the story, but I laughed when Cassie said to her "you only live once" and Ronnie responded with the same words.
Fun fast read, here Cassandra has a first life of ease and her second one was filled with hardships and none of the luxuries, yet it was more fulfilling. 4.7 stars. Side note: in Cassandra's first life she meets Veronica McAllister (Middle Falls #5). Cassie married Jimmy and Ronnie was married to his older brother Danny. Not too integral to the story, but I laughed when Cassie said to her "you only live once" and Ronnie responded with the same words.
September 28, 2025
Beauty found in obscurity
Cassandra Collins’ story is one of obscurity. Both times. The difference is her first life takes place in the hidden banality of quietly living up to other people’s expectations while the soul traveler reboot reflects the beauty of living life in resonance with your true soul path. It does come with struggle as she learns to sacrifice the old ways, but that’s how you discover who you truly are in the world.
Set in the turbulent sixties of Berkeley and Haight Ashbury, trial and error are the hallmarks of Cassandra’s journey to understanding what she’s truly made of beyond her rich girl upbringing. Through it, she learns to set her own boundaries and live love with the right man, on her own terms.
This was a gentler read than the preceding Middle Falls stories. There are fewer cross references to other soul travelers. Cassandra’s previous life had been such a sheltered one, she had less to draw on even though she was 70 when she rebooted. It’s the last point that made her full earth story all the more poignant.
Cassandra Collins’ story is one of obscurity. Both times. The difference is her first life takes place in the hidden banality of quietly living up to other people’s expectations while the soul traveler reboot reflects the beauty of living life in resonance with your true soul path. It does come with struggle as she learns to sacrifice the old ways, but that’s how you discover who you truly are in the world.
Set in the turbulent sixties of Berkeley and Haight Ashbury, trial and error are the hallmarks of Cassandra’s journey to understanding what she’s truly made of beyond her rich girl upbringing. Through it, she learns to set her own boundaries and live love with the right man, on her own terms.
This was a gentler read than the preceding Middle Falls stories. There are fewer cross references to other soul travelers. Cassandra’s previous life had been such a sheltered one, she had less to draw on even though she was 70 when she rebooted. It’s the last point that made her full earth story all the more poignant.
April 3, 2022
I listened to this book on Audible plus.
The narrators for this series all do a great job, and this one is no different. There were a few times when I couldn't tell who was speaking if there were a group of women talking, but they were few and far between.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book more than the last quarter--the ending seemed like a too-clean rapid wrap-up, and a bit like a betrayal of the first third. I didn't like the romance, but I did like Cassandra's choices and path. While Cass' reset and regrets are more sedate than the previous folks, they are more poignant for it. One thing I appreciate about these books is how much they make me think about the forks in my own life, and Cass' regrets and paths were very easy to relate to. I like how she identified the fork in her life and uncomplainingly took the alternate path. In addition, the book was a nice glimpse into the Flower Child culture in the 60s and onward.
The narrators for this series all do a great job, and this one is no different. There were a few times when I couldn't tell who was speaking if there were a group of women talking, but they were few and far between.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book more than the last quarter--the ending seemed like a too-clean rapid wrap-up, and a bit like a betrayal of the first third. I didn't like the romance, but I did like Cassandra's choices and path. While Cass' reset and regrets are more sedate than the previous folks, they are more poignant for it. One thing I appreciate about these books is how much they make me think about the forks in my own life, and Cass' regrets and paths were very easy to relate to. I like how she identified the fork in her life and uncomplainingly took the alternate path. In addition, the book was a nice glimpse into the Flower Child culture in the 60s and onward.
March 23, 2025
The story of Cassandra Collin’s was another unique approach to the Middle Falls series. In this story, Cassie uses her opportunity in a second life to take more chances and risks. In doing so, she puts herself in danger - more than once- and, ultimately, learns a lot about herself. Her decisions in her second approach to her life lead her on a very different path where she meets different people and it changes her relationships with the people she knows.
I enjoyed her journey and the people she met along the way. And I truly appreciate that these stories do not fall into predictable paths. I’m looking forward to reading the next story, but I am going to once again take a break and try something else. But I will return to learn about the next character.
Also, since I’ve been tracking this. In this story, we do meet Ronnie from a previous book.
I enjoyed her journey and the people she met along the way. And I truly appreciate that these stories do not fall into predictable paths. I’m looking forward to reading the next story, but I am going to once again take a break and try something else. But I will return to learn about the next character.
Also, since I’ve been tracking this. In this story, we do meet Ronnie from a previous book.
February 16, 2021
In a way, what makes this story interesting is that the main character's reset life was full of mistakes instead of all positive changes that you would expect in a fictional story about second chances, though everything turns out all right for her in the end.
I think I'd liked to have had more about Cassie and Curlee's life after the 60s. Maybe have her have more interaction with Kristen and Jimmy, or more about her friendship with Ethan in later years instead of just the brief period at Berkeley. Otherwise, oddly enough, just reading about a stereotypical hippie experience of Berkeley-Haight Ashbury-commune over a period of 2 years wasn't really as interesting as it could have been without more of the later story providing a contrast.
I think I'd liked to have had more about Cassie and Curlee's life after the 60s. Maybe have her have more interaction with Kristen and Jimmy, or more about her friendship with Ethan in later years instead of just the brief period at Berkeley. Otherwise, oddly enough, just reading about a stereotypical hippie experience of Berkeley-Haight Ashbury-commune over a period of 2 years wasn't really as interesting as it could have been without more of the later story providing a contrast.
November 28, 2022
This was probably my second or third favorite book of the series.
This story outcome felt more real to me than some.
