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Catch Her When She Falls
In this thoroughly propulsive (Kimberly McCreight) debut thriller, a young woman questions everything she thought she knew about the shocking murder that changed her life when she was in high school.
Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend.
When Micah Wilkes was a senior in high school, her boyfriend was convicted of murdering her best friend, Emily. A decade later, Micah has finally moved on from the unforgivable betrayal and loss. Now the owner of a bustling coffee shop in her small hometown in Pennsylvania, she's happily coupled up with another old high school friend, the two having bonded over their shared sorrow.
But when reminders of her past begin appearing at her work and home, Micah begins to doubt what she knows about Emily's death. Questions raised on a true crime blog and in an online web sleuthing forum force her to reexamine her memories of that fateful night. She told the truth to the investigators on the case, but was there another explanation for Emily's murder? A stranger in the woods. An obsessive former classmate. Or the internet's favorite suspect: Joshua, Emily's outcast younger brother who hasn't been seen since his sister's death.
As Micah delves deeper into the case, she feels her grip on reality loosening, her behavior growing more and more secretive and unhinged. As she races to piece together the truth about that night ten years ago, Micah grapples with how things could have gone so wrong and wonders whether she, too, might be next to disappear.
Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend.
When Micah Wilkes was a senior in high school, her boyfriend was convicted of murdering her best friend, Emily. A decade later, Micah has finally moved on from the unforgivable betrayal and loss. Now the owner of a bustling coffee shop in her small hometown in Pennsylvania, she's happily coupled up with another old high school friend, the two having bonded over their shared sorrow.
But when reminders of her past begin appearing at her work and home, Micah begins to doubt what she knows about Emily's death. Questions raised on a true crime blog and in an online web sleuthing forum force her to reexamine her memories of that fateful night. She told the truth to the investigators on the case, but was there another explanation for Emily's murder? A stranger in the woods. An obsessive former classmate. Or the internet's favorite suspect: Joshua, Emily's outcast younger brother who hasn't been seen since his sister's death.
As Micah delves deeper into the case, she feels her grip on reality loosening, her behavior growing more and more secretive and unhinged. As she races to piece together the truth about that night ten years ago, Micah grapples with how things could have gone so wrong and wonders whether she, too, might be next to disappear.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
143 people are currently reading
9926 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
January 31, 2022
I honestly cannot believe I actually made it through this book. I struggle to find any positives to say.
The main gist of the story is: Ten years ago when they were in high school, Emily, one of Micah's best friends, is killed during a party. Micah's then-boyfriend, Alex, was convicted of the crime, but his current girlfriend insists that he is innocent and is trying to get the case re-opened. Micah is on a road trip to see someone (the reader doesn't know who for a long time) and flashes back to the past and the recent present while she is driving.
Micah is incredibly self-centered and it is almost painful to be in her head. Everything is about her. She is paranoid and flies off the handle and jumps to conclusions at the smallest hint of trouble, and obsesses over everything to do with the case potentially being re-opened.
The timelines are so jumpy that I never knew "when" I was. Emily's diary entries are info dumps, not diary entries. It's a huge pet peeve of mine when authors use them in this way. NO ONE writes entire pages-long conversations with quote marks in their journals. No one.
And then let's talk about the ending. When Micah gets to the end of her journey, we get the lamest of lame conclusions and then the book is over. It's just head shaking.
I suppose this could be a quick read in the hands of another reader. I just found myself dreading coming back to it (mostly due to the fact that I just could not stand being in Micah's head one more minute) and even went an entire day without reading anything just to avoid it. That's saying something for sure.
I do know that many others have really enjoyed it, this just was not the book for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
The main gist of the story is: Ten years ago when they were in high school, Emily, one of Micah's best friends, is killed during a party. Micah's then-boyfriend, Alex, was convicted of the crime, but his current girlfriend insists that he is innocent and is trying to get the case re-opened. Micah is on a road trip to see someone (the reader doesn't know who for a long time) and flashes back to the past and the recent present while she is driving.
Micah is incredibly self-centered and it is almost painful to be in her head. Everything is about her. She is paranoid and flies off the handle and jumps to conclusions at the smallest hint of trouble, and obsesses over everything to do with the case potentially being re-opened.
The timelines are so jumpy that I never knew "when" I was. Emily's diary entries are info dumps, not diary entries. It's a huge pet peeve of mine when authors use them in this way. NO ONE writes entire pages-long conversations with quote marks in their journals. No one.
And then let's talk about the ending. When Micah gets to the end of her journey, we get the lamest of lame conclusions and then the book is over. It's just head shaking.
I suppose this could be a quick read in the hands of another reader. I just found myself dreading coming back to it (mostly due to the fact that I just could not stand being in Micah's head one more minute) and even went an entire day without reading anything just to avoid it. That's saying something for sure.
I do know that many others have really enjoyed it, this just was not the book for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 8, 2022
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a 2022 Random House publication.
In her senior year of high school, Micah’s best friend was murdered by her boyfriend. As it turns out, the two of them were seeing each other behind Micah’s back. Now, years later, Micah returned to her hometown and opened a coffee shop. But when she starts receiving strange text messages, it reopens old wounds and sends Micah on a long strange trip to prove her former boyfriend was indeed guilty of murder. But as she digs further into the events of the past, doubts start to emerge, making her rethink everything she thought she knew…
This story is an easy read, and strangely absorbing. There is a need to suspend belief, but I was entertained enough to give it the benefit of the doubt...
Until I got to the end.
I couldn’t believe I got all that way, just to have it end that way. It wasn't plausible in the least and the response to all those revelations didn’t ring true either.
Overall- unsatisfactory.
2 stars
In her senior year of high school, Micah’s best friend was murdered by her boyfriend. As it turns out, the two of them were seeing each other behind Micah’s back. Now, years later, Micah returned to her hometown and opened a coffee shop. But when she starts receiving strange text messages, it reopens old wounds and sends Micah on a long strange trip to prove her former boyfriend was indeed guilty of murder. But as she digs further into the events of the past, doubts start to emerge, making her rethink everything she thought she knew…
This story is an easy read, and strangely absorbing. There is a need to suspend belief, but I was entertained enough to give it the benefit of the doubt...
Until I got to the end.
I couldn’t believe I got all that way, just to have it end that way. It wasn't plausible in the least and the response to all those revelations didn’t ring true either.
Overall- unsatisfactory.
2 stars
March 5, 2022
The premise of this book sounded oh so good!
Ten years ago Micah’s best friend was murdered by her then boyfriend. He’s been sitting in prison since then. Now someone from their past has surfaced who firmly believes in his innocence. Can Micha delve into the past to find what really happened that night? Does she really want to uncover the truth?
But….
I had a few issues with this read:
First, the timelines. They seemed to be all over the place leaving me struggling to follow along.
