Audiobook Review: Falling by Jane Green

---

Falling
Author: Jane Green
Narrator: Jane Green
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: July 19, 2016
Review Source: Penguin Random House Audio

The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House, Jemima J, and Summer Secrets presents a novel about the pleasure and meaning of finding a home—and family—where you least expect them...

When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted either.

On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.

Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.

But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all.

In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds—of one woman’s far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be…

The Story:  Falling is about Emma leaving her busy city life as a New York Banker to a small town in Connecticut.  She was happy in her solitude, or so she thought before her landlord and his son came barreling into her life.  This is a story about new beginnings and self discovery.

The Likes:  I love that Emma is from England and that she falls in love with Dominic, an Italian from Connecticut. They come from two completely different worlds but make it work beautifully. They make a good team together.  I love Emma's parents, excluding the bit when they treated Dominic as though he was the help. I especially love them with how they come through for Emma and their relationship with Jesse.

The Dislikes:  I don't like the insta-love factor in this book. It starts with Dominic dating someone else casually and then what seems like a week passes and Dominic and Emma are in love. I also thought the story was a bit boring. I found myself day dreaming and having trouble focusing on the content.  I am also so upset with how the story ended.  I think I said WTF about 15 times.  I disliked Dominic's ex with a passion.  She had some redeeming qualities with at least being honest about her selfishness but that is IT.  Also I couldn't stand Dominic's parents.  They were so horrible to each other and to Emma.

The Narrator:  I loved Jane Green's reading of the story.  She has the most adorable English accent and she made the slow points of the book more enjoyable for me.  I thought her version of Emma's mom and dad were SPOT ON.  Really all of the characters she read as were perfect.  I thought she had a great tone throughout the book and the story was read at a good pace.  I will definitely listen to more books that she narrates.

The Rating:  I'm giving this audio book 3.5 stars because the content was just OK for me but I did enjoy the audio version.