Over the Falls

by Rebecca Hodge

For fans of The River at Night , Rebecca Hodge's next thrilling read explores how far one woman will go to find her sister.

It's early June in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee, and the idyllic beauty of the landscape belies the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. Bryn Collins has been living in isolation for fourteen years after her fiance, Sawyer, jilted her for her despised sister, Del. Although a life-threatening accident ended her days navigating the perils of whitewater, she still finds refuge kayaking in the local lakes.

But Bryn's placid life hits the skids when an unwelcome cast of characters reenters her life. Del goes mysteriously missing, and her fourteen-year-old son, Josh, arrives to ask for Bryn's help finding her. His father, Sawyer, had been killed in a plane crash and he has no one else to turn to. Carl, an unruly punk the sisters knew years before, is desperate to find Del because she owes him money.

Bryn and Josh follow an ever-elusive trail to Colorado, and at the annual Mountain Games competition in Vail, they finally confront the truth. For Bryn, all roads lead to the river, and on vicious Colorado whitewaters, she must muster every ounce of courage and strength to save what she most loves in the world.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Family, Suspense

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Rebecca Hodge is the award-winning author of WILDLAND, OVER THE FALLS, and ISLAND ENDGAME, novels of page-turning suspense that have plenty of heart. When her characters find themselves in impossible situations, they take the initiative instead of watching from the sidelines. In doing so, they discover unexpected inner strength, resilience, and courage.
Following a scientific career as a veterinarian and clinical research scientist, Rebecca discovered how much fun it is to create fictional worlds of her own. She lives in North Carolina, where you’ll find her sipping tea on the screened-in porch with a dog at her feet and a computer on her lap. Visit her online at rebeccahodgefiction.

Reviews

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this novel: the past returning to haunt the present, is nothing new. But what grasped my attention was the white water rafting references and I am happy to report that the descriptions of the harrowing trips down some perilous falls and roiling Colorado whitewater did not disappoint. (I listened to the audiobook version, ably narrated by Aven Shore and Nick Mondelli.)



This is an engaging and well-written story, but - for me - it dragged in some parts and the internal dialogues (both Bryn and Josh's) were repetitive and often slowed the action down considerably. The author also fell back on many standard characterization and plot tropes: the secondary characters were a tad wooden and cookie-cutter in many respects.



Bryn is the long-suffering sister, ignored by her parents in favour of her evil sister, Del. Del is portrayed in Bryn's memories as a loving younger sister and, conversely, as Del grew older, a true demon from hell - stealing Bryn's boyfriends and making her life a misery.. This Jeckyll and Hyde portrayal of Del at first puzzled me, then had me rolling my eyes. Was the author confused or has she just lost track of her plot? Hadn't Bryn nursed her grievance against her sister and her fiancé.for fourteen years? Why was she waffling over Del's true nature and behaviour after Josh came to ask her for her help in finding his errant mother?



Another well-worn trope: Sawyer's betrayal had damaged Bryn beyond repair, making her channel all of her energies into her programming career and her small goat farm. Landon - her neighbour on an adjoining farm - was in love with Bryn, but Bryn had been burned by love and was afraid to venture into those turbulent waters again - same old, same old..

Josh was his mother's caretaker, and I get that he had to look out for his irresponsible mother at a young age, but he still came across as a bit too mature for a fourteen year old. And towards the end, he blamed himself for everything that happened to everyone in this story - repeatedly. Did the needle get stuck in the groove of the record, or what?



And, finally, I have to say that the ending came together a tad too neatly. This story lost its sense of reality and started resembling your standard weekly television drama with that happily ever after finale. All's well that ends well! I did, for the most part, enjoy this story and it did generally hold my interest - but at certain intervals I did huff and puff with frustration - which often led me to speed up the narration. This is why I am rating this one a 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded down to a 3. Great storytelling, but it got bogged down by too much introspection, repetition and formulaic - and at times cardboard - characterization.



My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent story, but it doesn't stand out from others in the genre. It was was an enjoyable and entertaining read, just not overly special or memorable.

I enjoyed getting to know our main characters and following them on their journey. One of the interesting parts of the story was watching them grow and bond. I also liked the inclusion of whitewater kayaking and the farm living and would have enjoyed more of either. I thought the main characters showed some good thought processes behind where they were searching, however some of the reasoning behind the other character's decisions was a bit thin and the wrap up was a bit neat.