Compounding the problem, I was continually confused with the characters. Not because there were so many. They just weren’t distinct enough for me to differentiate between them.
This is one of those books I should have DNF’d. But quickly, (with a bit of skimming) I made it to an ending that didn’t quite add up for me. Hmmm….
Hope this one works out better for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing
Ten years ago Micah’s best friend was murdered by her then boyfriend. He’s been sitting in prison since then. Now someone from their past has surfaced who firmly believes in his innocence. Can Micha delve into the past to find what really happened that night? Does she really want to uncover the truth?
But….
I had a few issues with this read:
First, the timelines. They seemed to be all over the place leaving me struggling to follow along.
Compounding the problem, I was continually confused with the characters. Not because there were so many. They just weren’t distinct enough for me to differentiate between them.
This is one of those books I should have DNF’d. But quickly, (with a bit of skimming) I made it to an ending that didn’t quite add up for me. Hmmm….
Hope this one works out better for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing
January 17, 2022
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend."
That sentence was all I needed to tempt me to read this. I just wish the rest of the book was nearly as interesting.
Micah's boyfriend Alex is accused of murdering her best friend Emily back in high school.
Fast forward to today and she is living with her boyfriend, Ryan, who was Alex's former best friend. She owns a coffee shop and generally has a decent life. That is until she starts receiving threatening messages.
Oh, Micah, you are one unlikable lady. Her paranoia so strong that she screams and yells at patrons in her coffee shop that she feels are talking about her. Or, better yet, when a customer begins to choke Micah saves the day and when other customers congratulate her she looks at them and asks why none of them helped, why none of them did anything but sit around watching.
The book drags on and on and on with her paranoid thoughts only to be brought to the silliest of conclusions. Like, really? THIS! This is what actually happened. Le sigh.
I will say that this book is competently written but the story itself was disappointing. 2.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my complimentary copy.
That sentence was all I needed to tempt me to read this. I just wish the rest of the book was nearly as interesting.
Micah's boyfriend Alex is accused of murdering her best friend Emily back in high school.
Fast forward to today and she is living with her boyfriend, Ryan, who was Alex's former best friend. She owns a coffee shop and generally has a decent life. That is until she starts receiving threatening messages.
Oh, Micah, you are one unlikable lady. Her paranoia so strong that she screams and yells at patrons in her coffee shop that she feels are talking about her. Or, better yet, when a customer begins to choke Micah saves the day and when other customers congratulate her she looks at them and asks why none of them helped, why none of them did anything but sit around watching.
The book drags on and on and on with her paranoid thoughts only to be brought to the silliest of conclusions. Like, really? THIS! This is what actually happened. Le sigh.
I will say that this book is competently written but the story itself was disappointing. 2.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my complimentary copy.
February 7, 2022
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a mystery about a murder committed ten years ago. Micah Wilkes’ best friend, Emily, was killed and Micah’s boyfriend was found guilty of murdering her. Ten years later, Micah is the owner of a coffee shop in the same town when strange clues begin to pop up here and there, leading her to believe that all was not as it seemed ten years before. I found the storyline difficult to follow and the more I read, the less I cared about the outcome. There were too many absent characters, people that Micah spoke of but who were not personally included in most of the novel. This book has promise but I felt that it needed more clarity. It was interesting enough that I would like to read future novels by Allison Buccola. This is my own personal opinion and I’m sure most readers would enjoy this mystery. Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2022
Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Allison where we go "behind the book and the author"
Richly Atmospheric. Twisty. Chilling!
Wow! CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS is a knockout riveting debut thriller from Allison Buccola, and looking forward to many more to come.
The twists, turns, and the unpredictable ending makes for an irresistible winter read.
Delighted to see another attorney turned novelist! Some of my favorite authors started as lawyers; (Wendy Walker, Michelle Campbell, Aime Austin, Lisa Scottoline, Emily Giffin, Allen Eskens, John Hart, John Grisham, etc.) and continue to be on my top books list each year.
The author draws you in immediately with the opening line:
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend."
Someone is driving alone: 7:15 am just woods, road, snow.
From Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. 350 miles remaining.
Destination: Massachusetts
Meet the protagonist, Micah Wilkes.
Ten years ago, Micah was dating Alex Swift and was best friends with Emily Winters.
Currently, Alex is in prison, and Emily is dead.
Yes, you can guess, there is a complex, multi-layered mysterious back story here, and you will be on the edge of your seat from the first page to the explosive ending!
The author carefully unravels the events leading up to the present from the recent past, ten years ago, and the present.
At the beginning of each chapter, in bold, we see Micah is driving from Pennsylvania (time and remaining mileage to reach the final destination).
She desperately needs to speak with Joshua (Emily's brother) to answer questions about the murder, which has resurfaced due to a popular crime blog.
What if Alex was not the killer?
What if she got it all wrong. Micah is trying to fix things, and she wants to make them right. Her testimony was what sent Alex, her boyfriend, to prison.
Each chapter is a countdown to the destination. Do not let this confuse you as you read into each chapter. It is a teaser only.
Included in the body of each chapter the author provides a clear picture of what Micah is thinking and feeling each step of the way. She is emotional, guilt-ridden, and determined to figure out what really happened to her friend and if Alex possibly is not guilty.
He has spent the last ten years in prison. He should have been at Penn State. Emily could have had a budding career as a ballerina. SO MANY SECRETS.
SCENE OF THE CRIME: TEN YEARS EARLIER
“The stone pillars marking the entrance to the campsite were visible from the street for someone who knew where to look, moss-covered and misshapen, but still standing.“ An abandoned resort/sanatorium. Why didn't you help me?
Micah has moved back to her small rural hometown from Chicago, where it all happened. She had to come back to take care of her mom, that has now passed, and used the money to buy Stomping Grounds a coffee cafe.
She swore she would never come back as there are too many bad memories, but here she is. Reliving the night she wanted to forget.
In addition, she is living with Ryan (2 years), her present boyfriend (who made up their foursome back when he was best friends with Alex). It was always Alex, Micah, Emily, and Ryan.
Her coffee house is near the college campus, and kids flock there to hang out. Also, there is much gossip. It is the tenth anniversary of the murder, and Alex may get out of prison.
There is a true-crime blog, "NO STONE UNTURNED" that is gaining attention pretty much run by Julia, their former classmate who claims she is a girlfriend of Alex.
People are re-visiting the crime, and Micah is second-guessing herself. She is bordering on obsession, reading everything she can online, doubting her current boyfriend, and hearing things at the cafe. She does not trust anyone.
It all happened at an old campsite in the creepy forest in the summer. The group and others all went camping that night ten years ago. Alex went missing, and so did Emily. Everyone assumed Alex was the killer but was it someone else?
