When We Fall

by Sloane Murphy

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publication Date: June 9, 2017
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Dedicated Ink Publishing Ltd

Do you remember that moment?
That one moment.
The one when you changed.
People might say it was this or that, but deep down you know.
You know exactly what that moment was. Even if you’re not ready to admit it to yourself.
You know.
I remember mine, it didn’t just change me.
It changed everything.

Everyone thought Mason Knight was the whirlwind that swept me away. But nothing compares to those two shots. Those two shots woke me up and made me see that when we fall, sometimes we need help to get back up. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon)

When We Fall follows Erin’s senior year, all her hopes and difficulties must deal with. Most of her problems are consequences of a group of bullies’ behavior, determined to make her school life experience as awful as possible. But, despite their actions, Erin is determined to achieve all her academic goals.

When Mason moves to her school, he’s attracted to this beautiful and intelligent girl, who seems to enjoy her solitude. Then, he has a chance to catch up with her while she’s tutoring him. They finally have a date and the chance to know each other better, even if his past remains a little mysterious.

When We Fall is a touching hymn to life, and once you get involved in the storyline, you just can’t put this book down.

I liked this book, and although it presents some linguistic weaknesses, it can easily reach the audience and echo the reader’s mind. I mostly appreciate how the author deals with such delicate and actual themes as bullying, which became a serious problem among school-aged youth in the last few years.

In When We Fall, Sloane Murphy has perfectly described one of the most common behaviors of young people victims of bullying. Erin only hopes that each school day will be a quiet one, and hopefully, this last year of school will end soon. She doesn’t want to fight, at least until she meets Mason, and their relationship begins. Then, Erin learns to open her heart, confide in other people like Mason and her new friend, Scottie, and finally enjoy her life.

I appreciate how the author describes the characters, although I find the behavior of Erin’s adoptive mother, Monica, a little bit unrealistic. Even though the author clarified Monica’s decision to trust Erin’s judgment, I find it a little hard to believe how easily she accepts her daughter’s choice to deal with her own problems.

In conclusion, I think this novel allows us to reflect on such sensitive themes while enjoying this emotional storyline, and that’s the reason why I’m grateful to Sloane for my ARC.

This book deserves four out of five stars.

I was provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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