Certain aspects of the story were presented in such a manner that you knew they would be revisited later in the story. Due to this somewhat repetitious formula, most of the 'twists' were expected. If you are new to the genre this may not jump out at you, but if this is a genre you frequent you will likely not be surprised by anything in the plot.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Aven Shore & Nick Mondelli. I feel this gave the characters some depth and added to my enjoyment of the story.

#OvertheFalls #NetGalley 3.5★

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced, compelling family drama!

Bryn Collins lives a quiet life on her farm in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. A life of seclusion she chose for herself fourteen years ago after her sister, Del and then fiance, Sawyer, betrayed her trust. Little does Bryn know, this isolated life is soon to change dramatically...

Over The Falls was fantastic! A great storyline and characters. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between Bryn and her nephew, Josh. The search for Del and the ultimate conclusion of her disappearance. I did not see that ending coming at all.

This is the second book I've read by Rebecca Hodge and I'm already excited to see what she comes up with next.

A great big thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours for having me on tour again!

[Rebecca Hodge]

Dear Readers – I’m so excited to share OVER THE FALLS with you! In this story, Bryn, a woman still struggling with an old betrayal, is forced to deal with a missing sister, an unexpected nephew, an enemy from the past, and some serious whitewater rapids. Toss in a few goats and a dog named Tellico, and hopefully it’s a journey you’ll enjoy. As always, I’m profoundly grateful for your honest reviews. Happy reading!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another satisfying novel by Rebecca Hodge. Isn’t this cover great? Love it! This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. She writes complex stories full of suspense.
Mysteriously told this book will lead you on a search to find a loved one and so much more. I highly recommend listening to this. Narrated by Aven Shore and Nick Mondell.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-pounding action. Riveting suspense. A terrifying game of cat and mouse. Family drama about connections, betrayal, and tearing down walls that kept my heart engaged throughout. All of those things combine in this fantastic book, keeping me on the edge of my seat! Author Rebecca Hodge breathed so much life, action and emotions into this intense page-turner, while creating characters that were complex, and settings that added layers of intrigue.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Rebecca Hodge's debut novel Wild land (see review) and she keeps getting better. Her new book is well written story about family, love and forgiveness and is also full of suspense that had me turning pages rapidly to find out how it all ended. She created characters that the reader can identify with - flaws and all.

Bryn lives in the beautiful mountains in Tennessee. She has been living in isolation for 14 years ever since her fiancée got her sister. Del, pregnant. She tends to her chickens and goats and grows most of her food. She enjoys her solitary life and tries to keep busy so that she doesn't think about Sawyer, her ex-fiancé. One day in early summer as she is working to help her goat deliver twins, someone shows up in her yard. When she manages to look at him, she realizes that it's Josh - her 14 year old nephew. Josh asks Bryn for help finding his mother. She disappeared from home and isn't answering her phone and because his father died in a plane crash years before, he has no family available to help him. At first, Bryn is reluctant to give up her solitary life but soon realizes that Josh needs help. Together they follow an elusive trail to Colorado - the last place that her sister had been seen. As they are traveling, they realize that a very evil man is also looking for the money that Del stole from him and will hurt them if Del isn't found within a week. I definitely enjoyed the growing relationship between Bryn and Josh as they face danger trying to find Del.

This is a fantastic intense novel that you won't want to put down. It is full of twists and surprises and I was intensely hoping that the characters would all be safe at the end. Rebecca joins a wonderful group of North Carolina authors who I love and always pre-order their new books before I even know what their book is about because I KNOW that it will be great.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review.

[Barbara White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca's debut, WILDLAND, is one of my all-time favorites, and I had no idea how she could top the heart-pounding ride of a woman trying to outrun the inferno of a forest fire. Well, she's done it with another natural danger: whitewater rapids.

Bryn, a kayaker who has walled herself off from life following the ultimate betrayal, lives in isolation on her beautiful land in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. She can't even open herself fully to the kind, attractive neighbor who has become a friend, but wants something more.

When she's in the middle of delivering twin baby goats, a boy walks down her driveway. A boy who announces he's Josh, the 14-year-old nephew she's never met. His mother, Del, is the sister who caused the betrayal. (Del slept with Bryn's fiancee, Sawyer, and got pregnant. She stole the man and Bryn's wedding date.)