Micah's obsession about the night of the crime is getting in the way of operating her business and her current relationship with Ryan. She is spinning out of control. Micah is looking at every person as the killer. Everyone is looking at her.
Emily was a star. She had returned from a ballet summer intensive in upstate New York. Emily had it all but was she truly happy? Was Micah jealous of her? What happened that night ten years ago?
Joshua seems to be living off the grid, and Micah has no way to contact him. He will not answer calls or texts, so she must drive to find him.
Does she really know Ryan? Will Josh have the answers she desperately needs, or could it be something more sinister?
The author cleverly keeps you guessing in a high-stakes cat and mouse game of suspense with many red herrings. I was holding my breath when Micah and Joshua were in the car. OMG! Nothing is as it appears.
Now, as you are reading, you may wish you could hear from Emily and Alex's POV. Wouldn't it be great to hear from them? However, when you reach the final chapter, you can see why it was written this way. Micah may find herself having to go off the grid herself.
All will be revealed with a twist where you will learn more about Emily. This part reminded me a bit of John Hart's The Unwilling from last February.
A smart thriller, addictively suspenseful. A propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets and the true-crime blog entries added more fuel to the fire.
I read this one in two sittings and difficult to put down. Everyone seems to be a suspect. You begin to think Micah is going nuts. Ryan is also a dark horse, among others, but my favorite part was with Joshua. Do you really know your best friend and those closest to you? What secrets do they carry?
Fans of true-crime stories and authors: Wendy Walker, Robyn Harding, Megan Miranda, Laura McHugh, Lisa Unger, Mary Kubica, Randall Silvis, and Heather Gudenkauf will enjoy this one!
In addition, you will be thinking about the Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito mystery (since I am a Floridan, we are obsessed with this case).
I am delighted to discover this newfound thriller author. I wonder if we will see any legal/crime/literary thrillers in the future? (my favorite genre)
On a side note: I have enjoyed the @22debuts Debut Countdown to 2022 with Allison's interesting IG posts. A brilliant idea. I love behind the scenes and inspiration for novels. Highly recommend you check out the posts, videos, photos, and stories, as well as her quaint and fabulous writing studio.
I am very grateful that the Random House marketing team reached out to me directly months ago about this novel since I enjoyed WHAT'S DONE IN DARKNESS by Laura McHugh and recommended Allison's CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS. Yes, indeed, they know my top reading preferences.
A special thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the audiobook narrated by @frankie.corzo and the hardcover.
Blog Review:
@JudithDCollins
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 1, 2022
Top Books of 2022
Must-Read Books Feb 2022
#thriller #crimethriller #suspense #domestic #psychologicalthriller #debut
Richly Atmospheric. Twisty. Chilling!
Wow! CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS is a knockout riveting debut thriller from Allison Buccola, and looking forward to many more to come.
The twists, turns, and the unpredictable ending makes for an irresistible winter read.
Delighted to see another attorney turned novelist! Some of my favorite authors started as lawyers; (Wendy Walker, Michelle Campbell, Aime Austin, Lisa Scottoline, Emily Giffin, Allen Eskens, John Hart, John Grisham, etc.) and continue to be on my top books list each year.
The author draws you in immediately with the opening line:
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend."
Someone is driving alone: 7:15 am just woods, road, snow.
From Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. 350 miles remaining.
Destination: Massachusetts
Meet the protagonist, Micah Wilkes.
Ten years ago, Micah was dating Alex Swift and was best friends with Emily Winters.
Currently, Alex is in prison, and Emily is dead.
Yes, you can guess, there is a complex, multi-layered mysterious back story here, and you will be on the edge of your seat from the first page to the explosive ending!
The author carefully unravels the events leading up to the present from the recent past, ten years ago, and the present.
At the beginning of each chapter, in bold, we see Micah is driving from Pennsylvania (time and remaining mileage to reach the final destination).
She desperately needs to speak with Joshua (Emily's brother) to answer questions about the murder, which has resurfaced due to a popular crime blog.
What if Alex was not the killer?
What if she got it all wrong. Micah is trying to fix things, and she wants to make them right. Her testimony was what sent Alex, her boyfriend, to prison.
Each chapter is a countdown to the destination. Do not let this confuse you as you read into each chapter. It is a teaser only.
Included in the body of each chapter the author provides a clear picture of what Micah is thinking and feeling each step of the way. She is emotional, guilt-ridden, and determined to figure out what really happened to her friend and if Alex possibly is not guilty.
He has spent the last ten years in prison. He should have been at Penn State. Emily could have had a budding career as a ballerina. SO MANY SECRETS.
SCENE OF THE CRIME: TEN YEARS EARLIER
“The stone pillars marking the entrance to the campsite were visible from the street for someone who knew where to look, moss-covered and misshapen, but still standing.“ An abandoned resort/sanatorium. Why didn't you help me?
Micah has moved back to her small rural hometown from Chicago, where it all happened. She had to come back to take care of her mom, that has now passed, and used the money to buy Stomping Grounds a coffee cafe.
She swore she would never come back as there are too many bad memories, but here she is. Reliving the night she wanted to forget.
In addition, she is living with Ryan (2 years), her present boyfriend (who made up their foursome back when he was best friends with Alex). It was always Alex, Micah, Emily, and Ryan.
Her coffee house is near the college campus, and kids flock there to hang out. Also, there is much gossip. It is the tenth anniversary of the murder, and Alex may get out of prison.
There is a true-crime blog, "NO STONE UNTURNED" that is gaining attention pretty much run by Julia, their former classmate who claims she is a girlfriend of Alex.
People are re-visiting the crime, and Micah is second-guessing herself. She is bordering on obsession, reading everything she can online, doubting her current boyfriend, and hearing things at the cafe. She does not trust anyone.
It all happened at an old campsite in the creepy forest in the summer. The group and others all went camping that night ten years ago. Alex went missing, and so did Emily. Everyone assumed Alex was the killer but was it someone else?
Micah's obsession about the night of the crime is getting in the way of operating her business and her current relationship with Ryan. She is spinning out of control. Micah is looking at every person as the killer. Everyone is looking at her.
Emily was a star. She had returned from a ballet summer intensive in upstate New York. Emily had it all but was she truly happy? Was Micah jealous of her? What happened that night ten years ago?
Joshua seems to be living off the grid, and Micah has no way to contact him. He will not answer calls or texts, so she must drive to find him.
Does she really know Ryan? Will Josh have the answers she desperately needs, or could it be something more sinister?
The author cleverly keeps you guessing in a high-stakes cat and mouse game of suspense with many red herrings. I was holding my breath when Micah and Joshua were in the car. OMG! Nothing is as it appears.
Now, as you are reading, you may wish you could hear from Emily and Alex's POV. Wouldn't it be great to hear from them? However, when you reach the final chapter, you can see why it was written this way. Micah may find herself having to go off the grid herself.
