Hey book lovers! Ready for your next great read?  Let’s dive into The Upside of Falling by Alex Light—a fresh, flirty debut that’s sure to steal your heart.

So, here’s the deal: Becca Hart, a seventeen-year-old who’s done with all the “where’s your boyfriend?” questions, decides to cook up a little lie about having a secret beau. But when Brett Wells, the high school’s golden boy, catches wind of her fib, he steps in to play the part.

Brett’s got it all—a spot on the football team, popularity, and a future mapped out. Still, he’s more interested in dodging the relationship questions than actually dating. So, this fake relationship is a win-win: Becca gets to keep her story straight, and Brett avoids those pesky relationship questions.

As Becca and Brett get into their roles as the “perfect couple,” they start to realize that things aren’t as simple as they first thought. What began as a way to keep up appearances soon becomes something much more complicated—and way more interesting.

At first, Becca and Brett are just going through the motions. Becca’s trying to dodge those annoying questions about her love life, and Brett’s just trying to avoid the pressure of having a real relationship. But as they spend more time together, they start to see that their fake romance might be touching on something real.

For Becca, who’s still reeling from a past heartbreak, Brett’s company is more comforting than she expected. She’s been working hard to piece her heart back together, and Brett’s presence helps her feel like she’s making progress. On the flip side, Brett, who seems to have everything mapped out, finds that being with Becca is a nice break from the pressure he faces. Their time together starts to provide him with a sense of connection and relief.

As they continue to act like a couple, their conversations start to become more genuine. They open up about their fears and dreams, and their moments together feel less like acting and more like real life. It’s as if the boundaries between what’s fake and what’s true are slowly fading away.

Their initial “relationship” starts to feel like something deeper and more meaningful. They begin to really care about each other, and the line between pretending and actually falling for each other gets pretty blurry. They start to question if what they have is just a result of their charade or if it’s something truly real.

Of course, we are rooting for them to conclude that it’s something truly real, because why else would we have picked up the romcom? 

If you’re a fan of romance with a twist, where pretending to be in love might just lead to finding it for real, this book is your perfect escape. It’s lighthearted but with enough depth to keep you engaged and invested in their story.

Alex Light brings a perfect mix of humor and heart to the table. The dialogue is snappy and full of clever exchanges that keep the story lively and fun. At the same time, Light skillfully balances this with moments of genuine emotional depth, allowing Becca and Brett’s growing connection to feel authentic and impactful. The chemistry between the characters crackles off the page, making for a great story. 

Does The Upside of Falling get our stamp of approval?

Engaging Plot: Does the book have a compelling storyline that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end? Without a doubt! This story had plenty of unique quirks that kept us wondering what would happen next.

Well-Developed Characters: Are the characters multidimensional, with realistic motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story? Becca and Brett are more than just their roles in the fake relationship. They’ve got real motivations and flaws that make them relatable – not to mention that they still come across as the high-school students they are. Watching them grow and deal with their own issues adds depth to the story.

Strong Writing: Is the prose well-crafted, with vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and a consistent narrative voice? Alex Light’s writing is spot-on. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and she paints vivid pictures with her descriptions. It’s easy to get lost in the story because her narrative voice is both engaging and consistent.

Emotional Impact: Does the book evoke a range of emotions in readers, from laughter and joy to sadness and empathy? Oh, for sure. The book will have you laughing one minute and feeling all the feels the next. 

Originality: Does the book bring something fresh and unique to its genre or subject matter, avoiding clichés and predictable plot twists? While the fake relationship trope isn’t groundbreaking, Light brings a fresh spin to it. The way their relationship evolves and the personal challenges they face keep things interesting and avoid the usual clichés.

Pacing: Is the pacing of the story appropriate, with a good balance of action, exposition, and character development? The pacing is just right. The story moves smoothly with a good mix of action, character development, and introspection. It keeps you engaged without feeling too slow or too rushed…save for them having some “fun” at the end. That, we could have lived without considering they are still in high school. 

World-Building: Does the book create a richly imagined world that feels immersive and believable? The high school setting feels real and relatable. It’s not overly elaborate, but it’s well-crafted enough to immerse you in Becca and Brett’s world.

Theme and Message: Does the book explore meaningful themes and deliver a message that resonates with readers? The book does a great job exploring themes like personal growth and finding real connections. The message about discovering what’s genuine through pretense really resonates and adds depth to the story.

Resolution: Does the book provide a satisfying resolution to its central conflicts and story arcs? The ending ties everything up nicely. It’s satisfying to see how Becca and Brett’s story resolves, and it feels like a fitting conclusion to their journey.

Overall Enjoyment: Most importantly, did we enjoy the book? In a nutshell, The Upside of Falling is a blast to read. It’s funny, heartfelt, and just the right mix of romance and reality. If you’re looking for a feel-good book with some depth, but that doesn’t make you think too hard, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

Have you read The Upside of Falling yet? 

If you’ve read The Upside of Falling, what did you think of it? If you haven’t read it yet, are you going to?