Del, now a drug addict, has disappeared, Sawyer died years earlier in a plane crash, and Josh has no one else to help him find his mom before the man she crossed, an enemy for Bryn's past, exacts revenge. With warring emotions, Bryn sets out to find her sister, Josh in tow. His resemblance to Sawyer is a constant reminder of the past she wants to forget.

When they finally confront the truth in Colorado at the mountain games that include kayaking on dangers whitewater rapids, Bryn discovers how far she will go to protect Josh. From that moment on, forget doing anything until you've reached the last page, because the twist is as multi-layered as the characters.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Rebecca Hodge and what a suspenseful thriller it was. I decided to go with the audiobook and thought the narrators, Aven Shore and Nick Modelli, did a great job. 


 Bryn Collins is living in the Tennessee mountains now. She moved there fourteen years ago after her sister Del, and fiance, Sawyer, broke her heart, by having an affair and getting pregnant. Now 14 years later, living in the mountains and finding her peace, her nephew Josh, whom is Del and Sawyers son, finds her and needs her help finding his mother, Del. Sawyer has died and he has no one. Del is drug addict and has crossed paths with the wrong people. Bryn sets off with her nephew to find her sister. As they travel to Colorado, the last place Del was known to be, there is much danger along the way. They find out secrets about who Del and sawyer are. 


This was a slow burn mystery, and I was intrigued by the relationship between Bryn and Josh. I also thought the twist at the end was good. Definitely an enjoyable, tense read that I'd recommend. 


Thank you to the publisher, Katerock, netgalley and the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The past coming back to haunt the present is a common theme in books so this was pretty predictable in that regard, but the river rafting was a new detail that I wasn’t familiar with. It was quite interesting in parts, but others were slow and repetitive. And to be honest, I didn’t love the narrators. I didn’t not like them, but they didn’t really add anything to the story.
Brynn is the younger sister, always being compared to her older sister Del, by their parents. Brynn remembers some happy memories, but now Del involves herself with less than positive influences on her life and is known for running off for a day or two without telling anyone where she’s headed. Only this time, she’s been gone for a week and her son shows up at Brynn’s homestead and turns her quiet and simple life upside down. Brynn has tried to forget everything that her sister had done to her in the past, but it’s hard to do when her nephew is there asking her questions about the past and she’s forced to face the fact that her sister stole her fiancé and got pregnant by him. Now Del has gone and left him instructions to go to Brynn for help. Except being burned by her sister and her fiancé has left her hardened to relationships of any type, including the friendship that she has tentatively made with her adjoining homesteader, Landon, who wants more than she can give.
Josh has been forced to grow up too fast in order to take care of his mother, who is irresponsible and he’s been told that his father died when he was 2 so he feels like he has to be the man of the family. While Brynn and Josh try to track Del’s last known steps, someone reveals a story that they met Josh’s dad’s “twin” in Colorado so that’s where they think Del has gone, despite knowing that it can’t be his twin because he is an only child who had been adopted after the deaths of his parents. In the hunt for Del, secrets one to light and the past is shown to not be what it was and the whitewater rafting that Brynn used to love but had abandoned comes to the forefront in order to change the present and approach the future.
I tend to not like stories that get wrapped up with a pretty little bow, which this one did, but it kind of worked in this case, I was glad to see the resolution before it closed.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Allie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remote setting...mountains...sports...fascinating characters...romance subplot: Over The Falls had all the ingredients I love!

I always love novels with a sports theme, and there just aren't enough of them in my opinion around, so I've been wanting to read this one for AGES! It's set in remote and rural settings in the USA. Bryn, the female main character lives alone on a farm but her life turns upside down with the arrival of 14-year-old Josh, her estranged sister's son, who she has never previously met. He reveals his mum is missing.

So Josh and Bryn head off on a hunt which leads them to the mountains and dangerous Colorado white-water. Bryn was a keen white-water canoeist who turned her back on the sport after a near-death experience. I've never tried white-water canoeing but I really loved the tense, action-packed passages describing it. I also loved the detail about freestyle canoeing: the competitions and tricks, and learning about the whole river environment.