All will be revealed with a twist where you will learn more about Emily. This part reminded me a bit of John Hart's The Unwilling from last February.
A smart thriller, addictively suspenseful. A propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets and the true-crime blog entries added more fuel to the fire.
I read this one in two sittings and difficult to put down. Everyone seems to be a suspect. You begin to think Micah is going nuts. Ryan is also a dark horse, among others, but my favorite part was with Joshua. Do you really know your best friend and those closest to you? What secrets do they carry?
Fans of true-crime stories and authors: Wendy Walker, Robyn Harding, Megan Miranda, Laura McHugh, Lisa Unger, Mary Kubica, Randall Silvis, and Heather Gudenkauf will enjoy this one!
In addition, you will be thinking about the Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito mystery (since I am a Floridan, we are obsessed with this case).
I am delighted to discover this newfound thriller author. I wonder if we will see any legal/crime/literary thrillers in the future? (my favorite genre)
On a side note: I have enjoyed the @22debuts Debut Countdown to 2022 with Allison's interesting IG posts. A brilliant idea. I love behind the scenes and inspiration for novels. Highly recommend you check out the posts, videos, photos, and stories, as well as her quaint and fabulous writing studio.
I am very grateful that the Random House marketing team reached out to me directly months ago about this novel since I enjoyed WHAT'S DONE IN DARKNESS by Laura McHugh and recommended Allison's CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS. Yes, indeed, they know my top reading preferences.
A special thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the audiobook narrated by @frankie.corzo and the hardcover.
Blog Review:
@JudithDCollins
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 1, 2022
Top Books of 2022
Must-Read Books Feb 2022
#thriller #crimethriller #suspense #domestic #psychologicalthriller #debut
December 17, 2021
I never want to give a so-so review to a debut novel, because, yay to the author! You did it!! This one just wasn’t at a four-star level for me, but my review seems to be a rare three-star rating, so it may be a great one for you.
The way it’s written threw me at first, which initially made me want to give up on this, but I’m the type to always stick it out. I’m glad I did, because later on, I saw it as a fresh way of making the story. The format is pretty original, but I just couldn’t get into the beginning. For the first third of the book, we are introduced to the other characters, but in disjointed snippets.
Our protagonist, Micah, is on a road trip. The chapters count down the miles to her destination, and her story of the present mingles in with stories of the past as she ponders and drives. This made it hard for me to immediately get invested in any one person. I never got invested in any of them actually, but eventually the story started to click and it was decent.
Micah’s ex-boyfriend from high school, Alex, is in prison for killing her best friend, Emily, ten years prior. Some armchair detectives online and his current girlfriend, Julia, are fighting to get him released, insisting he is innocent. This leads Micah to start questioning the events of that high school party in the woods, and to start investigating on her own. Her other close friend from high school, Ryan, is now her boyfriend (see how this was all confusing at first?) and he’s not on board with her messing around with the past. As things escalate with people online, she decides to ignore him and go find their friend Josh, Emily’s half-brother.
Whew. So that’s the cast of characters, and about all of the plot I want to talk about for spoiler reasons. Once we get into the meaty part of the story based in the past, this became a page-turner. The story was clever and decently written, and I was interested to see what, if anything, Micah would find out on her journey … then we get to the ending. While I didn’t guess it (not even a bit), I didn’t really care for it, but that’s a personal preference.
As I always want to repeat, a three star rating from me isn’t a bad rating, it’s an average one. I had some issues with the beginning and the end, but I still enjoyed the story once I got past the first 20-30 percent. I see a really creative author here, whose next book may blow me away, but this wasn’t it.
(Thank you to Random House, Allison Buccola, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
The way it’s written threw me at first, which initially made me want to give up on this, but I’m the type to always stick it out. I’m glad I did, because later on, I saw it as a fresh way of making the story. The format is pretty original, but I just couldn’t get into the beginning. For the first third of the book, we are introduced to the other characters, but in disjointed snippets.
Our protagonist, Micah, is on a road trip. The chapters count down the miles to her destination, and her story of the present mingles in with stories of the past as she ponders and drives. This made it hard for me to immediately get invested in any one person. I never got invested in any of them actually, but eventually the story started to click and it was decent.
Micah’s ex-boyfriend from high school, Alex, is in prison for killing her best friend, Emily, ten years prior. Some armchair detectives online and his current girlfriend, Julia, are fighting to get him released, insisting he is innocent. This leads Micah to start questioning the events of that high school party in the woods, and to start investigating on her own. Her other close friend from high school, Ryan, is now her boyfriend (see how this was all confusing at first?) and he’s not on board with her messing around with the past. As things escalate with people online, she decides to ignore him and go find their friend Josh, Emily’s half-brother.
Whew. So that’s the cast of characters, and about all of the plot I want to talk about for spoiler reasons. Once we get into the meaty part of the story based in the past, this became a page-turner. The story was clever and decently written, and I was interested to see what, if anything, Micah would find out on her journey … then we get to the ending. While I didn’t guess it (not even a bit), I didn’t really care for it, but that’s a personal preference.
As I always want to repeat, a three star rating from me isn’t a bad rating, it’s an average one. I had some issues with the beginning and the end, but I still enjoyed the story once I got past the first 20-30 percent. I see a really creative author here, whose next book may blow me away, but this wasn’t it.
(Thank you to Random House, Allison Buccola, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
January 1, 2022
The premise of this is about a girl, Micah Wilkes, a high school senior, whose boyfriend is convicted of killing her best friend. This plot was actually fascinating because it immersed the reader completely into Micah’s head, specifically her obsessive, to the point of being debilitating, thoughts. As a reader, there were times that I wanted to reach through the pages and shake Micah because of her misguided and downright stupid actions.
Though her actions were infuriating, I found the plot to be original, refreshing and quite suspenseful. The narration went back and forth between several time periods and at the beginning of each chapter, it was evident that Micah was on a trip somewhere unknown to see someone unknown. The explanation for this unfolded as the story progressed and all questions were answered by the end. At first I found the beginnings of the chapters to be confusing and disjointed, but it made more sense as the story progressed. I also don’t know if I completely loved the ending, but I can see why the author did this. Overall, a fast, original, entertaining read!
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Random House and Allison Buccola for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Though her actions were infuriating, I found the plot to be original, refreshing and quite suspenseful. The narration went back and forth between several time periods and at the beginning of each chapter, it was evident that Micah was on a trip somewhere unknown to see someone unknown. The explanation for this unfolded as the story progressed and all questions were answered by the end. At first I found the beginnings of the chapters to be confusing and disjointed, but it made more sense as the story progressed. I also don’t know if I completely loved the ending, but I can see why the author did this. Overall, a fast, original, entertaining read!