SPOILER:
Well, not a huge spoiler. But a bit of one. The reason I like this book is because she wasn’t able to fix all the issues, even with more time. In fact, her life was more challenging in many ways with the path she chose on reset. Yet she seems to have ended her life more fulfilled.
It’s always been a question if mine of how to teach my kids the lessons I learned growing up in poverty without them needing to go through the poverty part. In essence, how do I raise kids to learn “poor” lessons when I’m not poor.
Favorite quote:
“When parents and children argue or disagree it shouldn't be forever.”
This story outcome felt more real to me than some.
SPOILER:
Well, not a huge spoiler. But a bit of one. The reason I like this book is because she wasn’t able to fix all the issues, even with more time. In fact, her life was more challenging in many ways with the path she chose on reset. Yet she seems to have ended her life more fulfilled.
It’s always been a question if mine of how to teach my kids the lessons I learned growing up in poverty without them needing to go through the poverty part. In essence, how do I raise kids to learn “poor” lessons when I’m not poor.
Favorite quote:
“When parents and children argue or disagree it shouldn't be forever.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
After hearing the author’s note and how he dedicated this to his late sister, I wish I could have liked the story better, but I just couldn’t. Cassandra is born a moderately rich girl. I wouldn’t call her spoiled, just a product of her time. She thinks she wants to go to UC Berkeley and become a painter or a singer. She’s accepted but gets married instead. She’s lives her life of comfort and nothing exceptional happens. She always wonders what if. After living a full life, she dies a natural death and resets. She does everything different and we get to experience the summer of love and communes. The author’s research is phenomenal but I was bored with and uninterested in the character. She, of course, gets her happy ending, but by that point I couldn’t wait for the story to be over.
October 16, 2021
Another 3.5 star. Another one that just didn't quite click as much as the first several in the series. Just two lifetimes featured here. First, pretty normal, the second, a little reminiscent of my recent read of Daisy Jones & The Six - the music scene/drugs/drinking, etc. Again (like Scott's story) it just wasn't one I connected with as much. Veronica makes an appearance and does make one wonder about the different, interconnected lifetimes ...
September 25, 2022
This entry in the series didn't particularly stand out for me.
The tale of Cassandra Collins would have been an okay standalone but as a series, it didn't really do anything. You could delete this story from the series and it would not make a single difference.
However, the story itself was slow moving but sentimental and thought provoking. Cassie herself was a strong female character that had dreams and aspirations that didn't always work out but she just picked herself up and carried on.
I wanted to rate this four star, but honestly, a lot of the story was tedious to get through and it has made me want to give the series a little break before continuing.
The tale of Cassandra Collins would have been an okay standalone but as a series, it didn't really do anything. You could delete this story from the series and it would not make a single difference.
However, the story itself was slow moving but sentimental and thought provoking. Cassie herself was a strong female character that had dreams and aspirations that didn't always work out but she just picked herself up and carried on.
I wanted to rate this four star, but honestly, a lot of the story was tedious to get through and it has made me want to give the series a little break before continuing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
This is a hard one to characterize. It doesn't follow the usual triggering factors such as Science Fiction or Magic for going back in time. Since it keeps to her lifetime, I think it fits best as sort of a vivid dream narrative and replaying the decision point of going to college or not - sort of an alternative "what might have been". Particularly detailed replayed background on protests and the summer of love, but almost everything personalized was generic, and you could see it wasn't really "her story" - and the central character remembered almost nothing from her general timeline, keeping to the narrative of being more dreamlike. Yet still well written and engaging.
December 17, 2018
The most realistic story of the series.
I have read all of the Middle Falls series and I have found this latest plot to be the most how I think how someone's 2nd life would go. Since I lived through the 60's in Cal. It was all so familiar to me. I knew a lot people who lived similar "lives" in those years. This book didn't have the serious dramas of the others, but I really enjoyed it.
I have read all of the Middle Falls series and I have found this latest plot to be the most how I think how someone's 2nd life would go. Since I lived through the 60's in Cal. It was all so familiar to me. I knew a lot people who lived similar "lives" in those years. This book didn't have the serious dramas of the others, but I really enjoyed it.
December 22, 2018
This was a very subtle read, nothing too intense but yet still gripping. I often wonder what I could have done with my life if I'd made different choices and Cassandra had that opportunity. She did it in a carefree but careful kind of way (if that's possible).
I loved all the characters and the thought of being Cassandra, whilst sitting beside her watching as I find happens when reading anything written by Shawn.
I loved all the characters and the thought of being Cassandra, whilst sitting beside her watching as I find happens when reading anything written by Shawn.
January 1, 2020
Fun, engrossing, terrific!!
This series of books, and this one is no exception, are engrossing and fun and a glimpse back into history (I kept going to YouTube to play the music the characters heard) but they are also a "catching" meditation on.... Not "what if" I had to live my life over again, but rather "what can I do, now, moving forward". It's a great thing to read and be thinking about in the back of your mind.
This series of books, and this one is no exception, are engrossing and fun and a glimpse back into history (I kept going to YouTube to play the music the characters heard) but they are also a "catching" meditation on.... Not "what if" I had to live my life over again, but rather "what can I do, now, moving forward". It's a great thing to read and be thinking about in the back of your mind.
January 8, 2022
I'm usually all in on the books in this series. Unfortunately this one was meh. A woman with an uneventful life gets a second chance and well, the second life is ... Different. This book was MEH when you compare it to the rest.
It's not interwoven with other books except for a brief encounter with another woman from the series. Check it out of you're a fan, but skip it if you're just a casual reader.
It's not interwoven with other books except for a brief encounter with another woman from the series. Check it out of you're a fan, but skip it if you're just a casual reader.
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