The story is told from Bryn and Josh's points of view, in alternate chapters. I adored both of these characters! Bryn was a strong and resourceful but damaged woman, a loner, but totally relatable. 14-year-old Josh made such an unusual and interesting character and I loved seeing how his relationship with his aunt developed and changed during the course of the novel. I also loved the complex relationships Bryn had with the other adults in this novel - her ex fiance, sister and neighbour.

The story has real heart, which kept me gripped to the pages throughout.
Emotional, satisfying and thrilling!

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as I smelled the smoke in Wild Land, I heard the roaring rapids as Hodge takes her readers on a suspenseful journey that starts with the birthing of twin goats and the unexpected arrival of a nephew and doesn’t end until the family secrets are laid bare.

Told in alternating voices of a woman who has planned out her life and doesn’t need anyone in it and a young man desperately in search of family, this book pulls no punches and leaves its readers desperate for the truth. ALL of it.

[Donna Everhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Hodge knows how to keep a reader flipping the pages. In her sophomore novel following her debut Wildland, another page turner, Hodge brings a story of intrigue and suspense. In Over the Falls, (perfect title) the main character, Bryn Collins has created a safe haven for herself, and has been living a peaceful life for fourteen years, although memories of her past still pervade. A past where the future she'd envisioned disappeared because of the unexpected betrayal by her fiancee, Sawyer, with her sister, Del.

Bryn is settled, has a good job she does remotely (coding), tends to her garden - she's vegan - and has a good solid friendship in her dependable neighbor, Landon, who would like more than friendship, but Bryn has nipped that in the bud. She has trust issues, and for good reason, don't you think?

When we meet Bryn, she's on her way to look for one of her pet goats, Thistle, who is pregnant and missing. For those of you old enough to remember, this is the moment in the story when you hear the needle on the vinyl suddenly scraping off track. Why? Because while she's in the middle of this goat rescue, who shows up but a young teenage boy who happens to be the spitting image of . . . Sawyer. Meet Josh, Bryn's nephew, and Del's son. Soon, one thing becomes very clear, and that is, Del is in some kind of serious trouble. She's missing, and Josh has no one to turn to except his closest family member. That would be his Aunt Bryn.

But, Bryn doesn't want her life disrupted by her selfish, thoughtless sister - again. She looks at Josh, and her empathetic side wins over. She knows how it is to be in Del's world. Josh is only fourteen, and has no one else. No matter what Bryn wants, the stakes are heightened when a character named Carl shows up out of nowhere. Bryn is familiar with bad boy Carl. Considering Del's lifestyle, it's not surprising to Bryn Del has found herself somehow entangled with such a loser. His penchant for troublemaking is evident, and he demands Bryn find her sister because she owes him money. As the title suggests, Bryn's decision is momentous, because now made, there's no turning back - even though Bryn doesn't realize this at the time.

Hodge continues to build the momentum, dropping little plot bombs like cookie crumbs along the way. For every twist, there's a turn, for every tidbit of resolution, a bigger, more troubling problem arises. Bryn and Josh make a good team, even though it takes the both of them a while to notice. They are each guarding their hearts, which will be hurt again, more than a few times, as the story progresses.

Hodge takes the time to show us her characters fully. We understand their dilemmas and their troubles. They are relatable, and likeable. This is an engrossing and irresistible story with a riveting plot that will keep readers turning pages well into the night.

The book will be available September 7, 2021. I would like to thank the author for the copy of the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over the Falls is the story of Bryn, a homesteading programmer living her best life. That is until her nephew, Josh, from her estranged sister shows up at her doorstep because his mom is missing. What follows is Bryn and Josh propelled into a search for Bryn's sister, Del's. because Carl, Bryn's former friend and Del's former boyfriend threatens them. They soon find out that Josh's dad and Bryn's former fiance presumed dead in a plane crash may be alive too!

It's a lot, I know. Maybe too much. At first, I liked Bryn trying to navigate being a surrogate parent while also trying to find her sister. I know it would super suck if your sister boinked your fiance and got pregnant, but it's been 15 years! Get over it already. She literally whined about it for the whole book. I mean come on! There's a super helpful stud RIGHT NEXT DOOR itching to help her get over it! Josh was a pretty good character, but read a little immature at times which is weird because Bryn describes him as smart.