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Random House and Allison Buccola for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
dnf
January 27, 2022I gave it my 50 page mark but I am struggling with the storyline and the main character, so I will put this aside for now. Maybe I'll pick it back up at another time?
May 12, 2022
3.5/5
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a slow-burning debut novel that keeps you wondering. I'm not actually sure I would call it a thriller because I didn't get any 'thrills' out of it, but it does have some great mysterious qualities to it. I really liked the way the book is broken up into how many miles Micah has to go to get to her destination, while also providing plenty of backstory. The end is where you finally find out what lead Micah to do what she is doing, and the format reminded me a bit of Don't Turn Around. I can't say I liked any of the characters including Micah, but I thought she was a very interesting viewpoint to read from. She is SUPER paranoid, and her paranoia started to make ME paranoid even though I had no reason to be.
I have seen quite a few reviews say this book was way too long, and while I do think it could have been a bit shorter, I didn't get that vibe as much as I did with The Spanish Love Deception. I found myself enjoying it for the most part, and this could also have been because of the audiobook. Frankie Corzo is the narrator, and I loved every moment of listening to her, so much so that I would probably listen to her read anything. I think listening really helped me get in the zone and become more invested in the book overall. The biggest bummer for me ended up being the ending, and I was hoping it would be a bit more twisty than what it ended up being. Catch Her When She Falls was still a solid debut in my eyes, and I will definitely be reading whatever Buccola writes next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola is a slow-burning debut novel that keeps you wondering. I'm not actually sure I would call it a thriller because I didn't get any 'thrills' out of it, but it does have some great mysterious qualities to it. I really liked the way the book is broken up into how many miles Micah has to go to get to her destination, while also providing plenty of backstory. The end is where you finally find out what lead Micah to do what she is doing, and the format reminded me a bit of Don't Turn Around. I can't say I liked any of the characters including Micah, but I thought she was a very interesting viewpoint to read from. She is SUPER paranoid, and her paranoia started to make ME paranoid even though I had no reason to be.
I have seen quite a few reviews say this book was way too long, and while I do think it could have been a bit shorter, I didn't get that vibe as much as I did with The Spanish Love Deception. I found myself enjoying it for the most part, and this could also have been because of the audiobook. Frankie Corzo is the narrator, and I loved every moment of listening to her, so much so that I would probably listen to her read anything. I think listening really helped me get in the zone and become more invested in the book overall. The biggest bummer for me ended up being the ending, and I was hoping it would be a bit more twisty than what it ended up being. Catch Her When She Falls was still a solid debut in my eyes, and I will definitely be reading whatever Buccola writes next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 13, 2022
Was this book offensive/problematic? No. At least I don't think so... but I was bored out of my mind, I cared for none of the characters, and the ending was stupid. Coupled with the fact I listened to this while driving across Indiana and Ohio (which is already very boring) my reading experience was terrible. Whomp.
Where do I even start? I don't care to spend time writing about everything I didn't like because I have things I'd rather do, but if you don't care about spoilers, here's a bit about the god-awful ending:
Where do I even start? I don't care to spend time writing about everything I didn't like because I have things I'd rather do, but if you don't care about spoilers, here's a bit about the god-awful ending:
January 31, 2022
“Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend.”
Micah’s best friend Emily was a ballerina with a bright future until one night, she falls to her death in the woods. The last one to see her alive is Micah’s boyfriend Alex, who was later convicted of this crime. Years later, a group of armchair detectives on a popular crime blog "reopens" his case, causing Micah's mind to fill with past memories and doubts about what happened. Unsure of her own role in her friend’s death, she leaves everything behind to find Emily's little brother, who might hold all the answers to her questions.
For a debut author, all I can say is wow! From the first line, I could not put 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 down. This slow-burn psychological thriller is told through Micah's present day story, online discussion posts, and flashbacks to 10 years ago. The writing style of this author did take time to get used as flashbacks were randomly scattered through the chapters, but I imagine that is how Micah remembered them, sporadically as real life triggered them. Overall, it was unique, unpredictable, and well-done.
I first heard of this book when Ashley Winstead (@ashleywinsteadbooks) raved about it on an author chat. I loved 𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐈 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞 and her recommendation did not disappoint. I look forward to what Allison Buccola comes up with next.
What is the last debut author you have really enjoyed?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
______
Thank you to @allisonbuccola and @randomhouse for this advanced copy. It is out TOMORROW, 2/1!
Micah’s best friend Emily was a ballerina with a bright future until one night, she falls to her death in the woods. The last one to see her alive is Micah’s boyfriend Alex, who was later convicted of this crime. Years later, a group of armchair detectives on a popular crime blog "reopens" his case, causing Micah's mind to fill with past memories and doubts about what happened. Unsure of her own role in her friend’s death, she leaves everything behind to find Emily's little brother, who might hold all the answers to her questions.
For a debut author, all I can say is wow! From the first line, I could not put 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 down. This slow-burn psychological thriller is told through Micah's present day story, online discussion posts, and flashbacks to 10 years ago. The writing style of this author did take time to get used as flashbacks were randomly scattered through the chapters, but I imagine that is how Micah remembered them, sporadically as real life triggered them. Overall, it was unique, unpredictable, and well-done.
I first heard of this book when Ashley Winstead (@ashleywinsteadbooks) raved about it on an author chat. I loved 𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐈 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞 and her recommendation did not disappoint. I look forward to what Allison Buccola comes up with next.
What is the last debut author you have really enjoyed?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
______
Thank you to @allisonbuccola and @randomhouse for this advanced copy. It is out TOMORROW, 2/1!
January 12, 2022
An entertaining whodunnit. Micah was a unique and interesting character who descends down a rabbit hole, becoming more mentally unbalanced as the pages turned. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 18, 2022
Thank you to Random House for this intriguing finished copy. Catch Her When She Falls is about Micah, a girl who's boyfriend was convicted of killing her best friend in high school. Years later she has finally begun to move on, but when reminders of her past begin appearing at her work and home, Micah begins to doubt what she knows about Emily's death. Questions raised on a true crime blog force her to reexamine her memories of that night. Was there another explanation for Emily's murder? A stranger in the woods. An obsessive former classmate. Or the internet's favorite suspect: Joshua, Emily's outcast younger brother who hasn't been seen since his sister's death.
Thoughts: What an amazing premise. I couldn't help but be sucked in just from reading the back of the book. Sadly, the writing is SO confusing. It was so hard to follow and Micah was truly and awful main character. She was so selfish and self-centered that I couldn't get into it at all. The storyline was meh, the characters were bleh, and the ending was just a letdown. I hate to review this because it had SO much promise, but it wasn't for me. 2-stars.
Thoughts: What an amazing premise. I couldn't help but be sucked in just from reading the back of the book. Sadly, the writing is SO confusing. It was so hard to follow and Micah was truly and awful main character. She was so selfish and self-centered that I couldn't get into it at all. The storyline was meh, the characters were bleh, and the ending was just a letdown. I hate to review this because it had SO much promise, but it wasn't for me. 2-stars.
