This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Jenny Banks
When a snowstorm traps two strangers in an old ruin on Christmas Day, neither realises how will it affect their future or bring their pasts together.
Rose longs to leave the village of Merry Ditton and experience independence at university. But as the sole carer for her fragile father, her dreams look lost. Lawrence has been working in Sri Lanka, treating the injured while atoning for an awful accident. As their lives collide the possibility of love opens up for them both. But Lawrence has a secret, one that entwines him with Rose and her family in an unimaginable way. Their families are also bitter enemies and neighbours, threatening to destroy any hope for them both.
The first line I read on the back page of Falling For You proclaimed, ‘What if you find the love of your life…only to discover he’s your enemy?’ Giselle Green’s novel sounded so intriguing I couldn’t wait to start reading it. It took me a little while to get into it; each chapter alternates between Rose and Lawrence, and it feels like the novel only really gets going when they come together. This is definitely where the novel works best. Having two people as the only characters for two hundred pages and keeping the book fresh and exciting might’ve been difficult, but Giselle Green pulls it off well. I was hooked as they get to know each other and they slowly begin to fall in love. As enemies and lovers though, it was never going to be plain sailing, and throughout their time together there is impending trouble in sight.
Rose and Lawrence are both young – eighteen and twenty two- but I found that they would act either younger or older than their respective ages and it took me a while to fully click with them both. When I did though, I found Rose to be caring and compassionate, especially to her father who relies on her constant care. Lawrence was also gentle and kind, and it’s easy to see how if they had the chance, their relationship would thrive. But Lawrence also has a temper that’s gotten him into trouble once before, the repercussions of which can still be felt.
It was probably the perfect time for me to read Falling For You. As the snow fell outside, I could imagine what it would be like for Rose and Lawrence. The isolated ruin where they meet is a great, atmospheric setting; they are untouchable in their own snow globe. It is only when the snow settles that the consequences can be clearly seen.
Described as a modern day Romeo and Juliet, Falling For You is a moving romantic novel about family and justice and love overcoming any obstacle placed in its way.
8/10