Audiobook narrators, Aven Shore and Nick Mondelli were fine. They made the book more enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just finished "Over The Falls" by Rebecca Hodge, a Netgalley advance digital copy, this is my honest review. I had not read this author before.
I really enjoyed this mystery. The farm setting was either written by someone with personal knowledge, or who did lots of research, because it was very authentic & a pleasure to read. I grew up with cows, cotton & chickens, so I know.
One of the main characters, Bryn, is estranged from her family, with good reason. She is well described in thought & actions as she navigates her simple life being upended. Josh, the nephew she's never seen, is dumped at her driveway. Del, her troubled & traitorous sister is missing. Sawyer, the X-fiance is dead.
The fast paced action to find her sister doesn't stop. There are so many twists, lies, secrets & surprises that you will hold hold your breath, forget to eat, and miss sleep. Start this one early in the day, because you won't want to put it down.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an average read, where nothing stands out. There were highs, and unrealistic storylines. The ending is two-fold: The best part and I thought realistic was the ending for Josh. I did not like (and never do) the open-ended ending. I enjoyed, and it warmed my heart the role the dog played. This is a nice travel book. It didn't require a great deal of concentration. I liked Bryn, and felt her line in the story was realistic. Sawyer was another overdone role.

#Netgalley #OverTheFalls #RebeccaHodge #Audiobook #DreamscapeMedia

[Laura Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat stuff!
Well written, great characters, with an ending I did not see coming!
Do yourself a favor, buy it, then forego sleeping for a night or two!

[Lavins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots and lots of whining and backstories and unrealistic events.

Not for me.

[ClairevoyantBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryn has made a quiet life for herself in the eastern country of Tennessee 15 years after her fiancé Sayer betrayed her by sleeping with her sister Del, who became pregnant.
Josh, Sawyer and Del’s child, is now 14 years old and shows up at his aunts farm, a woman he’s never met, because his mother is now missing. Not long after Josh was born Sawyer died in an accident leaving Del a single mother to take care of Josh. But Del loves drugs and alcohol and Josh has been taking care of her more than she’s been taking care of him. Bryn’s never her met her nephew and hasn’t talked to her sister in 15 years. She has no idea where to begin. But when someone from the past comes to threaten her and Josh, Bryn realizes she’s the only one who can figure it out.
This story was suspenseful from the start and immediately hooked me in. It was fast paced with short chapters that kept me engaged and left me wanting more. I read half the book in one night and finished it the next. I loved watching Bryn and Josh’s relationship and trust grow as the story went on. They were incredibly lovable characters and I was rooting for them the whole time. But, this was also a raw and real story that left me heartbroken more than once and I felt for Josh throughout.
I don’t want to give too much away because I don’t want to ruin the story, but there are definitely enough twists to keep a mystery and suspense lover engaged. There is one story line that is left open ended…and while it’s rare for lightening to strike twice, I think in this case it did.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stunning Tennessee mountains is the setting for this riveting thriller which I zipped through in one sitting in my eagerness to get to the end, yet I didn't want it to be over! As a nature nut myself, the story drew me in immediately and the thrillery writing, interesting characters and outdoorsy details kept me riveted.

Bryn lives alone on a gorgeous farm with her garden and animals, a lifestyle which suits her beautifully. She is able to work from home, she has a great neighbour and enjoys kayaking. But of course life isn't always peaceful and tranquil. A fourteen-year-old Josh shows up out of the blue one day and Bryn is knocked sideways when she discovers who he is. Not only does his appearance bring up all sorts of memories and past secrets but what does one do with a teenager suddenly in the picture? His mom, Del, went missing and he is desperate to find her. Bryn happens to be Del's sister and they hadn't spoken for fourteen years. And there is a connection between them and Bryn's ex who was killed in a plane accident. Compounding this is nasty Carl who is a fierce bully and blackmailer. Bryn's job now is to keep out of his way and find her sister along with her nephew. Whew!

On their quest they encounter rough waters of all kinds, including rough white water which harkens me back to my whitewater rafting days, the thrills, goosebumps and fears. But the emotional rough waters are equally challenging. Bryn and Josh learn about each other and themselves and discover all sorts of tangles.

This thriller is gripping yet not gritty or scary. It would appeal to most Mystery and Thriller readers as well as readers of General Fiction.

My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this compelling book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author. I did like it. Although, I found that the story was slow moving. It really picked up in the last third of the book. Up until that point, the story was mainly about the dynamics of family, broken relationships, and forgiveness mixed in with a hint of mystery.