December 8, 2021
Hold tight while I take a glance over my shoulder......
Catch Her When She Falls, is a novel that will have you questioning, "just who can you trust" ? I would classify this novel as a slow burn mystery that will indefinitely hold your attention .
Micah's boyfriend was arrested for killing Micah's best friend, Emily . This completely shattered Micah's world and took years to recover from the loss of her friend and betrayal of her boyfriend. Ten years later Micah is finally in a good place but someone is not ready to bury the past. Soon mysterious things start to happen and Micah is forced to face the truth about what happened all those years ago.
I loved this novel from start to finish and would highly recommend this one to my thriller loving friends!
Catch Her When She Falls, is a novel that will have you questioning, "just who can you trust" ? I would classify this novel as a slow burn mystery that will indefinitely hold your attention .
Micah's boyfriend was arrested for killing Micah's best friend, Emily . This completely shattered Micah's world and took years to recover from the loss of her friend and betrayal of her boyfriend. Ten years later Micah is finally in a good place but someone is not ready to bury the past. Soon mysterious things start to happen and Micah is forced to face the truth about what happened all those years ago.
I loved this novel from start to finish and would highly recommend this one to my thriller loving friends!
April 16, 2023
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend." Talk about an line opener that gets straight to the point!
Honestly I this one was not for me. To be honest, there was no story there just a main character who is too much in their head.
Honestly I this one was not for me. To be honest, there was no story there just a main character who is too much in their head.
August 17, 2021
I just finished reading "Catch Her When She Falls" by Allison Buccola. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a review of the book.
This book follows the life of Micah whose best friend Emily was killed in highschool by Micah's boyfriend, Alex. Micah is haunted by Emily's death and the role that she played in sending Alex to jail. Now she is back in her hometown living with Alex's best friend Ryan and running a Coffee Shop. But then mysterious threats begin targetting Micah, which brings into question whether or not Alex was actually responsible for Emily's death. This sends Micah into a tailspin and she becomes obsessed with learning the truth, which eventually sends her looking for Emily's strange younger brother Joshua.....
I enjoyed reading the backstory of Micah and her friends. She is definately a flawed character but I felt her pain and sorrow throughout the book. I also enjoyed how Micah was portrayed as this strong but equally vulnerable character, who wanted to do the right thing but was afraid to. The story kept sending clues about who the real killer might be throughout the book so that I was never quite sure of who actually killed Emily. At one point I even though Micah might have done it.
Although there were some head scratching moments in the book, overall I really enjoyed the story and the author did an excellent job of tying it up at the end, even though it was a bit messy.
My only advice to to the reader is watch for the timeline because this story is told in three different time periods: the far past, the near past and the present...hope that makes sense.
Happy Reading
This book follows the life of Micah whose best friend Emily was killed in highschool by Micah's boyfriend, Alex. Micah is haunted by Emily's death and the role that she played in sending Alex to jail. Now she is back in her hometown living with Alex's best friend Ryan and running a Coffee Shop. But then mysterious threats begin targetting Micah, which brings into question whether or not Alex was actually responsible for Emily's death. This sends Micah into a tailspin and she becomes obsessed with learning the truth, which eventually sends her looking for Emily's strange younger brother Joshua.....
I enjoyed reading the backstory of Micah and her friends. She is definately a flawed character but I felt her pain and sorrow throughout the book. I also enjoyed how Micah was portrayed as this strong but equally vulnerable character, who wanted to do the right thing but was afraid to. The story kept sending clues about who the real killer might be throughout the book so that I was never quite sure of who actually killed Emily. At one point I even though Micah might have done it.
Although there were some head scratching moments in the book, overall I really enjoyed the story and the author did an excellent job of tying it up at the end, even though it was a bit messy.
My only advice to to the reader is watch for the timeline because this story is told in three different time periods: the far past, the near past and the present...hope that makes sense.
Happy Reading
December 31, 2021
“Ten years ago my boyfriend killed my best friend”. This sentence hooked me. I enjoyed the writing style and the unpredictability of the story. Just when I thought I knew what was gonna happen I was proved wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc
March 4, 2022
The synopsis sounds right up my alley, so I couldn't wait to dive into this book. It didn't grab me right away though. You're essentially following three timelines but without all the usual breaks. They meld together, and it's sometimes confusing. There's the present time, the days leading up to the present, and ten years ago. Not only that, some of the narrative was in second person (what is this, YOU?). Eventually the story pulled me in enough to keep me turning pages.
I thought all the characters were pretty well rounded. Micah is a difficult heroine to like (and I hate that her name is Micah, just throwing that out there). I don't think we're supposed to like her, and that doesn't bother me, but the choices she makes throughout the book are seriously frustrating nonetheless. I legit cringed for her at times, because girl, you need to get your head on straight and ask for help.
The ending made me kind of sad, which I didn't expect. And I don't think it was supposed to be sad? But I didn't want the story to end that way at all. And I'm talking the very end. I actually thought there was going to be another chapter, but I turned the page and saw the acknowledgements instead. So that was disappointing. Here's my ending:
3 stars, because it kept me engaged, but I had some issues, and this didn't end up being a favorite.
I thought all the characters were pretty well rounded. Micah is a difficult heroine to like (and I hate that her name is Micah, just throwing that out there). I don't think we're supposed to like her, and that doesn't bother me, but the choices she makes throughout the book are seriously frustrating nonetheless. I legit cringed for her at times, because girl, you need to get your head on straight and ask for help.
The ending made me kind of sad, which I didn't expect. And I don't think it was supposed to be sad? But I didn't want the story to end that way at all. And I'm talking the very end. I actually thought there was going to be another chapter, but I turned the page and saw the acknowledgements instead. So that was disappointing. Here's my ending:
3 stars, because it kept me engaged, but I had some issues, and this didn't end up being a favorite.
December 31, 2021
Perfect for fans of true crime blogs and web sleuthing forums, this book centers on a 10-year old murder and conviction in a small town. Because of the blog, Micah, whose best friend was murdered, is forced to look back at the incident that broke her heart for two distinct reasons. Her friend Emily died, and worse, her boyfriend Alex is found guilty of killing Emily. It comes out during the trial that Emily and Alex were dating behind Micah’s back, so she felt wronged on so many levels.
Micah has tried to move on, opening a coffee shop and starting a new relationship with another old high school friend. In light of all the new attention to the case, and questions about Alex’s innocence, Micah reluctantly starts picking people’s memories. The more she learns, the more she’s confused, which leads to irrational behavior, the loss of her boyfriend, and possibly the loss of her coffee shop. But she refuses to stop until she’s forced herself to look back at what actually happened.
With twists and turns, I got a little dizzy trying to figure out the true killer, but the writing style and plot kept me captivated to the very end.
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 1, 2022.
Micah has tried to move on, opening a coffee shop and starting a new relationship with another old high school friend. In light of all the new attention to the case, and questions about Alex’s innocence, Micah reluctantly starts picking people’s memories. The more she learns, the more she’s confused, which leads to irrational behavior, the loss of her boyfriend, and possibly the loss of her coffee shop. But she refuses to stop until she’s forced herself to look back at what actually happened.
With twists and turns, I got a little dizzy trying to figure out the true killer, but the writing style and plot kept me captivated to the very end.
Sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 1, 2022.
December 8, 2021
2022 is looking like it's going to be a *stacked* year, and Catch Her When She Falls has been at the top of my most anticipated reads list since I first saw it announced. I was super excited to receive this one early and quickly dove in.
When Micah was in high school, her boyfriend was convicted of murdering her best friend, Emily. She's spent years dealing with the ramifications, but ten years later, as a true crime podcast begins to poke holes into the series of events leading to Emily's demise, Micah begins to question her own memories of that fateful night. Struggling with her doubts, her behavior growing increasingly erratic, Micah is determined to find the truth.
I LOVED this book.
To start, Buccola's writing is beautiful. The prose is crisp and emotional without being indulgent, and Micah's voice flowed well from page one. I loved the seamless transitions between flashbacks and current timeline, a narrative choice that really helped further the plot and the complexity of the character arc. Unreliable characters are my jam, and Micah is someone who will constantly keep you on your toes. Do we trust her? How much can we trust her?
This combined with the unraveling of the murder mystery was the perfect recipe for an un-put-downable page turner. I absolutely devoured this story and think many readers will be equally engrossed. Overall, Catch Her When She Falls is a taut, smart ride that will keep you guessing to the very last page. Plan on staying up all night for this one.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
When Micah was in high school, her boyfriend was convicted of murdering her best friend, Emily. She's spent years dealing with the ramifications, but ten years later, as a true crime podcast begins to poke holes into the series of events leading to Emily's demise, Micah begins to question her own memories of that fateful night. Struggling with her doubts, her behavior growing increasingly erratic, Micah is determined to find the truth.
I LOVED this book.
To start, Buccola's writing is beautiful. The prose is crisp and emotional without being indulgent, and Micah's voice flowed well from page one. I loved the seamless transitions between flashbacks and current timeline, a narrative choice that really helped further the plot and the complexity of the character arc. Unreliable characters are my jam, and Micah is someone who will constantly keep you on your toes. Do we trust her? How much can we trust her?
This combined with the unraveling of the murder mystery was the perfect recipe for an un-put-downable page turner. I absolutely devoured this story and think many readers will be equally engrossed. Overall, Catch Her When She Falls is a taut, smart ride that will keep you guessing to the very last page. Plan on staying up all night for this one.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
November 25, 2021
Intricately plotted, the mystery is unraveled through Micah Wilke’s unreliable memory of her traumatic past: ten years ago, her high school boyfriend murdered her best friend. Micah’s boyfriend was then arrested for the crime and, a decade later, he is serving his sentence in prison. But when rumors of a wrongful conviction gain traction on a blog for nosy armchair detectives, Micah’s world is turned upside down. She feels herself scrutinized and harassed by locals. Doubts needle her. Trying to filter truths from lies forms the heart of this novel, and Buccola expertly builds pressure to a deeply satisfying boiling point. Overall, Catch Her When She Falls offers a rich character study through Micah’s intimate and troubled point-of-view. The layers of what really happened on that tragic night ten years ago are skillfully peeled back bit by bit. Between the plot’s burning questions and breathless twists, this is a must-read for fans of psychological suspense!
February 28, 2022
3.75
“Who we are-who we really are, our essential selves-that doesn’t change, does it?”
What I liked:
☕️ Good first chapter that reels you in
☕️ True crime blog plot points
☕️ Unique tone in that some chapters are kind of a letter to a dif character
☕️ Multiple timelines
☕️ Anxiety inducing
What I didn’t like:
☕️ Twist/reveal was clever but a bit of a letdown
☕️ No closure with the ending
☕️ Main character almost too unlikeable
I had high hopes for this one and sadly it was a bit of a letdown. However, I think there’s definitely an audience for this! I would describe it as the unreliable narrator version of IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE meets THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED.
“Who we are-who we really are, our essential selves-that doesn’t change, does it?”
What I liked:
☕️ Good first chapter that reels you in
☕️ True crime blog plot points
☕️ Unique tone in that some chapters are kind of a letter to a dif character
☕️ Multiple timelines
☕️ Anxiety inducing
What I didn’t like:
☕️ Twist/reveal was clever but a bit of a letdown
☕️ No closure with the ending
☕️ Main character almost too unlikeable
I had high hopes for this one and sadly it was a bit of a letdown. However, I think there’s definitely an audience for this! I would describe it as the unreliable narrator version of IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE meets THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED.
March 27, 2022
Who did I think I was, still trying a book after seeing its abysmal GR ratings? From an abhorrently poorly constructed - and still boring - plot, to the drippiest, dreariest, most spineless of characters, to the absolutely nonsensical flashbacks, this was a mess. The only fitting part was the end, because it seemed the author, or its editor, wanted to put an end to the disaster as much as the readers did
January 22, 2022
3.5 STARS - Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend. How's that for a first line to hook you in?!
Catch Her When She Falls is the debut from Allison Buccola and is a story about secrets, lies and murder in a group of teenagers in a small town. The plot focuses on Micah, a young woman who returns to her hometown a decade after her best friend Emily was murdered by Micah's boyfriend Alex, who is in prison for the crime.
This is a slow burn read and it was the decades old murder and complicated relationships which began in childhood that pulled me in. I enjoyed the eerie feel and how the author had me constantly questioning the identity of the culprit. Buccola uses three timelines to tell the story and admittedly, that's a lot of balls in the air but it worked for me as long as I had long chunks of time to read and could go with the flow. But if I only read for short spurts, I found the format disorientating as I tried to get back into the story that often jumped between three time frames without giving the reader any warning.
The story centres on the unlikeable, yet interestingly unpredictable main character, Micah. She's pretty sketchy, makes some erratic and ridiculous decisions, but this unpredictability of her character adds to the unbalanced tone of story. You just don't know what she'll do next or if you can believe her take on things. There's a large secondary cast to keep track of which gives readers a gaggle of possible perpetrators and left me feeling like I suspected everyone at some point! The energy finally ramps up in the last quarter as things fall into place, but while the ending was unexpected, after that great build-up it felt a bit lackluster and had a slight After School Special feel.