I will admit that Bryn would have been just another person in the crowd or living on her farm if not for the appearance of her nephew, Josh. She became more interesting as the story progressed and I got to know her better. The dynamics between she and Josh was lovely. She really did step up. Instantly, I felt for Josh and his predicament.

Readers who like mystery but without the body count or gore and a step up from cozy mystery, may want to check out this book.

[Sylvia Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over The Falls by Rebecca Hodge has everything you could ever want from a book...all the feels. From start to finish, I was totally impressed by this new-to-me author! It's a combination of all that life holds, and the quote "A life without risk is no life at all" says it succinctly! I loved, loved, loved this book, and hope that all of my friends will read it!
Thanks so much, Rebecca Hodge, for such a magnificent book to remove me from every day life.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't have any expectations going into this book. as I'm not familiar with the author and hadn't heard much buzz about it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I really really enjoyed it. It's not groundbreaking or genre-bending but I really cared about the characters and the plot kept me interested.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was suspenseful from the start and immediately hooked me. It was fast paced with short chapters that kept me engaged and left me wanting more. I loved watching Bryn and Josh’s relationship and trust grow as the story went on. They were incredibly lovable characters and I was rooting for them the whole time. But, this was also a raw and real story that left me heartbroken more than once and I felt for Josh throughout the book. A solid mystery with heart!

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

More exciting than the beginning seems, hold on and keep reading. This turns into an exciting and adventure-filled novel with an unexpected and satisfying end. A one-time profanity (D) is a slight mar. But the narrators more than makes up for it.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced suspense combined with a compelling family drama. I couldn't put it down.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Jessica Blackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got 46% through and couldn't keep up with what was going on. It was semi interesting but I just couldn't sit through it to finish it. I'm giving 4 stars because even though it was interesting enough if I could sit through it, I would have given it 5. (Audiobook ARC from Netgalley)

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen years ago, Bryn Collins moved to a quiet place far away from the city in Tennessee to escape and to heal her broken heart after learning that her fiance, Sawyer, had left her for her younger sister, Del. Surrounded by nature and living like a farmer, Bryn thought she's finally found peace and has gradually let go of the past until one day, 14-year-old Josh comes knocking at her door, claiming that he is her nephew and that his mother is missing. Sawyer had passed during a plane crash accident and Josh has no one to turn to, but his mother had left him a note about his aunt in case anything happens and so here he is.

Bryn would be lying if she admit that she isn't bothered by Sawyer's and Del's betrayal. To this day, she still didn't understand why Sawyer would do such a thing to her. She has no qualms about Del's reckless behaviours though; after all she's always been living a wild and a carefree life. As Bryn wonders about her whereabouts, she is confronted by Carl and learns that Bryn had owed him some money. Carl has always been a hoodlum since they were teenagers; and he threatens Bryn that he wouldn't let things off easily if she couldn't bring Del to him within a week. Bryn and Josh then travel across the states till they stop at Colorado, where they finally find the shocking truth amid the annual Mountain Games competition.

Over the Falls was a slow burn despite the theme surrounding whitewater rapids and kayaking but it was still an engaging read given the much focus on the characters developments and the interactions between Bryn and Josh. Del's disappearance is the mystery and also a drive to these two characters amid their issues and insecurities in general. Although the mystery intrigued me (and yes, there are some twists as well), I was most drawn towards the growing bond between Bryn and Josh as they race against time in finding Del and the real truth behind her disappearance.

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended the month of August with a wonderful story full of family drama, nail-biting moments, an adventurous road trip, and the gorgeous, mountainous scenery of Tennessee and Colorado. I honestly could not stop turning the pages of Over the Falls by Rebecca Hodge. I was fully immersed in Bryn’s predicament, and completely intrigued by the mysterious plot. Similar to the author’s debut novel, Wildland, there’s a lot of action in this novel. Bryn’s fourteen-year-old nephew arrives at her home unannounced, claiming that his mom (Bryn’s estranged and troubled sister) is missing. Bryn agrees to help find her, and just like that, a wild and crazy game of cat and mouse begins. With a stressful deadline to meet, the duo embark on a search packed with multiple hurdles to overcome, twists, turns, and reminders of hurtful events from Bryn’s past. Hodge’s writing kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish! Over the Falls releases on September 7th, and I give it 4/5 stars! Highly recommend!