Overall, this is an impressive debut with a good sinister feel. I enjoyed how the author was able to make me question whodunnit over and over and I look forward to reading more from Allison Buccola in the future.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for my advanced copy of this title provided in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2022
This book had a lot of potential, but just didn’t grasp it at all. The main character, Micah, was annoying and unlikeable. She seems to be a narcissist and nothing is ever her fault. The book flips from current time to flashbacks so many times, I was left confused about where I was. I have to admit, that I at times skimmed the book, because I just wanted it to end. Sadly, the ending wasn’t worth the wait, and left me feeling like I wasted my time with this one.
January 14, 2022
Micah Wilkes has returned home to Calvary after she moved away ten years ago to escape the painful memories of her high school boyfriend Alex who was sleeping with her best friend Emily then ends up murdering her.
Now grown up and in a relationship with Ryan who was part of her high school set during that awful time, Micah has learned to deal with the betrayal and guilt over the years has come back to put the past behind her and open up a coffee shop. Life with Ryan seems to agree with Micah until renewed interest in what happened that night with Emily and Alex surfaces in an online crime blog fueled by Julia, another high school classmate who harbored love sick feelings for Alex and now advocates for his innocence. After flyers pop up with Emily's picture and a break in to her apartment Micah sets out to uncover the person who is behind these cruel reminders of that fateful night and to try and find out those last moments leading up to the murder and whether Emily's nerdy, odd brother Joshua can shed light to what really happened.
This is an engrossing, riveting debut that surprised and haunted me at it's conclusion, you have to pick this one up! Recommended.
Thanks very much to author Allison Buccola and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this for review, all opinions are my own.
Now grown up and in a relationship with Ryan who was part of her high school set during that awful time, Micah has learned to deal with the betrayal and guilt over the years has come back to put the past behind her and open up a coffee shop. Life with Ryan seems to agree with Micah until renewed interest in what happened that night with Emily and Alex surfaces in an online crime blog fueled by Julia, another high school classmate who harbored love sick feelings for Alex and now advocates for his innocence. After flyers pop up with Emily's picture and a break in to her apartment Micah sets out to uncover the person who is behind these cruel reminders of that fateful night and to try and find out those last moments leading up to the murder and whether Emily's nerdy, odd brother Joshua can shed light to what really happened.
This is an engrossing, riveting debut that surprised and haunted me at it's conclusion, you have to pick this one up! Recommended.
Thanks very much to author Allison Buccola and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this for review, all opinions are my own.
November 22, 2021
I’ve just finished “Catch Her When She Falls”, the story of a set of small-town friends: Micah, her HS boyfriend Alex, her best friend Emily, Emily’s brother Jonah and Ryan, a fellow classmate. When Emily loses her life from a fall out a window during a party in the woods, Alex is tried and sent to prison as the killer, based partly on Micah’s recanting of the alibi she originally furnished him. Flash forward to present day; Ryan and Micah are now living together and Alex is up for parole. This news sends Micah into a tailspin as she begins to question whether he was guilty after all. She’s has never been sure what happened that night so she takes on the role of amateur sleuth. She tracks down facts, questions eyewitnesses, and searches her own memory for clues. When she stumbles across a true crime chat room, and assumes a false identity online, she provokes the wrath of another classmate Julie who has formed a relationship with Alex while he’s been incarcerated. Before long, Micah’s imagining people gossiping about her, following her down the street, and breaking into her apartment. In her zeal to solve the mystery, she even drives hundreds of miles to talk to Jonah, who has rebooted his life under a new name.
I found some of Micah’s machinations a bit obsessive and over-the-top as she flips between suspects, doubting everyone, neglecting her coffee shop, and making assumptions that only serve to feed her growing paranoia. The ending needed a bit more grounding to make it believable, and I’m not sure all the blind alleys were sufficiently explained but the book did keep me engaged in trying to figure out the mystery and the characters were well drawn so it’s four stars for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I found some of Micah’s machinations a bit obsessive and over-the-top as she flips between suspects, doubting everyone, neglecting her coffee shop, and making assumptions that only serve to feed her growing paranoia. The ending needed a bit more grounding to make it believable, and I’m not sure all the blind alleys were sufficiently explained but the book did keep me engaged in trying to figure out the mystery and the characters were well drawn so it’s four stars for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 19, 2021
Interesting premise. The plot seemed to lag in certain spots. I didn’t care for any of the main characters. The ending was true to Micah’s character. Overall, the book was not for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the early copy.
February 2, 2022
3.5 Stars
A decade earlier, Micah Wilkes’s boyfriend Alex killed her best friend Emily. Or did he? Author Allison Buccola will keep you guessing, which requires skill and a very precise strategy, no easy task, particularly for a debut author.
Because I committed to an honest review in exchange for a complimentary ARC, I should also list a few things with which I found issue:
• Long before setting out with manically obsessed Micah on a road trip as she searches for the truth, I often wondered, “Why a decade later?” Maybe I missed something, but I thought the story would have been much more plausible if it had taken place a year, two at most, following Alex’s trial.
• The novel doesn’t pick up momentum until the 80% mark. I found the pacing quite slow, but please keep in mind this is totally subjective. I know many readers who prefer a leisurely walk rather than a sweat-drenching jog.
• The main character and many of the others didn’t resonate with me. But, again, this is a personal preference.
• I found the ending unsatisfying and rather abrupt. Possibly Ms. Buccola has a sequel in the works.
Because of these personal preferences, I am downgrading my rating from 4 stars to 3.5.
I would recommend Catch Her When She Falls to those who enjoy a cozy mystery. Thank you so very much, Ms. Buccola, Random House, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I wish the author much success, now and in the future, and I look forward to reading her next book.
A decade earlier, Micah Wilkes’s boyfriend Alex killed her best friend Emily. Or did he? Author Allison Buccola will keep you guessing, which requires skill and a very precise strategy, no easy task, particularly for a debut author.
Because I committed to an honest review in exchange for a complimentary ARC, I should also list a few things with which I found issue:
• Long before setting out with manically obsessed Micah on a road trip as she searches for the truth, I often wondered, “Why a decade later?” Maybe I missed something, but I thought the story would have been much more plausible if it had taken place a year, two at most, following Alex’s trial.
• The novel doesn’t pick up momentum until the 80% mark. I found the pacing quite slow, but please keep in mind this is totally subjective. I know many readers who prefer a leisurely walk rather than a sweat-drenching jog.
• The main character and many of the others didn’t resonate with me. But, again, this is a personal preference.
• I found the ending unsatisfying and rather abrupt. Possibly Ms. Buccola has a sequel in the works.
Because of these personal preferences, I am downgrading my rating from 4 stars to 3.5.
I would recommend Catch Her When She Falls to those who enjoy a cozy mystery. Thank you so very much, Ms. Buccola, Random House, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I wish the author much success, now and in the future, and I look forward to reading her next book.
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